Looking to plan your trip to Spain? This page covers the best places to visit, our detailed travel itineraries, and our tips for getting the most out of this diverse country. Discover more with our guides, which we developed personally from our various trips to Spain.
SPAIN TRAVEL GUIDES
Spain is devoted to living the good life, and we love travelling here.
From relaxing on sun-soaked golden beaches under the Mediterranean sun to lazy siestas after a long, slow lunch, Spain knows a thing or two about taking the pace out of life.
But there’s also a diverse history that you can’t help but experience when travelling around the country. From the stately palaces of Madrid to the Moorish castles of Andalucía, Spain’s backstory is bursting with foreign influences, sublime architecture, historic ruins and an obvious fusion of cultures.
We’ve travelled extensively in Spain, and this page brings together all our Spain guides to help you plan smarter.
START HERE: WHAT KIND OF SPAIN TRIP ARE YOU PLANNING?
One of the things we love about travelling in Spain is the diversity. There are plenty of different trips you can plan. Here are some of our favourites.
CULTURE & HISTORY
When the Muslims established Al-Andalus, remarkable cultural, scientific and artistic progress was made in cities across what is today Andalucía. For some background to this part of Spain’s history, read our guide about the Caliphate of Córdoba before your trip.
We have covered some great places to visit if you are interested in culture & history, which are covered in these guides:
- Things to do in Córdoba.
- Things to do in Seville.
- What to do in Granada.
- Places to visit in Andalucía.
- Train itinerary of Andalucía.
HIKING & OUTDOORS
One of our favourite places for getting outdoors in Spain is the Picos de Europa. This part of northern Spain has dramatic limestone mountains, deep gorges and beautiful valleys. Read all about it in our guide to visiting the Picos de Europa.
Here are all our hiking guides for Spain, each of which contains maps, detailed instructions and practical tips:
- How to hike La Concha near Marbella.
- Hiking the Caminito del Rey.
- Hiking the Ruta del Cares.
- Hiking Garganta Verde.
- Hiking El Torreón in Sierra de Grazalema.
- Hiking El Pinsapar Trail.
CITY BREAKS
We love the Spanish cities. There are architectural marvels, very walkable historic centres, world-class art and excellent food. The generally very good weather means you have plenty of time to explore in comfort, and Spanish cities are still considerably cheaper than many other European destinations.
Plan your Spanish city break with our guides:
- What to do in Madrid.
- Best things to do in Seville.
- Best things to do in Málaga.
- Best things to do in Granada.
GO UNDER THE RADAR
There are plenty of places in Spain that are worth making a detour for. The white villages around Andalucía have become increasingly popular, but there are still plenty of charming villages untouched by tourism. Even on the Costa del Sol, it’s possible to find a town that still feels decidedly Spanish.
Here are some of our suggestions for escaping the crowds in Spain:
WHERE TO GO IN SPAIN?
Spain is a big country, and there are plenty of different regions to explore. But we have organised our guides for the areas we have covered the most in this blog.
1. ANDALUCÍA
Andalucía is the southernmost region in Spain with a fascinating history, beautiful beaches and mountainous regions. We have put many of the best places together in our Andalucía itinerary, which you can do completely by train.
MARBELLA
Marbella is the premier beach destination in the Costa del Sol. Here you’ll find high-end luxury beach clubs with VIP DJ sets. But, you can also find relaxed local chiringuitos set on hidden alcoves. Our guide to Marbella’s best beach clubs has all the details.
CÓRDOBA
The Mezquita-Cathedral is an unparalleled example of Islamic architecture and an unmissable place to visit in Spain. We recommend our 2-day itinerary for Córdoba to see everything. However, if you have less time, read our Córdoba day trip guide.
The patios are one of the most popular attractions in the city. Our guide to Córdoba’s patios has all the details.
GRANADA
The Alhambra Palace and Gardens showcase some of the most spectacular Islamic art and architecture in the country. It’s also a great place to visit which we cover in our guide to visiting Granada.
SEVILLE
Seville is one of our favourite European cities. The Alcázar has beautiful Mudejar architecture, and the art is incredible. We also think it has the best tapas in southern Spain. Start with our guide to the best things to do in Seville, then read our Seville Itinerary to help put your trip together.
CÁDIZ
As Europe’s oldest continuously inhabited city, Cádiz is a great addition to your Spain trip. There’s not a heap to do, but it’s a beautiful city, packed with local charm. Read our guide to visiting Cádiz.
RONDA
Ronda is a town in Andalucía, dramatically set above a deep gorge. It’s a popular place to visit, but well worth seeing. The best way to see Ronda is on a day trip from Seville.
MÁLAGA
Over recent years, Málaga has transformed itself into a cultural hub with a fresh cosmopolitan vibe that still holds on to its Moorish influences. The art and food are both excellent, and it’s the perfect jumping-off point for the beaches of the Costa del Sol. All the information you need for a great trip is covered in our guide to what to do in Málaga.
MIJAS PUEBLO
Mijas is one of the most popular white villages in Spain, set in the mountains overlooking the coast. It’s not one of the under-visited white villages, but it’s easy to get to from Málaga, which we cover in our guide to seeing Mijas on a day trip.
2. PICOS DE EUROPA
The Picos de Europa are a mountain range in northern Spain with dramatic limestone features, deep valleys and tiny villages. It’s a fantastic alternative to the more popular hiking destinations in the Alps.
Here are our guides for the Picos de Europa:
- Ruta del Cares – This is the most impressive hike in the Picos and the one we recommend you make the time for.
- 7-day Picos Itinerary – Our road trip itinerary covers the best of the area with all the information you need.
- Where to Stay – This guide breaks down the main areas to base yourself in while visiting the Picos with hotel recommendations.
- What to do – Our comprehensive guide to all the best hikes, activities, drives and villages in the Picos.
3. MADRID
The thing we love about Madrid the most is that it feels like a real city. Tourism isn’t the main industry, so it’s not all about putting on a show for visitors. This means you can enjoy world-class art, top-quality food and unique experiences while enjoying the feel of a lived-in city.
See our full Madrid guide, which includes our favourite activities, museums, and restaurants, and tips for visiting.
BEST TIME TO VISIT SPAIN
Spain is a year-round destination, but seasons vary significantly by region, and the type of trip you are looking for will determine when to go.
SPRING & AUTUMN
For most travellers, Spring (specifically April to May) and Autumn (September to October) are the best times to visit. The weather is great across most of the country, so it’s ideal for sightseeing, hiking and outdoor life. It’s also a little less busy.
Spring & Autumn are ideal for city trips, hiking, beaches and wine regions.
SUMMER
June to August is a good time to hit the beaches on the Costa del Sol. The weather is hot, all the beach clubs will be open, and the party vibe will be in full swing.
This is a very busy time to visit, however, so expect large crowds and higher than usual prices.
Summer is a great time to visit the north, such as the Picos de Europa, when the conditions should be great for hiking.
WINTER
Winter can be a great time to visit Spain, when there is often still plenty of sun and the cities are much quieter. It’s a great time to amble around the old town of Seville, explore the galleries of Madrid or go skiing in the Sierra Nevada mountains.
