Spain attractions

Housed in a former tobacco factory, Malaga’s Automobile and Fashion Museum showcases a unique combination of vintage vehicles displayed against a contemporary art background and haute-couture design across themed rooms. The brainchild of Portuguese car fanatic and art collector Joao Magalhaes, the museum celebrates the close historic links of brands such as Ferrari and Aston Martin with high-end fashion houses.

Perched on the edge of the city, Malaga’s Botanical Gardens (Jardín Botánico Histórico La Concepción let you find tranquility amid Costa del Sol sightseeing. The gardens boast Europe’s largest collection of subtropical plants, in addition to palms, architectural follies, fountains, and more.

Just east of Barcelona’s center, El Poblenou was once an industrial section of the city, but—thanks to an Olympics-inspired facelift back in 1992—has since been transformed into one of its hippest neighborhoods. Translating to “New Village” in Catalan, El Poblenou is a lively residential area lined with shops, cafés, and restaurants, and known for its buzzing art scene.

Whether you know it as the Pabéllon de Barcelona (its Spanish name), the Pavelló Mies van der Rohe (its Catalan name), or the Barcelona Pavilion, there’s one thing that everyone can agree on—it’s a masterpiece of modern architecture. Clean lines, reflecting pools, steel, chrome, glass, and travertine marble create a serene, unfussy space that broke new ground in architecture when it debuted in 1929.

Madrid is a fashion-forward city, and shoppers that want the latest styles can find stellar deals at Madrid's Las Rozas Village. At the outlet shopping hub, you can find brand-name products at steep discounts, with everything from clothing and fragrance to swimwear. Visitors from non-EU countries enjoy an enviable perk: tax-free shopping.

Home to Valencia Club de Fútbol, Mestalla Stadium (Estadio de Mestalla) is one of Spain’s oldest soccer stadiums. Book a guided tour to learn about the stadium’s past, visit areas that are not usually accessible to the public—including the changing rooms and the pitch—and scale the vertigo-inducing North Stand seating.

Between the industrial district of El Poblenou and the modern Forum, Diagonal Mar is one of Barcelona’s newest neighborhoods—a mix of residential complexes, luxury hotels, museums, and conference centers. Set along the northeastern shore of the city’s coastline, the area is known for its huge shopping complex, Parc del Fòrum event center, Parc Diagonal Mar, and the city’s newest urban beaches.

Cordoba’s Plaza de Tendillas (or Tendillas Square) sits in the heart of the city and at the crossroads between the older part of town and the modern one. Its construction dates back to the 1920s when it was built to be used as a central meeting place. Nowadays, the pedestrian-only square is home to various events, including a popular Christmas market.

Cordoba has become synonymous with courtyards, and Viana Palace offers a stunning look at these famous southern patios. Also called the Museum of Patios, the Renaissance palace is home to 12 courtyards as well as centuries of history. It was originally built in the 14th century and was lived in, enlarged, and modified until the 1900s.

Located in the northwest of the city, Bioparc Valencia is an immersion zoo, where the barriers between animals and visitors are hidden or removed, and animals of different species reside safely side by side. This creates the sensation of observing animals in the wilds of the savanna, equatorial forest, African wetlands, and Madagascar.

There’s a memorable scene in the 17th-century Spanish novelDon Quixote: the title character attacks a row of windmills, mistaking them for giants. See the place that inspired the scene when you visit the Consuegra Windmills, an important part of Spain’s agrarian past set against a medieval castle backdrop.

LagOmar is a museum, restaurant, bar, and hillside residence designed by local artists and architects César Manrique and Jesus Soto. Formerly owned by actor Omar Sharif—until he lost it in a bet playing a card game—visitors flock to see the building’s distinctive architecture with rock gardens, secret tunnels, and spectacular views.

Enjoy dance, opera, and music—all in one performance space. Celebrated for its modern design and world-class arts, Opera House Valencia (Palau de les Arts Reina Sofia) also offers tours and educational programs.

Get to know Mallorca beyond its beaches during a visit to the old stone city of Valldemossa, located high in the Tamuntana Mountains, or to La Granja, a former convent surrounded by gardens. Many visitors climb winding roads up into the mountains via bus, taxi, or rental car during a day trip to see these popular sites.

The family-friendly Madrid Wax Museum (Museo de Cera de Madrid) is home to historical figures such as Cleopatra and Napoleon; modern-day celebrities including Brad Pitt, The Rock, and Antonio Banderas; and fictional characters such as Harry Potter, Snow White, and Gollum from Lord of the Rings.

Situated inside a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, Reservatauro Ronda, a bull- and horse-breeding farm, offers curious visitors an alternative way to explore the history and culture of Spanish bullfighting. Learn about each stage of the fighting bull’s life, the breeding process, bullfighter training, and more during a guided tour.

