Sagrada Familia. Photo by Canaan. Wikimedia Commons.

20 Famous places to visit in Spain


 

Spain is a country on Europe’s Iberian Peninsula which includes 17 autonomous regions.

Its capital city is Madrid and its government is a Parliamentary Monarchy.

It has a diverse geography and culture dynamic history and architecture of Spain that transcends from  Roman occupation to  Arabic aqueducts from the time of the Umayyad dynasty.

The country is famous for its diverse heritage, siestas, Amazing Flamenco dances, delectable food, and art among many others that attract visitors from across the world.

Here are 20 Famous Places to visit in Spain:

1. The Sagrada Familia

The Sagrada Familia basilica is a church founded in Barcelona, Spain. It is an unfinished church.

Its construction began on 19th March 1882 and will hopefully end somewhere past 2026. It was consecrated on 7th November 2021 by Benedict XVI

Uncover more about The Brief History of La Sagrada Familia In Barcelona Here.

2. The Alhambra

Beautiful Building Near Snowy Mountains. Photo by Julio GM. Pexels.

The Alhambra is a palace and fortress found in Granada, Spain. It is one of the most famous Islamic architectural designs known and holds Islamic history.

It was constructed on a plateau that overlooks the city in the years between 1238 and 1358.

It is well known for its beauty and unique expression of the Moorish and Andalusian cultures.

3. The Royal Palace of Madrid

It is the official dwelling place for the royal family in Madrid.  The palace is open to the public except for state functions.

It is the largest royal palace in Europe. Its construction began on the 7th of April 1735 for King Philip V of Spain.

It took 16 years to complete the palace after they started its construction. It first started as a Muslim palace in the 9th century.

It was later replaced by a Christian palace in the 16th century. It was then burned down by King Philip V in 1734 who ordered his palace to be built there.

4. Seville Cathedral

Sevilla Cathedral. Photo by Ingo Mehling. Wikimedia Commons.

It is a Roman Catholic cathedral found in Seville, Spain, and holds the rank of the fourth-largest church in the world.

It began its construction in the year 1401 and it was completed in 1528. It was consecrated in the year 1507.

It awes tourists with its size and Gothic splendor. Its interior is large enough to easily fit an entire football stadium.

Learn more about the Top 10 Facts about Seville Cathedral Here.

5. Santiago de Compostela Cathedral

It is a cathedral that is the capital of the Galicia region in Spain.  It became famous as the symbol of the Spanish Christian fight against Muslims.

It was destroyed by the Muslims in the 10th century and rebuilt in the following century. It takes about 30 days to walk it.

6. Reina Sofia National Art Museum

Reina Sofía National art Museum. Photo by Zarateman. Wikimedia Commons.

The  Reina Sofia National Art Museum is Spain’s most famous 20th-century art museum. It was named after Queen Sofia.

It is found in Madrid, Spain, and was established 30 years ago in the year 1992. It is mainly dedicated to Spanish arts.

The museum’s most famous work of art is Picasso’s 1937 painting.

Find more about The Top 10 Intriguing Facts about Museo Nacional Centro De Arte Reina Sofia Here.

7. San Lorenzo of El Escorial

It is a town in the Guadarrama Mountains in Spain. It was built between the years 1563 and 1584.

It was built by the orders of King Philip II who reigned for nearly 50 decades.

It is the largest renaissance building in the world. It is dedicated to Saint Lawrence who was one of the seven deacons of the city of Rome during the Papacy of Pope Sixtus II 

8. The Great Mosque of Cordoba

The great mosque of Cordoba is the cathedral of the Roman diocese of Cordoba. It is dedicated to the assumption of Mary.

It is located in the Spanish region of Andalusia.  Its construction began in 785 as a mosque and was completed in the 16th century as a cathedral.

Great Mosque of Córdoba. Photo by Heparina1985. Wikimedia Commons.

Explore more about the Top 10 Things to do in Cordoba Spain Here.

9. Alcazar of Segovia

It is a medieval castle found in Segovia, Spain. It served a great deal in Spain, not only as a fortress but also as a royal palace.

