The 14 best places to visit in Spain in 2025
With stunning beaches, top-notch art museums and unmatched cuisine, Spain regularly steals hearts. Add these top 14 places to your shortlist for 2025 travel.
Sun-drenched Mediterranean beaches, World Heritage cities, incredible cuisine and culture – Spain is easy to love. When planning your way around this fascinating Iberian destination make this your starting point – a snapshot of the 14 best places to visit in Spain in 2025.
1. Madrid
Best for art museums and street life
The Spanish capital is a lively city blessed with year-round blue skies draped over its vibrant barrios (neighborhoods), architectural landmarks and famed art museums. There's even an ancient Egyptian temple, the Templo de Debod, right in the city center.
Art aficionados could spend days exploring Madrid's "Golden Triangle of Art," comprising three globally renowned museums, the Museo del Prado, Reina Sofía and the Thyssen-Bornemisza, which are home to some of the world's most valuable collections. They are situated along Madrid's Paseo del Prado (Art Walk), which has been granted UNESCO World Heritage status. Madrid’s main art museums offer free entrance at scheduled times during the week.
One of Madrid’s best features is its energy-charged street culture, with its wine-soaked tapas crawls and late nights that extend past the sunrise. If you only have a few days in the capital, check out Cava Baja in the historic La Latina neighborhood, lined with charming taverns and centenarios (restaurants more than 100 years old). Visit on a Sunday after exploring the 500-year-old flea market El Rastro, to join locals hopping from one bar to the next and sample a selection of Iberian charcuterie and cheeses.
Local tip: Recently, the city buses and metro transport system have introduced contactless payment terminals, making navigating Madrid an even more efficient experience. 
2. Barcelona
Best for visiting modernist architecture
Straddling the Mediterranean and the Pyrenees mountains, the Catalonian capital is a visually dramatic metropolis with avant-garde architecture, city beaches and Gothic Quarter.
No visit to Barcelona is complete without seeing the Sagrada Família, the masterpiece of Antoní Gaudí, the illustrious Catalan architect and proponent of Modernism. His influence on the city is everywhere, and it's worth taking time to visit his other architectural jewels, the Casa Batlló, La Pedrera and Park Güell. Make sure to book Sagrada Família tickets in advance – if you aren't able to book a ticket, there are Sunday masses at 8:30am, without crowds and free entrance, though do remember to dress appropriately to respect the solemn services.
Another place where Gaudí has left his legacy is at the Plaça Reial, at the heart of the city's two millennia-old Barri Gòtic (Gothic Quarter). This neighborhood is also home to the majestic La Catedral of the Holy Cross and Saint Eulalia, built over two centuries from the 13th to the 15th centuries. At the border of the quarter is Mercat de la Boqueria, one of the oldest markets in Europe.
Detour: If you wish to avoid tourist traps, skip the Las Ramblas and head to El Poble-sec or Sant Antoni. Gràcia is filled with independent coffee roasters and artisan bakeries, while Poblé Nou has cafés that allow laptops. 
3. Cadaqués
Best for exploring surrealist art along the coast
There’s something about the light in this seaside village along the Costa Brava on the northeast side of Spain, as its past residents and frequent visitors include some of the world’s most famous artists and literary figures – including Salvador Dalí, Pablo Picasso, Joan Miró, Truman Capote, Man Ray and Gabriel García Márquez. You can just imagine these creative luminaries exploring this Mediterranean town’s whitewashed houses and narrow cobblestone streets brightened by bougainvillea blooms.
Head down to Portlligat where you can visit Dalí’s retirement villa, unsurprisingly a whimsical fever-dream replete with a life-sized stuffed polar bear (a gift from British poet Edward James), a phallic-shaped swimming pool and a giant egg perched on the rooftop.
Local tip: The word’s out on this coastal gem. Over the years, it has evolved from being a peaceful artists’ retreat into a magnet for droves of travelers in the summer months of July and August. Instead, come during the shoulder months of May/June or September/October, when the weather’s pleasant and you won’t compete for space on the beach.
4. Toledo
Best for multi-layered cultural tourism
This 2000-year-old walled city occupies a significant place in Spain's history. This UNESCO World Heritage Site by the Tagus River was the former capital of the Visigothic Kingdom, a fortress of the Emirate of Córdoba, a Roman city, the seat of power of King Charles V and the former capital of Spain until 1560. With Jewish, Christian and Islamic influences, Toledo has earned the nickname "The City of Three Cultures."
Walk along its narrow cobblestone streets to glimpse the vestiges of this unique cultural melange – ancient Roman structures, Moorish architectural styles, the Catedral de Toledo, El Tránsito Synagogue and Cristo de la Luz Mosque.
Local tip: High speed AVE trains leave Madrid every hour, making this an easy day trip destination. Head to the Mirador del Valle for spectacular panoramic views and a picture-perfect photo of this historic city. 
