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Things to do in Spain

Things to do in  Spain

Welcome to Spain

Sandwiched between Portugal to the west and France to the northeast, Spain entices visitors with its rich culture, history, and fabulous cuisine. The sun shines almost all year round, locals pass down traditional tapas recipes through the generations, and people greet each other with warmth and affection. Whether you visit for the food, the weather, the coast, or the history, Spain brims with adventures, all of which can be easily accessed by a host of private and small-group tours. In vibrant Barcelona and Madrid, walking and cycling tours lead you to top attractions such as the Prado National Museum and Gaudí's iconic La Sagrada Familia, and offer skip-the-line access as well as a guide who will help bring Spain's history to life. Food tours, wine-tasting experiences, and cooking classes teach you how tapas delicacies such as Iberian ham, salted cod, and rich chickpea stew complement Spanish reds and whites like Rioja, Montenovo Godello, and Serrana Macabeo. History buffs can explore medieval streets around Besalú, Tavertet, and Rupit on a group tour to see where castle ruins hide among rugged cliffs and dense forests, while culture vultures will want to take in the passion of flamenco, a traditional Spanish dance. Meanwhile, multi-day tours take travelers to far-flung destinations like Cordoba, Granada, Ronda, Seville, and Toledo, as well as the beautiful coast east of Malaga, where ancient olive groves thrive in the Spanish sunshine.

Top 15 attractions in Spain

Sagrada Familia

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Sagrada Familia, a UNESCO World Heritage site and Antoni Gaudi’s magnum opus, is undoubtedly the most iconic structure in Barcelona (and the most popular, with nearly 3 million visitors per year). Construction has been ongoing for more than 135 years, and the surreal structure, with its rainbow-hued stained glass windows, is slated for completion in 2026. Even in its unfinished state, it remains an absolute must-see for every visitor to the Catalan capital.More

Royal Palace of Madrid (Palacio Real de Madrid)

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Madrid's Royal Palace (also known as the Palacio Real or Palacio de Oriente) is a beautiful baroque structure with some 3,000 rooms, making it one of Europe's largest castles. Although the royal family no longer lives here, the Palacio Real still serves as the king and queen's official residence, a venue for state ceremonies, and a place for tourists to get a peek into the royal history of Spain.More

Alhambra (Alhambra de Granada)

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Built on a hill overlooking Granada and set against a backdrop of the Sierra Nevada, the Alhambra (Alhambra de Granada) is a sprawling complex of intricately decorated palaces, pristine gardens, and a once-mighty fortress. This UNESCO World Heritage site was constructed during the Nasrid Dynasty and later partially destroyed and rebuilt by King Charles V. With its mix of Renaissance and Moorish architecture, the Alhambra Palace is the most sought-after attraction for visitors to Granada, sitting high on most must-see lists for Andalucia and Spain as a whole.More

Park Güell

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Antoni Gaudi spent 15 years designing and building the whimsical fountains, mosaic benches, pedestrian walkways, and gingerbread house-like buildings within Park Güell, one of the seven Works of Antoni Gaudi buildings that together make up a UNESCO World Heritage site. Along with the Sagrada Familia, the hilltop public park sits at the top of Barcelona’s must-see list, and for good reason. The Art Nouveau wonderland adorns many a postcard of the city.More

Teide National Park (Parque Nacional del Teide)

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The largest and oldest national park in the Canary Islands and home to Spain’s highest peak—Mount Teide—Teide National Park (Parque Nacional del Teide) is one of the top attractions on Tenerife. The rugged landscape of the park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is magnificent—a geological wonder featuring an expanse of rugged lava fields, ancient calderas, and volcanic peaks.More

Royal Alcázar of Seville (Real Alcázar de Sevilla)

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Sights across the entire Spanish south have been shaped by centuries of Moorish and Catholic influence, and in few places is this more evident and captivating than at the Royal Alcázar of Seville (Real Alcázar de Sevilla). This UNESCO World Heritage Site’s sprawling complex is made up of several features; the most picturesque is arguably the Patio de las Doncellas, with its tranquil ponds that reflect the intricate mudéjar plasterwork for which the palace is especially noted.More

Casa Batlló

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One of Barcelona’s most fanciful buildings, the elaborate Casa Batlló was built by celebrated Catalan architect Antoni Gaudí and is nicknamed the “House of Bones” for its contorted window frames and skeletal pillars. Casa Batlló’s interior is equally mind-boggling, featuring rippled walls, exquisite tile work, and sculpted fireplaces.More

Masca Valley

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Characterized by rugged cliffs, forested trails, and waterfalls, the wild landscapes of the Masca Valley are among Tenerife’s most beautiful. The remote gorge offers a thrilling backdrop for a hike—the trail winds down through the gorge and finishes at a black-sand beach.More

Prado Museum (Museo del Prado)

