Spain Travel Guide

Things to do while touring Spain

Explore the wonders of Seville

Seville is one of Europe’s most romantic and captivating cities, and the undisputed heart of Andalucía. The Real Alcázar, a stunning royal palace complex of Moorish and Gothic architecture, still used by the Spanish royal family today, is a UNESCO World Heritage site and one of the most beautiful buildings in Spain. The magnificent Gothic cathedral, home to the tomb of Christopher Columbus, and the elegant Barrio Santa Cruz neighbourhood with its maze of whitewashed lanes and flower-filled courtyards are equally unmissable. As evening falls, Seville comes alive with tapas bars, flamenco performances and a warmth of atmosphere that is entirely its own.

Marvel at Gaudí’s Barcelona

Barcelona is one of the world’s great cities, a place where world-class architecture, a vibrant food scene, beautiful beaches and a passionate local culture combine into an experience that is utterly unique. The works of Antoni Gaudí are the city’s defining signature: the soaring, still-unfinished Sagrada Família basilica, the whimsical Park Güell with its mosaic terraces and dragon staircase, and the sinuous facades of Casa Batlló and Casa Milà along the elegant Passeig de Gràcia. Beyond Gaudí, the Gothic Quarter, La Boqueria market and the lively waterfront all reward exploration.

Discover the Moorish heritage of Andalucía

Southern Spain’s Moorish legacy is one of the great wonders of European history and architecture. The Alhambra in Granada, a breathtaking palace and fortress complex overlooking the city from a hilltop above the Sierra Nevada, is widely regarded as one of the finest surviving examples of Islamic architecture in the world. The Mezquita in Córdoba, a remarkable forest of columns and arches that was once the great mosque of the western Islamic world, and Seville’s Real Alcázar complete an Andalucía Moorish heritage trail that is unlike anything else in Europe.

Experience flamenco and Spanish cuisine

No visit to Spain is complete without experiencing the fire and emotion of flamenco, the UNESCO-listed art form of southern Spain that combines song, guitar, dance and handclapping into one of the world’s most visceral performance traditions. A live flamenco show in a traditional tablao in Seville or Granada is an experience that stays with you long after you return home. On the plate, Spain’s cuisine is one of Europe’s most celebrated, from pintxos in the Basque Country and jamón ibérico to fresh seafood, vibrant paella and the world’s finest olive oils. Spain also produces exceptional wines, from Rioja and Ribera del Duero reds to the crisp whites and sparkling cavas of Catalonia.

Stroll the streets of Valencia

Blessed with more than 300 days of sunshine a year, Valencia sits on Spain’s eastern coast delivering everything the country does best, exceptional food, stunning architecture, and a relaxed pace of life Birthplace of paella, home to a spectacular medieval old town and flanked by long sandy beaches, it rewards curious travellers. The futuristic City of Arts and Sciences sits just kilometres from Roman ruins and a souk-like central market overflowing with fresh produce.

Spain frequently asked questions