Tourist Places To Visit In Spain

The idea of Spain brings the taste of smooth cold gazpacho to the tongue and the sites of bull races and tomato festivals make for a kaleidoscope of imagery. Spain is a country in the European continent and holds some of the most admired churches and palaces from the time of crusades. From its big cities like Barcelona and Seville to the culturally rich Madrid, from Valencia’s unparalleled beauty to the unabashed fun that the islands of Canary and Ibiza supply, Spain has so many tourist places to visit. So what are you  waiting for? Read on to find out more for your next vacation.

Madrid is the central capital city of Spain, suffused with manicured public parks, elegant boulevard walks and gothic basilicas. Madrid is the hub of European art and architecture and cafes that serve some of the best tapas. You must visit the Royal Palace of Madrid, followed by the 16th Century Church of San Jerónimo el Real, Museo Nacional Del Prado and Plaza Mayor. You can spend a nice chill evening at the Parque del Buen Retiro (public park) and follow it up with a round of churros at Chocolatería San Ginés. Plaza de Santa Ana is the best place to eat Tapas and drink gazpacho while drinking is the best at Palacio de Cibeles. To soak up Madrid’s culture in one long walk, take to the Gran Vía Street, which is an iconic boulevard of retail shops, bars, restaurants and garage boutiques springing out right from the 20th century architecture.

Also loved as the football Mecca of half the world, Barcelona is the cosmopolitan capital of the Catalan region of Spain. This is another one of the Spanish cities renowned for its architecture and art. Some of the classic tourist landmarks to visit here include Basilica de la Sagrada Familia, Museu Picasso and Fundació Joan Miró Museums, Barri Gòtic or the Gothic Quarter and Gaudí's Surrealist Park that goes by the name of Parc Güell. Barcelona’s most famous street and a social live-wire is La Rambla. This is the heart of the city and divides up the old town, with shops, cafes, roadside stalls and bars to hang out. You must also visit the Barcelona FC Museum; which is, not surprisingly, one of the most coveted tourist sites here. Especially for football fanatics.

Literature loves will recognise the name of this city from the famous musical ‘Barber of Seville.’ This is a city of great inspiration. The capital of Andalusia region in southern Spain, Seville is renowned for the Flamenco traditional dance of Spain. Some of the best places to visit here are Alcázar castle, Plaza de Toros de la Maestranza Bull-Ring, Gothic Seville Cathedral (tomb of Christopher Columbus) and Catedral de Sevilla. The elegant streets and lamps of Seville give out a medieval vibe, enhanced by horse-drawn carriages and cobble-stone lanes. Most of the architecture here has either a Moorish influence or Gothic feel. Take a walk across Barrio Santa Cruz, which is Seville’s charming neighbourhood and a hub for shopping on the streets. Visit the fortress of Real Alcázar (UNESCO World Heritage Site), Parque de María Luisa and Plaza de España.

Valencia is a port city on the southeastern coast of Spain and also marks the conference of River Turia with the Mediterranean Sea. Valencia is the city of science as well as arts, hosting futuristic planetariums and museums of ancient art. The southern sun makes this palm-fringed city a great holiday destination, with tourist sites like Silk Exchange, Marquise Palace, Museum of Fine Arts, Mercado Central, Oceanogràfic Valencia and Catedral de Valencia and Plaza de la Virgen. The most famous festival here is Las Fallas Festival celebrated on the Feast Day of Saint Joseph with huge bright installations and parades on the streets.

Granada is a city situated on the foothills of the Sierra Nevada mountains, known for its medieval pieces of architecture and Moorish influenced monuments. Granada was once the Moorish capital and houses some of the most cherished cultures of Gypsy, Jewish and Islamic origin. Alhambra is the most renowned hill-top fortress that is largely thronged all year round. Visit Alhambra, Albaicín and Mirador of San Nicolas, Capilla Real, Catedral Santa María de la Encarnación and the Gypsy Quarter of Sacromonte. The traditional Arab baths of Bañuelo are very relaxing and go way back to the ritual of Hamam in Moorish times. For a little fun shopping, stroll down the Arab spice market or La Alcaicería.

A port city that has wide industries, Bilbao is located in Northern Spain and sees mild summers with freezing winters. The green mountains surrounding the city turn white with snow come winter. The place has an idyllic town vibe but the downtown is very contemporary with sky-scrapers and bridges. Some of the most coveted tourist destinations here include Bilbao's Museum of Fine Arts, Guggenheim Museum, Museo de Bellas Artes de Bilbao and Euskal Museoa Bilbao. Visit the Old Town or Casco Viejo and Basilica de Begoña, followed by lavish meals at one of the five Michelin Star restaurants - Nerua Restaurant and Etxanobe Restaurant being hot tourist favourites.

Cordoba was a Roman city and served as a major Islamic centre in the medieval times. It is located in south of Spain and is best known for the mosque La Mezquita dating to the 8th Century AD. The Byzantine structure is unique and later served as a church. The Old Town in Cordoba is a classic representation of the Moorish and Jewish culture, as reflected in the Judería or Old Jewish Quarter. Other tourist places of interest here are Alcázar de los Reyes Cristianos (Castle of the Christian Monarchs), Palacio de Viana (Aristocratic Palace and Museum), Puente Romano (Roman Bridge) and Calahorra Tower.

One of the coolest beach destinations in Europe, Ibiza comes up in the list of top 10. Ibiza is one of the islands of Balearic archipelago in Spain and is astonishingly breath-taking, surrounded by the Mediterranean Sea. The nightlife in Ibiza town is to die for and keeps pulsating till the wee hours of morning. From yoga studio retreats to beaches, hikes to pubs and bars, you will find many more tourist attractions here. Visit the Ibiza Cathedral, Dalt Vila UNESCO site and the resort of Playa d’en Bossa beach stretch. The second largest town of Ibiza - San Antonio is very famous for its nightclubs and beach parties, while Talamanca is known for a quiet reflective beach retreat. Cala Comte is rated as the best beach on the islands and Formentera makes for a quintessential Mediterranean holiday with Caribbean lifestyle, powder-white sands and turquoise sea.