Yet knowing where to start is no easy feat. To make things easier, we have rounded up four Spanish hubs you simply must visit – and what to do while you’re there.
Madrid
Every trip around the country should include a twirl through Madrid, the vibrant capital. Madrid has a fresh mix of creative cores and burgeoning restaurant hot-spots, as well as a wealth of iconic attractions. Embrace the city’s rich history and culture and view one of El Greco’s most famous paintings in the Church of Santo Tomé, explore vibrant Puerta del Sol, and wander up to the ancient hilltop city of Toledo.
Seville
Seville has lured travellers to its sunbaked streets for decades. With its old-world glamour: fiery flamenco, Moorish town squares and horse-drawn carriages ambling past whitewashed houses, it’s an energetic and intriguing city.
Cutting-edge boutiques, trail-blazing tapas and a flourishing contemporary art, design and fashion scene will keep you occupied for hours. Yet it is the food of Seville that really steals the show. Make a stop by a local olive oil mill, where you’ll meet the makers and be treated to an Andalusian meal of epic proportions.
Grenada
Flanked by the breathtaking snow-covered peaks of Sierra Nevada, Granada is not to be missed. Home to the palace Alhambra, one of Europe’s most historic monuments, the city has a deep history. Feast your eyes on a World Heritage Site and look out for the Arabic inscriptions and poems carved on the ancient walls.
Oviedo
Spain’s smaller cities are just as loveable as its larger ones. The northern town of Oviedo is wedged between the Cantabrian Mountains and the Bay of Biscay. The area has an astounding amount of religious architecture dating back to the 19th century. Savour traditional Asturian cuisine at local sidrerías, and marvel at the pre-Romanesque architecture. Don’t miss the iconic Santa María del Naranco and San Miguel de Lillo.