It had a role played during the rise of Queen Isabella I who was crowned here as queen of Castile. The castle is rich in history and is open to the public.

10. Running with the Bulls Pamplona

It is an event that involves people running in front of a small group of bulls. The number of bulls changes as it can sometimes reach ten or more.

The bulls are let loose on sectioned-off streets in town. This event is usually part of a summertime festival in Spain.

11. Port Venture World

It is the biggest theme park in Spain. This park has 6 different themes which people enjoy.

It attracts more than four million people annually so it is one of the most popular theme parks worldwide.

The themes are Mediterranean, Polynesian, Chinese, Mexican, Far west, and Sésamo adventures.

12. San Sebastian

San Sebastian seen at night. Photo by Phillip Maiwald (Nikopol). Wikimedia Commons.

San Sebastián is a resort town in the mountainous Basque Country in Spain.

It is home to marvelous cuisines not forgetting to mention the stunning landscape.

San Sebastian is most famous for its food, it boasts the second most Michelin stars in the world.

Read more about the Top 10 Things to do in San Sebastian, Spain Here.

13. The Jerez Horse Fair Andalucia

The Jerez Horse Fair is traditionally held during the first or second week in May. It is an exciting and amazing event that brings people to a fairground.

The fairground was opened in 1903. The nobility of the horses seen in the fair has made it internationally famous.

14. April Fair Seville

A street in the 2007 Seville Fair. Photo by User:Xerxes2004. Wikimedia Commons.

The April Fair Seville is held in Andalusia, Spain. The fair begins two weeks after Semana Santa, also known as Easter Holy Week.

The fair begins on a Saturday at midnight and runs for seven days until the next Saturday which marks its ending. It was founded on August 26th, 1846.

15. Historic Seville

Seville is a city in Spain. It holds a lot of historical data within it such as the Alcázar, the Seville Cathedral, and the Archivo General de Indias.

It is a cultural center that was once the capital of Muslim Spain. It was a center for Spanish exploration of the New World.

Take a look at the Top 10 things to do in Seville, Spain Here.

16. The Camino de Santiago

The Way of Saint James. Photo by Dr Dobeaucoup. Wikimedia Commons.

It is also known as the Way of James. The Camino de Santiago is a network of pilgrims’ ways leading to the shrine of the apostle Saint James. 

The shrine is in the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela in Galicia, Spain. It is believed that it is the place where the remains of the apostle are buried traditionally.

17. Sierra Nevada Granada

Sierra Nevada Granada is a mountain range in Andalusia, Spain. It has the highest point in continental Spain.

It is a popular tourist attraction. It has high peaks which are amazing for skiing. Parts of the range have been included in the Sierra Nevada National Park.

18. Plaza Mayor Salamanca

Plaza Mayor, Salamanca. Photo by Stef Mec. Wikimedia Commons.

Plaza Mayor Salamanca is a large Plaza located in Salamanca, Spain.

It is used as a big public square and was built in the traditional Spanish Baroque Style.

It is a popular gathering area. It is a hub of activities, it is lined by restaurants, ice cream parlors, tourist shops, and jewelry stores among others.

It is considered to be the heart of Salamanca. It is also widely regarded for its beauty.

19. Malaga August Feria

The Malaga Feria celebrates the reconquest of the city by Catholic Kings. The Catholic Kings such as Isabel of Castile and Fernando II of Aragon.

It was established on 18 August 1487. It was declared a popular festival on 15 August 1491. On the 18th of August  1887, the anniversary of the recon quest was designated as the main day of the Feira.

20. Palma Cathedral

Palma Cathedral. Photo by Dietmar Rabich (1962-).Wikimedia Commons.

The Palma Cathedral is a Gothic Roman Catholic Cathedral located in Palma, Spain. It was begun in the year 1229 and finished in 1601 by King James I.

It is open to visitors from Monday to Saturday and those who wish could attend the service on Sunday. It sits within the old Palma city atop the former citadel of the Roman city.

Discover more about The Top 10 exciting things to do in Las Palmas Here.