The late 19th-century Cervantes Theatre (Teatro Cervantes) experienced decades of neglect before it was renovated and reopened in 1987. Its interior remains true to the original design, with an ornate painted ceiling and gilded detailing on the horseshoe-shaped boxes and stalls. It’s Málaga’s cultural center for opera, ballet, rock and orchestral concerts, and jazz and flamenco performances.

Located in the El Raval neighborhood, the multidisciplinary Centre de Cultura Contemporània de Barcelona (CCCB) offers a wide range of programming, including everything from concerts, conferences, and festivals to debates, readings, and workshops. The cultural center also hosts frequent exhibitions on contemporary art and culture. Its location next to the MACBA Museum of Contemporary Art of Barcelona makes it easy to visit as part of a cultural day out in the city.

Ringed by palm trees and terrace cafés with the cylindrical AC Hotel towering overhead, Santa Catalina Park (Parque de Santa Catalina) is one of the central hubs of downtown Las Palmas. A short walk from the cruise port and Las Canteras Beach, the large square is a popular meet-up spot, dotted with grassy banks and flower beds.

Making a grand statement on Plaza Cardenal Belluga with its elaborate baroque details, the Murcia Cathedral (Catedral de Murcia) is a Murcia attraction that loves the limelight. The interior of this 15th-century cathedral is equally impressive—there are plenty of Gothic extravagances in its chapels and an informative cloister museum.

Cartuja Monastery (Monasterio de la Cartuja) is where late-baroque Spanish architecture reaches its most lavish heights. Although work began in the 16th century, construction continued for another three centuries and the complex was never actually completed. The imposing sandstone exterior gives way to a lavish interior of marble, ivory, ornate stucco, and gilt.

Elorrio is a small village with a rich medieval heritage in the heart of Spain’s Basque country. Visitors are drawn to the town for a taste of authentic Basque culture away from the crowds of popular coastal areas like Bilbao and Biarritz. It's also a popular stop for hikers looking to explore the surrounding countryside and mountain range.

At Pyramids of Güímar Ethnographic Park and Botanical Garden in Tenerife, uncover the history of the six mysterious lava-stone pyramids and explore the Canary Islands’ only poisonous plant exhibit in the Poison Garden. Then, learn about Polynesian culture, visit the Casa Chacona Museum, and wander the themed gardens.

Set against a dramatic volcanic backdrop, Betancuria is one of Fuerteventura’s oldest and most quintessentially Canarian towns which offers a laidback escape from bustling Corralejo. Admire Betancuria from above at the Morra Velosa viewpoint, before venturing into town to visit the Santa María Church, known for its elaborate baroque altar

Pine and oak forests draw locals and visitors alike to Barcelona’s Collserola Park (Parc de Collserola), which sprawls for nearly 20,000 acres (8,000 hectares) along the city’s northwestern edge. Come to hike, run, and cycle a network of trails, visit the Tibidabo Amusement Park (Parc d'Atraccions Tibidabo), or get a bird’s-eye view of the city from one of Collerola Park’s many scenic overlooks.

The Basque Country’s Salt Valley of Añana is an inland saltworks with thousands of years of history. Derived from natural spring water that seeps through the region’s stones, the coveted Añana salt is prized by chefs. Today, the site also hosts a seasonal salt spa where visitors can immerse their hands and feet in the mineral-rich water.

With its wave-like silhouette and futuristic architecture looming over the waterfront of Santa Cruz harbor, Tenerife Auditorium is one of the capital’s most recognizable landmarks. The sculptural marvel doubles as a prestigious entertainment venue, where you can enjoy music concerts, operas, and dance performances.

One of Spain’s most prestigious theaters, Victoria Eugenia Theater is also one of the most beautiful buildings in San Sebastián. This gorgeous Belle Époque sandstone venue overlooking the Urumea River boasts a dazzling interior with golden balconies, ceiling frescoes, luminous chandeliers, and sumptuous red velvet chairs. Expect a varied program of cinema, dance, theatre, and musical performances.

Set on the site of the 1992 Expo in Seville, Magic Island Park (Parque Isla Magica) brings 16th-century colonial Spain to life—complete with pirates, galleons, jungles, and swashbuckling adventure. Seven themed areas center on a lake, with highlights that include white-knuckle roller coasters like Anaconda and El Jaguar, the 223-foot (68-meter) El Desafio drop tower, and Iguazu, a high-speed flume ride through the Brazilian jungle.

As one of Spain’s most popular Mediterranean resorts and the gateway to the famous Costa Blanca, Alicante has long been an important cruise destination. Built around a natural harbor, the Port of Alicante is linked to the city by the scenic Esplanada de España pedestrian promenade, with top local attractions just a short walk away.