Sunny and cheerful Spain awaits tourists all year round in its hot embrace. In the homeland of the most fun and carefree drink – sangria, you will find bustling Barcelona, rich Madrid, amazing Canary Islands, and, of course, the hot bullfight with a sultry flamenco dance.

Most Beautiful Places In Spain, where the sandy beaches alternate with a rich historical heritage and the ski resorts are interspersed with the works of genius Gaudi. Here you will find the rousing rhythms of Ibiza and the most crazy vacation in Port Aventura.

Spain is a country with a rich gastronomic heritage. All tourists who come to the country must try the local cuisine. On a hot and sultry day there is nothing better than a cool gazpacho soup, a creation of Spanish mule drivers. In Valencia, the famous paella is a must. And in Spain’s capital, don’t deny yourself the pleasure of tasting Madrid’s stew. Cava, sherry and “blood of the devil” (sangria) will be the best addition to the national cuisine of Spain.

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• 17 Unique Places to Visit in Spain

The Most Beautiful Places In Spain

The sights of Spain are concentrated mainly in two cities: Barcelona and Madrid. However, Barcelona is more popular among tourists than the country’s capital. And there is an explanation. In Barcelona lived and worked the genius Antonio Gaudi, his architectural masterpieces are here. The places associated with his life and work have become a magnet for tourists from all over the world.

 

1. Sagrada Familia Cathedral

Antoni Gaudi’s famous project is otherwise known as the Sagrada Familia Cathedral. It is the most beautiful church in Spain and Europe. Although the great architect would not see the completion of his brainchild, the cathedral became his manifesto to posterity. According to the plan of the genius, the temple must have three facades: the Nativity facade, with which he began construction, the Passion facade and the Ascension facade. White columns, like fairy-tale trees hold the entire vault of the cathedral. On the ceiling scattered starry elements hang. And the light passing through multicolored stained-glass windows casts colored reflections on the interior decoration of the temple. To visit Barcelona and not see the creation of the immortal Gaudi is a crime. The cost of a visit starts at 15 euros. This money, as well as donations, is used to complete the construction.

 

2. Royal Palace in Madrid

On the site of the fortress of the emirs of Cordoba and Toledo stands the royal residence of the Spanish monarchs. The palace has burned several times, so during the restoration it was built entirely of stone and refused to be finished with wood. If the Spanish flag hovers over the palace in Madrid, it means that Philip VI, King of Spain, is in residence. There is a museum in the royal palace and it costs 10 euros to visit.

 

3. Park Guell in Barcelona

This is one of the earliest works of the famous architect Antonio Gaudi. The trademark of the park are two gingerbread houses built for administrative purposes but looking like fairy-tale dwellings. The grand staircase, framed by fountains, goes straight up to the Hall of a Hundred Columns. Thanks to good acoustics, musical groups like to perform in this place. From the top of the stairs you have a beautiful view of Barcelona and the sea coast.

 

4. Alcázar in Segovia

At the confluence of the two rivers Clamores and Eresma on a high rock stands one of the most beautiful castles in Spain. Archaeological excavations indicate that a fortified settlement arose here as early as the reign of Rome. Originally the fortress was of wood, then rebuilt into a stone one. The interior of the fortress is in Spanish-Moorish style. Today thousands of tourists visit the site to visit the Royal Hall, see the chapel where the kings of Spain were married and climb the tower of Juan II.

 

5. Las Ventas Arena in Madrid

This is the largest arena in Spain created for bullfighting. Its capacity exceeds twenty thousand people. The arena is built in the likeness of the ancient Roman Colosseum. The building is made of red brick with arches shaped like a horse shoe in the Moorish style. There is also a bullfighting museum with unusual exhibits. For example, here you can see the blood-soaked costume of the famous matador Manolete.

 

Interesting places to visit in Spain

There are so many interesting places in Spain that not enough life to see them all. But it is worth trying. Spain has preserved for posterity a rich cultural heritage. It is represented by palaces and castles, museums and national parks.

