Top 10 Cities To Visit In Spain
Spain, a known beautiful country on the Iberian Peninsula, has 17 autonomous regions with different cultures and geography. This country is full of inspiring natural beauty with its dramatic mountains, hidden waterfalls, dwell caves, and fantastic beaches. Visitors can find external aesthetics, the immersive culture, authentic Spanish cuisine, warm people, big cities, and pleasant weather together in this country. Its cities on slopes with impressive views are unforgettable. Flamenco and bullfights are two of the most famous Spanish folkloristic traditions that are found around the country. In the following, you will find the top 10 cities to visit in Spain. You can find information about their top hotels, restaurants and the nearest airport to the city center, and some general information about the attractions of that specific city. So don’t miss the best tourist attractions in Spain.
1- Madrid
Madrid, the central capital of Spain with grand boulevards and elegant parks, is known for its European art like the Prado Museum. This city is so fascinating with its rich diversity of food, fashion, nightlife, and history. Visitors can find one of Europe’s finest collections of Spanish and Latin American art spreading in the museums and galleries of the cities. The attractions in the Madrid city are Plaza Mayor, Temple of Debod, Gran via, KIO Towers, and Museo Lazaro Galdiano. Madrid is famous for its food, especially Calamari Sandwiches; Visitors can find some top restaurants near the city center like El Social, Barganzo, Anda Jaleo, Restaurant Insolito, Rocket to go by Ollywood and try Spanish cuisine there.
There are also some good hotels around that we can name some: Aresol (1star), Hostal Sonsoles (2 stars), Hotel Europa (3star), Hotel Liabeny ( 4star), Gran Hotel Inglés (5 stars). The main airport in Madrid is Cuatro Vientos Airport. This nearest airport to the city center ( 8 km southwest of the city center) is also known as Cuatro Vientos Airport. It is also the oldest Spanish airport that was established in 1911. One exciting tip about Madrid is that the oldest Restaurant In The World ( Sobrino de Botín) and The Biggest Zara In The World are located in Madrid.
2- Barcelona
Barcelona, the city of exceptional soccer and the brilliant architecture of Antoni Gaudi and Lluís Domènech I Montaner, is the cosmopolitan capital of Spain’s Catalonia region. The town of serene parks, golden Mediterranean coastline, tasty tapas, medieval mountain monasteries, and modern art museums is one major tourist destination in Europe. Barcelona, a known city of art and architecture with a rich cultural heritage, is changed to a cultural center in the world. One interesting fact about Barcelona is that even though it is one of the top tourist destinations in Europe, it is also known as the pickpocket capital of the world. There is a long list of attractions in Barcelona that visitors shouldn’t miss; some of the top attractions in Barcelona city are Hospital de Sant Pau, Park Güell, Santa María del Mar, Casa Batlló, La Pedrera.
Some excellent restaurants near the city center are Angle Barcelona, Central Barcelona, Burger Grill Restaurante, Brugarol Barcelona, Arigato Barcelona. Some of the Nearest hotels to the city center are The Serras Hotel Barcelona (5star), Seventy Barcelona (4star), Hotel Atlas (3star), Bcn Urbany Hotels del Comte (2star), Hotel Lloret Ramblas (1star). Barcelona–El Prat or El Prat Airport is situated 15 km southwest of the center of Barcelona. This international airport is located in the municipalities of Viladecans, El Prat de Llobregat, and Sant Boi in Catalonia.
3- Bilbao
Bilbao, the de facto capital of Basque Country, is a small industrial port city in northern Spain. This port city, surrounded by green mountains, experienced rapid industrialization due to the export of iron ore and the development of iron and steel, and shipbuilding industries. It also includes one of the most fantastic and impressive beaches in Spain. This industrial town is not known for its Moorish architecture or beach destinations; it is known for the world-class art museums, amazing modern architecture, and references to Basque culture. Tripadvisor travelers named the best outdoor activities in Bibao: Casilda Iturrizar parkea, Monte Artxanda, Etxebarria Parkea, El Balcón de Bizkaia, Playa Verde.
Travelers should not miss t Some of the top attractions in Bilbao city: Casco Viejo, Bilbao Fine Arts Museum, Guggenheim Museum Bilbao, Plaza Nueva, La Ribera Market. For the food lovers, there are some of the best restaurants in the city centre that we can name just 5 of them near city centre: La Viña del Ensanche, El Puertito, La Gavilla Bilbao, Ad Hoc Cascanueces, La Viña del Ensanche. Top 5 hotels near the city centre are Hotel Carlton (5 star), Tayko Bilbao Hotel(4 star), Hotel Conde Duque Bilbao (3 star), Hotel Bilbao Plaza (2 star), Ibis budget Bilbao City (1 star). The main airport of this city is Bilbao Airport; this minor international airport is the largest one in the Basque Country and northern Spain. Its newly opened main terminal designed by Santiago Calatrava is so famous. This airport is 9 km north of Bilbao, in the municipality of Loiu, in Biscay. One surprising thing about Bilbao city is that this city is so safe; kids and women don’t need any extra protections even kids can run safely and freely on the streets.