5. Cuenca
Best scenic mountain views with a side of history
This city lives on the edge – literally. Its historic center is built along the rim of a dizzyingly steep, craggy precipice on the mouth of two river gorges, the Río Huécar and Río Júcar. Cuenca’s emblematic landmark is the Casas Colgadas (Hung Houses), which teeter on the brink of the ravine, almost as if one push would send them tumbling over the edge.
To truly enjoy this UNESCO World Heritage city, it’s worth learning its fascinating history. First built by the Moors in 714, Cuenca flourished as a fortified citadel that enjoyed three centuries of economic prosperity. Moorish rule ended when King Alfonso XIII finally conquered it in 1177.
Because of its unique geographical contours, Cuenca offers some of the most scenic viewpoints, such as the Miradores del Huécar observation deck and the Puente del San Pablo bridge which connects both sides of the ravine – crossing this requires some courage and can be especially challenging for those with vertigo. A leisurely stroll into the Casco Antiguo (old quarter) is an exhilarating experience, with breathtaking views of mountainsides at every turn.
Despite its Middle Age origins, Cuenca has emerged as a nerve center of abstract modern art. The premier abstract art museum, the Museo de Arte Abstracto Español is housed within the Casas Colgadas.
Local tip: The sloped cobblestone streets and stairways here can be a workout, so wear comfortable shoes with traction. If you have a few days, venture to Ciudad Encantada, about 30km (19 miles) northeast of Cuenca, a prehistoric geo-park featuring massive dolomite rock formations dating to the Cretaceous epoch.
6. León
Best for exploring Gothic architecture and vibrant tapas culture
Bathed in year-round blue skies, León is a historic city that blends visually arresting architecture and a lively tapas culture. Its undisputed star is the León Catedral, a 13th-century Gothic masterpiece at the city’s spiritual heart. This is one of Spain’s premier Gothic showpieces, with an arresting facade, soaring towers and a gallery of beautiful stained glass windows.
León is a compact, flat city, making it easy to explore on foot, starting on the sprawling, cobblestoned Plaza del Grano, which exudes Old World charm. San Marcos, a convent-turned-prison, is a striking example of Spanish Renaissance design, while Gaudí's Casa Botines introduces Catalan Modernism to the city’s architectural treasures.
For food lovers, León is one of the best Spanish cities to enjoy tapas (small plates). Head to Barrio Húmedo or Barrio Romantico for an enjoyable tapas hop; pick any tavern and order a drink, and you’ll be served a generous plate of tapas on the house. They’re famous for their version of morcilla (blood pork sausage), served runny with pieces of bread.
Local tip: From Madrid, AVE high-speed trains get you to León in less than two hours, making it a perfect day trip or weekend escape.
7. Salamanca
Best university town with Plateresque architecture
Salamanca is perhaps one of the most beautiful university towns you’ll ever visit in your lifetime. Affectionately known as “La Dorada” (The Golden One), its rose-colored sandstone buildings glow with a golden hue, especially at sunset. Its buildings are monuments to Spanish Plateresque architecture, with intricately carved facades that invite careful inspection by day, and transform into otherworldly silhouettes by night.
Salamanca is home to one of the oldest universities in the world, the University of Salamanca, founded in 1218. The city’s crowning glory is the Plaza Mayor, an 18th-century Baroque masterpiece that was a bullring in its previous reincarnation.
Local tip: View the city’s legendary golden sandstone sunset from the Puente Romano, where you’ll be treated to a stunning view of the city’s skyline.
8. San Sebastián
Best for gourmet experiences by the beach
This alluring Basque coastal city in northern Spain is characterized by its belle epoque architecture, white-sand beaches that stretch for miles, and blue waters of the Bay of Biscay. On a clear day, stroll along the boulevard of La Concha beach to get a feel for the locals' sea-loving culture.
San Sebastián, or Donostia in Basque, has evolved from a traditional whaling town into a world-famous gastronomic capital. It has the greatest concentration of Michelin-starred restaurants per square meter in Europe, and gastronomic delights await you around every corner.
Local tip: You don't need to have a Michelin-star budget to be able to enjoy San Sebastián's food culture. Head over to the Parte Vieja (Old Quarter), particularly along 31 de Agosto St. The streets here are lined with restaurants and bars offering dizzying rows of assorted pintxos, which literally translates to "spike," as these snacks are usually served on toothpicks or skewers).
9. Granada
Best for Western Islamic architecture
Situated at the foot of the snow-capped Sierra Nevada mountain range is this sublime Andalusian city, home to the Alhambra palace complex and the ancient citadel of the Nasrid Dynasty, the last ruling Muslim dynasty in the Iberian Peninsula. Meaning "Red One," the Alhambra is a stunning architectural masterpiece merging Moorish and Christian decorative elements – from intricately carved walls and archways, mirror-like pools and colorful mosaics.
Local tip: Don’t miss the Palacio del Generalife right by the Alhambra, a summer palace whose gardens and perfectly orchestrated fountains one provided repose for the Nasrid sultans.
