TRAVELLING IN SPAIN
Many tourists select Spain as their summer vacation destination due to the plentiful beaches located along the Mediterranean Sea. But travel to Spain is so much more than summertime fun along the beach. In fact, any time of the year is perfect to visit Spain.
Read moreWe want to share some hidden gems and off the beaten path places that are worth a visit to get a more authentic taste of Spain.
Tips on how to travel around Spain
Travel in Spain is easily accessible for everyone thanks to public transportation. Buses or trains are a wonderful option for travelers on a budget or for anyone, really.
Spain is well connected making it extremely easy to travel from one destination to the next. You can follow the best places to visit in Spain tourist guides and have a wonderful time sightseeing in Madrid or Barcelona. But we also encourage you to venture out of these well-known to see local towns (hello, Toledo or also Segovia!). It’s as simple as hopping on a bus!
These little gems are full of history, culture, and local foods. If you really want to see what Spain truly has to offer you can hop on a bus and go to a small town to experience the local essence that has been well preserved throughout the years. You will be delighted by the beautiful churches, plazas, and side streets with their charm still intact.
Top places to visit in Spain
Spain travel has so much to offer with varying tourism options. This makes Spain a perfect destination for anyone.
The best cities in Spain to visit depend on what you want out of a vacation because Spain offers a wide spectrum of vacation options. We will highlight some popular tourism options and the best places to travel in Spain.
Rural Tourism
The North of Spain is ideal for rural tourism due to the abundance of forests and natural wonders. Even the Community of Madrid contains many beautiful small rural towns that seem to be overlooked by tourists who only think of the city.
Sun and Beach Tourism
Valencia is a great spot if you want to go to the beach, eat paella, or visit cool science museums. We also highly recommend visiting Mallorca which is part of the Balearic Islands in the Mediterranean Sea.
Another amazing island option could be the Canary Islands which are located in the Atlantic Ocean and experience wonderful weather all year round.
Adventure Tourism
The best places to travel in Spain for adventure tourism without a doubt would be Granada to experience canyoning in the Verde River.
Another adventure that many people from around the world embark on is the Camino de Santiago, or the Way of Saint James, which is a pilgrimage leading to the shrine of the apostle Saint James the Great in the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela in Galicia. It is most definitely an adventure since you walk the entire way. But luckily, there are many routes so you can choose your difficulty.
Either way it is a once in a lifetime adventure that will give you the opportunity to see the beautiful countryside and towns in the North of Spain.
Sports Tourism
Luckily, Spain is surrounded by water, therefore, many of the sports that you can enjoy have a water aspect.
Asturias is an amazing region to try some water sports such as surfing or canoeing. Although be prepared for cold water temperatures!
Cadiz is another amazing location in the South of Spain. Here you can enjoy the beach as well as try your hand at kitesurfing, canyoning, or hiking. If you are a huge football or soccer fan, then we highly recommend checking out the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium that hosts Real Madrid or Camp Nou stadium home to FC Barcelona. Both of these stadiums frequently offer tours.
Health Tourism
Spain has an amazing health care system that entices people from all over the world to come and undergo medical procedures. But here we want to highlight the wellness and spa aspect.
Alicante is home to one of the most renowned wellness retreat locations in Spain. It offers an array of programs to help achieve personal health and growth.
Another must experience to try are the Moorish bath houses in Granada. This experience offers a unique glimpse into the Arabic culture and tradition while enjoying a day of relaxation.
Cultural Tourism
One of the best things about Spain is that it is full of culture. Honestly, anywhere you go you will be amazed by the old historical buildings or the museums full of art.
Where to travel in Spain for culture depends on your requirements for cultural aspects. The North and the South of Spain vary drastically depending on the cultural aspects and traditions. Likewise, the West and East also differ.
Some traditions are shared throughout the country but some regions have their own funny traditions.
For example, La Tomatina in Buñol, a small town in Valencia, hosts a massive tomato fight that is purely for entertainment purposes. Or the running of the bulls in Pamplona located in the North which lets a few bulls run loose in the town while people try to avoid them. Another example is Carnival in the Canary Islands which is similar to that in Brazil. The streets are full of parades, floats, colors, and music; transforming the island into a party atmosphere full of celebration.
We hope you can now see that even though Spain is a relatively small country, it is packed with culture!
Spain is a country that is full of places declared as World Heritage Sites. Contesting to the fact that there is history and cultural places everywhere you look! Here are just a few of our favorites but obviously it is worth doing further research to see all the sites.
- The Alhambra in Granada: an old palace and fortress complex designed with breathtakingly beautiful Islamic architecture.
- Prado Museum in Madrid: the main Spanish national art museum that houses famous artists such as Francisco Goya, El Greco, Diego Velázquez, Hieronymus Bosch, and Peter Paul Rubens. It is said to be one of the greatest art museums in the world.
- El Escorial Monastery: Located about an hour away from Madrid city center you can find a historical residence of the King of Spain. Here you can find a church, the monastery, royal palace, college, and a library all contained in the same building.
- Cathedral of Salamanca: Combines the old and the new cathedral in a beautiful late Gothic and Baroque style. This Cathedral is a must see, especially for its beautiful façade which has a number of unusual carvings such as the astronaut. Would you be able to spot it?
- Sagrada Familia in Barcelona: world renowned for its status as the largest and unfinished Roman Catholic church. It is astonishingly beautiful and it’s not even completed yet! This church deserves to be your next bucket list adventure.
- Aqueduct of Segovia: One of the best-preserved Roman aqueducts in Spain.
- Roman Theater of Merida: A roman theatre constructed in 15 BCE and regarded as a Spanish cultural icon as well as one of the twelve treasures of Spain.
When is the best time to travel to Spain?
The best time to travel to Spain is anytime! But is also depends on the type of tourism that want to experience.
For example, canyoning is really a perfect sport to try from March to October in Granada, Cuenca, Huesca, Lleida, or Asturias since the water begins to warm up.
The Canary Islands are a top destination all year round for soaking up the sun and relaxing on the beach in the winter time due to experiencing mild temperatures all year round.
Personally, we love Madrid during the fall and spring times because the temperature is pleasant and the sun sets later allowing you to enjoy the day to the fullest.
There are no special travel requirements to visit Spain.
Hopefully, you are able to get a better picture of travel in Spain and decide to visit us! This country has so much to offer for any type of spirit.
And, of course, do not miss the delicious Mediterranean cuisine