The Best Things to Do in Spain

With over 3,000 miles (4,964 kilometers) of coastline, Spain is home to thousands of beaches of all kinds. You’ll find short rocky coves, long stretches of sand, and beautiful bays with striking rock formations. Among the city-side beaches, San Sebastián’s La Concha is considered one of the best in Europe, boasting a beautiful promenade. For more nature-rich vistas, you can explore the coast north and south of Calpe Rock, which is home to Mediterranean beaches like the secluded Platja de Granadella and the more open and bustling Playa Arenal-Bol.

Depending on which coastal city you visit, many beaches in Spain are easy to reach by train or car. If you want to ensure lighter crowds, consider going to one you can hike to such as the Playa de Torimbia, which also happens to be a popular nude beach.

See Great Works of Art in Madrid

In the art world, Spain has a fantastic reputation for producing some of the best artists of the past century such as Pablo Picasso and Salvador Dalí. However, these two are just the tip of the iceberg that makes up all the great body of work of Spanish artists. To understand the full breadth of Spanish art, a trip to Madrid is necessary to visit the capital city’s great art museums.

At the Centro de Arte Reina Sofia, you can see Picasso’s larger-than-life “Guernica” in addition to many works by Dalí, however, the Museo del Prado is the most highly respected in Spain. This institution houses stunning works from the 14th to the 19th centuries from the likes of Velázquez, Goya, and El Greco. The Museo Thyssen-Bornemisza completes the golden triangle of essential Madrid art museums, displaying many paintings by Europe’s old masters.

Flamenco is a traditional form of Spanish folk music and dance that has persisted through the centuries, thanks to the flamboyant and commanding flare of its dancers. You can find many places in Spain to attend a flamenco performance, but the dance is generally associated with the southern Andalusia region of Spain.

Flamenco can be heard backed by a full orchestra in the gardens of Seville’s Alcázar, playing live in the local tavern, or blaring from the stereo of a turbo-charged sports car. The style of flamenco is credited to the Roma culture in Spain and many will attest that some of the best flamenco can be found at a Romani wedding. These are hard to come by, so you’ll need to go and see a show in Seville or Madrid if you don’t make the invite list.

Travel Through Time in Toledo

The perfect distance for a day trip from Madrid, Toledo is a destination that is as picturesque as it is historic—and the whole city is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Known as the “City of Three Cultures,” Toledo’s architecture was influenced by Christians, Muslims, and Jews. In one place, you can see grand cathedrals, mosques, and synagogues while learning about the eras of the city’s past rulers from the Romans to the Visigoths and the Moors.

Sitting on a bend in the Tagus River, the city is rich in beautiful vistas, particularly from the top of the Alcázar, the highest point in Toledo that also houses a museum dedicated to military history. However, the postcard-perfect view can be found at the Mirador del Valle on the other side of the river.

In the hills of Granada is the Alhambra Moorish fortress, which protected the city’s inhabitants from invasion by the Christians for hundreds of years. It certainly worked: Granada was the last city to fall during the Reconquista, the Spanish leg of the Crusades. Most people get around the Alhambra in under four hours, but many have been known to stay for longer to appreciate all the little details. The best way to make sure you don’t miss anything is to take a guided tour with an expert who can explain the history behind this epic fortress.

Barcelona is the home of Antoní Gaudí, one of Europe’s most creatively daring architects. Taking inspiration from nature, Gaudí’s buildings define the character of the Catalan capital from the colorful mosaics of Parc Güel to the massive ongoing project of the Sagrada Familia. While the lines are often out the door for Gaudí buildings like Casa Batlló Casa Milà on the Passeig de Gracia, you can find many less-crowded buildings designed by Gaudí throughout the city, such as the tucked-away Casa Vicens and the Güell Palace in the Raval neighborhood.

If you want to learn more about the famous architect, make sure to buy your ticket to visit the Gaudí House Museum in Parc Güell. Gaudi lived in this house for two decades and the museum delves into the architect’s personal life and history.

Eat Tapas

The abundance of tapas bars is one of the best parts of visiting Spain. Going out for tapas is all about sharing. Instead of each person at the table ordering one dish for themselves, the group collectively orders a selection of small plates for the table to share. Tapas bars are ubiquitous throughout Spain and in some bars, you might even get a small bonus tapa, like olives, if you order a drink.

