A photograph of Spain

Country guide

Places to visit in Spain — page 2

Spain covers 506,030 square kilometres and counts close to 50 million people, and it reads less as one country than as a set of regions that do not resemble eac...

Photograph · Diego Delso · CC BY-SA 4.0

13,220 Places
2Cities

Reviewed by Elena Voss · Roavina Travel Editor

Spain covers 506,030 square kilometres and counts close to 50 million people, and it reads less as one country than as a set of regions that do not resemble each other. Madrid sits high and dry in the middle of the peninsula with the national collections in it; Barcelona is Mediterranean and Catalan-speaking. Andalusia in the south carries the Moorish architecture of Granada, Córdoba and Seville along with the heat that comes with it, while the green north coast from Bilbao to Galicia is wet Atlantic country most visitors never reach. The Canary Islands lie off Africa, and Ceuta and Melilla are on the African mainland itself.

Checked 2026-08-25

Cities

Every city catalogued in this country so far, ranked by how much there is to see.

Practical information

Language spoken
Spanish; co-official regional languages include Catalan, Galician and Basque
National practical orientation; regional and minority languages may also be used
Dialling code
+34
International calling code; local area and mobile prefixes still apply
Currency
Euro (EUR)
Use the official local currency; card acceptance varies by place
Emergency number
112
Use only for an emergency; tourist assistance may use a separate number
Plug type
Type C and F · 230 V
Check that chargers support the recorded voltage before using an adapter
Tap water
Not recorded
No verified nationwide visitor statement was recorded

Planning a visit

Seasonal closures come from recorded opening hours.

  1. January: seasonal closure recorded
  2. February: seasonal closure recorded
  3. March: seasonal closure recorded
  4. April: seasonal closure recorded
  5. May: seasonal closure recorded
  6. June: no seasonality data recorded
  7. July: no seasonality data recorded
  8. August: no seasonality data recorded
  9. September: no seasonality data recorded — this month
  10. October: seasonal closure recorded
  11. November: seasonal closure recorded
  12. December: seasonal closure recorded

Top things to see

Ranked by importance — sitelinks, pageviews and heritage status, not editor preference.

  1. Sant Pau Art Nouveau Site Sant Pau Art Nouveau Site
    07 1 hr 30 min

    Sant Pau Art Nouveau Site

    Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau

    Sant Pau Recinte Modernista is the hospital Barcelona built when its medieval one gave out, and it is now visited as architecture rather than used as a ward.

    • Must see
    • Historic monument
    • Barcelona
  2. Casa Batlló Casa Batlló
    08 1 hr 30 min

    Casa Batlló

    Casa Batlló is a remodelled apartment block at Passeig de Gràcia 43, and the remodelling is the reason to go. The building was put up in 1877 by Emili Sala Cortés, one of Gaudí's own architecture professors.

    • Must see
    • Art and culture venue
    • Barcelona
  3. National Art Museum of Catalonia (MNAC) National Art Museum of Catalonia (MNAC)
    09 3 hours

    National Art Museum of Catalonia (MNAC)

    Museu Nacional d'Art de Catalunya

    The Museu Nacional d'Art de Catalunya occupies the Palau Nacional, the domed building that stands at the head of Montjuïc above Plaça Espanya. The palace was not built as a museum.

    • Must see
    • Museum
    • Barcelona
  4. Palau de la Música Catalana Palau de la Música Catalana
    10 1 hr 15 min

    Palau de la Música Catalana

    The Palau de la Música Catalana is a working concert hall in the Sant Pere quarter, a few streets east of Plaça de Catalunya, and it is the only Art Nouveau concert venue on the UNESCO World Heritage List, inscribed…

    • Must see
    • Art and culture venue
    • Barcelona
  5. Casa Vicens Casa Vicens
    11 45 min

    Casa Vicens

    Casa Vicens is a historic house in Barcelona, recognized as one of the earliest major works of architect Antoni Gaudí.

    • Must see
    • Historic monument
    • Barcelona
  6. German Pavilion German Pavilion
    12 45 min

    German Pavilion

    Pavelló Mies van der Rohe

    The German Pavilion, or Pavelló Mies van der Rohe, was created as Germany’s national pavilion for the 1929 Barcelona International Exposition.

