Spain attractions

Inspired by a geyser, though likened to a gherkin, Mirador Torre Glòries is one of Barcelona’s tallest landmarks at 470 feet (143 meters). Designed by architect Jean Nouvel, it’s also one of the city’s most famous contemporary attractions. In 2022, it opened as an observation deck and art space, and is now one of the best places to soak up views of the Catalan capital.

Comprising two salt lakes, the green-blue La Mata (Laguna Salada de la Mata) and the pink Torrevieja (Laguna Salada de Torrevieja), the Torrevieja Salt Lakes are the largest and oldest salt lakes in Europe. A major center of salt production for centuries, the salt lakes are also a habitat for migratory flamingos and other birds and have become a popular tourist destination.

Port of Palma (Puerto de Palma) in Palma de Mallorca is one of the busiest in the Mediterranean, welcoming more than 1.7 million cruise ship passengers each year. As the gateway to the island of Mallorca and Spain's Balearic Islands, it’s a popular stop on Mediterranean cruises, with easy access to both Valencia and Barcelona.

Dating back to around 70 BC, Alcudia Old Town is a historical highlight of north Mallorca. This charming enclave—which feels a world away from the modern holiday resorts of the island’s south—features Roman ruins, ancient city walls that you can walk atop, a bullring, churches, and a smattering of tapas restaurants serving Mallorcan specialties.

Water slides, tube slides, and swimming pools fill the six themed zones at Aquópolis Costa Dorada, a water park near the town of Salou on Spain’s Costa Dorada. Park attractions suited to both adults and children provide an opportunity for thrills and fun while cooling off from the summer heat.

This gorgeous, remote beach on Menorca is worth seeking out for the sandy beach and turquoise water in its protected cove. There’s not a lot to do here or much infrastructure, so the main draw is relaxation, swimming, and snorkeling (if you bring your own mask). Visitors should make sure to respect the local environment to protect the beach from overtourism.

Barcelona’s Big Fun Museum is an assortment of family-friendly interactive attractions, dedicated to the art of optical illusions—often on a grand scale. From kitchen sinks you can walk into to celebrity lookalikes seen in food, this is a museum that translates well to the camera (and to the imagination). Eight quirky and immersive art galleries under one roof give kids plenty to explore at this central attraction on La Rambla.

This magnificent palace on the peninsula, with a blend of English, French, and regional Spanish architecture, was built in the early 1900s as the summer residence of the Spanish royal family. It now belongs to the city of Santender, and is open to the public for visits, and also used to hold university courses in the summer.

For some of the best panoramic views over Bilbao, ride the century-old Artxanda Funicular (Funicular de Artxanda) to the summit of Mount Artxanda. There, from the mountaintop viewpoint, you can admire the valley-circled city from above, try to spot the emblematic Guggenheim building, and dine at one of the many nearby restaurants.

For centuries, Barcelona’s Port Vell was an industrial area, but that all changed in the 1990s. Today, this hip waterfront district has everything a traveler could ask for, from late-night seafood restaurants to shopping boutiques and endless waterfront views. Centrally located and easy to reach, this cauldron of culture, landmarks, and things to do is a must for any Barcelona itinerary.

IKONO Barcelona is an immersive experience created by international artists that offers a feast for the senses and some ultra-Instagrammable photo opportunities. The interactive museum space features a series of eclectic areas, including rooms equipped with ball pits, neon lights, mirrors, and other quirky features. It’s an ideal rainy-day activity in Barcelona for adults and is a popular choice for visiting families, too.

More an immersive experience than a typical museum, White Rabbit: The Off-Museum of Barcelona takes you on a wild ride through Catalan culture via 10 multimedia and informative contemporary installations. From Gaudí and capgròs parody masks to dancing eggs and the caganer—a defecating man who appears in Catalan nativity scenes—it’s as trippy as anything Alice ever dreamed.

The busiest container port in the Mediterranean and one of Spain's most popular cruise liner destinations, the Valencia Cruise Port serves as the gateway to Valencia—both city and region. Ships dock just 3 miles (4 kilometers) from downtown, and the port also hosts ferries bound for the Balearics.

Medieval Frigiliana is a typically Andalusian pueblo blanco (white town) in the hills east of Málaga above the vacation paradise of Costa del Sol. Guarded by the remains of the 9th-century Moorish Lízar Castle, the village rises from its cliffside promenade and offers far-reaching panoramas of the Mediterranean coast.

A whirlwind of weird and wonderful optical illusions, Paradox Museum Barcelona blends science and creativity to inspire and captivate visitors of all ages. From upside-down rooms and space-age halls of mirrors to surreal card tricks and “decapitating” tables, the museum hosts a wide range of interactive exhibits designed to provide hours of entertainment—for you and for your social media account.

