Spain attractions

The southernmost part of the Dalí Triangle (completed by the Dalí Theater-Museum in Figueres and the Salvador Dalí House in Cadaqués), the Castle of Púbol (Gala Dalí Castle) was a gift from artist Salvador Dali to his muse and wife, Gala. Their former home is now her final resting place—a surrealist Gothic and Renaissance building surrounded by shaded gardens and quirky fountains, and open for the public to explore.

Housed in a 1919 building designed by Antonio Palacios, this private, nonprofit cultural center offers all sorts of events for the artistically minded. The art exhibitions and independent films screened here are a big draw, but there's also an elegant on-site restaurant that's open to all.

Situated in Madrid’s Rosas neighborhood, the Wanda Metropolitano soccer stadium has been home to Atletico Madrid since the 2017-2018 season. Wanda Metropolitano has a capacity of nearly 68,000, a small museum, and guided tour opportunities, which make it an essential stop in Madrid for soccer fans.

The largest on Lanzarote, the Teguise Market sees a range of artisans, food stalls, performers, and more descend on La Villa de Teguise every Sunday. You’ll find everything from clothing and accessories to artworks and housewares, while live music accompanies the proceedings.

With calm waters ideal for swimming and more than half a mile (almost 1 kilometer) of vast golden sands, it’s easy to see why Las Vistas Beach (Playa de las Vistas) is one of Tenerife’s most beloved beaches. On the south coast, it’s fully accessible, family-friendly, and offers plenty of amenities.

CosmoCaixa is one of Europe’s leading natural science museums, featuring exhibitions that span from the creation of the universe to the natural wonders of the Amazon rainforest and Antarctica, as well as a planetarium and micrarium. It’s packed with innovative exhibitions, interactive displays, and living gardens, making it a must for anyone interested in understanding more about the natural world.

With over 10,000 works of Spanish, European, and Basque art spanning from the Middle Ages to present day, the Bilbao Fine Arts Museum (Museo de Bellas Artes de Bilbao) is one of the most-visited museums in the Basque Country. Highlights include masterpieces from El Greco, Francisco de Goya, and Mary Cassatt, plus regular temporary exhibits.

Casa de Campo is Madrid’s 4,250-acre (1,722-hectare green lung, an urban park that originated as hunting grounds for the Spanish Royal Family and is now a favorite weekend picnic destination for Madrileño families. Centered on a vast boating lake, this sprawling green oasis is a haven for walkers, joggers, cyclists, and skaters.

Discover the hidden gem of Girona at La Garrotxa Volcanic Zone Natural Park, which boasts over 12,000 hectares (29,650 acres) of protected nature reserve. This natural wonderland boasts dormant volcanic cones and basaltic lava flows, making it the most sought-after volcanic landscape in the Iberian Peninsula and perhaps Europe. Immerse yourself in Catalan culture and explore the historic towns, all while surrounded by the breathtaking beauty of the park.

Sheltered by Monte Urgull and looking out to La Concha Bay, the Aquarium San Sebastián has over 30 tanks, each one a unique habitat suited to myriad and amazing sea creatures. Work your way through to the hypnotic 360-degree clear tunnel where some 40 species of fish, bull sharks, turtles, stingrays, giant eels, and jellyfish swim through.

If you can’t get enough of architect Antoni Gaudí’s creations in Barcelona, then a side trip to the nearby town of Colonia Güell is essential. Just a half-hour drive from the city, the modernist industrial village was commissioned by Eusebi Güell—who collaborated with Gaudí on Park Güell—and features several notable buildings. Most famous is the Gaudí-designed crypt, seen by many as a prequel to the Sagrada Familia.

Cava is one of Catalonia’s greatest exports, so take the time to sample some at Freixenet Winery, located in the Penedès wine region. This century-old winery is among the country’s largest and best-known cava producers, and is conveniently located within easy day-trip distance of Barcelona. Here, you can learn about the history and production of cava, and discover both its storied cellars and its tasting room.

Barcelona’s history goes all the way back to the days of ancient Rome, and that heritage is on view at the Via Sepulcral Romana. One among a constellation of historic sights managed by the Barcelona City History Museum (MUHBA), the burial ground is just steps from the bustling Rambla. Within the sunken garden is a range of ancient tombs; the forgotten necropolis was only uncovered during construction in the 1940s.

George Orwell Square (Plaça de George Orwell) offers tree-shaded respite in the busy Gothic Quarter (Barri Gòtic). Named for the British author—who traveled to Spain during the country’s civil war and wrote a book about Catalonia’s struggle against fascism—it features a small children’s playground and a sculpture at its center. It is lined on one side by a row of lively bars and cafés that draw locals and visitors alike.

A mighty façade, opulent halls, and a mix of architectural styles make the Royal Casino of Murcia (Real Casino de Murcia) one of the city’s most visually stunning attractions. The building for this private club dates back to 1847, and the way it showcases Spain’s various architectural periods has made it a top draw for history buffs.

