Spain should be on everyone’s travel bucket list.
From sipping sherry on a flower-filled patio to discovering Moorish monuments, there’s something for every traveller. But where should you go?
I’ve spent years exploring Spain’s cities, and whilst each has its own character, not all are created equal. Some tick every box. Others excel in specific ways.
Here are the cities I’d return to and recommend, organised by what you might want from your Spanish escape.
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Beach & Culture Combined
1. Barcelona
Are you looking for a beach and city break rolled into one? Barcelona has sandy beaches, exceptional architecture and a first-rate food scene.
This Catalan capital is best known for Antoni Gaudí’s whimsical creations. La Sagrada Família, Casa Batlló, La Pedrera and Park Güell are unmissable, though you’ll need to book ahead.
The Gothic Quarter is one of Barcelona’s oldest districts. Its maze of medieval streets leads to the magnificent cathedral, which has a 14th-century cloister with orange trees, magnolias and resident swans.
Stop for lunch at Mercat de la Boqueria, just off La Rambla. This warren of more than 300 stalls will tantalise your taste buds with local produce.
Where to stay: Seventy Barcelona in the Gracia district has a rooftop pool and a wonderful terrace bar.
Read next: 2 Days in Barcelona: Itinerary & Best Things to Do
2. Málaga
Prepare to have your expectations smashed. Málaga is much more than a sun, sea and sangria resort.
The Moorish Alcazaba, built on the site of the former Roman town, has graceful stone gates, pathways lined with orange trees and bougainvillaea. From Gibralfaro Castle, there are panoramic views across the city.
Pay homage to Pablo Picasso, Málaga’s favourite son, at the Picasso Museum. For modern art, visit the Centre Pompidou Málaga or take a self-guided tour of Málaga’s exceptional street art.
Don’t leave without seeing Málaga’s One-Armed Lady. The cathedral owes its nickname to its lopsided exterior – its western tower was never built – and houses an outstanding collection of paintings and sculptures.
For beach time, head to La Malagueta. This Blue Flag beach is closest to the city centre and perfect for grilled fish lunches.
Where to stay: Suites del Pintor, a sunny apartment in the Old Town.
Read next: A Perfect Weekend in Málaga: 2-Day Itinerary
3. Valencia
Valencia is an understated gem of a Spanish city. It has year-round sunshine, plenty to see and do, and attracts a fraction of the visitors that descend on Barcelona and Madrid.
Founded by the Romans, Valencia flourished in the 15th century, from which many of the city’s landmarks date. These include the Micalet, the UNESCO-listed Silk Exchange and the Serranos Towers.
Valencia’s cathedral encapsulates the city’s layered history. Built on the site of a Roman temple, then a Visigoth cathedral and later a mosque, it’s a fascinating mishmash of styles.
The modern Ciudad de las Artes y las Ciencias (City of Arts and Sciences) is equally impressive – one of Spain’s most striking pieces of contemporary architecture.
As the undisputed home of paella, don’t leave without trying a traditional Valencian version with chicken, rabbit and beans.
Where to stay: Hostal Antigua Morellana, a family-run guesthouse in the old city.
Read next: 15 Reasons for Visiting Valencia
4. Palma de Mallorca
Palma de Mallorca, the capital city of Spain’s Balearic Islands, is one of Spain’s most stunning cities. This popular port of call for cruises around the Western Mediterranean brims with beauty and oozes history.
Concentrate your sightseeing in El Casco Antiguo, the compact Old Town. La Seu, Palma’s soaring 13th-century cathedral, has interior features designed by Antoni Gaudí and contemporary artist Miquel Barceló.
See evidence of Palma’s Moorish past at the Arab Baths, once part of a nobleman’s manor house in the city’s Medina Mayurqa.
When visiting Palma, try an ensaïmada, the island’s spiral pastry that’s become something of an obsession for locals and visitors alike.
Where to stay: Hotel Gloria de Sant Jaume, a 5-star hotel in central Palma with a spa and rooftop terrace.
Read next: One Day in Palma de Mallorca
Historic Cities in Spain
5. Córdoba
Córdoba is one of the most historic cities in Spain and a personal favourite. The former Roman city of Corduba became the capital of Moorish Spain in 756 AD and, over three centuries, rivalled Cairo and Baghdad as a centre of Muslim art and learning.