 

6. Mesquita (Cordoba Cathedral Mosque)

The history of the largest mosque of the Middle Ages ended during the Spanish Reconquista. The mosque was converted into a Christian cathedral. In general, this place has always been worshipped as holy since the days of ancient Rome. The Visigoths were the first to sanctify the temple here. Arab rulers spared no expense to decorate the mosque. The gigantic arches, columns faced with precious materials: jasper, onyx, marble – all this was a magnificent architectural masterpiece. Ceilings, walls, prayer niches and decorative elements were painted in gold.

 

7. The Prado Museum in Madrid

This is one of the most visited museums in the world. The museum has a rich collection of Flemish art, sculptures and works of artists of the Golden Age. Tourists come here to see works by Raphael, Titian, Botticelli, and Bosch. One of the most important works kept in the Prado Museum is Rubens’ painting “The Three Graces”. The museum building itself is also a landmark in Spain. It was built in the style of late classicism with a reference to the ancient heritage. The cost to visit the museum is 15 euros.

 

8. Alcázar in Toledo

A fortress was built at the bend of the Tajo River in the city of Toledo. From the south there were precipitous slopes that descended to the river, and from the north the Spaniards built strong fortifications. The result was one of the most beautiful castles in Spain. The Alcazar was once home to the rulers of Castile. With the loss of independence, a prison was set up in the place. Today, the fortress walls offer a beautiful panorama of the whole of Toledo.

 

10. The Cathedral of St. James

One of the most important shrines of the Christian world is in Santiago de Compostela. A medieval cathedral rises in the historic part of the city and houses the relics of the Apostle James, a disciple of Christ. The relics are housed in a silver shrine. An important attraction of the cathedral is the unique censer. This is the biggest censer in the world. It requires no less than forty kilograms of coal and is set in motion by eight clergymen.

 

11. Teide National Park (Tererife)

The crown jewel of the national park is the volcano Teide. This fire-breathing giant attracts millions of tourists who vacation in the Canary Islands. Anyone can conquer the giant on foot or using transport. There is a good road to the top, and the rest of the way can be overcome by cable car. The most breathtaking views await those who dare to spend the night at the top of the volcano. Here the brightest stars shine and the Milky Way is clearly visible.

 

12. City of Avila

The ancient medieval city of Avila spreads at the foot of the Cordilleras. Its main attraction are the well-preserved fortress walls. The territory of the old city was surrounded by walls more than three meters thick. The towers along the perimeter of the walls were 20 meters high. There were nine gates leading to the city. This is a well-preserved example of medieval fortifications in Spain. Avila Cathedral, which outwardly resembles a palace-fortress rather than a temple, keeps works of the great Spanish painter El Greco.

 

Beautiful places in the south of Spain

The south of Spain is traditionally associated with beach holidays, but this is not quite true. Of course, most southern cities of the country have access to the Mediterranean Sea. But there are also many historical sites that are worth seeing. And most importantly in southern Spain is the birthplace of the passionate dance – Flamenco.

 

13. Alcazaba Fortress in Málaga

In the heart of the city the Arab rulers erected a fortress. Some stones from Roman buildings were used to build the fortress walls. A Roman open-air theater survives to this day. The citadel was protected by a triple ring of castle walls and powerful towers. Inside the citadel was a magnificent palace in the Arab style. Today there is an archaeological museum in the place.

 

14. The city of Ronda

This is a city above the abyss. One of the most beautiful cities in Spain is situated above the El Tajo Gorge. This settlement has been known since the time of the ancient Romans. The white houses of the locals are perched on a high cliff, and the deep ravine below stretches down into the valley. The scenery from almost any point in the town is mesmerizing. The main attraction in Ronda is the oldest bullfighting arena in Spain. The great matador Romero performed here, to his credit thousands of defeated bulls.

 

15. Chipio Lighthouse

This is the highest lighthouse on the territory of Spain. Interestingly, it is used to navigate not only by sea vessels, but also by air. This was made possible by the design of the lighthouse, the light from which is visible not only in the horizontal plane, but also vertically. In clear weather the lighthouse can be seen fifty kilometers around. Visit Chipion Lighthouse can be part of the tour.

