10 Cities to See in Spain

You've already seen a lot of Barcelona but we're sure there are things you've missed. Some students are traveling so much they rarely stay in Barcelona for the weekend! We recommend that you spend some time truly getting to know the city that you chose to study or intern abroad in! Remember, the Barcelona Bucket List is your best friend for this!

Spain’s capital and largest city is widely known for its urban vibe, nightlife scene, and traditional Spanish feel. It's one of Europe’s most colorful cosmopolitan cities, and it's very easily accessible by train from Barcelona! While you're there, you can't miss the Parque del Retiro,  the Prado National Museum, the Royal Palace of Madrid, the Plaza Mayor, and the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium (home to the Real Madrid soccer team). Click here for a list of what to do and see in Madrid.

Perhaps you didn't know that Madrid is known for its bocadillo de calamares (calamari sandwich) - click here for a list of top 20 must-try foods in Madrid.

Check out our sustainable travel guide to Madrid here!

Located at the base of the Sierra Nevada Mountains in southern Spain, Granada offers a perfect blend of traditional cultures, animated nightlife, flamenco, and spectacular sites like the world famous Alhambra (a pinnacle of Moorish art that encapsulates Andalusian history and is one of the great architectural sites of Europe). Click here for a list of things to do and see in Granada.

Important: Book your entrance to the Alhambra before you book your flight or train. A trip to Granada without visiting the Alhambra is a shame and the tickets often sell out well in advance!

Vibrant Spanish culture, buzzing nightlife, and beautiful sites all make this one of the best places to visit in all of Spain. The capital city of Andalusia, Seville is also the region’s financial and cultural capital. It's home to many beautiful and important historic landmarks, chief of which is the grand Cathedral of Seville, where it is believed that Christopher Columbus is buried. 

While you're in Seville, you can't miss the Plaza de España, the Real Alcazar (and its gardens), and the Setas (Mushrooms). We also recommend that you check out a flamenco show! Click here for a list of what to do and see in Seville.

We recommend you try a serranito, the city's signature sandwich, which is seared pork loin topped with salty serrano ham, a slice of tomato, and a grilled green pepper. You should also make an effort to try salmorejo, which is a cold tomato soup (different from gazpacho), usually topped with bits of cured ham and hard-boiled egg.

From Seville, it's very easy to take a day trip to Cordoba, where the Mesquita is located.

One of the largest cities in Spain, Valencia is located in the eastern part of the country in the region of Valencia. Valencia today is famous for its Fallas Festival in March and for the City of Arts and Sciences architectural masterpiece. It is also the birthplace of paella!

This city is the capital of the Gipuzko province, located in the Basque country of North Spain off the coast of the Bay of Biscay. This beautiful seaside city is well-loved for its excellent beaches and outstanding culinary tradition.

The historic quarter of Cordoba is a maze of tiny medieval streets, plazas and whitewashed courtyards all situated around the star attraction, the Mezquita. Initially built as a mosque, the Mezquita is now a glorious cathedral retaining most of its original architecture.

Perched on a mountaintop in central Spain, Toledo served as the Spanish capital until the 16th century. Because it was inhabited by Jews, Christians and Muslims for many centuries, the city is sometimes called the “City of Three Cultures.” Today, Toledo is a popular destination for its wealth of historic art and architecture that dates back to the Roman Empire. This can also be done in a day trip from Madrid.

The capital city of the Galicia region in northwestern Spain, Santiago de Compostela is famous as the final destination of the traditional pilgrimage known as Camino de Santiago.. Today, the city attracts thousands of visitors every year for both its religious tradition and history. 

This city was best known as an important seaport and industrial city in northern Spain until the construction of an architectural marvel in the 1990s known as the Guggenheim Museum. Since then, this capital city of Vizcaya has experienced a boom in tourism, promoting economic growth and revitalization of its many hidden gems, making it one of the best places to visit in Spain.