Spain is the world’s most visited country and have Best Place To Visit In Spain, second only to its northern neighbour, and offers a wealth of amazing sights and activities.
World Heritage cities, sun-drenched Mediterranean beaches, amazing food, and a diverse culture—the only drawback is not knowing where to start with your list of must-sees. I’ve saved you a tonne of effort by compiling my top eight picks for 2024 travel destinations in breathtaking Spain.
Best Place To Visit In Spain for first-timers;
1. Madrid
Madrid is the greatest place to explore top-notch art museums.
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The capital of Spain is a bustling metropolis with a year-round, bright blue sky that covers its famous art museums, architectural treasures, and lively barrios (neighbourhoods). The Templo de Debod, an ancient Egyptian temple, is located in the heart of Madrid.
Art lovers might spend days touring Madrid’s “Golden Triangle of Art,” which consists of three internationally recognised museums that house some of the world’s most priceless art collections: the Thyssen-Bornemisza, Reina Sofía, and the Museo del Prado. They are located along the recently designated UNESCO World Heritage Paseo del Prado (Art Walk) in Madrid.
Planning tip:
Madrid’s lively street culture is known for its wine-soaked tapas crawls. One of the greatest streets in the city to follow people as they visit different bars to try a variety of Iberian hams, charcuterie, and cheeses is Cava Baja. It is located in the old La Latina neighbourhood and is surrounded by charming little bars and taverns.
A young man lounging in the pool while admiring Barcelona’s skyline is seen from the back.
2. Barcelona
Barcelona is the best place to see modernist buildings.The capital of Catalonia is a visually magnificent city with modern architecture, city beaches, and a Gothic Quarter that dates back more than two millennia. It is situated between the Mediterranean and the Pyrenees mountains.
A trip to Barcelona wouldn’t be complete without a stop at the Sagrada Família, the masterpiece of renowned Catalan architect and Modernism supporter Antoní Gaudí. His architectural masterpieces, Casa Batlló, La Pedrera, and Park Güell, are worth seeing; his impact on the city is evident everywhere.
The Plaça Reial, located in the centre of the city’s two-thousand-year-old Barri Gòtic (Gothic Quarter), is another location where Gaudí left his mark. Gaudí’s first commissioned public work, the ornamental street lighting, illuminate the public space. The magnificent La Catedral of the Holy Cross and Saint Eulalia, which was constructed over two centuries, from the 13th to the 15th century, is also located in this historic neighbourhood. One of Europe’s oldest marketplaces, Mercat de la Boqueria, is located at the quarter’s edge.
Planning tip: Visit Mercat de la Boqueria during midday, when the modest eateries with affable proprietors begin to open.
3. San Sebastián
San Sebastián is the greatest city for fine dining.
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With its belle epoque architecture, km of white sand beaches, and the azure seas of the Bay of Biscay, this charming Basque coastal city in northern Spain is truly breathtaking. To experience the sea-loving lifestyle of the people, take a walk down the La Concha beach promenade on a clear day.
From a traditional whaling town, San Sebastián (Donostia in Basque) has developed into a renowned culinary city. Gastronomic delights can be found everywhere, and it boasts the highest concentration of Michelin-starred restaurants per square metre in all of Europe.
Planning tip: San Sebastián’s culinary culture can be enjoyed without breaking the bank. Visit the Old Quarter, or Parte Vieja, especially the area around 31 de Agosto Street. Restaurants and bars surround the streets, serving a bewildering array of different pintxos, which literally translate to “spike.” As the name suggests, these appetisers are served with toothpicks or skewers for convenient plucking.
On the terrace of Cala Benirrás beach in Ibiza, patrons are seated at restaurant tables.
Enjoy the seaside atmosphere in Ibiza. © Shutterstock/Pawel Kazmierczak
4. Balearic islands
The Balearic islands are known for their sapphire-coloured waters and beaches.The “Balearic blues”—the various colours of blue that define these Mediterranean waters—are recognisable to anybody who has visited these remote islands east of the Iberian Peninsula. The four biggest islands in this archipelago—Ibiza, Mallorca, Menorca, and Formentera—are endowed with an abundance of beaches and bays, known as calas, that are surrounded by rocky cliffs and white sand beaches.
Ibiza is the most well-known of these islands, mostly due to its standing as a party destination that never stops. However, Ibiza’s nightlife culture only represents a small portion of this breathtaking island that is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site
. There are several ancient walled villages, sapphire-coloured waters encircling it, a plethora of secret inlets, and quaint cafes and restaurants by the shore. To get an idea of the ancient communities that lived on this island long before the clubbers found it, you can visit the Puig des Molins necropolis and the ruins of the old Phoenician civilisation at Sa Caleta.