If you don’t know what to order, the classic dishes you’ll find in just about any tapas bar in Spain are patatas bravas, fried potatoes covered in a spicy sauce, jamón Iberico, a dish of thinly sliced Spanish ham, and pimientos de padrón, flavorful fried green peppers.

Have an Adventure in the Canary Islands

Located off the coast of Africa, the Canary Islands may be hundreds of miles away from Europe but are still part of Spain. These tropical islands are a natural playground with beautiful beaches and tall volcanoes like the one that can be seen in Teide National Park on Tenerife, the largest of the islands. Mount Teide is the third-largest volcano in the world at more than 12,000 feet (3,700 meters) high.

The natural beauty of the islands is beyond compare, but there is also a lot to see and do. Gran Canaria has some of the best beaches, particularly along the south coast where the sand is gold in color and you can go exploring in the huge dunes at the end of Playa de Maspalomas. For culture, visit the island of Lanzarote to see the works of Cesar Manrique, a sculptor who left his mark on the island by transforming the natural landscape into artistic attractions, such as Jameos del Agua, a volcanic lava tube he transformed into a garden with a series of natural pools.

Attend a Music Festival

If two things are true about Spaniards, it’s that they love music and they love a good party. Perhaps that’s why Spain plays host to so many of the world’s best music festivals.

The largest is Primavera Sound, which takes place every spring/summer in Barcelona and attracts a variety of genre headliners every year from Lizzo and Miley Cyrus to Arcade Fire. For a festival that is strictly rock and roll, Madrid’s Mad Cool Festival usually features some big bands, or you could find your way to Bilbao for BBK Live, which lines up a smorgasbord of rock, pop, indie, and everything in between. If you’d rather dance it out to electronic music, Barcelona’s Sónar Festival is a summer festival with an international reputation and three-decade legacy.

The architectural pride of Bilbao takes the form of Frank Gehry’s masterpiece museum: the Guggenheim Museum Bilbao. Not only does the museum house a large collection of art, but the exterior is also a prime example of contemporary architecture with its billowing folds that are designed to reflect light in new ways as the sun moves across the sky. The building’s interior is centered around an atrium shaped like a flower, while the exterior is covered in shimmering titanium panels that are reminiscent of fish scales, especially as they reflect the shimmering water of the Bilbao Estuary.

A favorite dessert all over Spain, churros can be eaten at breakfast, after lunch, or after midnight for a late-night pick-me-up. Made of deep-fried dough covered in cinnamon sugar, they are typically eaten with a cup of melted chocolate for dipping. In just about every Spanish city, you can find a xurreria, or churro shop, that serves these delectable snacks hot from the frier. Some of the most famous include Chocolatería San Ginés in Madrid and Chök in Barcelona, but with a heavenly combination of fried dough, cinnamon, and chocolate, you can’t go wrong with the local churro spot.

Eat Paella in Valencia

Paella is the classic dish that you’ll find on the menu at every restaurant in every highly trafficked tourist area in Spain. The most authentic paella, though, is in Valencia. Hailing from this Mediterranean-facing city, paella is a saffron-infused rice dish cooked slowly in a wide and shallow pan. You can cook paella with veggies, seafood, or a mix of different meats, but the original Valencian recipe calls for rabbit and snails. It’s not difficult to find quality paella in Valencia, but some of the most highly-regarded restaurants are Restaurante Navarro and the Michelin-rated Casa Carmela.

Study Spanish

Although English speakers have little difficulty traveling through Spain, the desire to master the twists and trills of the Spanish language is likely to set in sooner or later. There are many ways to learn Spanish in Spain, from short courses you can take on a vacation, to long-term exchange programs, and multilingual language events which are often held in large cities.

On your travels, keep in mind that Spain is a country of many languages. While Castilian Spanish is spoken everywhere, most regions have a regional language or dialect, such as Catalan, Galician, Basque, and Valencian. Each language dates back to the time when Spain consisted of separate kingdoms. And if you have experience traveling in Latin America, you will also find that the Spanish spoken in Spain can sound very different from the Spanish you’re used to

Every July in the northern city of Pamplona, the city titters with nerves and excitement as the preparations are made for the main event of the Sanfermines festival. The Running of the Bulls is a longstanding tradition during which bulls are let loose to storm the streets and audacious participants try their best to outrun them.

