What to see in Spain: the cities, the sea and the places not to be missed

There Spain it is a lucky land: it is blessed by a mild climatecan boast beautiful beacheshas mountains to be discovered and plains that offer extraordinary agricultural products. And all this is made even more special by the long and rich history it has left behind artwork And architectural masterpieces. That would already be a lot. But the story of what to see in Spain is then enriched with a list of cities that are unique in terms of beauty – and special in terms of quality of life – which it is easy to fall in love with: and not just the big cities Barcelona, Madrid, Seville or Bilbao. Why here even small towns like Round or Zaragoza they have a unique charm. And the list goes on.

Sun, flamenco and sangria

Yes, because for many Spain can be summed up in the cunning formula “sun, sand and sangria” but this stereotype, which is actually more common among inhabitants of northern Europe looking for warmth out of season, certainly does not serve to explain that in fact, Spain has one of the most beautiful coasts of Europe, but that its true character comes from its culture. What is behind the stones of churches and gods palaces, in its rituals and in its heartfelt traditions. In the flavours of its dishes and in the panorama of narrow streets of historic centres. We said cities: so let’s talk about some of them.

What to see in Spain: the cities not to be missed

Barcelona for example, despite the recent tensions due to the autonomy anxieties of those who live there Catalonia, remains one of the most interesting cities, where it is easy to stay for days without ever having the desire to leave again. Its pleasant atmosphere can be appreciated by unhurriedly living the time along the streets and squares of the Gothic Quarter and not forgetting the many restaurants and bars where you can eat well. And it is no coincidence that he works here Adrià family and the Michelin stars they waste away.

But gluttony is not enough: the city is also the canvas that Antoni Gaudí he chose to sketch his architectural masterpieces such as the unfinished Sagrada Familia or the Parc Güell even if then, for many, they are the heart of the city the Ramblaswhere to dine before climbing the hill of Tibidabo to see the whole city spread out at our feet.

Madrid, the capital, is a true concentrate of the best of the country, the summary of what to see in Spain. Host i best museums in the country as the Prado or the Reina Sofiabut also the Royal Palace and some squares that are icons like the Plaza Mayor. It doesn’t take much, a trip outside the city, to discover treasures such as the Palazzo dell’Escorial or the timeless charm of the old walled city of Toledoworld heritage ofUNESCO.

Seville and Valencia

Let’s not forget then Sevillea city where the traces of the great one resist Moorish culture in Spain but mixed with the traditions of the Andalusia. And then to fascinate those who arrive are the alleys of District of Santa Cruz hey tapas places to then face the magnificence of Cathedral and above all ofAlcazarthe palace of the Moorish kings which however also housed Christopher Columbus preparing his journey to the Americas. Without forgetting the Holy Week celebrations.

Valenciaon the other hand, overlooking the Mediterranean, has always been one of the most important cities in the country but was slowly spiraling into a crisis from which it came out thanks to the America’s Cup and to one architectural revolution which gave rise to buildings that have become a symbol, such as the City of Arts and Sciences from Calatrava which in turn attracted droves of tourists who now flock to the Barrio del Carmenthe oldest part of the city where the spectacular is also located Cathedral. One detail: legend has it that the Holy Grail. And you understand why it’s so interesting.

Devotion and popular festivals

We are trying to tell what to see in Spain: and can we perhaps overlook the paradise of bullfighting mania? Let’s talk about Pamplonathe capital of the region of Navarrethe famous place to host the‘lock most famous, the running of the bulls which takes place during the Feast of San Fermin.

For those who, however, do not want to risk their lives and are not like Hemingway a fan of bullfights perhaps the best advice is to avoid the city during the fiesta that is held every year in early July. Indeed, Pamplona has a lot to offer visitors during the other 51 weeks of the year as it has a nice old townold churches and a museum, that of Navarre, which is an attraction not to be missed. Housed in a 16th-century hospital, the museum boasts a large collection of works, from Roman mosaics to paintings by Spanish masters.

What to see in Spain: ancient capitals and Moorish suggestions

The list of cities that deserve to be visited then continues with Burgos which was the capital of the Spanish region of Castile for almost 500 years. History was made here and this is proved by the fact that this is the burial place of El Cidthe medieval Spanish hero although more recently the twist has come from Burgos being named “European city of culture“. A recognition that has also made it possible to restore the splendid cathedral and give new life to the Antiguo districtheart of the old city, surrounded by the beautiful green spaces on the banks of the river Arlanzon.

