Top Attractions and Landmarks to Explore in Spain by City

If you only had a few hours in each city in Spain, where should you head to? With only a short stopover when you’re on the way somewhere else, what’s the single must-see sight there?

Here you’ll find the sight that sets each of Spain’s cities apart from all the others. Most cities have many more sights than these few; however, with this list, you’ll never be in doubt about what makes a particular city so famous.

Madrid: The Golden Triangle of Art Museums

The Museo del Prado, the Reina Sofia, and the Thyssen-Bornemisza are three of the best art museums in Europe, just a few steps apart in a small triangle close to Atocha train station.

The Prado is Madrid’s Louvre, featuring a phenomenal number of classical Spanish paintings and sculptures. Meanwhile, the Reina Sofia is Spain’s premier modern art museum, showcasing Picasso’s Guernica as the main attraction. Additionally, the Thyssen-Bornemisza boasts one of the best private art collections in the world.

If you have even a passing interest in art, these museums are a must-see for any visitor to Madrid. Moreover, their proximity to both the Atocha train station and the airport bus makes it easy to visit one during a short stopover or when changing trains.

Honorable Mentions

Madrid’s fantastic day trips include Segovia, Toledo, Avila, and the Valle de los Caidos, all of which are worth exploring.

Nearby Cities

Madrid has the most international flights and the best transport network in the country, making it the ideal place to start your vacation. Everything is easy to reach from Madrid. Apart from the mentioned day trips, there’s also the high-speed AVE train to Cordoba, Seville, Barcelona, Cuenca, and Valencia.

Barcelona: La Sagrada Familia

Whether you love it or loathe it, seeing Gaudi’s famous unfinished basilica in Barcelona is essential for making up your own mind. It stands as one of the most extravagant buildings ever created and divides opinions like few other structures on Earth.

Be sure to walk around the Sagrada Familia — one facade depicts the Passion of Christ, while the other illustrates the nativity scene, showcasing distinctly different architectural styles.

Honorable Mentions

Barcelona is filled with modernist architecture, notably by Gaudi and many other renowned Catalan architects. There are also enticing day trips to the Dali Museum in Figueres and Montserrat.

Nearby Cities

Figueres and Madrid are accessible via the high-speed AVE train from Barcelona, with good train connections to Valencia.

Seville: Barrio Santa Cruz

Seville is divided into several renowned barrios (neighborhoods); however, none is more famous than Barrio Santa Cruz. This area features classic Spanish architecture, fantastic restaurants, and a high likelihood of encountering flamenco performances.

Honorable Mentions

The cathedral with its Arabic Giralda tower, delectable tapas bars, and traditional bullfighting awaits you in Seville, where you can find everything you expect in Spain.

Nearby Cities

Granada, Cadiz, and Jerez are nearby. Moreover, there’s a high-speed AVE train connecting Seville to Madrid through Cordoba.

Malaga: The Vibe

Despite common stereotypes, Spain is not an all-year-round beach paradise. Northern Spain can experience heavy rain for half the year, and cities like Barcelona can have several cold months.

However, the southern coast of Spain is much closer to that ideal vision of year-round sunshine and warm weather. If you seek a good chance of nice weather in February or March, your best bet is to visit somewhere along the Costa del Sol. Furthermore, if you’re looking for a vibrant city with exciting nightlife, a variety of restaurants, and a bit of culture, Malaga is your best choice.

Notably, we did not select a specific ‘sight’ for Malaga. This city has a different character than cities like Madrid, Barcelona, or Seville, as many travelers largely overlook it. Nevertheless, if warm weather and a beach are your main desires, then Malaga is ideal.

Honorable Mentions

Malaga does feature a Thyssen-Bornemisza museum, though it’s not regarded as highly as the one in Madrid. They also have a Picasso museum, albeit less impressive than the one in Barcelona. The city’s fried fish tapas bars offer delicious food without the pretentiousness of Seville or Barcelona, and at a much better price, though they shine even brighter along the coast in Cadiz.

Nearby Cities

Granada is the nearest city, along with direct connections via the high-speed AVE train to Cordoba and Madrid.

Granada: Alhambra and Free Tapas

The Alhambra is a stunning fortress and garden complex that every visitor to Granada must experience. Tickets are limited, which may be frustrating, but this limitation helps control the crowds.

After a morning at the Alhambra, don’t miss the chance to enjoy tapas. In Granada, the tapas are complimentary! When you purchase a drink, whether it be a beer or a glass of wine, you’ll often receive a small portion of delicious food, like paella or fried fish. Calle Elvira is a notable street for this experience, although it has become quite touristy. Explore off the beaten path for even more delightful surprises…

Honorable Mentions

The Albaicin Moorish quarter, the Sacromonte gypsy quarter, the Sierra Nevada and Alpujarras mountains, and the charming ‘Moroccan teahouses’ are also worthy of exploration.

Nearby Cities

Granada is conveniently located near Seville, Cordoba, and others.

Cordoba: The Mezquita

Cordoba’s Mezquita was once the largest mosque in Europe. Today, it stands as the city’s cathedral, preserving much of its original Arabic charm.

Honorable Mentions

Explore the white-washed walls of the old town, resembling a small pueblo blanco, which might be surprising for a city. Additionally, look inside the courtyards of the houses where possible; during May, there’s a competition for the best-decorated patio.

Nearby Cities

Cordoba is part of the high-speed AVE train line connecting Madrid to Seville, making travel seamless. Granada and Malaga are also nearby.

San Sebastian: Gourmet Tapas

San Sebastian has elevated tapas—known locally as pintxos—to an art form. Elements of molecular gastronomy blend with classic Spanish and Basque dishes served in small portions that promote bar hopping and the thrill of trying new flavors. Accompany your meal with local wine, Txakoli, a tart white wine, or the more robust Rioja.