 

16. Alhambra

A Moorish-style palace and park complex was built in southern Spain in the former capital of the Emirate of Granada. This place was the last stronghold of the Islamic state on the territory of modern Spain. Its ramparts, palaces, mosques, houses and gardens are extant. All the buildings are blended into the surrounding landscape in order to be in harmony with nature. The palace complex is filled with light and the murmuring of water. There are both large ponds and small secluded fountains. In the gardens grow pomegranate and orange trees, huge cypresses are planted in rows. The fortress walls offer a magnificent view of the mountains and forests.

 

17. Sacromonte Abbey in Granada

Just three kilometers from the city of Granada is an interesting sight – the Abbey of Sacromonte. Started to build it at the end of the sixteenth century on the Holy Mountain. Under and beside the abbey are preserved ancient cave dwellings. Apparently they were the last refuge for the Arabs who fled the Spanish Reconquista, and before them the Jews hid in this place. Today it is a major Benedictine monastery, the patron saint of which is believed to be St. Cecilius.

 

Other popular places to see 

There are many beautiful and popular places in Spain. Most of them are within good transport accessibility, which makes them easy to visit. History buffs will find medieval castles, ancient Roman architecture, amazing cathedrals converted from mosques in the country. These places are rich in a mix of cultures and eras.

 

18. Port Aventura

This is one of the most popular theme parks in Europe and the most popular in Spain. Port Aventura is located close to Salou and is divided into different themed areas. There are areas such as the Far West, the Caribbean, Siberia, and the latest innovation Ferrari Land. The park will please both adults and children. For the youngest visitors, there are their own rides that they will love. Here you can watch a show: go on a hunt with the fearless Indiana Jones, or watch a cool western with horses. Park rides cater to all tastes, including a free-fall tower, and walk through a river canyon, and a roller coaster with dead loops. The infrastructure of the park allows you not only to eat in the theme restaurants, but also to live in the hotels. For example, you can stay in a hotel that is stylized as the Wild West. The cost of a full day ticket is 55 euros per adult.

 

19. Alcázar in Korodowa

This is the second most important attraction of Cordoba after Mesquita. Here was the residence of the emirs of Cordoba. The fortress is practically a regular square with strong towers and gates. In addition to the palace itself behind the walls was a magnificent garden. The best time to visit the garden is in the spring, when everything is in bloom and evening, when the night lights turn on. After the Spanish Reconquista, the city was occupied by the supporters of Ferdinand of Aragon and Isabella of Castile. In this place they hosted Cr. Columbus, the great traveler and navigator. The former royal residence was once given to the Inquisition. Mass executions by order of the clergy took place at one of the towers of the citadel.

 

20. Mount Monserrat in Barcelona

Mount Monserrat attracts ecotourists and pilgrims from all over Europe. The bald, fancifully shaped cliffs, standing apart from the main mountain range, have always attracted attention. The area around the mountain in Spain is recognized as a protected area and is home to unique species of plants and animals. Hiking trails laid out for tourists pass through the most beautiful places. On the mountain Montserrat built an ancient monastery, which houses one of the most important shrines of Christianity – Black Madonna or Black Virgin of Montserrat. She helps women find the joy of motherhood.

 

21. Seville Cathedral

This is one of the largest Gothic cathedrals in Spain and Europe. The temple was built on the site of a mosque after the end of the Spanish Reconquista. According to local belief, the cross in the cathedral is made of gold, brought by Columbus from America. In this place was, and tomb of the great navigator before his remains were moved to the territory of the modern Dominican Republic. The library of the cathedral keeps documents from the personal archive of Cr.

 

22. Dalt Vila (Ibiza)

The resort town of Ibiza is presented to many tourists as a place of fun and dancing until morning. However, Ibiza boasts not only beautiful beaches and fiery parties, but also ancient buildings. In the old town, the fortress – Dalt Vila became the center of attraction for tourists. Behind the fortress walls, narrow streets, cobblestone streets, Ibiza Castle and the Cathedral await visitors. Ibiza Castle, built during the time when these places were under Arab rule. It can be seen from almost anywhere on the island, in turn, from the fortress walls of the citadel offers the most spectacular view of Ibiza. It is especially beautiful at night, when the city begins to light up.