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Date Published: 05/09/2024

The most popular cities to visit in Spain

These are the top city break destinations for tourists in mainland Spain

Spain is a wonderful tourist destination. It seems that a lot of people think so, as in the past two years it was the second most popular country to visit, with over 71 million tourists. There are quite a few reasons for Spain’s tourism industry’s massive success.

Gorgeous beaches, historical landmarks, delicious food, and a rich cultural history all contribute to the country’s popularity. But, what are the big cities that most people flock to when visiting Spain? That is what we are going to share in this article.

Barcelona

First on the list is Barcelona, a city with an incredible historical background, and a wonderful modern aesthetic. The first thing that people will know about Barcelona is the city’s iconic football team. Fans of football are plentiful (there are over 3 billion worldwide after all). Many of them are also likely to visit betting sites like https://www.bet777.es/, so they’ve almost certainly noted Barcelona FC’s huge success. Fans of the team can check out Barca’s home stadium, and maybe even catch a game during the football season.

But, not everybody is a football fan. And though even non-football fans may be aware of Barcelona, many might not be attracted to the city for that reason. Luckily, there are plenty of other reasons to visit the gorgeous coastal paradise. Such as the amazing beaches on the azure sea, which draw in visitors from all over the globe. Whether you are looking to sun bathe on the lovely, sandy, warm beaches or take a dip in the cold, salty sea, Barcelona is definitely the place for you.

Finally, the historical and cultural landmarks in Barcelona are also incredible. The city is well-known for its mixture of modernist architecture, and old-style, gothic remnants. Tourists can take a stroll through the Gothic Quarter, take a look at the Picasso Museum, and visit the Sagrada Familia, an iconic church that beautifies the city. As you can see, there are definitely reasons why Barcelona is most people’s top pick.

Madrid

Barcelona may be a noteworthy destination, but there are a lot of people visiting Spain that want to see the capital. This is, of course, true for every country. Therefore, it shouldn’t surprise some of you to learn that Madrid is on the top of most tourists’ lists. Apart from having one of the most popular football clubs in the world, the country’s capital is home to some of the finest museums, cultural landmarks, and historical sites in the country. Though landlocked, which may put some people off, Madrid is near the Manzanares river, along the coast of which one can find some gorgeous, sandy beaches.

If beaches and sunbathing aren’t your thing, then perhaps partying is. The noteworthy neighborhoods of Malasaña and La Latina are well-known for their lively parties and night-time fun time. If you are looking to interact with the locals, meet other tourists, or just have a fun night out, then these are the streets to visit. These streets are also where you should go if you are looking for cocktail bars, nightclubs, or bars. After all, fun is the name of the game in “Spain’s liveliest streets.”

As far as cultural value is concerned, Madrid has plenty. The Royal Palace is a fabulous building, where you can find a cathedral, a gorgeous garden, and several tours that will actually take you through the structure. In Madrid you will also find the El Retiro Park, the Plaza Mayor, and several museums, among which are the Museo del Prado, the Thyssen Museum and the Reina Sofia Museum.

Seville

Yet another landlocked city, Seville is located in the Seville province. Though the city does not touch the sea, it is still one of the top three most popular places to visit when on a tour of Spain. But, what makes Seville so popular? It could be several factors, including the incredible, awe-inspiring gothic and baroque architecture. The Cathedral of Seville alone is such a fantastic structure, that it would leave anyone’s jaw in contact with the floor.

Most visitors will likely be interested in and familiar with the Royal Alcazar of Seville. The building was once a palace, which served as a citadel during the era of Islamic occupation of Spain. Today, the Alcazar remains one of the most noteworthy examples of Mudejar style, a style that is well-known in the Iberian Peninsula. The palace also incorporates aspects of Gothic architecture, and Renaissance elements. It is truly a magnificent structure to behold.

If you are not much interested in historical or cultural significance, perhaps dancing and performance are more to your liking? You will be happy to know that, in Seville, you can come across a slew of Flamenco shows, theatrical performances, and other traditional Spanish forms of entertainment. Even those who have no interest in dancing have been impressed by the Seville Flamenco shows that one can come across all over the gorgeous city.

Honourable mentions

The three cities that we’ve discussed in this article are certainly fantastic, and well worth visiting. However, they are not all that Spain has to offer. Valencia, for example, has often been called Spain’s city of arts and science, and it certainly lives up to the name. Whether you’ve decided to drive to the city in a campervan, or pay for a local hotel, Valencia has a ton of informative and engaging museums and landmarks worth seeing.

If you are impressed by Islamic architecture, and its presence in Europe, then Granada is the city for you. Specifically, you will want to see the famous Alhambra palace, which some may consider one of the new wonders of the world. Today, the Alhambra stands as one of the most complex and beautiful examples of Islamic architecture and art, and it is a must-see for any fan of history, art, and architecture.

Other cities that are worth visiting are Málaga, Cárdoba, Bilbao and more. Most are home to some truly fascinating cultural, historical, or even natural landmarks. After all, awe-inspiring achievements of human design are not all that Spain has to offer. The country also has a ton of natural beauty that we didn’t get a chance to discuss in depth in this article.

Image: Camille Minouflet / Unsplash