5. Seville(Best Place To Visit In Spain)
The greatest location for cultural sightseeingThe charm of Seville lies in the details. This quaint capital of Andalusia may make you feel as though you’ve been there before, possibly due to its year-round sunshine, lush gardens, and elaborately carved palaces, which have made it a popular location for major motion pictures like Star Wars and Game of Thrones. Its unique blend of horse-drawn carriages, flamenco tablaos (stages), enormous Gothic buildings, and Islamic artistic elements all combine to form this multi-layered urban fantasy.
Seville’s long and varied past, which included being a Moorish metropolis, the seat of the Castilian aristocracy, and the European gateway to the Americas following Columbus’ voyage in 1492, is reflected in its rich cultural tapestry. The Seville Cathedral, the world’s largest Gothic cathedral and the final resting place of Christopher Columbus, and the Real Alcázar, which is only a few meters away and displays the magnificence of Mudéjar architecture with Islamic, Baroque, Gothic, and Renaissance elements, are two examples of the striking contrast between cultures.
Planning advice: Do you want to be a part of a big party? Plan your trip to coincide with one of the city’s fantastic yearly celebrations, such as Feria de Abril or Semana Santa.
People in Toledo, a mediaeval city, strolling down a cobblestone street
Discover more about the various cultures that comprise Toledo, a magnificent mediaeval city. © Shutterstock/Kamira
6. Toledo
Ideal for historical layering. This walled city, which dates back 2000 years, holds a special place in Spanish history. It is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site and was the centre of power for King Charles V, the former capital of the Visigothic Kingdom, a Roman municipium, a fortress of the Emirate of Cordoba, and the capital of Spain until 1560.
Because of its Jewish, Christian, and Islamic influences, Toledo has come to be known as “The City of Three Cultures.” Explore its winding cobblestone alleyways to catch a glimpse of the remnants of this singular fusion of cultures, including the Catedral de Toledo, the El Tránsito Synagogue, the Cristo de la Luz Mosque, and ancient Roman and Moorish architectural styles.
Planning tip: Visit the Mirador del Valle for breathtaking sweeping vistas and the ideal photo of this mediaeval city by the Tagus River.
7. Granada:
The best city for Islamic architecture in the West
The picture-perfect Andalusian city of Granada is located at the base of the snow-capped Sierra Nevada mountain range. The Nasrid Dynasty, the final Muslim dynasty to control the Iberian Peninsula until the fifteenth century, had its old castle and the Alhambra palace complex there.
The Alhambra, which translates to “the Red One,” is a magnificent architectural work of art that combines Christian and Moorish ornamentation. With its elaborately carved walls and arches, mirror-like lakes, and vibrant mosaics, it’s hard not to be taken to a fantastical setting.
Planning tip: Continue the visual extravaganza in the Palacio de Generalife, which is located next to the Alhambra. The Alhambra was a summer palace where the ancient Nasrid sultans would relax in its gardens and thoughtfully designed fountains.
8. Compostela, Santiago
The ideal city for spiritual travel
The capital of Galicia, Santiago de Compostela, is the last stop on the Camino de Santiago (Way of Saint James) pilgrimage route, which has been followed for more than a millennium. On any given day of the week, visitors from all over the world visit the Basilica of Santiago de Compostela, the purported resting site of St. James the Apostle.
This city in northern Spain has a strong Celtic tradition, and even those who are not pilgrims can appreciate its mysterious beauty. The opulent Hostal dos Reis Católicos, which is thought to be the oldest hotel in the world that was formerly a pilgrimage hostel, is located in the Plaza del Obradoiro, which is its throbbing heart.
Planning tip: Be hungry before you visit the Mercado de Abastos food market, Santiago’s second most visited destination after the Cathedral. The city boasts a rich culinary heritage that is emphasised by its outstanding sea.
Conclusion;
At the start of each year, we have the opportunity to write lists of resolutions; this year, our goal is to decide which destinations throughout the world to visit. In a joint effort, we here at Condé Nast Traveller Spain have identified 23 adjacent destinations in Portugal and Spain that we really must see.
Meanwhile, the editors of every single Condé Nast Traveler magazine around the globe have been debating, disputing, and providing justifications for their choices in order to compile a list of the top 23 places to visit in 2023. We are delighted that two of our choices—a Spanish province and a village in Portugal’s Alentejo region—made it onto the global roster. We also hope that readers will visit these two sites to experience their innovative cultural, culinary, and hospitality offerings for themselves and that the double honour will motivate them to do so.
Obtain a calendar and notepad and begin planning your trips for the next year before you keep reading. Be sure to peruse the Condé Nast Traveller editors’ hand-picked list of the world’s best vacation spots for 2023. It has vacation spots in the US and UK that it recommends.
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