Port de Maó (also called Mahón or Port Mahon), the capital of Menorca, has plenty to offer, including one of the largest natural harbors in the world. There are tiny streets to stroll, shops to explore, cakes and meals to be had, drinks to be sipped, and a market housed in what used to be an old convent.
Dating back to the 10th century, the Palma Arab Baths (Baños Árabes) are among Palma’s most fascinating archaeological sites and some of the last remaining relics of the Muslim era in the Balearic Islands. It is believed that parts of the baths are the only remnants of the Arab city of Medina Mayurqa.
Dedicated to France’s Saint Genesius of Arles, the Church of San Ginés (Iglesia de San Ginés) is noteworthy as one of the oldest churches in Madrid. Although the current facade only dates back to 1870, much of the original church was built in the first half of the 17th century.
What was once an unremarkable stretch of the Manzanares River is now the Madrid Rio, a 2,220 acre (820 hectare) riverfront park boasting numerous attractions, from bike paths and urban beach to kids' play areas. Whether you dine at a parkside restaurant, or cross one of the 33 bridges for a photo, plan to visit the park on your next Madrid trip.
The tallest point in Menorca is Monte Toro, also called El Toro, where you can see the entire island on clear days. Built atop the summit is the Mare de Déu del Toro sanctuary, a significant pilgrimage place with a shrine to Menorca’s patron saint. There, a whitewashed exterior leads to a small chapel with a carved image of the Virgin Mary.
A bustling Bilbao transport hub, Moyua Square (Plaza Moyúa) combines manicured flowerbeds with ample seating to turn a simple roundabout into a much-loved meeting point. Admire the surrounding buildings, such as the 20th-century Palacio Chávarri and Hotel Carlton, or use the square as a jumping-off point for further exploration of the city and beyond.
The volcanic landscapes of the Canary Islands make you feel like you’re worlds away. And the barely-a-village, bayside Majanicho only adds to that magic. It’ll have you feeling like you’re on the face of the moon—albeit a moon with golden-sand beaches and surf-worthy ocean waves.
The UNESCO-listed city of Cáceres is tucked away in Extremadura, a Spanish region of wild beauty that is often overlooked by visitors. With its immaculately preserved mix of architectural styles stretching back over a thousand years, Cáceres’ Old City (Ciudad Monumental is a paradise for history buffs and photographers.
Since Madrid is a city known for museums like the Prado and the Reina Sofia, which draw art lovers from around the world, it's all too easy to miss the Lázaro Galdiano Museum (Museo Lázaro Galdiano. This tiny institution was once a private collection, and includes work from big name artists like Zurbarán, Murillo, El Greco, and others.
Rising above the Tarragona countryside, the 2-tiered Les Ferreres Aqueduct (Pont del Diable) is one of the area’s most remarkable Roman ruins. It was once used to transport water to the ancient city of Tarraco (now Tarragona); today, visitors can walk along its narrow pathway, braving its daunting heights to take in the impressive panoramic views from the top.
Extending from the foothills of Sierra de Mijas Mountains to Spain’s Costa del Sol, Benalmádena is a town in three parts. The whitewashed mountainside pueblo offers a glimpse into old Andalusia, while Benalmádena Costa features sunny beaches and a lively nightlife. Arroyo de la Miel comprises the residential area in between.
Vilafor is famous for being one of Tenerife’s highest villages. You'll find cobbled streets and colonial buildings in its Old Town, plus views of wildflower fields and mountains covered in pine trees. It's also an ideal base for exploring the natural landscapes of Teide National Park.
CaixaForum is an art gallery and event space housed in a former electricity power plant that's distinguished by its angular exterior and exterior living plant wall. Given its changing roster of big-name shows, it’s no surprise that it's one of the most popular museums in Madrid.
Ranking among Lanzarote’s most unusual geological attractions, Los Hervidores is an extraordinary collage of rocks, caves, and lava tubes that loom over the island’s west coast. Formed during the 18th-century eruptions of the Timanfaya volcanoes, the dramatic coastline was created when hot lava met with cold water.
The original of three theme parks on Spain’s Costa Dorada, PortAventura Park features more than 40 rides and attractions. It’s part of the larger PortAventura World—a resort complex that also includes Caribe Aquatic Park and Ferrari Land, the resort’s newest addition and home to one of Europe’s highest and fastest roller coasters.
