More Ways to Save on Travel! Priceline.com Cheap Airline Tickets!

Destination Spain

Travel Spain: Top Five Places to See and Explore

Spain has much to offer to its visitors and locals alike. From the dynamic fun and sun on the island of Ibiza, to the century-old events and festivals in the region of Pamplona, and to the wondrous arts and architecture of the Romans and the Moors, Spain truly provides countless things to explore.  Both the laid back traveler and the fearless adventurer will be pleased. Spain is now considered as one of the most visited countries in the world, with about 45 million visitors each year.

Are you planning to travel Barcelona for a holiday vacation? Wondering what parts of the country are worth visiting?  Mentioned below are some of the most visited places in Spain, so continue reading help in deciding where to go for your ultimate Spanish vacation.

  Barcelona
Hailed as the second largest city in Spain, Barcelona is the capital of Catalonia.  It is known for its friendly climate, a broad-based attitude, fine cuisines, and a wide display of arts and architecture to satisfy every traveler’s needs. Barcelona is considered to be one of the best places in Spain to see and explore on foot. By wandering on foot you will be better able to experience the best of Barcelona's attractions.

But where in the city you can start to walk?

Well, the city of Barcelona is composed of four main districts, including the Old City or Ciutat Vella, Gothic Quarter or El Barri Gotic, El Raval, and La Ribera or the wandering area.

Of these districts, it is the El Raval which is the portal to some of the best wonders in Barcelona.  The El Raval is the  southwest border of La Rambla, which is considered the city’s thoroughfare center. 

La Rambla divides the Old Town of Barcelona and is the perfect portal for tourists wanting to acquaint themselves with all that the city has to offer.

After a long walk from El Raval and down to La Rambla, you can stop at the Boqueria Market and head to the Gothic Quarter of the city to enjoy the sights at the Catedral de la Seau.
Here, you can have an upclose view of the Sagrada Familia, which is the architectural masterpiece of Antoni Gaudi. This artwork is celebrated for its excellent color and texture which according to many resembles ice that is gradually melting away. 

Barcelona offers many more attractions, including parks and reserves, museums, art galleries, and  more. 

After working up an appetite, sample the the fine Mediterranean cuisine of seafood, onions, garlic, virgin olive oil, and red wine.

  Madrid
Madrid is the heart of Spain. It is the center of everything cosmopolitan and urban. This modern city has an estimated population of about three million.

Madrid is a must-see place simply for its museums and art galleries, parks, discos, bars, cafes, and live music hubs.

However, compared with Barcelona, the city of Madrid only offers less architectural structures for visitors to see.  However, Madrid boasts three large museums: the El Museo del Prado, Thyssen-Bornemisza, and Centro de Arte Reina Sofia.

The Prado, displays the works of Goya, Bosch, Botticelli, Velasquez, Titian, and El Greco

The Thyssen-Bornemisza occupies the Villahermosa Palace whose history dates back to the 18th century. It is located at the Paseo del Prado and and displays western art form including artistic masterpieces of the 13th century Italian Gothic, as well as the 20th century Pop arts.

Finally, there is the wide collection of modern art at Reina Sofia including works of Salvador Dali, Joan Miro, and Pablo Picasso.  The Guernica of Piccasso, depicting the horrors of the Nazi fire bombing of Basque, Gernika during the Spanish Civil War is displayed there.

Madrid is known for its bullfights. The bullfights are held at Las Ventas Arena in the district of Salamanca. The fights are staged every Sunday afternoon from the month of April through November.

  Seville
The capital city of Andalusia, Seville is another home to many of the country’s artworks including the  literary masterpieces of the legendary Don Juan.

In the month of April during Holy Week or Semana Santa, Seville holds a parade featuring self-flagellating "Christs" and crying "Virgins". The participants wear the finest jewels and walk through the street barefoot as an act of their penitents.

You can enjoy a good climb to the Giralds Minaret and from there, drive down to the Barrio de Santa Cruz. Here, you can get lost in city’s narrow streets among the many jewelry vendors.
If you can speak a little Spanish, you can practice your fluency here with the friendly merchants.

If you come for the flamenco dance, then you can visit the bars of La Maccarena, Triana, or the outlying of Las Tres Mil Vivendas and even learn the dance basics. Flamenco dancing is a primary attraction of Seville.

In addition to flamencos and festivals, Seville is home to the famous bullring, the Maestranza.

  Valencia
Are you a beach lover?  If so, visit Valencia for its wonderful pristine Mediterranean beaches.
Costa Blanca, a notable beach here, is deemed a perfect tourist destination, boasting the best sunshine all year round.
Additonally, Valencia is the home of the traditional Spanish dish, the paella...a culinary delight. Valencia is also known for its famous oranges. 

The weather in Valencia stays warm and dry during the months of summer and remains mild during the winter.  The weather in Valencia is so temperate that it is good to visit the city any time of the year.

  Toledo
Once considered as the heart of everything Spanish, Toledo is another large Spanish city populated by people who welcome you with warm smiles.  The city is nestled on the top of a rocky mountain, highlighted by yellow hillsides.

It is one of the oldest towns in Spain and is considered by UNESCO as World Heritage Site.
The city of Toledo boasts a number of attractions worth exploring.  It has the oldest selection of architectural structures, including the mosques, synagogues, and cathedrals with histories dating back to the Renaissance. It is for these centuries-old structures that Toledo is deemed as the historic and religious capital of Spain.

The Alcazar fortress in Toledo is a must-see attraction.

Toledo is also known for its mazelike streets and you will want to carry a comprehensive of the city. Or, just catch a taxi to your exact location.

There are many more places to visit and explore in Spain, but these cities can serve as a great start to your Spanish vacation.