Honorable Mentions

San Sebastian boasts the best city beach in all of Spain, enhancing its charm.

Nearby Cities

Bilbao is just an hour away by bus. If you are flying from the United States, Madrid is closer than Barcelona, despite both cities being situated in the north.

Bilbao: Guggenheim Museum

One can appreciate Bilbao’s Guggenheim even without entering; its Frank Gehry-designed exterior resembles a NASA cruise liner crash-landed in the city. Nevertheless, you should go inside, as the Guggenheim is among Spain’s two best modern art museums, alongside the Reina Sofia in Madrid. Additionally, it features a superb restaurant; be sure to reserve a table for their excellent lunch menu.

Honorable Mentions

Explore Bilbao’s historic Siete Calles (Seven Streets) in the old town area, rich with character.

Nearby Cities

San Sebastian is conveniently just an hour away by bus.

Valencia: Paella

Paella originated in the rice fields of Valencia. Despite its international acclaim as a seafood dish, the original recipe included meats rather than the typical mussels and calamari. While there are many excellent paella restaurants in Valencia, the best spots are around the Albufera area just outside the city.

Honorable Mentions

Don’t miss the Las Fallas festival in March, and explore the striking City of Arts and Sciences, which highlight the innovative architecture of the city.

Nearby Cities

Cuenca is on the high-speed AVE train line to Madrid, complemented by additional transport connections to Barcelona.

Toledo: The Full Experience

Choosing Toledo’s ‘must-see’ sight is a challenge; it boasts wonderful city walls (although Avila’s are even more impressive), a rich blend of Christian, Jewish, and Muslim heritage, fascinating museums, and stunning views. Ultimately, the best part about Toledo is the experience as a whole. Strolling through the streets, visiting a museum that catches your interest, taking a break in a bar for a beer, or simply marveling at the architecture is highly rewarding. The entire city merits exploration.

Honorable Mentions

Explore the nearby wine regions, which are also worth a visit. There’s an organized tour that combines both Toledo and its wine region into a single day.

Nearby Cities

Toledo is only a half-hour train journey from Madrid.

Segovia: The Roman Aqueduct

The Roman aqueduct in Segovia showcases incredible engineering, having stood for nearly two thousand years without using mortar, as the stones are simply stacked together, relying on their weight for stability.

Honorable Mention

The Alcazar is worth mentioning, with some claiming it inspired Cinderella’s castle in the Disney movie; others argue that similar-looking German castles are more likely candidates.

Nearby Cities

Segovia is conveniently located close to Madrid and is frequently included in day trips from the capital.

Ronda: Historic Bridges Over the Tajo Ravine

Ronda was one of the last Muslim strongholds during the Reconquista, thanks to its strategic position above a steep ravine. The bridges connecting the two sides of the city spanning the Tajo ravine represent Ronda’s most iconic attractions.

Honorable Mention

The legendary bullring is where the art of bullfighting was born!

Nearby Cities

Granada and Seville are both in close proximity.

Salamanca: Plaza Mayor

Salamanca’s main square, Plaza Mayor, is undoubtedly its most famous landmark. Constructed from locally sourced yellow sandstone, the walls boast portraits of significant rulers from Spain’s history. Keep an eye out for Franco’s image, often marked with paint due to protests!

Honorable Mentions

The cathedral, also built from sandstone, is adorned with intricate carvings. Look closely to spot the cheeky additions of an ice cream and an astronaut, which were included during recent restorations.

Nearby Cities

Salamanca is a distance from Madrid, but due to the more than two-hour journey each way, it’s ideal to visit for an overnight stay.

Santiago de Compostela: 12th Century Cathedral

The cathedral in Santiago is one of the oldest in Spain, housing the relics of St James, attracting thousands of pilgrims each year who undertake the Camino de Santiago.

Honorable Mention

Santiago’s old town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is a cobblestoned treasure worth exploring.

Nearby Cities

A Coruña is the closest city.

Jerez: Sherry

Sherry originated in Jerez, derived from the Arabic term for the city, Xeres. All sherry comes from Jerez, Sanlúcar de Barrameda, or El Puerto de Santa María.

What makes Jerez distinct from many other wine cities is that the bodegas are located right in the city center, removing the need for transport or designated drivers.

Nearby Cities

Cadiz, Seville, and Gibraltar are all nearby, creating an ideal sequence of explorations.

Cadiz: Fried Fish

The customary fish dish known as ‘fish and chips’ in the UK was inspired by the Spanish concept, especially from the Andalusian coast and Cadiz. The freiduria Las Flores is the go-to place for indulging in fried fish, with a diverse selection of more than a dozen varieties on the menu.

If you can’t make it to Cadiz, another wonderful spot for fried fish is at the Freiduria Puerta de la Carne in Seville.

Honorable Mention

The distinctive location of the old town on the tip of a narrow peninsula provides it with its own unique microclimate.

Nearby Cities

Both Jerez and Seville are within easy access, allowing you to explore both cities.

Leon: Tapas Bars of Barrio Húmedo

Leon ranks second only to Granada in providing tapas as a free accompaniment to your drink. The Barrio Húmedo (‘damp quarter’) represents the charming old town area perfect for an enjoyable bar-hopping tapas experience!

Nearby Cities

While none of the nearby cities are particularly close, Oviedo is the nearest option worth mentioning.

Burgos: The Cathedral

The cathedral in Burgos, built in the 13th century, is the only cathedral in Spain recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site on its own merit. This impressive structure is remarkably larger than what seems suitable for a city of its size.

Nearby Cities

Burgos is just over an hour’s drive from Logroño and between 90 minutes to two hours from both Bilbao and Leon.