Spain
Must-see attractions and places to visit in Spain combine vibrant cities, Mediterranean beaches, and rich culture. Barcelona is famous for Gaudi's Sagrada Familia, Madrid offers world-class museums, and regions such as Andalusia, Valencia and the Balearic and Canary Islands add Moorish palaces, beaches, and year-round sunshine.
Destinations:
Andalusia
/Aragon
/Balearic Islands
/Barcelona
/Basque Country
/Canary Islands
/Castile and León
/Castilla-La Mancha
/Catalonia
/Extremadura
/Galicia
/Granada
/Madrid
/Navarre
/Segovia
/Seville
/Toledo
/Valencia
/General information
Spain occupies most of the Iberian Peninsula in south-western Europe, a large and sun-blessed country of striking regional variety. From the Moorish palaces of Andalusia and the beaches of the Mediterranean to the green hills of the north and the volcanic Canary Islands, each region has its own landscape, cuisine and even language. Madrid is the capital, but the appeal is spread across vibrant cities, historic towns and 3,000 km of coastline. Spanish is the main language (with Catalan, Basque and Galician in their regions), and Spain is loved worldwide for its food, festivals, flamenco and easy-going outdoor life.
Transport and how to get there
The main international airports are Madrid-Barajas (MAD) and Barcelona-El Prat (BCN), backed by a dense network of regional airports at Malaga, Valencia, Seville, Bilbao, Alicante and the islands. Spain has one of Europe's best high-speed rail systems, the AVE, linking Madrid with Barcelona, Seville, Valencia and Malaga in a few hours, while buses reach smaller towns cheaply. Distances can be large, so flying or the AVE is often quicker than driving between far-flung regions.
Prices
Spain offers good value for Western Europe, though Madrid, Barcelona and the summer coasts are dearer. Expect roughly 70-150 EUR per night for a mid-range hotel, with hostels from about 20 EUR. A casual meal or a spread of tapas runs around 12-22 EUR, a beer or glass of wine 2.50-4 EUR and a coffee about 1.60 EUR. The set-price lunch menu del dia (often 12-16 EUR) is a great deal. Museums and monuments typically cost 10-18 EUR. Prices are approximate and vary by region and season.
Main attractions
Madrid dazzles with the Prado and Reina Sofia museums and the grand Royal Palace, while Barcelona is defined by Gaudi's Sagrada Familia and Park Guell. In the south, Granada's Alhambra and Seville's Alcazar and cathedral crown Spain's Moorish heritage, and Toledo, Cordoba and Valencia add more layers of history. Beyond the cities lie the pilgrim route to Santiago de Compostela, the sunny Costa del Sol, the Balearic and Canary Islands, and countless fiestas — from La Tomatina to Semana Santa — that make Spain endlessly festive.