Explore Spain’s must-see cities with Smart Insiders.
Spain has an incredibly rich history and culture, stunning architecture, mouth-watering food, diverse landscapes, a warm climate, and best of all: vibrant, fun cities just waiting to be discovered by you! Smart Insiders can’t wait to share our top 10 must-visit cities in Spain for 2024-2025.
San Sebastián: The perfect beach getaway
San Sebastián is a coastal town in Basque Country and one of the most famous tourist destinations in Europe. Why? Firstly, there are three beautiful beaches, the Concha, Ondarreta, and Zurriola, where many tourists come and relax during the summer holidays. Most noteworthy is La Concha, which in the past has been voted the most beautiful urban beach in Europe. The other two beaches, Ondarreta and Zurriola, are perfect for relaxing and surfing, so grab your board and get paddling! Finally, San Sebastián is known for its mouthwatering cuisine. The city alone has 16 Michelin stars spread across nine restaurants, and the traditional pintxos are a must-try.
Ready to explore this incredible city? Check out Smart Insiders’ upcoming trips to País Vasco here.
San Sebastián’s Top Sightseeing Spots
- La Concha, Ondarreta, and Zurriola Beaches
- Mount Urgull and Mount Igueldo
- Basílica de Nuestra Señora del Coro
- Bar La Viña, which has the best Basque cheesecake
Salamanca: The ideal college town
Salamanca is located in Castilla y León and houses the oldest university in Spain, which is also the fourth oldest university in Europe! The University of Salamanca attracts both Spanish and international students, and there’s always something exciting to do in this vibrant city! Not sure where to start? The main attraction in Salamanca is the Plaza Mayor, which is one of the most beautiful plazas in Spain. You also won’t want to miss the delicious tapas, jaw-dropping architecture, and incredible nightlife!
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Salamanca’s Top Sightseeing Spots
Sevilla: The dreamy land of dance
Sevilla is the capital city of Andalucía, and it epitomizes traditional Spain: it’s full of flamenco, tapas, stunning architecture, and the best fiestas. With fewer than 80 rainy days per year, Sevilla is the perfect year-round destination, but there’s more to this city than sunshine and pretty buildings. Famous festivals, such as Feria de Abril (April Fair) and Semana Santa (Holy Week), take place here every year. The streets come alive with processions to celebrate Semana Santa, while Feria de Abril is a week-long spring fair with dancing, drinking, eating, and socializing.
Sevilla’s Top Sightseeing Spots
Valencia: The breathtaking city of fire and water
Don’t miss this 2,000-year-old Mediterranean city! From the beautiful Malvarrosa beach to the amazing Oceanogràfic aquarium, your day is sure to go swimmingly (see what we did there?) You won’t want to miss the striking architecture and delicious food in the city center. Above all, this city is known for their delicious seafood, and it is home to Spain’s most famous dish, paella!
This city also hosts the Fallas Festival in March, a sight worth seeing! The most famous part of the event are the giant wooden statues placed in the streets of Valencia, which are made specifically for this event and can cost up to €20 million to build. On the last night, these enormous statues will be set on fire amid parties and celebrations!
Don’t miss your chance to explore Valencia and the magic of Fallas with Smart Insiders!
Valencia’s Top Sightseeing Spots
Cádiz: The vibrant city of Carnival
Located in the southern region of Andalucía, Cádiz is one of the oldest cities in Western Europe. If you’re into history, you’ll love visiting here! In addition to having been one of Europe’s most important ports, you can also explore architecture dating back to the Roman Empire. Most importantly, this city is most famous for hosting Carnival in February, when parades, dancing, costumes, and music make the streets come alive! People come from all over the world to experience this renowned festival. It’s the perfect excuse for a weekend getaway from Madrid, where you can explore different cultures and of course let loose and party!
Cádiz’s Top Sightseeing Spots
Cuenca: The Enchanted City
Cuenca is a hidden gem located between Madrid and Valencia. You won’t want to miss the incredible hikes and the fantastic scenery, including many gorges, hills, and rocky cliffs. Also, the Casas Colgadas, or hanging houses, are stunning works of architecture built straight into the cliffside over the Río Huécar Gorge in the Middle Ages! This magical city overflows with lively restaurants, cafes and gorgeous colorful houses.
Ready to hike? Reserve your spot here!
Cuenca’s Top Sightseeing Spots
Granada: The stunning home of the Alhambra
Granada is a cool, boho city located in southern Spain. If you’re feeling adventurous, the nearby Sierra Nevada mountain range offers great opportunities for hiking and skiing. Within the city of Granada, you’ll be surrounded by incredible Islamic architecture, narrow winding streets, colorful buildings and impressive street art. Granada is also famous for its “free” tapas with every drink, so it is the perfect place to do a bar crawl and try out all the tapas!
One of its most famous landmarks, which is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is the Alhambra. The Alhambra is a stunning palace and fortress that dates back to the 13th century. Thanks to its lush gardens, breathtaking architecture and incredible views, it is definitely a must-see destination for travelers.
Granada’s Top Sightseeing Spots
- The Alhambra
- Carmen de los Mártires Gardens
- Granada Cathedral
- Flamenco shows in Sacromonte
Segovia: The charming medieval city
Just a short journey from Madrid, you will find the historical city of Segovia. Segovia is most famous for its Roman aqueduct, which dates back to the first century and is a UNESCO World Heritage site. Walking through Segovia makes you feel like you are stepping back in time, with its cobbled streets, historic old town and the Alcázar of Segovia. Fun fact: the Alcázar of Segovia inspired Walt Disney! You will also find many plazas, museums, cafes, and bars lining the streets. The cuisine in Segovia is incredible, and they are particularly famous for traditional foods such as cochinillo (roasted suckling pig).
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Segovia’s Top Sightseeing Spots
Málaga: The Birthplace of Picasso
Málaga’s blend of its beautiful landscape, history, art, culture and relaxed beach vibe makes it an exceptional destination for all types of travelers. Whether you want to visit Picasso’s museum, catch some rays on the beach, or explore the Alcazaba and Roman Theater to learn more about Málaga’s impressive history, this city has it all. There is always a lot going on in Málaga, such as markets, live performances, street art exhibitions, local festivals and celebrations. Málaga famously has a brilliant nightlife as well! If you want to get away for a few days at Christmas, Málaga is the ultimate destination, as you will be blown away by their incredible Christmas lights!
Málaga’s Top Sightseeing Spots
Gijón: Home of Coastal Charm
Gijón is a charming coastal city in Asturias, which we call the “Ireland of Spain” due to its unmatched scenery, lush greenery, and traditional bagpipes. Gijón is full of vibrant, colorful streets, a hefty amount of history and, of course, an equally large amount of the famous cider from Asturias. There are many cider bars and seafood restaurants all over Gijón, and you will also discover that Gijón is an extremely lively place with sought-after nightlife, most notably at Gijón Marina, which is always a firm favorite of young travelers. San Lorenzo Beach is also a main attraction for travelers in Gijón; it is a crescent-shaped beach that stretches 1.5km up the coast, and if you love surfing, you will be among good company at this surfing hotspot. We love trips to Gijón here at Smart Insiders, so stay tuned for our upcoming trips to Asturias.