In a city filled with gardens, Barcelona's Labyrinth Park of Horta (Parc del Laberint d'Horta) ranks among the oldest and least well-known. Once a private estate, the park contains an 18th-century neoclassical garden, a 19th-century romantic garden, and a popular hedge maze. You can also see the original Torre Soberana, a 14th-century mansion that was later renovated in the Arabesque style, as well as Greek mythology-inspired sculptures and rare Mediterranean flora.

Also known as the Cave of Wonders or Grotto of Wonders, Gruta de las Maravillas is an extensive network of limestone caves underneath Aracena in Andalucia. The first cave in Spain opened to the public. The complex features numerous chambers, underground lakes, and fantastical formations, and it can be explored on a guided tour.

Towering over the city of Segovia, the 16th-century Segovia Cathedral was the last Gothic cathedral to be built in Spain. Featuring three naves, a dome-covered transept, a massive tower, and 18 interior chapels, the cathedral is an architectural masterpiece and one of the most popular attractions in Segovia.

This 18th-century watchtower boasts a panoramic rooftop terrace and a camera obscura, where images of the whitewashed seaside city are projected onto a screen. In addition to having some of the best views of Cadiz, Tavira Tower (Torre Tavira) also has two exhibition halls that explore the history of the camera obscura and Cadiz's trading heritage.

There’s no shortage of beaches along the sun-kissed shores of Tenerife’s southwest coast, but Playa del Duque stands out for its golden sands and gentle waves. Just north of Costa Adeje, the palm-studded beach is framed by a rocky headland and has shallow azure waters ideal for swimming and splashing.

Patios de San Basilio in Cordoba is a collection of beautifully decorated courtyards renowned for their vibrant flower displays and traditional Andalusian architecture. Visitors flock here, especially during the Fiesta de los Patios in May, to explore the charming, privately-owned spaces, admire the colorful blooms, and experience local culture. In fact, the Fiesta de los Patios is recognized for its living heritage by UNESCO.

In the Sant Martí district of Barcelona, Platja de la Mar Bella (Mar Bella Beach) is a popular local hangout over the summer. In addition to a lovely stretch of sand and plenty of recreational facilities, Platja de la Mar Bella is also home to Barcelona’s only clothing-optional beach and is LGBTQ+-friendly.

Just outside the Spanish city of Toledo, this panoramic viewpoint is known for its sweeping views overlooking the city’s centuries-old historical center, including the Alcázar fortress and Toledo Cathedral, and the winding Tagus River (or Tajo). Mirador del Valle is a favorite among travelers, especially photographers—though it’s hard to do this expansive vista justice.

An idyllic and well-heeled resort town that’s just a quick trip from Palma de Mallorca, Camp Mar has long appealed to jet-setters and A-listers, as well as visiting families. Set on the island’s southwest, on the edge of the UNESCO-listed Serra de Tramuntana mountains, it’s known for its well-serviced, 590-foot (180-meter) beach.

Lush, green mountains are the gorgeous backdrop for Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Tenerife’s only cruise port. The historic city offers excellent access to the entire island, from the south coast’s sandy beaches to towering volcanoes and national parks. Compact Santa Cruz has many attractions, including museums, shopping, and dining.

What would seem like a completely ordinary street in the center of Alicante has been transformed into something straight from a children’s book: Tall mushroom statues spring from Calle de Las Setas, while the ground is painted in an equally whimsical colorful pattern. A street that’s likely to delight families with young children, it’s dotted with slides and playhouses.

On the Costa del Azahar between Valencia and Alicante, the seaside city of Gandia is a picture-perfect beach destination that’s still largely unknown among international travelers. You’ll find golden sands along its waterfront for a day of swimming and sunbathing, as well as nature parks to get more active outdoors. Culture seekers can explore gems from centuries-old palaces to historic monasteries in the city and just beyond.

A series of social media-friendly interactive installations loosely themed around sweet treats, the Sweet Space Museum’s candy-colored rooms have a real-life Willy Wonka feel. Creatives who’ve worked on the rooms include fashion designer Ágatha Ruiz de la Prada and artist Okuda San Miguel, but the slide and ball pit skew to the kid-friendly side.

Palma's Fundació Joan Miró Mallorca showcases the works of celebrated Catalan artist Joan Miró i Ferrà, one of the world's most lauded surrealist artists. It houses a large collection of Miró’s paintings and sculptures, which are displayed in ever-changing exhibits focused on themes from his life and work.

A short walk from the town of Peguera, Cala Fornells is a compact cove with clear, calm waters and a mix of rocky and sandy shorelines. It’s less crowded than some of the better-known beaches on the island, and provides particularly good conditions for snorkeling.