Spains most spectacular places

Updated at : 09 Jul, 2026

Spain's most spectacular places offer an unforgettable mix of history, culture, beaches, mountains, and world-famous cuisine.From the first time you visit Spain to visiting again, there is something for everyone. Each of these places has something special about it with ancient streets in Salamanca, the medieval beauty of Toledo, the sunshine of Mallorca and the entertainment of Madrid at night.

Discover the most incredible destinations in Spain with this guide, which will introduce you to the country's history, the beauty of its landscapes, and unforgettable experiences.

Why Visit Spain's Most Spectacular Places?

Spain combines centuries of history with modern attractions, making it one of Europe's most popular travel destinations. Visitors can enjoy magnificent architecture, beautiful coastlines, delicious tapas, vibrant festivals, and welcoming local culture throughout the year.

Spanish delights

There is nowhere quite like Spain for a break. The country offers everything you need in terms of sandy beaches to laze on, plenty of delicious seafood to scoff down, and music that will have you dancing until well into the early hours. You can explore the busy towns or the village sleepy enough to make you wonder when they went to bed the night before; or wander between wide expanses of white sand and the jagged, green peaks of mountains. Spain provides so much to discover, and always in abundance.

Salamanca

The setting of Spain’s oldest university (above), Salamanca provides the ultimate history fix combined with a dynamic night scene. Cobbled alleyways and winding lanes snake through the charming old quarter, which is full of wonderfully carved sandstone buildings, while other highlights are the grandiose Plaza Mayor and two very impressive cathedrals. Try to find the carved stone frog on the façade of the university for good luck this year (particularly exams), and check out the abundant array of bars on an evening tapas crawl down the Calle van Dyck.

Ornate sandstone architecture of the University of Salamanca

Pensacola, Castellón

The golden sweep of the El Peñiscola beaches is golden half-moon shaped and crowned by a fairytale castle on a promontory, so it's all the more satisfying that it’s in this neck of the woods where the most delicious langoustines in Spain can be found. Stuff your face full at Casa Jaime then pop in the sea until you've waded for about 100 metres, you won't be hip-high even after that.

Baiona, Galicia

You may be tempted to use Baiona as the launchpad for a trip to the gorgeous white-sand beaches of the Ces Islands, but there is so much more to this little resort than just its ferry connections. There are a few sublime sandy beaches, and a street inland from the beachfront you'll find a little alleyway jam-packed with little local eateries, dishing up fabulous tapas (Galicia is renowned for the sea food.

Toledo

The pearl of Castilla-La Mancha, this historic city stands proud on the hilltop that towers over the river Tajo. Known as 'the city of the three cultures', this mixture of Christian, Moorish and Jewish influences makes this place a truly magical setting where a blend of architectural and cultural styles accumulated for two thousand years can be appreciated.

Its Old City is considered to be among the most beautiful in Spain, and includes the Alcazar, a vast medieval fortification; the Gothic perfection of the Cathedral of Santa Maria de Toledo, where masterpieces by one of its inhabitants for adoption, El Greco, can be observed.

Panoramic view of the historic walled city of Toledo, Spain

Sitges, Catalunya

Sitges is where Barcelona (which is just 32km / 20mi away) goes to really loosen up and dance. Peace isn’t what you’ll find here, but if posing and partying until the morning doesn’t get your heart rate going, then I don’t know what will. As one of the most popular resorts in Spain for gay travellers, you’ll rub shoulders with a vibrant, multicultural clientele while wandering through the Old Town bars.

Mallorca

One of Spain’s best cities lies on the largest of the Balearic Islands, Mallorca, which hosts Palma. Palma, Spain’s largest city, offers a wonderful experience; after a day at the beach, enjoying the Spanish landscape, and taking in views from La Seu cathedral or visiting the 14th-century Gothic Catholic cathedral, you can savor tapas and then enjoy another dish from world-renowned master chef Marc Fosh; that is the ideal way to spend your day.

Mallorca also boasts numerous great restaurants and first-class art, giving you plenty to write about on a postcard when you return home to remind your nearest and dearest of your travels. Take a wooden train to Soller, which winds through citrus trees where oranges and lemons dangle tantalizingly against the rugged backdrop of the Tramuntana mountains.

Madrid

In the Spanish capital, several of the best art museums concentrate. In a limited time, prioritize the Prado (shown), where the visitor will see European art from the 12th century onwards. However, the lively spirit of the Spanish capital resides in its bars, and its capacity to host drinks on a per person basis, the number of bars, is unique in the EU.

Chueca is a good option for walking around it and having some tapas on the terrace. It is the capital's center for the LGBT + community, but, as usual in the neighborhood, all types of public and public access.

Arcos de la Frontera, Andalucía

Arcos de la Frontera This part of the world (Andaluca) has ‘pueblos blancos’ – white towns – scattered everywhere you look. However, I think Arcos de la Frontera is perhaps the most impressive of the white towns because the town teeter-totters precariously on the edge of a limestone precipice overhanging the Guadalete River, its narrow, labyrinthine streets culminate at a fearsome castle, providing a dizzying vista across the surrounding plains.