If you prefer to watch safely from a distance, there are many places to do so on the almost 3,000-foot route from the starting point to the bullring, but you’ll need to arrive very early in the morning to secure your spot behind the railing because, by 6 a.m., the crowd will already be three people deep and the party will have already begun as spectators wait for the bulls to be unleashed. Balconies are available to rent, but these must be reserved far in advance.

TripSavvy trusts its readers to make their own decisions on the ethics of bullfighting as an attraction.

Go Sunbathing in the Balearic Islands

The Balearic Islands are made up of Mallorca, Menorca, Ibiza, and Formentera, in addition to the smaller outlying islands that include Cabrera and Dragonera. With a warm Mediterranean climate and a cerulean-blue coastline, this Spanish archipelago is one of the most popular places for Europeans to go on vacation.

With plenty to explore, each island offers something for everybody. While Ibiza is a world-renowned party destination, Mallorca is known for having beautiful national parks. Menorca is more low-key but is home to the city of Ciutadella which has a remarkably well-preserved historic center. Formentera is the smallest of all of the inhabited islands and the beaches here tend to be less crowded and are filled with many hidden coves where you’ll be more likely to find privacy amid the island’s natural beauty.

Home to the oldest university in Spain, Salamanca is widely hailed as one of the most beautiful cities in Spain. The university, founded in 1218, is often a popular choice for international students interested in studying the humanities or learning Spanish. A stop on the Camino de Santiago, Salamanca is also a good starting point for a day trip to Zamora, another city on the historic pilgrimage trail.

One of the best things to do in Salamanca is to simply wander around and enjoy the intricate architecture from the university’s campus to Plaza Mayor, one of Spain’s largest plazas. You can also explore more recent architectural history at the Museum of Art Noveau and Deco, which houses a collection of great from the 19th and 20th centuries, including beautiful examples of stained glass windows.

Wine tasting is an important part of any trip in Spain, and in any major city, it’s easy to find a wine bar where you can sample vintages from all over Spain from the Garnachas of La Mancha to the sherries of Jerez. However, if you want to dig deep into wine and go to see the vines for yourself, Rioja is the premier destination for wine lovers.

This luxury wine region is most easily reached from Bilbao and a hotel in the capital of Logroño will put you in a position to explore the many beautiful wineries of the countryside. For a more immersive experience, check out wine hotels like Finca de Los Arandinos where you can wake up with a vineyard view, or Hostería San Millán, which is located inside a historic monastery.

See the Moorish Influence in Seville

Seville is the largest city in Andalusia and it has some of the best-preserved Moorish architecture in all of Spain. After the Islamic conquest of the whole Iberian peninsula, many of Seville’s iconic buildings such as the Seville Cathedral were originally constructed as mosques with Islamic minarets.

The Alcázar is the city’s most shining example of the mesmerizing geometric patterns and beauty of the Islamic style. Alcázars, which are fortresses, were built in many cities, but in Seville, the Alcázar was transformed into a palace built in the ornamental Mudéjar style. Inside the palace, visitors should pay special attention to the intricate tile work and look up at the ceiling when passing through the Hall of Ambassadors.

Walk the Camino

The Camino de Santiago is an ancient pilgrimage to the tomb of St. James in Santiago de Compostela. The full trail is a 497-mile (800-kilometer) route that crosses northern Spain, but you can start from anywhere you like. For those who embark on the most popular route, the Camino Frances, this involves a walk through the Pyrenees, Pamplona, and La Rioja, before a long stint walking across the Spanish Meseta. After reaching Leon, a city renowned for its tapas, you cross into the wonderful green countryside of Galicia.

Eat Gourmet Cuisine in San Sebastián

San Sebastián, in Spain’s Basque Country, is quickly emerging as the foodie destination in not only Spain but the whole of Europe. Instead of tapas, you’ll go for Pintxos in the Basque country, where you can try local flavors. The city is chock-full of Michelin stars and high-end restaurants, but for the iconic Basque flavors, make sure you order steak and cider. The lesser-known sister of Asturian cider, Basque cider is best tasted in a cider bar like Sidrerría Behari.