4- Seville
The largest city and the capital of the Spanish autonomous community of Andalusia are named Seville. This is the cultural center and capital of Muslims in Spain. It is also known as the capital of Spanish exploration in the New World. This city is known for its fruits, especially oranges. Moorish poets named ” Seville Oranges” during Spain’s Islamic history. Flamenco was born in this city. Top 5 hotels near city centre in Seville are Eurostars Torre Sevilla (5star), Casa De Indias By Intur (4star), Hotel El Rey Moro (3 star), Hotel Corral del Rey (2star), La Casa Del Maestro (1star). Also, we can call the Top 5 restaurants near the city center for tasting Sevillian specialties; they are La Tagliatella Jatetxea, Cocome, La Sede, Bodega Palo Santo, and Al-Sultan.
Some attractions of the Seville city are Plaza de Espana Square, the Parque de Maria Luisa, the river Guadalquivir, La Giralda Tower, and Real Alcazar de Sevilla aka Royal Residence. Seville Airport is the main airport in Seville. This sixth busiest inland airport in Spain is an international airport in the southern part of Spain. Interestingly, we can name Seville as the hottest city in the summer (after Cordoba city in Flamenco) in Europe, with a moderate degree of 36.0 °C (97 °F).
5- Cuenca
Cuenca, a city and municipality of Spain in the autonomous community of Castilla–La Mancha, is the capital of the province of Cuenca that was founded by the conquistador Gil Ramírez Davalos in the 15th century. Its textile making, furniture, and other crafts like hats and shoes are known worldwide. Local artisans Cuenca make straw hats known as Panama hats. It’s ok to say that Cuenca in Spain is twinned with Cuenca in Ecuador. Top 5 hotels near the city centre in Cuenca are Oro Verde Cuenca (5star), Hotel Parador de Cuenca (4star), Alfonso VIII (3 star), Pedro Torres (2 star), and Hotel Castillo de Uña (1star).
We can also name some of the Top restaurants near the city centre:El Bodegón, Romera Bistrót, Raff San Pedro, Taberna Albero, and Trivio. There isn’t any airport in Cuenca city; Madrid Airport is the nearest airport to Cuenca, which is located 132.6 km away. Some attractions in Cuenca city are Museo de Cuenca, Cuenca Cathedral, St. Pablo Bridge, Castilla-La Mancha Paleontology Museum, the Castle’s ruins, and Mirador del Cerro del Socorro. One fascinating attraction in Cuenca is its hanging houses clinging to steep, rocky slopes. This nestled town among rock walls is a well-preserved medieval old town known as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
6- Granada
The pearls of Spain, Granada is The long-time capital of Moorish Andalusia. This city is an excellent sample of medieval architecture. It is located in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada mountains. Because of its location, this city is a fantastic collection of serene patios, royal palaces, the fountains, orchards of the Generalife gardens, and reflecting pools from the Nasrid dynasty. This beautiful old city has the most visited tourists in the world. Top 5 hotels near city centre for resting are Hospes Palacio de Los Patos (5star), La Casa de la Trinidad(4 star), Hotel Casa del Capitel Nazarí (3 star), Duquesa Plaza (2star), Casa de Federico (1 star). Visitors can find some of the cheapest food in this city; Top 5 restaurants near the city centre are El Mercader, Claustro, Restaurante Barbarroja, Restaurante Palacio Andaluz Almona, Restaurante Carmen De Aben Humeya.
Some of the attractions in the Granada city are Alhambra Building, Carmen de los Martires Gardens, Albaicín, and Bar La Fragua, and Palacio de Dar al-Horra. Granada International Airport or Federico García Lorca Granada-Jaén Airport is the main airport of the city. It takes 20 minutes to get to the city center by taxi. Also, there are some buses at a lower price, but it takes longer. One exciting thing about Granada city is that they serve drinks with free food. So, don’t miss their drinks and also their famous tapas.
7- Valencia
Valencia is a port city located on the southeastern coast of Spain. This known city of Arts and Sciences encompasses futuristic structures like an oceanarium and also several fantastic beaches. The perfect temperature of this city alongside good food has changed this city to a good destination, especially on warm days. The beaches are not far from the city; they are about 15 minutes by bus or metro. So they are an excellent hotspot for the weekends. Top 5 hotels near the city centre are Myr Plaza Mercado & Spa (1star), Hotel Ad Hoc Carmen (2 star), Sorolla Centro (3star), One Shot Mercat 09 (4star), Hospes Palau de la Mar (5 star).
