With its sunny climate and thousands of years of history and culture, Spain is a dream travel destination for many. Although with vast landscapes, world-famous coastline and wide stretches of mountain ranges it’s hard to know where to start. Here are ten of the most beautiful places to visit in Spain chosen by published travel writer and author of the Frommer’s guide to Seville, Granada and the Best of Andalusia, Jeremy Head.
Pueblos Blancos – Andalucia
The white villages that dot the rugged hillsides in central Andalucia seem to almost defy gravity in places. Formerly farming villages, many fell into disrepair as the younger generation headed to the cities in search of work. Now locals and overseas visitors alike have rediscovered their charm, and the narrow streets, whitewashed houses, pretty old churches and flower-strewn squares have been restored. Particularly lovely villages include Grazalema, Vejer de la Frontera and Arcos de la Frontera.
Where to stay – our recommendations
- Alavera De Los Banos Hotel, Ronda – Attractive character hotel near Pueblos Blancos from €69pn
- Hotel Boutique Convento, Cádiz – Unique boutique hotel in the Andalucia Cádiz region from €50pn
- Casa Palacio, Cadiz– Chic and stylish apartments in the area from €55pn
The Alhambra – Granada
The stunningly ornate Moorish palace, the Alhambra, is one of Spain’s most visited and most beautiful monuments and it’s not hard to see why. A sprawling complex of palaces surrounded by ornate gardens perched atop of a hill with the snowy peaks of the Sierra Nevada mountains behind, it’s in a spectacular location. The interior is similarly beautiful with romantic intricate Moorish-style decoration around peaceful courtyards contrasting with the powerfully simplistic lines of later vast Baroque additions.
Where to stay – our recommendations
- Santa Isabel la Real Hotel, Granada – Former 16th century house turned unique hotel from €63pn
- Saray Hotel Granada – Elegantly beautiful but reasonably priced hotel from €40pn
- Hostal Rodri – Excellent value budget boutique from €20pn
Gaudi’s Masterpieces – Barcelona
The proud capital of the Catalunia region, Barcelona has heaps to offer the visitor – great nightlife, shopping and beaches. But it’s the phantasmagoric buildings created by legendary architect Gaudi that are by far the biggest stars of the show. The still unfinished La Sagrada Familia with its amorphous spindly towers and oddly shaped buttresses and roof is the most visited of his creations. Although his residential buildings like the Casa Mila are also wonderful as are his more playful statues and benches in the popular Park Guell.
Where to stay – our recommendations
- Villa Emilia Hotel, Barcelona – Gorgeous contemporary boutique hotel from €52pn
- Circa 1905, Barcelona – Very stylish unique guest house in a central location from €40pn
- Casa Kessler, Barcelona – Chic budget hotel/hostel in great location from €20pn
Stunning natural scenery – Picos de Europa
Spain’s natural scenery – from the sandy coastline to the vast plains – is constantly surprising, but the lofty peaks of the Picos de Europa mountain ranges are without doubt the most spectacular and easily one of the most beautiful places to visit in Spain. Craggy mountain peaks, verdant valleys and raging rivers combine to make this chunk of northern Spain perfect hiking and adventure territory – whitewater rafting and snowshoeing are particular favourites. There’s heaps of wildlife too including the endangered Cantabrian Brown Bear and wolves.
Where to stay – our recommendations
- Hotel Picos De Europa, Cabrales – Mountain hotel in Picos De Europa from €54pn
- Posada Sobrevilla, Camaleno – Lovely traditionally Spanish hotel very near Picos De Europa €35pn
The Cathedral – Santiago de Compostela
Spain’s many vast Gothic cathedrals are testament to the country’s long-held Christian traditions. Perhaps the most spellbinding is the vast one at Santiago de Compostela. It’s a huge building smothered in Baroque swirls, statues and stalagmites. Possibly the most remarkable vista is the Western facade which forms the main entrance, accessed by a magnificent quadruple flight of stairs. The cathedral is also the final destination of the thousands of pilgrims who walk the Way of St James trail each year.
