Best Destinations in Spain for Culture Enthusiasts and Nature Lovers
While some people travel to Spain for its delicious cuisine and laid-back culture, others want to explore its historical buildings and wonderful landscapes.
From its unique palaces, churches, mosques, and museums, to its beaches, forests, and mountains, Spain has something for every traveler!
Read our round-up of the most worthwhile tourist attractions in Spain, complete with useful links to get admission tickets online. Find out whether you qualify by visiting EtiasSpain.com
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Cultural Tourist Attractions in Spain
Spanish architecture is full of historical and geographical diversity. This is mostly due to its unique blending of European, Christian and Islamic influences.
Many of Spain’s attractions, whether they are buildings, parts of cities, or natural parks have been designated World Heritage sites by UNESCO. In fact, Spain comes in third —after Italy and China— as the country with the highest number of World Heritage Sites in the world.
Spain’s Most Beautiful Churches and Mosques
Aside from Antoni Gaudí’s world-renown Sagrada Familia in Barcelona, Spain has many other religious buildings that are worth a visit:
- La Mezquita or The Great Mosque of Cordoba, Cordoba
- The Royal Monastery of San Lorenzo del Escorial, near Madrid
- Basílica de Santa María la Real de Covadonga, located in Parque Nacional de Los Picos de Europa, Asturias
- Santiago de Compostela Cathedral, Santiago
- Mosque of Cristo de la Luz, Toledo
- Alcazar of Jerez de la Frontera, Seville
- Central Mosque or Abu-Bakr Mosque, Madrid
- Giralda, Seville
Spain’s Must-See Museums
With over 1,500 museums in the country, Spain is undoubtedly a museum lover’s paradise. Here’s a quick list of the top museums you won’t want to miss:
- El Prado Museum, Madrid
- The Guggenheim Museum, Bilbao
- The City of Arts and Sciences, Valencia
- The Valencian Institute of Modern Art (IVAM), Valencia
- The Picasso Museum, Barcelona
- Museu Nacional d’Art de Catalunya (MNAC), Barcelona
- Fundació Joan Miró, Barcelona
- Salvador Dalí House, Figueres
- Museo Nacional de Arte Romano, Mérida
Spain’s Unique Historical Sites
With monuments from so many different architectural influences —from Romanesque and Gothic, to Moorish and Modernist— Spain has unique historical sites that will wow visitors from all around the globe:
- Alhambra Palace, Granada
- Casa Milá, Barcelona
- Casa Batlló, Barcelona
- Güell Palace and Güell Park, Barcelona
- Santa Creu i Sant Pau Hospital, Barcelona
- Roman Aqueduct, Segovia
- The Historic City of Toledo
- Plaza Mayor, Madrid
- The Patios, Córdoba
- El Tajo Gorge, Ronda
Spain’s Breathtaking Natural Landscapes
Nature lovers will surely want to discover the beauty and magnificence of Spain’s many national parks and beaches. From bustling locations in the city centers to less touristy places off the beaten path.
Check out our selection of Spain’s best destinations for outdoor enthusiasts.
The Best Beaches in Spain
With more than 5,000 miles of coastline, Spain is the ideal place to soak up some sun!
From quieter seashores like the dunes of Tarifa or the wilderness of Cabo de Gata to the bustling seaside clubs of Ibiza, Spain has beaches for every taste and budget:
- La Kontxa (or La Concha), San Sebastián
- Bogatell Beach, Barcelona
- Playa de la Victoria, Cádiz
- Playa Las Arenas, Valencia
- Playa de la Ribera, Sitges
- El Playazo, Cabo de Gata Nature Reserve, Almeria
- Platja de Ses Illetes, Formentera
- Ses Salines, Ibiza
- Es Trenc, Mallorca
- Cala Macarella and Cala Macarelleta, Menorca
- Playa Los Lances, Tarifa
- Islas Cies, Vigo
- Playa del Moro, Fuerteventura, Canary Islands
- Praia da Rodas, Galicia
Spain’s National Parks
Nature and outdoor enthusiasts have so many wonderful attractions to choose from in Spain. Some of the most unique ones include:
- Garajonay National Park, La Gomera
- Las Tablas De Daimiel National Park, Ciudad Real
- Ordesa and Monte Perdido, Huesca
- Monfragüe National Park, Cáceres
- Cabárceno Wildlife Park, Cantabria
- Urbión Mountains And Black Lagoon, Soria
- Volcan El Teide, Tenerife
- Parque del Retiro, Madrid
- Loro Parque, Puerto de la Cruz
- Timanfaya National Park, Lanzarote
- Generalife, Granada
- Oceanografic Valencia, Valencia
- Parc de Montjuic, Barcelona
- Camino de Santiago, Santiago de Compostela
Travel Advice for Spain
From its sangría, delicious tapas and wonderful attractions to its warm and friendly locals, Spain is undoubtedly an exhilarating destination. Now that you’ve jotted down all the sites you’d like to visit in Spain, remember you will also need the following:
- A valid passport, if you are not a Schengen citizen
- Travelers from visa-required countries will have to apply either for a Schengen visa or for the appropriate consular visa at a Spanish embassy or consulate in their country of residence
If your vacation dates are flexible, you will find this article with the best time of year to visit Spainquite helpful.
Author Bio:
Susan Noel is an experienced content writer. She is associated with many renowned travel blogs as a guest author where she shares her valuable travel tips with the audience.