Top 5 restaurants near the city centre for trying delicious spanish foods are Giardino del Carmen, San Tommaso, Restaurante Asador Argentino Gordon 10, Restaurante Zynnia, and Restaurante arrocería en Cánovas. The main airport to the town is Valencia Airport or Manises Airport. This airport with both domestic and international flights is just 8 kilometers from the city center. Some attractions in Valencia include the Mascleta, La Tomatina, El Carmen street art, Torres de Serranos, Valencia Cathedral, and Colón Market. One exciting thing about Valencia is that the Central Market in Valencia is known as the oldest and largest fresh produce market in Europe.
8- Málaga
A port city epitomizing the Andalusian lifestyle was the home of artist and sculpture Pablo Picasso. Malaga, with its golden beaches and an attractive old town, has a rich history. This city is located alongside the Mediterranean Sea at the mouth of the Guadalmedina River. Top 5 hotels near the city centre are Trébol, Hotel Carlos V Málaga (2 star), Don Curro Hotel (3star), Anahita Hotel Boutique (4star), and NH Málaga ( 5 star). There are also some good restaurants near the city centre; some of the top restaurants are Buenavista Gastrobar & Tapas, Restaurante Alexso Fonzo, Restaurante Italiano La Romántica, and Gofre’s 2 Pizza.
Malaga Airport, with the official name” Malaga-Costa del Sol Airport, ” is the city’s main airport. The fourth Spanish busiest airport was established in 2011. This international airport is serving the Costa del Sol, so it is significant for the tourism of Spain. We can name some attractions in Malaga city: Caves of Nerja, the Caminito del Rey, El Torcal National Park, Abadia del Sacromonte, and the ruins of the Roman theater. One interesting fact about Malaga is that Phoenicians founded this city in 770 BC, so Malaga is one of the world’s oldest cities.
9- Mallorca or Majorca
The crown jewel of Spain’s Balearic Islands is called Mallorca. This Mediterranean Balearic Island is famous for its limestone mountains, sheltered and secluded coves, stunning beach resorts and fantastic coastline, and Roman and Moorish remains. Mallorca is also called Majorca. This reason is apparent. This city has two official languages: Spanish and Catalan. Majorca is the Anglicised version of the Spanish spelling Mallorca.
This most popular Mediterranean destination has a lot of developed beaches with beautiful inlets for swimming. Travelers can stay in Top 5 hotels near the city center: Gran Hotel Sóller (5 stars), Hotel Es Port (4 stars), Amena Mar Hotel (3-star ), Sol Port Sóller (2-star), Gran Hotel Sóller (1star).
Mallorca is known for its wineries and fresh farm products. So it’s an excellent opportunity to try these in one of the top restaurants in Mallorca. The top five restaurants near the city center for trying Majorca’s unique foods and wineries are Mas 39, Santosha, Aromata, Fera Palma Restaurant, Sadrassana restaurant. The main airport of the city is Palma de Mallorca International Airport. This international airport is located in the east part of Mallorca. It is the third-largest airport in Spain. Some of the top attractions in Majorca city are Palma de Mallorca, Alcudia’s Old Town, Artà’s Picturesque Historic Town, Sóller’s Beautiful Seaside Scenery, and Puerto Portals Resort. One exciting thing about Mallorca is that some of its beaches are still untouched, and travelers can enjoy their breathtaking natural beauty besides their uniqueness.
10- Cordoba
Cordoba is located in the south part of Andalusia in Spain. This town was an important Islamic center in the Middle Ages, and its Great Mosque is so well known around the world dated back to 784 A.D. This city full of new streets, courtyards full of flowers, excellent taverns, and squares is a great place for spending a night or two. Spring, especially May is the best time for visiting the city; Córdoba’s traditional fiestas and fragrance of jasmine and orange blossom in spring in Cordoba are unforgettable. There are some great hotels near city centre; Top 5 of them are Hotel Hospes Palacio del Bailío (5star), H10 Palacio Colomera (4star), Hotel Córdoba Centro (3star), Cordoba Carpe Diem (2 star), Plateros Hotel (1star).
Top 5 restaurant near city centre are called Bodegas Mezquita (Céspedes), Ermita de la Candelaria, Noor Restaurant, Casa Qurtubah Tea / Cafe / Restaurant, and Restaurante “La Cuarta”. Top attractions in Cordoba city are Feria de los Patios, Mosque-Cathedral, Palacio de Viana, Guadalquivir and surrounding countryside, and Alcázar de los Reyes Cristianos( “Castle of the Christian Kings”). The main airport of Cordoba city is called Córdoba Airport. This national and international airport is located 6 kilometers from the city center of Córdoba in Spain. It’s interesting to know that Cordoba is known for its leather manufacturing sites and silversmiths. Don’t miss their products!