Bilbao and its museum

We were talking about relaunching and the most striking example, at least in northern Spain, is that of Bilbao, a large port which for a long time was thought to have very little to offer the visitor. Then came the Guggenheim Bilbao Museumone of the architect’s most spectacular achievements Frank Gehry, and everything changed. The curvilinear titanium clad building has become a symbol as has the futuristic catwalk of Zubizuri and people began to arrive, bringing new life to the historic center where, among other things, you can discover the gastronomic wealth of Basque country.

A guide that tells what to see in Spain must necessarily go from the new to the old: what happens when you arrive at Granadathe city nestled at the foot of the mountains of Sierra Nevadain the heart ofAndalusia. Here you cannot miss a visit to the citadel and the palace of theAlhambra where you can breathe the atmosphere of the times when this city was the center of the Moorish civilization, a domination ended in 1492 when the Christian kings Ferdinand and Isabella they entered the city through the Puerta de Elvira. But the whole city conquers with its languid charm and it is unmissable to go up to the evening mirador de San Nicolás to see the Alhambra glow red under the sunset light.

Beaches, surfing and tapas

We have just started: our guide trying to summarize what to see in Spain now pushes us to Cordova with its pretty squares, whitewashed houses and the surprise of the cathedral Mezquita. In these places, in the period of Easter the extraordinary rites of the Holy Weekwith the processions of hooded immersed in clouds of candle smoke, while in the summer months those seeking sun, sea and fun flock to the beaches of Andalusia and the coast around Malaga or choose the island of Majorca where the wild life of some beaches fills nights and days. But behind the Cathedral of Palm tree, in the hot hours of the afternoon, your footsteps will echo in the silence.

Forty-three Unesco sites

In short, it is not easy to draw up a list also because this country boasts 43 World Heritage Sites (but Italy beats it) offering even in the smallest cities an unexpected gem that will remain impressed forever. Shall we continue the list? Santiago de Compostela is the goal of those who, and it has been for centuries, part for the Fireplace between Faith and the desire to put oneself to the test while the offer of is much less spiritual San Sebastián: here, on Bay of Biscaypeople come to bask in the sun on the beach called La Concha and to look for the best place to savor the pinxtosthe local version of tapas. And after a taste he goes back to playing with the surf.

But these are, after all, obvious advice. Less easy to imagine leaving to go to Caceres in Extremadura, the least known of all the Spanish provinces. This happens because it’s an area that doesn’t climb between the mountains and doesn’t overlook the sea but that doesn’t mean it doesn’t deserve our visit.

The city is home to some of the best restaurants in all of Southern Italy Spain in addition to an unmissable museum such as the Centro de Arte Visuales Fundación Helga de Alvear. Furthermore, Cáceres is surrounded by medieval walls and is full of towers which give the idea that the city itself is a kind of castle.

What to see in Spain: beaches and flamenco

And all this without forgetting the thousands of kilometers of beaches that have turned what were fishing villages into entertainment capitals: and their names are Ibiza And Formentera, Costa Blanca, Alicante, Costa Brava And Costa del Sol or climbing and skiing on the peaks of the Pyrenees or the excursions between paths of Las Medulas e among the gold mines of the province of Leonto Duratonwhere the water has carved out the rock.

Finally, it is not possible to draw up a guide of what to see in Spain without mentioning the other traditions that are culture: and we are talking about the flamenco that fills the alleys with Seville or the great popular festivals, such as the bonfires de Las Fallas that for St. Joseph fill the night with Valencia or the Feria de Avril that drives the life of crazy Seville. And to know what it really means to party, those are the days that you have to come. But we said it again: the reasons for leaving for Spain are almost endless.

Everywhere there is a village or a glimpse, a square or a panorama that you don’t expect. And after a sweat on the dunes of Tabernas desertclose to Almería – where Sergio Leone shot his westerns – or a dip in the icy waters of the last limit of Europe, a Cape Finisterre, there will always be a pinch of strength left to get back on the road. And, after one tapasset off again to see what is still to be seen.