BEST CITIES to visit in Spain

The romantic city of San Sebastian stretches along the Cantabrian coast of Northern Spain and is home to 3 sandy beaches. La Concha beach is the most famous and is known for being the most beautiful urban beach in all of Europe.

But the whole city of San Sebastian is beautiful. We like to describe it as a mini Paris on the water. And the Paris comparison doesn’t stop there either. The city is the mecca of Basque gastronomy. The Basque Country is known for having some of the best food in Spain, and San Sebastian is probably the best place to sample it.

The Alhambra Palace is why most people visit Granada – and rightfully so. It can easily be argued that the Alhambra is Spain’s top attraction. As one of the best examples of Moorish architecture in the world, it perfectly symbolizes Granada’s golden age that flourished from the 9^th to 15^th century.

The majestic Alhambra is actually an extensive complex of palaces, fortresses and gardens. Expect to spend a minimum of 3 hours wandering around and admiring all of its beauty.

Granada’s Moorish heritage can also be seen in the narrow winding streets of the Albaicin. This traditional neighborhood is located on a hillside and offers incredible views of the Alhambra, especially at sunset.

The gypsy neighborhood of Sacromonte is also worth a visit. For centuries the local community has carved their houses into the mountainside. Sacromonte is one of the birthplaces of flamenco music and the caves are the best place to see a live flamenco performance in Granada!

Palma de Mallorca is the capital of the island of Mallorca, located in the Mediterranean Sea, just east of mainland Spain. Due to its location, Palma has been an important trade city throughout history. First founded by the Romans, it was later conquered by the Moors of Northern Africa before being overtaken once more by the Christians in 1229.

Many great architectural gems are leftover from these time periods such as the seafront cathedral known as “la seu.” The levantine Gothic design is impressive, especially at night when it is lit up. The Almudaina Royal Palace is located next to the cathedral and is a fortress leftover from Moorish rule. Then there’s the Lonja de Palma, a former market and another Gothic masterpiece with striking spiraling columns.

The old town of Palma has a classy feel to it, with many stunning modernist and art nouveau buildings. There is no shortage of boutique design hotels and trendy restaurants to be found. In addition, the city even has its own beach and a seaside promenade that is great for people watching and nightlife.

Palma is a great city on a great island. Make sure to visit some of the picturesque villages nearby and Mallorca’s breathtaking beaches with crystal clear azure water. Mallorca is the Med at its best.

Cordoba is a small laid back city in the interior of the Andalusia region. But this small city contains one of the most mind-blowing buildings in the whole world. The Great Mosque of Cordoba, or Mezquita as it’s known locally, dates back to 784 AD. This massive Moorish construction covers an area roughly the size of 4 football fields and is held up by 856 “recycled” Roman columns. A series of double arches – made up of its iconic alternating red and white bricks – allow for unobstructed views through most of the mosque.

If the Mezquita was just this amazing Moorish building it would already be something special. But the most intriguing part about the mosque is that once the Christians reconquered Cordoba in 1236, they did not destroy the building because they found it to to be too beautiful. Instead, they consecrated the building turning it into a church. Then a few hundred years later, they erected a Gothic cathedral in the center of the mosque!

When you first set sight on this melange of architecture, you will probably rub your eyes in disbelief. The Mezquita is both beautiful and insane.

Besides the mosque-cathedral, the city also has a charming Jewish quarter and the Alcazar de Cordoba fortress with an immaculate garden. But the Mezquita alone makes Cordoba one of the best cities to visit in Spain.

Until the mid 16^th century, Toledo was the capital of the Spanish empire. For centuries, Moors, Jews and Christians lived (for the most part) harmoniously together. Toledo is known as the city of the 3 cultures. You will find architecture from each group such as the synagogue, cathedral, and alcazar fortress.

Toledo is partially surrounded by the Tagus River that flows around its 3 sides. The 4^th side is protected by a medieval wall. Inside the old town, you will find a maze of narrow streets to get lost in. Be sure to try Toledo’s signature treats – mazapán (marzipan) – which come from the city’s Moorish heritage.

In just 30 minutes by train or 1 hour by car from Madrid, Toledo makes a perfect day trip from the Spanish capital.

Bilbao is a city for art and architecture lovers. What was once a gray, smog-filled industrial city has been completely transformed in the past several decades. The transformation began when star architect Frank Gehry designed the iconic Guggenheim museum. This kick-started a regeneration of the city that has become known internationally as the “Bilbao effect.”

Several other renowned designers and architects, such as Philippe Starck and Sir Norman Foster, have also left their mark on the city. But besides discovering the new modern architecture that the city is enjoying, there are many other things to do in Bilbao. Its charming old town – known as the seven streets or “siete calles” – has been completely renovated and is now a hotspot for Basque gastronomy. It’s a great place to sample some pintxos and experience some of the best food Spain has to offer.