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The Prado Museum (Museo del Prado) houses one of the finest art collections in the world, specializing in European art from the 12th to 19th centuries. Thousands of European paintings, sculptures, and other works of art are on display throughout its halls, and they represent merely a fraction of the total collection. Highlights include works by Francisco Goya, Diego Velázquez, and El Greco. Perhaps the most famous paintings are “Las Meninas” (The Maids of Honor), an inventive self-portrait by Velázquez, and The Garden of Earthly Delights, a triptych from Hieronymus Bosch.More

Gothic Quarter (Barri Gotic)

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Barcelona's Gothic Quarter (Barri Gotic) dates back to the Middle Ages, and the neighborhood’s age is evident in its narrow winding roads, shady plazas, and beautiful architecture (including three major cathedrals). Passersby find gems tucked away in the nooks and crannies off the narrow streets—think trendy restaurants, chic bars, and boutique shops. The area's proximity to the La Rambla pedestrian mall also contributes to its popularity among the young, nightlife-loving crowd.More

Seville Cathedral (Catedral de Santa María de la Sede)

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The world’s largest Gothic cathedral, built atop the remains of a mosque, the Seville Cathedral (Catedral de Santa Maria de la Sede) features a spectacular gold altarpiece in its main altar depicting 36 scenes from the life of Christ, as well as the tomb of Christopher Columbus, works by Goya and Murillo, and the dramatic Giralda Tower.More

Guggenheim Museum

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Bilbao’s Guggenheim Museum, designed by world-renowned architect Frank Gehry and opened in 1997, is hailed as one of the most important architectural works of its time. Within its undulating and reflecting walls on the banks of the Nervión River, you’ll find a rotating artistic wonderland of both modern and contemporary art.More

Palma Cathedral (La Seu)

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After King James I (Jaume 1) conquered the Balearic Islands in 1229, he began the conversion of a Moorish-era mosque in present-day Palma de Mallorca (Majorca) into a grand Catalan Gothic-style cathedral overlooking the Mediterranean Sea. The golden sandstone façade, the city’s most notable landmark, took more than 400 years to complete.More

Milà House (Casa Milà)

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One of Antoni Gaudi’s most intriguing creations, the spectacular Casa Mila—also known as La Pedrera (The Quarry) because of its wave-like stone exterior—caused some controversy among critics when it was first unveiled back in 1910. Today, however, Casa Mila is considered a masterpiece of Catalan Modernisme, with gaggles of visitors coming to see its surreal sculptural roof terrace, the re-created early 20th-century interiors of the Pedrera apartment, and the attic-level Espai Gaudi exhibit, which is devoted to the great Catalan architect’s work.More

Plaza Mayor

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Today this central square is a popular meeting place for tourists and locals, but Plaza Mayor’s history goes back to the early 17th century during King Felipe III's reign. The central statue is a nod to the king’s role in overseeing the project's completion. Forming the outer walls are a series of 3-story buildings with balconies overlooking the center.More

Trip ideas

Around Spain in 15 Dishes

Around Spain in 15 Dishes

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Recent reviews from experiences in Spain

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Best paella of the trip.
Mike_T, Mar 2023
Interactive Spanish Cooking Experience in Barcelona
Interaction with other English speaking people was a great thing since when in Spain you don’t hear much English.
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History buffs will love
Gabriela_M, Mar 2023
Guided Tour Spanish Civil War and Franco's Dictatorship Barcelona
As he mentioned, there’s not so many sights to see but it is a nice tour of areas in Barcelona as you learn about the civil war.
star-4
It was a great way to see...
Randi_M, Feb 2023
Private Full-Day Girona GOT and Costa Brava Tour
It was a great way to see the coast or Spain and the medieval towns of Pals and Girona.
star-5
Phenominal
Deborah_L, Jan 2023
Sagrada Familia and Montserrat Small Group Tour with Hotel pick-up
I came to Spain to see Segrada Familia and was blown away with how beautiful it is on the inside.
star-5
Best guide in Cordoba!
Evelyn_H, Nov 2022
Private tourist route in Córdoba
Very knowledgeable on all Cordoba’s history and best sights to go visit.
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Visit to the Dali Meseum
Edward_M, Nov 2022
Girona and Dali Museum Small Group Tour with Hotel Pick-up from Barcelona
Pete Fl, USA several times, it was a treat having such a knowledgeable guide to visit the one in Spain.
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Great tour guides and views
Patti_P, Nov 2022
Girona and Costa Brava Small-Group Tour with Hotel Pickup from Barcelona
It was a beautiful way to see some of spain.
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It was an unique...
Mihaela_C, Nov 2022
Gibraltar with St Michael Caves Guided Tour from Costa del Sol
I would suggest anyone to visit the Saint Michael cave 🙏 Thank you all for everything, and Happy Holidays to you and your families!