    • Must see
    • Historic monument
    • Barcelona
  7. Palau Güell Palau Güell
    13 45 min

    Palau Güell

    Palau Güell is a mansion designed by Antoni Gaudí in Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain. It was built between 1886 and 1890 for Eusebi Güell, a wealthy industrialist and Gaudí's most important patron.

    • Must see
    • Historic monument
    • Barcelona
  8. Arc de Triomf Arc de Triomf
    14 45 min

    Arc de Triomf

    The Arc de Triomf is a triumphal arch in Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain. It was built as the main access gate for the 1888 Barcelona World Fair.

    • Must see
    • Historic monument
    • Barcelona
  9. Columbus Monument Columbus Monument
    15 45 min

    Columbus Monument

    Monument a Colom

    The Columbus Monument, or Monument a Colom, rises at the lower end of La Rambla where Barcelona’s historic centre meets the waterfront.

    • Must see
    • Historic monument
    • Barcelona
  10. Magic Fountain of Montjuïc Magic Fountain of Montjuïc
    16 45 min

    Magic Fountain of Montjuïc

    Font Màgica de Montjuïc

    The Magic Fountain of Montjuïc, known locally as Font Màgica de Montjuïc, stands as a prominent ornamental fountain in Barcelona, Spain.

    • Must see
    • Historic monument
    • Barcelona
  11. Ciutadella Park Ciutadella Park
    17 1 hour

    Ciutadella Park

    Parc de la Ciutadella

    Parc de la Ciutadella is a historic public park in the Ciutat Vella district of Barcelona. It occupies land formerly held by a military citadel built after the War of the Spanish Succession in the early eighteenth century.

    • Must see
    • Nature site
    • Barcelona
  12. Montjuïc Castle Montjuïc Castle
    18 45 min

    Montjuïc Castle

    Castell de Montjuïc

    Montjuïc Castle, known locally as Castell de Montjuïc, is a historic fortress situated atop Montjuïc hill overlooking Barcelona and its port. The military structure occupies a strategic position that has been fortified since the 17th century.

    • Must see
    • Historic monument
    • Barcelona
  13. Barcelona Museum of Contemporary Art (MACBA) Barcelona Museum of Contemporary Art (MACBA)
    19 1 hr 30 min

    Barcelona Museum of Contemporary Art (MACBA)

    Museu d'Art Contemporani de Barcelona

    MACBA is the Museu d'Art Contemporani de Barcelona, a major museum dedicated to contemporary art in the El Raval district. It occupies a striking white building designed by American architect Richard Meier, opened in 1995.

    • Must see
    • Museum
    • Barcelona
  14. Montjuïc Communications Tower Montjuïc Communications Tower
    20 45 min

    Montjuïc Communications Tower

    Torre de Comunicacions de Montjuïc

    Torre de Comunicacions de Montjuïc is a telecommunications tower located on Montjuïc hill in Barcelona, Spain. Designed by architect Santiago Calatrava and completed for the 1992 Summer Olympics, it serves as a television and radio transmission tower.

    • Must see
    • Historic monument
    • Barcelona
  15. Barcelona Cathedral Barcelona Cathedral
    21 30 min

    Barcelona Cathedral

    Catedral de la Santa Creu i Santa Eulàlia

    The Cathedral of the Holy Cross and Saint Eulalia is the Gothic cathedral of Barcelona, seat of the Archbishop of Barcelona. Dedicated to the city's co-patron saint Eulalia, a young martyr, it stands in the historic Barri Gòtic district.

    • Must see
    • Place of worship
    • Barcelona
  16. Royal Square Royal Square
    22 45 min

    Royal Square

    Plaça Reial

    Royal Square, or Plaça Reial, is a nineteenth-century public square just off La Rambla in Barcelona’s Gothic Quarter.

    • Must see
    • Historic monument
    • Barcelona
  17. Palau Nacional Palau Nacional
    23 45 min

    Palau Nacional

    Palau Nacional is a monumental building located on Montjuïc hill in Barcelona, Spain. It was constructed for the 1929 International Exposition and now serves as the main building of the Museu Nacional d'Art de Catalunya (MNAC).