Where to stay – our recommendations
- Altair Hotel, Santiago de Compostela – Very popular designer boutique hotel from €69pn
- Casa Grande Do Bachao, Santiago de Compostelas – Peaceful retreat set in lovely gardens €50pn
Volcanic Views – Mount Teide, Tenerife
A couple of hours south by plane from the Spanish mainland, the Canary Islands are far closer to African shores than European ones and their natural landscape is radically different. Much of the land is volcanic, with steep slopes and dark grey sands on the beaches. At the centre of Tenerife – the most popular of the Canary Islands – stands the mighty Mount Teide a vast snow-capped volcano. It’s great hiking territory and at this altitude the scenery is almost moon-like. There’s a cable car to the summit and the views from up here out towards the other Canary Islands shouldn’t be missed.
Where to stay – our recommendations
- Hotel Spa Villalba, Tenerife – Charming hotel and spa on the slopes of Mount Teide from €52pn
- Hotel Rural El Navio, Tenerife – Rustic guest house surrounded by nature from €40pn
Beautiful Beaches – Formentera
Spain has over 5000 miles of coastline and bright sunny days for much of the year, so it’s unsurprising that it’s a beach Mecca. From jam-packed tourist beaches to deserted stretches of virgin sand there’s a beach for just about everyone. Some of the most unspoilt and ultra-white are found on the shores of the Balearic Island of Formentera. The island is located in the Mediterranean Sea and only a couple of hours by boat from the mainland. Ses Illetes is a long curve of white sand, backed by soft dunes with shallow ultramarine seawater lapping its fringes.
Where to stay – our recommendations
- Hotel Riu La Mola, Formentera – Luxurious spa hotel located near the beach from €85pn
- Formentera Chic Lofts – Unique boutique loft accommodation with fabulous views €65pn
City of Arts and Sciences – Valencia
Spain has its share of outstanding historical architecture, but it’s also looking firmly towards the future for many of its building projects of more recent years. The wonderful curves of the Guggenheim museum have really put Bilbao on the map, but it’s the City of Arts and Sciences designed by the wonderfully exuberant Spanish architect Santiago Calatrava that is the pinnacle of modern architecture in Spain. His amorphous, buildings in stark white are a feast of odd angles and unusual shapes at any time of the day, but they look particularly spectacular when floodlit at night.
Where to stay – our recommendations
- SH Ingles Boutique Hotel, Valencia – Boutique hotel housed in 18th century palace from €50pn
- Maritim Apartamentos – Chic modern, reasonably priced apartments in the city €40pn
Plaza de Espana – Seville
The majestic capital of the Andalusia region, Seville is stuffed with beautiful sights and is wonderfully atmospheric. The Plaza de Espana was designed by local architect Anibal Gonzalez for the great 1929 Ibero-American Exhibition that was held in the city and virtually bankrupted it. It’s a feast of ornate colourful towers and colonnades decorated with tiles and motifs. At its centre there’s a huge fountain and canals which visitors can float along on on hired pedalos. It’s such a striking place that it often features in movies – most notably Star Wars Episode 2 – Attack of the Clones.
Where to stay – our recommendations
- Holos Hotel, Seville – Excellent modern boutique hotel from €80pn
- Suites Murillo, Seville – Charming modern apartments a short stroll from the cathedral from €60pn
- Holos Hotel Seville – Mid Range boutique hotel with superb decor from €50pn
Roman Remains – Segovia
The Romans ruled Spain for over 700 years and there are reminders of their presence all over the country. Perhaps the most remarkable, is the wonderfully preserved aqueduct at Segovia in central Spain. It was used by the ancient Romans to bring water to the city. A double-height set of graceful arches, it’s 2950 feet long and it’s held together just by the weight of gravity on the carefully carved blocks that comprise it. There is no mortar whatsoever. With its 167 arches, at its highest point, it reaches almost 900 feet high – an incredible feat of engineering.
Where to stay – our recommendations
- Hotel San Antonio El Real, Segovia – Beautiful boutique located in a former monastery from €65pn
- Hotel Condes De Castilla, Segovia – Superb hotel with dramatic decor from €50pn
Of course choosing just ten places in Spain is very nearly impossible so if you’re planning to explore more of this beautiful country also don’t miss the dramatic deep gorge in the city of Ronda, the underrated city of Girona and the Costa Brava coastline, The Pyrénées mountain range, the historic mountaintop city of Toldedo, sun-soaked San Sebastian, elegant Salamanca, Spain’s vibrant capital of Madrid and the picturesque Balearic islands (just make sure you avoid the over-developed tourist resorts)!
This post was written by professional travel writer Jeremy Head who has written for a number of UK newspapers and is the author of the Frommer’s guide to Seville, Granada and the Best of Andalusia.
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