This colonial-style mansion in the heart of Gran Canaria’s Old Town once hosted Christopher Columbus on his way to the Americas. Today, this former governor’s house is a museum dedicated to Columbus’ voyages and the history of the Canary Islands. Kids will enjoy the models of all three of Columbus' ships—the Niña, the Pinta, and the Santa María—and the resident courtyard parrots.

Spain’s largest botanical garden at more than 67 acres (27 hectares), the Jardín Botánico Canario Viera y Clavijo is one of Gran Canaria’s most popular green spaces and lies just south of Las Palmas. Dating back to 1959 and named after pioneering Spanish scholar José Viera y Clavijo, it’s bursting with endemic plants and exotic flora.

Often overlooked by tourists on their way to San Sebastián or Bilbao, Vitoria-Gasteiz is a seldom visited gem and the capital of the Basque Country. This city is home to one of the region's best preserved medieval centers and plenty of historic architecture, plus it’s only a short distance from the Spanish vineyards and wineries of La Rioja.

The Catedral de Santa Ana sits in the heart of Las Palmas de Canarias, where the city becomes La Isleta. This cathedral is special for two reasons: It’s the seat of the Diocese of the Canaries in the Roman Catholic Church, and its architecture marks it out as being one of the most important historical buildings in the Canary Islands.

The tranquil Hammam Al Ándalus Granada, located at the foot of the Alhambra and just past Santa Ana Church, is the place to relax after a long day of exploring the Alhambra’s gardens, palace, and fortress. The Arabian-bath setting has pools of different temperatures and a steam room for Moorish-style rejuvenation.

Barcelona’s Chocolate Museum (Museu de la Xocolata) tells the story of chocolate across Europe, including its history, trade, and manufacturing. Its collection showcases various devices used to manufacture the sweet treat, as well as chocolate models of some of the city’s most recognizable landmarks. Naturally, it also boasts an on-site tasting area where you can indulge in a range of offerings.

Rising high from the top of the tallest mountain in Barcelona, the unique design of the Collserola Tower (Torre de Collserola) has made its mark on the city’s skyline. Built for the 1992 Summer Olympics, the tower stands at 288 meters high (946 feet), and is used as a radio and TV transmitter that broadcasts throughout Catalonia. Outside of its functional use, it has an observation deck with some of the best views of the surrounding city, mountains, and sea. From its windows you have 360 degree views from the highest vantage point in all of Barcelona. The tower appears futuristic, almost like a needle pointing toward the sky. It takes two and half minutes to reach the observation deck, but you’ll be rewarded with views that can reach as far as 70 kilometers on a clear day. The experience is almost like seeing Barcelona from the sky. (Helicopter tours are really the only way to get a better view.)

The Valencia Institute of Modern Art, known as IVAM (Instituto Valenciano de Arte Moderno) showcases the work of both Spanish and international contemporary artists. The building also houses remnants of the city’s medieval defensive wall.

Off the coast ofxa0San Sebastián’s La Concha Beach, Santa Clara Island is a lovely spot to take a break from the crowded beaches of the city. About 435 yards (400 meters) in length, the quiet island has paths that lead to the uninhabited lighthouse near the peak, offering wonderful views of Old Town.

In northern central Menorca beneath Mt. Toro, Es Mercadal is one of the island’s oldest and most picturesque towns. Visitors come here to experience a slice of old-time island life and soak up its whitewashed houses, terracotta-flagged streets, traditional shops, and laid-back atmosphere.

The main draw for Drago Park (Parque del Drago) in Icod de los Vinos, Tenerife, is its towering 800-year-old Dragon Tree, the oldest of its kind in the Canary Islands. It’s a sight best enjoyed from inside the botanical garden, which also features an extensive collection of endemic fauna, birds, caves, and viewing platforms.

Founded by flamenco guitar legend Jose Luis Postigo, Seville’s Casa de la Guitarra showcases authentic flamenco and is a museum dedicated to Postigo’s beloved instrument. The exhibit is the first of its kind in Spain and displays some 60 antique guitars from the last three centuries, while the shows feature three performers—a guitarist, a singer, and a dancer—in an intimate setting.

Add listening to the ethereal choir songs of one of Europe’s oldest boys choirs to your list of reasons to explore the craggy Montserrat mountainside not far from Barcelona. The boys choir, which dates back to the 13th or 14th century, is not only historic but also world famous, having recorded albums and toured to countries around the globe. The boys, who range from ages 9-14, go to school here at the monastery, and sing in the basilica, where the public can come to watch. The roughly 50 singers are carefully selected based on a handful of criteria, one of course being their musical ability. Lucky for Montserrat visitors, the choir usually performs twice daily, making a visit to the mountainside getaway just that much more magical.

The arts and creativity are celebrated at La Casa Encendida, a multiuse building established by Fundacion Montemadrid. Here, you can check out art exhibits and plays, watch a film screening, take advantage of onsite libraries and media labs, or just hang out at one of two cafes.

One of Catalonia’s most dramatic villages, Castellfollit de la Roca is poised on a narrow clifftop at the confluence of the Fluvià and Toronell rivers. Set in the Garrotxa Volcanic Area, the town has a distinct serpentine shape, its cliff the result of former lava flows. Though it has just 1,000 residents, it’s popular among visitors.