    • Must see
    • Historic monument
    • Barcelona
  18. Güell Pavilions Güell Pavilions
    24 45 min

    Güell Pavilions

    Pavellons Güell

    The Güell Pavilions are a small Modernista complex in Barcelona, designed by Antoni Gaudí for Eusebi Güell. Built between 1884 and 1887, they served as the entrance and gatehouses to the Güell estate in the Les Corts district.

    • Must see
    • Historic monument
    • Barcelona
  19. Museo del Prado Museo del Prado
    25 3 hours

    Museo del Prado

    The Prado is Spain's national painting museum, and the building it occupies was never meant to hold pictures. Juan de Villanueva designed it in 1785 for a Natural History Cabinet, on the orders of Charles III.

    • Must see
    • Museum
    • Madrid
  20. Poble Espanyol Poble Espanyol
    26 1 hr 30 min

    Poble Espanyol

    Poble Espanyol de Barcelona

    Poble Espanyol is an open-air architectural museum in Barcelona. Built for the 1929 Barcelona International Exposition, it occupies a prominent position on Montjuïc hill. The complex contains 117 full-scale buildings representing architectural styles from across Spain's regions.

    • Must see
    • Museum
    • Barcelona
  21. Fabra Observatory Fabra Observatory
    27 45 min

    Fabra Observatory

    Observatori Fabra

    Fabra Observatory, or Observatori Fabra, is a historic astronomical observatory on a hill above Barcelona. Its elevated setting combines scientific heritage with broad views over the city and surrounding landscape.

    • Must see
    • Historic monument
    • Barcelona
  22. Palau de la Generalitat Palau de la Generalitat
    28 45 min

    Palau de la Generalitat

    Palau de la Generalitat de Catalunya

    Palau de la Generalitat de Catalunya serves as the seat of the Government of Catalonia. This historic palace stands in Barcelona's Gothic Quarter as one of the few medieval government buildings in Europe still used for its original purpose.

    • Must see
    • Historic monument
    • Barcelona
  23. Casa Lleó Morera Casa Lleó Morera
    29 45 min

    Casa Lleó Morera

    Casa Lleó Morera is a Modernista building on Passeig de Gràcia in Barcelona's Eixample district. Lluís Domènech i Montaner designed it, and construction took place between 1902 and 1906.

    • Must see
    • Historic monument
    • Barcelona
  24. Bellesguard Bellesguard
    30 45 min

    Bellesguard

    Torre Bellesguard

    Bellesguard, known locally as Torre Bellesguard, is a modernist building in Barcelona designed by Antoni Gaudí. Constructed between 1900 and 1909, it stands on the site of a medieval castle once belonging to the Crown of Aragon.

    • Must see
    • Historic monument
    • Barcelona
  25. Santa Maria del Mar Santa Maria del Mar
    31 30 min

    Santa Maria del Mar

    Basílica de Santa Maria del Mar

    The Basilica of Santa Maria del Mar stands in Barcelona's Ribera district as a Catalan Gothic church built between 1329 and 1383. Constructed by the local maritime community, it represents pure Catalan Gothic style without later decorative additions.

    • Must see
    • Place of worship
    • Barcelona

Source: OpenStreetMap contributors, Wikidata ·

Common questions

How long should a first trip to Spain be?

Ten to fourteen days allows three or four days in Madrid and four in Barcelona, plus selected rail day trips. Andalusia or either island group deserves a separate route instead of being compressed into the same mainland circuit.

What entry documents are needed for Spain?

Spain follows Schengen rules, but the traveller's nationality and route determine the required documents or visa. Confirm the current requirement through Spain's official consular information before departure.

What is the best way to travel around Spain?

High-speed rail makes Madrid-Barcelona and several mainland city pairs practical, while regional buses cover gaps. Island travel needs flights or ferries, and urban ticketing remains local to each city.

When is a practical time to visit Spain?

April to June and September to October are broad choices for Madrid and Barcelona. Andalusia, the Atlantic north, Balearics, and Canaries follow different heat and weather patterns, so a regional extension should control the final dates.

What money and payment basics apply in Spain?

Spain uses the euro (EUR). Cards are common in cities, but a small euro reserve is useful for individual businesses; always check the billed currency and amount before approving a terminal transaction.

What practical safety details should I save for Spain?

Spain's emergency contact is 112. Electrical outlets accept Type C and F plugs on a 230 V supply. Because this record contains no tap-water finding, use advice from the municipality serving each overnight stop.