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Country guide
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.
Every city catalogued in this country so far, ranked by how much there is to see.
Photograph · Dmitry Dzhus from London · CC BY 2.0
Photograph · dronepicr · CC BY 2.0
Ranked by importance — sitelinks, pageviews and heritage status, not editor preference.
100 places match
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Typical visit duration
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.
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.
Montjuïc Cemetery, known locally as Cementiri de Montjuïc, is a historic burial ground located on Montjuïc hill in Barcelona, Spain. The cemetery occupies a prominent position overlooking the Mediterranean Sea and the city below.
The National Expiatory Basilica of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, known locally as Temple Expiatori del Sagrat Cor, stands on the summit of Tibidabo mountain overlooking Barcelona.
The Parròquia Basílica de Santa Maria del Pi is a parish basilica in Barcelona's Gothic Quarter. Its Catalan name references a pine tree that once stood nearby.
The Reial Monestir de Santa Maria de Pedralbes is a Gothic monastery in Barcelona, founded in 1326 by Queen Elisenda de Montcada. It stands in the Pedralbes district as a significant example of Catalan Gothic architecture.
The Basilica of Our Lady of Mercy is a Baroque church in Barcelona's Gothic Quarter. Dedicated to the Virgin of Mercy, patroness of the city, it was originally built in the 18th century.
Poblenou Cemetery, known locally as Cementiri del Poblenou, is a historic burial ground in Barcelona. Established in the 18th century, it represents one of the city's oldest cemeteries and serves as a significant cultural landmark.
Source: OpenStreetMap contributors, Wikidata ·
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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