If you are thinking of visiting Spain, which is a cultural treasure with its cuisine, festivals, history and colorful architectural works, you are in the right place. Let’s take a look at the places to see in Spain, which is one of the most preferred tourist countries in Europe.
Spain is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Europe and millions of tourists explore this country every year. This wonderful country is known for its historical values, cultural richness, magnificent natural beauties and world-famous cuisine. Here is the list of places that you must see in Spain…
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Santiago de Compostela
Santiago de Compostela is the capital of the Galicia region in Northwest Spain. This city is known as the final destination of the ancient pilgrimage route called Camino de Santiago. This route is sacred for Christians, because it is where the tomb of St James, one of the apostles of Jesus, is located.
The city attracts many tourists every year with its religious heritage and historical richness. The place where most of the pilgrims visit is the main square of the city, Praza do Obradoiro. In this square, there are places worth seeing, such as the Santiago Cathedral, which contains the tomb of St James.
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Toledo
Toledo is an ancient Spanish capital located on the top of a mountain in Central Spain. The city is also known as the “City of Three Cultures” because it was a place where Jews, Christians and Muslims lived together for centuries.
Toledo attracts many tourists with its historical art and architectural works that date back to the Roman period. The best thing to do in Toledo is to wander around the medieval streets and admire the wonders of the historical architecture, which include a cathedral, a synagogue and a mosque.
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Cordoba
Cordoba is the capital of the Cordoba province in the south of the Andalusia region. The historical square of Cordoba, Mezquita, is a labyrinth of medieval streets, squares and white-washed houses.
Mezquita was originally built as a mosque, but today it is a magnificent cathedral. This cathedral preserves a large part of its original architecture, which reflects the splendor and importance of Cordoba in the Middle Ages with its Islamic-style red-white striped arches and columns. Other attractions in the city include the Castle of the Christian Kings, the Flower Street, the souvenir shops and the Old Jewish Quarter.
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San Sebastian
San Sebastian is the capital of the Gipuzkoa province in the north of the Basque Country in Spain. This charming coastal city is loved by people from all over the world for its wonderful beaches and delicious food culture.
The old town square has many historical buildings that were restored in the 19th century after being largely destroyed during the Napoleonic Wars. San Sebastian hosts some of the most beautiful beaches in Europe. Playa de la Concha is one of the most popular beaches, offering swimming, skiing, sunbathing and many other water activities.
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Valencia
Valencia is one of the largest and most important cities in Spain, located on the east coast. The city has built a huge cultural and entertainment complex called the City of Arts and Sciences, and also changed the course of the Turia river. This complex offers various exhibitions and activities, such as a science museum, a planetarium and an aquarium.
Every year in March, Valencia hosts the Fallas Festival, where many papier-mâché figures of different sizes and colors are displayed. At the end of the week, these figures are burned in a ceremony, while the party and fun continue all night long.
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Sevilla
Seville is one of the best places to visit in Spain, with its amazing tourist attractions, lively festivals and vibrant nightlife. Seville is the capital of Andalusia, as well as the financial and cultural center of the region.
The city has very important historical sites, such as the Seville Cathedral, where Christopher Columbus is believed to be buried. Another impressive building is the Real Alcazar, a Moorish palace with luxurious gardens.
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Madrid
Madrid is the capital and the largest city of Spain, famous for its non-stop nightlife venues. The city is one of the most colorful cosmopolitan cities in Europe, and its diversity of ethnic groups makes it so. The Royal Palace, the residence of the Spanish King, is located in the city center and is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Madrid.
The heart of Madrid (and Spain) is Puerta del Sol, a large square that serves as a hub for public transportation, as well as festivals, major events and street performers. Another important square is Plaza Mayor, known for its colorful San Miguel Market.
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Spanish Islands
Spain has some of the most beautiful islands in Europe. The largest Spanish Islands are the Balearic Islands and the Canary Islands. Off the east coast of mainland Spain, there are four Balearic Islands (Ibiza, Formentera, Mallorca and Menorca), which have a very different character from the rest of Spain. Mallorca is the largest and most well-known Balearic island, and Ibiza is famous for its party scene.
The Canary Islands, also known as the Canaries, are located just south of the Moroccan coast in the Atlantic Ocean. They have lovely beaches, mild climate and impressive natural attractions, such as the Maspalomas Sand Dunes in Gran Canaria and the Teide Volcano in Tenerife.
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Granada
Granada is the capital of the Granada province, located at the foot of the Sierra Nevada mountains in southern Spain. Granada offers a stunning cultural mix of traditional cultures, lively nightlife and Moorish art that reflects the history of Andalusia.
The world-famous Alhambra, a medieval complex that overlooks Granada, is the pinnacle of this art and attracts countless visitors from Europe every year to see its architecture. The Alhambra, the last Moorish fortress in Europe, has magnificent architecture, beautiful and lush gardens and breathtaking views of the city.
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Barselona
Barcelona is one of the best travel destinations in Spain, located in the northeast of the country. The city offers everything that tourists look for, from historical architecture to lively shopping, culture and nightlife.
Barcelona is home to two architectural masterpieces by the famous architect Antoni Gaudi: Casa Batllo and the Sagrada Familia church. Both are extraordinary buildings, with captivating designs, shapes and colors. Some of the popular activities in Barcelona are walking along La Rambla, a pedestrian street lined with trees, and sunbathing at Barcelona, one of the city’s most popular beaches.