Today we are going to learn about 20 incredible cities in Spain that we believe you should include in any trip through Spain.

Avila

This is the first town on our list. It is a small town that lies in the autonomous community of Castilla y León in the interior of the Iberian Peninsula, about an hour’s drive from Madrid.

Why should you include Ávilla in your Spain travel itinerary?

Ávilla has a very well preserved historic centre, it is a city that has been declared a Unesco World Heritage Site. Around this historic centre are the walls which are spectacular, some of the most beautiful in Spain.

When to visit?

You can visit the city all year round, but be careful in winter, it is freezing cold. One day is enough to see the basics of the city.

How to get to Ávilla?

You can get to Avila by train, by bus or by rented car. The places you should not miss in Avila are the historic centre, its cathedral, palaces, churches and, of course, the wall we have already mentioned.

Barcelona

In second place on our list is Barcelona, the capital of Catalonia lies on the Mediterranean coast, roughly two and a half hours from the border with France.

And why should you visit Barcelona? Barcelona is one of the most important cities in the world and gathers no less than 9 modernist monuments declared world heritage of humanity, but Barcelona is not only that, it gathers beaches on the shores of the Mediterranean, incredible markets, very beautiful squares, neighbourhoods with a special charm.

4 or data on Barcelona

Barcelona can be visited all year round, but be very careful with the Mobile World Congress, which attracts thousands of visitors and it becomes difficult to find accommodation during the celebration of the event.

So the tip is: the price of accommodation in Barcelona varies according to the time of the year and especially the events that take place in the city, if you want to pay less for accommodation, then it is better to look for off-season seasons.

What you should know in Barcelona?

Without a doubt the modernist houses, the Sagrada Familia temple, the Gothic quarter, the old town, if you are a football fan, you can go to the Camp Nou stadium, the Barcelona stadium, the Parc de Montjuic, this list would be too long to put them all here.

Bilbao

Bilbao is in the Basque country on the northern coast of Spain, quite close to the border with France.

Bilbao is well known for the Gunggenheim Museum, it has a well-preserved and very beautiful historic centre, a belvedere with spectacular views of the city, the culture of pintxos and tapas.

Key facts about the city

It can be visited all year round, all year round you will get rain, it is an incredible thing, a lot of rain indeed. Between one and two days are enough to get to know the basics of Bilbao.

Places you must not miss in Bilbao

These are certainly places you shouldn’t miss in Bilbao: The Guggenheim Museum, its historic centre, the Ensanche neighbourhood, the Ría del Nervión, the Mirador de Artxanda and the Puente de Vizcaya.

Cadiz

At number 4 is the city of Cadiz, which is located in Andalusia, on the southern coast of Spain, between the Strait of Gibraltar and the border with Portugal. Cadiz is in an incredible geographical location, on a peninsula surrounded by sea on almost all sides. It is famous for its carnival which is very picturesque and also for its incredible seafood-based cuisine.

Basic information about Cadiz

Cádiz is well known for its carnival, being one of the biggest in its region, during this time a lot of people visit the city, so if you like partying, it is the ideal place to go.

Cádiz has very beautiful places to visit, the historic centre, ramparts, fortifications, the Falla Theatre, the Central Market and several bars.

Cordoba

At number 5 on the list is the city of Cordoba which is in the Andalusian hinterland.

Why should you visit Cordoba?

For the famous Mezquita Catedral and the cordonezes parties, both declared World Heritage Sites. An interesting fact is that Córdoba is very hot in summer, reaching temperatures close to 40º, not even the locals can stand it. And yes, there is a bullet train to Córdoba.

Some interesting points to visit in Cordoba are:

• The Mezquita Catedral
• The courtyards
• The Jewry
• The Alcázar de los Reyes Católicos
• The Roman Bridge
• The Royal Caballerizas

Girona

Girona is the city in Catalonia that is closest to France.

Why visit Girona?

Girona has a very well preserved medieval historic centre and brings together remains of Jewish, Arab and Roman cultures, making it a very quick and easy getaway destination from Barcelona.

Basic information on Girona

Girona can be visited all year round and you can reach the city by bullet train, arrive by bus or by rental car.

The main attractions that you should not miss are the Historic Centre, the Cathedral, the Judería, the Casas del Onyar.

Granada

Next comes Granada, one of Andalusia’s jewels. It is in the south-eastern corner of the country.

Granada owes its fame to two places declared World Heritage Sites, the Alhambra De Granada and the Albaicín district.

When visiting Granada, don’t miss the custom of serving a portion of food accompanied by a free drink, as well as tasting the local cuisine.

Basic Information Granada

Two full days in the city will give you enough time to visit the essential places of the city. You can also get there by bus, plane, bullet train or car.

What places should you not miss in Granada?

The places you shouldn’t miss are the Alhambra, the Albaicín neighbourhood, the Capilla Real, the Cathedral, the Alcaicería and the tapas bars.

Ibiza

In eighth place is Ibiza, which is the capital of the island of the same name, being one of the Balearic Islands.

Ibiza is world-renowned for its nightclubs, but Ibiza is not just about that, it has a historic centre called Dalt Vila that is spectacular, so much so that it has been declared a World Heritage Site.

Visit Ibiza preferably between May and October. One day is enough to get to know the historical centre. You will arrive on the island either by plane or by ferry. Don’t forget to visit Dalt Vila, the district of La Marina and its many beaches.

Madrid

In ninth place is the capital of Spain, Madrid, which lies in the geographical centre of the Iberian peninsula. Madrid is an obligatory stop for anyone visiting Spain, because it is one of the most important cities in Europe. It brings together a huge number of museums, historic buildings, markets and beautiful parks.

You can visit Madrid all year round and you should spend a minimum of three to four days in the city to get to know the place. In Madrid you have a wide choice of transport, you can get there by plane, bullet train, bus and rental car.

Even, if you want to rent cars in Madrid, we strongly recommend Car Rentals.

The list of places you must visit never ends. There are museums, parks, bars, markets, the Royal Palace, the Santiago Bernabéu stadium which is Real Madrid’s stadium.

Malaga

We have reached the halfway point of this guide, taking in the city of Malaga. It is a city in Andalusia, capital of the stretch of southern coast of Spain, known as the costa del sol.

Tourists who visit Malaga look for the very good climate almost all year round, the museums and its proximity to the sea.

One to two days would be enough to see the basic sites of Malaga. You can reach Malaga by boat, bus, plane, bullet train and car.

The main tourist attractions in Malaga are the historic centre, the museums, the Castillo de Gibralfaro, the Mercado de las Atarazanas and the beaches.

Palma

The next destination in Spain is Palma, the capital of the island of Mallorca, one of the Balearic Islands.

You should get to know Palma for its historic centre and its winding streets, medieval buildings and a magnificent cathedral, the Cathedral of Mallorca. Don’t forget also to visit the Bellver Castle.

You can visit Palma all year round, but if you want to enjoy the beach and good weather, you should plan your trip between May and October. Spend at least two days in Palma, so you can get to know the city, the cuisine and the main regions.

This guide has a second part, just click on this link and move on to the continuation.