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Spain: the hugely popular, evergreen destination for travellers and holiday goers everywhere. Blessed with a treasure trove of natural (not to mention culinary!) delights and a cultural legacy stretching well beyond the European continent, it's little surprise that Spain has such a hold on our imagination. Every year it draws millions of tourists to its golden shores and world famous cities to spend their holidays basking in the warm Mediterranean sun.
Although Spain is famed for its paradisical beaches and rightfully enjoys a special status as a top summer holiday destination, its 32 UNESCO World Heritage Sites (the joint 4th highest number of any country in the world) dotted throughout its famous regions also offer ample opportunity to explore another face of the country.
Our quick guide invites you to take a look at some of the most interesting towns and cities in Spain, from the must-visit sites to the lesser known gems, and helps you to plan your next holiday on the wonderful Iberian peninsula.
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While we take great pleasure in revealing the hidden gems and quirkier sides of our destinations, it would be impossible to present a guide to the cities of Spain without mentioning the more iconic destinations, easily reachable by air and perfect for a few days soaking up some Spanish culture. And where better to start than Madrid, the buzzing capital city of Spain?
With its abundance of museums, galleries and parks, not to mention thriving nightlife, Spain's great capital city of Madrid is a wonderful destination for those seeking to take a break from the norm and getaway for a long weekend. With far fewer tourists than the popular Catalan capital of Barcelona, Madrid provides a more immersive experience of the country, while the grandeur of the streets and the pride of the friendly locals leave you in no doubt as to where the beating heart of Spain lies. It also benefits from the relatively close proximity of many charming smaller towns, such as Toledo, Salamanca, Segovia and Alcala and the UNESCO world heritage site of San Lorenzo de El Escorial.
The aforementioned Barcelona needs little introduction, such is its fame as a prime mini-break destination. Home to some truly iconic buildings, it's famous gothic cathedral and genuinely extraordinary La Sagrada Familia, among a number of fascinating Gaudí creations, draw many of the tourists, but it is after dark within the narrow streets of its Gothic centre and in the busy squares and festive terraces of its surrounding neighbourhoods that its true soul can be found. And though Barcelona can hardly lay claim to possessing the most beautiful beaches in Spain (your turn will come Tarifa and Menorca...), it is still a major European city with a number of sandy beaches to choose from. If the temperatures get a bit much for some in Barcelona during the summer months, the nearby town of Sitges is a great place to experience a smaller, less humid alternative (with a nicer beach!).
Sat further back from the coast in the southern region of Andalusia we find the beautiful Spanish city of Seville. Undeniably charming, Seville manages to combine the regal elegance of Madrid with a romantic Andalusian flair. Its famous cathedral, another UNESCO world heritage site, and surrounding palace complex are truly inspiring, while its annual Feria de Seville is one of the greatest celebrations in all of Spain. Seville is undoubtedly deserving of the title of one of the top cities in Spain.
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Spain's endless coastline and scattering of islands mean you're never left wanting when it comes to beaches. Spain is home to some beautiful beaches, which when coupled with warm Mediterranean waters make a trip to Spain an irresistible choice for holiday-goers everywhere.
The 'must-visit' Balearics with their famed nightlife, ideal for early-hours partying and the delightful rustic charm of their coves, and the Canary Islands with the extraordinary spectacle of their black volcanic beaches are perennial favourites, but there is far more to Spain than the tried and tested. On the coast of Catalunya, we can find both the aforementioned Sitges and the Roman town of Tarragona, surrounded by an endless strip of golden sands stretching all the way down to Valencia. As with many Catalan towns, the summer festivities see a number of celebrations and neighbourhood parties take place in the streets of Tarragona, including the famous correfoc or 'fire run'.
Further north of Barcelona you discover the Costa Brava, brimming with gorgeous towns and villages, like Cadaques (title photo) and Begur tucked away in its rugged coves.
In the south, culturally rich Malaga and glitzy Marbella draw a great many people in the summer to their long swathes of white sand and prestigious golf courses, but it's further along the coast to the stretch between Cádiz and Tarifa that we find some of the most beautiful beaches. On the ivory sands of the beaches surrounding the latter you can even see the north coast of Africa. In addition, the fascinating achitecture and history of Cádiz and its role in battles against the British and French navies are the stuff of legend, while the domed roof of its gorgeous Catedral de La Santa Cruz is an indelible feature of the city's skyline and just one of the many reasons to visit Spain's flamboyant south.
Such is the generally favourable climatic conditions in Spain that the notion of 'whatever the weather' becomes something of a moot point for the most part. However, there are some cities whose cultural highlights need not draw further splendour from the sun in order to impress. The northern cities of San Sebastian and Bilbao in the Basque country draw their considerable charm from their pincho-dominated culinary scene, their museums (such as the world-famous Guggenheim museum in Bilbao) and friendly, down-to-earth locals, as well as the lush greenery of their surroundings.
Further along the coast in Galicia, Santiago de Compostela, Vigo and Pontevedra feel a million miles from the architectural beauty of Barcelona and the famous beaches of Palma de Mallorca, but the understated charms of their well-preserved historic quarters and less crowded beaches provide a thoroughly pleasant setting for a low-key getaway in northern Spain. Santiago de Compostela in particular is of great importance, as it is home to the monumental Catedral de Santiago de Compostela, pilgrimage site for those who walk the famous Camino de Santiago and considered among the most important cathedrals in the Catholic world, being that it is only one of three that were built over the tomb of an apostle, the eponymous James (Iago in Spanish).
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On the other end of the spectrum, Andalusia's former Moorish strongholds of Granada and Cordoba are so steeped in history and culture that you have little need for the almost year-round sun that they offer. As the locals will tell you, the views of the Granada's famed palatine, the Alhambra, and the ornate arched interior of the must-visit Cathedral-Mosque of Cordoba are breath-taking whatever the weather.
And closer to Madrid, in the heart of Spain, the delightful city of Toledo provides one of the most charming evening vistas in all of Spain, as well as some gorgeous countryside and a rich and interesting history that can be traced back to Roman times.
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