Places To Visit In Spain

People tend to call this fertile stretch one of the greenest corners of Spain, and honestly, once you've seen the rolling hillsides you get why. The slopes are famous for their red grapevines and olive groves. You come for the scenery, but you stay for the eating and drinking, and there's a fair bit of local culture and traditional music thrown in too. Garrotxa has a reputation of its own for cheeses and ham, plus the potters, the stone-cutting artisans, and a handful of other crafts that have hung around for generations.

What to actually do once you're there

There are a lot of reasons Spain pulls in so many travellers. The architecture and old landmarks are remarkably well kept, the Mediterranean mood is easy to fall into, the landscape shifts as you move around the country, the food is good, and the culture runs hot. A week or a month, it doesn't much matter, you'll find things to fill the days. Start with the Alhambra Palace in Granada if you can. It's a UNESCO World Heritage Site and, if you have any interest at all in Moorish architecture and history, you shouldn't skip it. The complex went up in the 13th century, and it's a warren of gardens, courtyards and buildings. You can also poke around the remains of the city's Arab baths, which gives you a real sense of what daily life looked like at the peak of the Moorish empire. Seville is the other one I'd push you toward. Flamenco, tapas bars, streets you'll happily get lost in. Give yourself time for the big names, the Alcazar palace complex and the Seville Cathedral, and wander the Moorish Quarter while you're at it. And if you want to escape the

Madrid

Odd how Madrid, the capital, keeps slipping down people's lists. I've never quite understood it. There's a lot here, from museums with genuine international reputations to lovely parks and old buildings that have earned their place. If you want a European city that does a bit of everything, put Madrid near the top. A few spots to start with. First, the Prado Museum. It's one of the most famous art museums anywhere, and yes, worth your time if you're in the city. The collection covers Spanish and European art from the 12th century right up to the early 20th, and among the paintings people queue for are "Las Meninas" by Diego Velázquez and "The Third of May 1808" by Francisco Goya. Second, Retiro Park, one of Madrid's biggest and best-loved green spaces. It runs to more than 350 acres, and it'

Barcelona

Barcelona is a joy to visit. The architecture, the food, all of it. No mystery why it's one of Spain's most popular destinations. A rough shortlist of what to see and do: the Sagrada Familia, the world-famous basilica Antoni Gaudi designed, and please buy your tickets in advance, you'll thank yourself. Take a slow walk down Las Ramblas, the pedestrianised street lined with shops, cafes and street performers. Head up to Park Guell for the views, another Gaudi piece, though entrance is capped so grab your ticket online before you turn up. The Gothic Quarter is worth an afternoon for the medieval architecture and those narrow lanes. And get seafood paella somewhere along the way, the city has no shortage of places doing it. That's more than enough to fill a few days.

Valencia

Valencia is one of those places people keep coming back to. It's a beach city over on the east coast, heavy on culture and history. You can spend your time wandering the city centre, head straight for the beach, or take a day trip out to one of the villages nearby.

Seville

Most people arriving in Spain make a beeline for Barcelona or Madrid, and I get it. But Seville is the one I think too many skip. It sits down in the southern region of Andalusia and serves as the capital of that autonomous community, and it has all the flair and charm you'd want from a Spanish city. Lesser known than a few of its rivals, maybe, but it holds its own without any trouble. The sights come thick and fast here. The Cathedral is the largest Gothic cathedral in the world, and the Giralda bell tower attached to it is one of Spain's most recognised landmarks. The Alcázar fortress matters too, historically speaking, as do the Plaza de España and the Torre del Oro. If art and architecture are your thing, you'll have a field day, from the beautiful churches scattered across town to the largest concentration of Baroque buildings anywhere in Spain. But Seville isn't only about the past; it's also a great

Best things to do in Madrid: getting around, sightseeing, free stuff, and walking tours

Few countries in Europe pull in visitors the way Spain does, and it earns that. There's a huge amount to see. The architecture and museums of Madrid at one end, the sunny beaches of the Costa del Sol at the other, and plenty in between. Planning a trip? Have a look through our blog for the things actually worth doing. We go into how to get around Madrid, where the good sightseeing is, and which activities cost you nothing. We also run free walking tours of the city, which are honestly the quickest way to start seeing it like someone who lives there.

Best things to do in Barcelona: what to see, a foodie's guide, getting around, what to wear and prices

Beach days, a run through some of Spain's best-known museums, or just eating your way through the place, Barcelona covers it. We've pulled together a guide to the best things to see and do here, along with the transport details and the practical stuff you'll actually want to know before you go.

Valencia tips and info: the city ringed by the plain of Los Serranos

Looking for somewhere pretty and a little romantic in Spain? Valencia fits the bill. It's known for its architecture, its food, and weather that mostly cooperates. A few pointers to get the most out of a trip. Start with the City of Arts and Sciences. It's the landmark everyone associates with Valencia and a first-time visitor really shouldn't miss it. The complex is a cluster of buildings, each doing its own thing, and you could genuinely lose a whole day in there. Then there's the nightlife. This is a party city, so don't waste the evenings, there are more bars and clubs than you'll get through and one of them will be exactly your speed. Eat the local food while you're at it. Valencia turns out some of the best cooking in the country, so try as much as your stomach allows, and paella is the one dish you're not allowed to skip. And save an hour for a slow walk through the Old Town.