Head to the Plaza del Mercado to find Valencia’s Central Market—famous across Europe for its huge selection of fresh produce and local specialties including cured meats, seafood, and cheese. You can also take a café break on the square, and see another historic landmark, the Lonja de la Seda.
Open seven days a week, La Roca Village features more than 150 stores that offer significantly discounted products year-round. A true shoppers’ paradise, you can save up to 60 percent on luxury brands from Gucci to Prada and beyond. Built in the style of a traditional Spanish town, the charming outlet also features a variety of restaurants and amenities for your convenience.
As a historic landmark alone, Seville’s Monastery of Santa Maria de las Cuevas (Monasterio de la Cartuja de Santa María) would be notable: The 14th-century walled monastery was a burial place for Christopher Columbus and was occupied by Napoleon—and later even hosted a tile factory. But today, the site’s main resident—the Andalusian Centre for Contemporary Art (CAAC)—is its top draw.
Over 400 different species of marine life spread across 35 fresh and saltwater tanks call the Seville Aquarium (Acuario de Sevilla) home. Follow in the footsteps of Magellan as you venture from the Atlantic to the Amazon and marvel over sharks in one of Spain’s deepest aquarium tanks, before visiting the ethereal jellyfish exhibit.
With its golden sands, turquoise waters, and looming volcanic cliffs; Famara Beach (Playa de Famara is one of Lanzarote’s most photogenic beaches and popular among both locals and travelers. It’s not only renowned for its good looks—but the beach is also a surfing hotspot, with world-class waves and breaks.
Forum Park is a sprawling waterfront space that draws big crowds for cultural events, from music to trade fairs, but there’s plenty to see year-round. Here, you’ll find the Museum of Natural Sciences of Barcelona (Museu Blau), as well as the Forum Marina, which is popular with boaters. While there’s no beach, sunny days bring locals and visitors alike to swim from floating docks at the Forum bathing area.
San Jeronimo Monastery (Monasterio de San Jerónimo), the first monastery built after the Christian conquest of Granada, was also the first church in the world consecrated to the Immaculate Conception of Mary. The monastery is known for housing one of the most exquisite Spanish Baroque sacristies on earth, as well as its courtyard, which is filled with orange trees.
The glittering coastline of San Antonio bay is best known for its gorgeous beaches, tranquil coves, and family-friendly resorts. In contrast, the nearby town of San Antonio is a clubber’s paradise with round-the-clock parties.
With circular turrets, towering spires, and an imposing Gothic-style facade, the Castle of Butrón looks like something out of a fairytale. Built in the 11th century, the castle was fought over by warring local noble families for hundreds of years. Though the structure fell into disrepair, new owners renovated it in the late 1800s.
The historical highlight of the palm-fringed city of Elche, just a short hop from Alicante, the Basilica of Saint Mary is best known for hosting the annual Mystery of Elche play, a theatrical interpretation of the death of the Virgin Mary and her assumption to heaven. Climb the bell tower for panoramic views of the city and the coastline.
Arguably the most beautiful beach on Mallorca—and certainly the most unspoiled, thanks to its location in a protected park—this 1.75-mile (3-kilometer coastal stretch is a top choice for families and sunseekers. Es Trenc’s shallow waters are ideal for little ones, while adults can enjoy watersports and seafront bars.
Located in Barcelona’s Born neighborhood, the European Museum of Modern Art (MEAM) displays contemporary realist art from the 20th and 21st centuries, housed within the 18th-century Gomis Palace. Its collection comprises over 1,500 works by living artists from around the world, with a keen focus on Spanish and Catalan artists. In addition to its exhibits, it regularly hosts concerts, workshops, and art courses.
To take in the passion and emotion of flamenco dance is to discover an essential piece of Spanish culture. Experience an intimate, traditional performance on a small stage surrounded by vaulted brick at Essential Flamenco. Attend a show after strolling Puerta del Sol, or before a late taberna dinner.
One of the most popular day walks in Mallorca, the challenging Torrent de Pareis hike slices through the Sa Calobra Canyon and offers spectacular views of the Tramuntana Mountains. After completing the hike, enjoy access to remote and pebbly beaches, as well as the charming town of Sa Calobra.
Famed for its rugged volcanic landscapes and sweet Malvasia grapes, La Geria is Lanzarote’s flagship wine region. Wine lovers come not only to sample the distinctive wines but to explore the unusual vineyards, where the vines are grown in volcanic rock pits dug into the black sand.
