Spain attracts over 85 million tourists each year, making it the second most visited country on Earth. It’s a spectacular place – beautiful, historic, sun-kissed, and geographically diverse.
Understandably, many visitors go straight to Spanish islands like Majorca, Ibiza, or Tenerife. Yet the cities in Spain deserve your attention, too. With their ancient foundations, these metropoles boast charming historic centers full of age-old attractions and amazing architectural diversity.
Add in their vibrant markets, picturesque piazzas, and delicious food, and Spain’s cities are a joy to explore. There are too many to list them all, but here are 10 that definitely belong on your bucket list.
1. Barcelona
Barcelona is one of Europe’s most visited cities. It’s famous for its Antoni Gaudí architecture, including the inimitable Sagrada Familia – the world’s largest unfinished church that’s been under construction for 120 years. Sandy beaches, vibrant food markets, the iconic La Rambla boulevard, and masses of other attractions make it an incredible Spanish city.
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2. Segovia
Segovia deserves far more attention than it gets. Nestled in central Spain, it’s jam-packed with historical charm. Its epic castle, cathedral, and cobbled streets are worth the cost of entry. But the city’s star attraction is the Roman aqueduct running through its center. This iconic, two-tiered, mortarless construction has stood sentinel here since the first century AD.
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3. Madrid
Located in the heart of Spain is the country’s capital and largest city. Like other major European metropoles, it’s a bustling, cosmopolitan place with endless things to do. Expect diverse architecture, renowned museums and galleries, lively nightlife, cultural hotspots, busy markets (like the El Rastro flea market), royal palaces, and so much more.
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4. Seville
Seville is a beautiful city in Andalusia, southern Spain. Dating back thousands of years, it’s flourished under various empires, including the Romans and the Moors. However, the city’s golden age was in the 16th century, when it became Spain’s gateway to the New World.
This rich history has blessed Seville with many architectural wonders, including Moorish Palaces (the Alcázar) and Spain’s largest cathedral.
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5. Granada
Granada is another stunning Andalusian city famous for its history and Moorish influence. It’s nestled between rivers in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada mountains, so the scenery is sublime. Yet its biggest claim to fame is the sprawling hilltop fortress complex called Alhambra. Once a palace for Moorish kings, it’s now one of Spain’s most iconic landmarks.
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6. Córdoba
If your hunger for culture in Andalusia remains unsated, head to the City of Flowers, otherwise known as Cordoba. It’s another picturesque location, where you’ll find ancient cobblestone streets and inviting town squares in a Historic Center that’s been a UNESCO World Heritage Site for decades. Highlights include the Great Mosque, the Roman Bridge, and the Alcazar.
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7. Málaga
This Andalusian port city dates to the Phoenicians, who founded a colony here in the 8th Century BC. Its prime location on the Mediterranean Sea has made it a sought-after city ever since. Alongside all the amenities of a modern metropolis, today’s visitors will enjoy ancient Roman ruins, an imposing Moorish castle, and a spectacular Baroque cathedral.
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8. Zaragoza
Zaragoza is one of the most underrated cities in Spain. Located in the northeast, it’s a university town with a lively atmosphere, over 2,000 years of history, and a welcoming atmosphere. Culture vultures will be in their element here, too. Among other attractions, there are two impressive cathedrals, Roman ruins, and a Moorish palace (Palacio de la Aljafería).
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9. Santiago de Compostela
Santiago de Compostela is the final stop of the famed Camino de Santiago pilgrimage. Located in northwest Spain, the city’s Old Town is a World Heritage Site that UNESCO describes as “one of the world’s most beautiful urban areas.” Expect charming streets and gorgeous age-old architecture, including a striking medieval cathedral said to be the burial place of Saint James.
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10. Salamanca
Located on the Tormes River in western Spain, Salamanca is known around the country as La Dorada, which means The Golden City. Why? Because its sandstone buildings have a famously honey-colored hue.
That isn’t its only claim to fame, though. Salamanca is a storied place that’s over 2,200 years old. Another UNESCO World Heritage Site, it’s home to the oldest university in Spain and is packed full of Romanesque, Gothic, Moorish, and Baroque architecture.
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