10. Seville
Best for cultural sightseeing
The delights of Seville are in the details – this charming Andalusian capital may give you the sensation of déjà vu, perhaps because its year-round sunny days, resplendent gardens and intricately carved palaces have made it a favored filming location for big productions from Star Wars to Game of Thrones. Its allure lies in its idiosyncratic mix – horse-drawn carriages, flamenco tablaos (stages), colossal Gothic structures and Islamic stylistic details all blend to create this multi-layered dreamscape of a city.
Seville's rich cultural tapestry is the legacy of its long and varied history, once a Moorish capital, later the seat of the Castilian aristocracy, and then as the European gateway to the Americas after Columbus' journey in 1492. The unique juxtaposition of cultures could not be more apparent when visiting the Seville Cathedral, the largest Gothic cathedral in the world and the final resting place of Columbus. Just a few meters away, the Real Alcázar showcases the splendor of Mudéjar architecture with Islamic, Baroque, Gothic and Renaissance elements.
Local tip: Time your visit for one of the city's great annual festivals, notably the Semana Santa (Easter Week) and Feria de Abril.
11. Córdoba
Best to explore Moorish and Christian heritage
This former Moorish citadel rising on the banks of the Río Guadalquivir was once a cultural, political and intellectual epicenter of the Islamic Caliphate of Córdoba. It is home to four UNESCO-protected sites, each signifying the legacies of its Roman, Moorish and Christian heritage.
This Andalusian city’s most famous landmark, the mosque-cathedral Mezquita is an architectural marvel that blends Roman, Visigoth, Byzantine, Persian and Syrian styles, expressed in its striking Byzantine mosaics and distinctive striped arches. Construction began in 786 under the Emir Abd al-Rahman I, who, owing to his nostalgia for his homeland in Syria, had the prayer room facing Damascus instead of Mecca. Under King Carlos V, an incongruous construction of a Renaissance cathedral nave was undertaken, and now rests at the center of the mosque.
Local tip: Take advantage of the many free walking tours offered by local guides. Avoid visiting in the scorching months of July and August, where temperatures can surpass 100℉ (38°C) degrees. Come mid-April to mid-June, a perfect time to stroll amidst the city’s lush gardens, date palm trees and spring blooms.
12. Santiago de Compostela
Best for spiritual tourism
The capital of Galicia is the final destination of the Camino de Santiago (Way of Saint James) pilgrimage, a tradition that stretches back more than 1000 years. On any day of the week, pilgrims from all over the world pay respects at the Basilica of Santiago de Compostela, the reputed burial place of St James the Apostle.
Even non-pilgrims can relish the mystical beauty of this northern Spanish city with a distinct Celtic heritage. Its beating heart is the Praza del Obradoiro, where the luxurious Hostal dos Reis Católicos stands, believed to be the oldest hotel in the world that was once a hostel for pilgrims.
Local tip: Santiago has a rich gastronomic tradition highlighted by its excellent seafood. Visit the Mercado de Abastos food market, the city's second most popular attraction after the cathedral.
13. Valencia
Best city beach with avant-garde attractions
Sprawling beaches, a complex straight out of science fiction, and the birthplace of paella – Spain’s third-largest city is a laid-back, welcoming Mediterranean destination with plenty of cultural and gastronomic experiences to explore.
Rising out of this seaside city is the otherworldly Ciudad de las Artes y las Ciencias, designed by Valencia’s very own Santiago Calatrava, world-famous for his futuristic designs that include the World Trade Center Transportation Hub in New York.
If you happen to visit in mid-March, chances are you’ll experience Las Fallas, Valencia’s UNESCO-listed festival wherein towering, intricately designed paper-mache sculptures parade the streets – only to be set ablaze during the fiery grand finale, La Cremà. Just make sure you wear earplugs; firecrackers blow up all week to mark the revelries of fire and artistry.
Local tip: Renting a bike is a great way to explore the city, from the Turia parklands, you can get to the Ciudad de las Artes y las Ciencias complex and Malvarrosa beach.
14. Balearic islands
Best for beaches and sapphire-colored waters
Anyone who's been to these outlying islands east of the Iberian Peninsula would recognize the "Balearic blues" — the distinct shades of blue that distinguish these Mediterranean waters. This archipelago's four largest islands – Ibiza, Mallorca, Menorca and Formentera – are blessed with countless beaches and calas (coves) embraced by white sand coastlines and rugged cliffs.
Among these islands, Ibiza is the most famous, mainly for its reputation as a 24/7 party destination. Yet Ibiza's clubbing culture is just a tiny slice of this spectacular island. It is fringed with sapphire-colored waters, filled with historic fortified towns, and has a wealth of hidden inlets with beachside restaurants and cafés. Visit the ruins of the ancient Phoenician civilization at Sa Caleta and the Puig des Molins necropolis to get a glimpse of the ancient colonies that inhabited this island long before the clubbers discovered it.