The UNESCO-listed Mezquita of Córdoba is Spain’s most magnificent building. Formerly the Great Mosque, it was reconsecrated as a place of Christian worship following the city’s reconquest by Catholic monarchs. The resulting hybrid is extraordinary.
Climb the Torre del Alminar, built on the site of the mosque’s minaret, for a bird’s eye view of the city.
Stroll through the Judería (Jewish Quarter) to glimpse what Córdoba would have been like in its golden age. Stop at the old synagogue and admire the flower-filled patios for which the city is famous.
Visit the Alcázar de Los Reyes Cristianos, a 14th-century Mudejar-style palace from where the Catholic Monarchs launched their conquest of Granada. Its gardens are spectacular.
Where to stay: Eurostars Azahar, a 4-star hotel ten minutes’ walk from the Mezquita.
Read next: Top 10 Things to Do in Córdoba in One Day
6. Granada
Granada is one of Spain’s most captivating cities. Set against the snow-capped Sierra Nevada mountains, it has one of the most dramatic locations in the country.
The Alhambra Palace is Granada’s calling card. One of Europe’s most sensational palaces, it has kept watch over the city for close on 900 years.
But there is more to Granada than the Alhambra.
The Albaicín (Albayzín) is the site of the city’s first fortress and is occupied by whitewashed buildings and elegant private villas (cármenes) that line its narrow cobblestoned streets. Sacromonte Hill rises behind the Albaicín and is riddled with colourful caves (cuevas), many of which have been carefully restored.
Granada is famous for its tapas scene and is also one of the last Spanish cities where tapas are served for free with a drink. Well, mostly.
This is also one of the best cities to discover more about the art of flamenco. La Alboreá, in the heart of Granada, is a great place to catch a performance. Or for a more intimate experience, check out one of the performances held in the caves of Sacromonte.
Where to stay: Casa Morisca at the foot of the Albaicín. Try to book a room with Alhambra views.
Read next: The Best 2-Day Granada Itinerary
7. Seville
With its labyrinth of concealed squares, rich history and vibrant tapas scene, Seville is one of Spain’s most romantic cities.
Begin your visit to Seville with two of its three UNESCO World Heritage sites: the sublime Real Alcázar of Seville and the monumental Seville Cathedral. Climb La Giralda, the cathedral’s bell tower, for sensational views over the city.
Explore Barrio Santa Cruz, Seville’s historic Jewish quarter. Its labyrinth of narrow cobblestone streets and hidden patios fragranced with sweet orange blossom is a joy to wander.
Examine the extraordinary tilework of the flamboyant Plaza de España, before taking time out in Parque Maria Luisa, Seville’s green lung. Finally, walk across the serpentine walkway of the Metropol Parasol, the city’s most striking modern structure.
Where to stay: Céntriko Apartments–Quintero 40, tucked in a quiet side street minutes from the cathedral.
Read next: 3 Days in Seville: Itinerary & Best Things to Do
8. Madrid
Recommended by Kate from Our Escape Clause
Simultaneously regal and relaxed, Madrid is one of the prettiest cities in Spain, in addition to being the nation’s capital.
A visit to Madrid is easy to pack with museums, from the Prado to the Reina Sofía and beyond, as well as cultural attractions like the Royal Palace and Gardens and the famous Plaza Mayor. Don’t miss the cathedral or Plaza de España when you’re near the Royal Palace.
No Madrid itinerary is complete without plenty of time spent in its parks, especially the famous Retiro Park. Comparable to NYC’s Central Park, Retiro Park is home to everything from ample green space to beautiful attractions like the Crystal Palace.
Other must-see attractions include the Gran Vía (complete with the famous Metropolis Building), Puerta del Sol and Templo de Debod. For a gorgeous neighbourhood to explore, don’t miss La Latina and the Sunday El Rastro flea market.
Before wrapping up your trip to Madrid, be sure to stop by Chocolatería San Ginés at least once to enjoy their famous churros and chocolate.
Where to stay: Catalonia Las Cortes, popular and centrally located in a beautiful building.
9. Salamanca
With its glowing sandstone buildings rising on the banks of the Tormes River, Salamanca is easily one of the most beautiful Spanish cities. Thanks to its proximity to Madrid, it’s also one of the most popular.
This UNESCO-listed city is the showpiece of the Spanish Renaissance.
There are not one, but two cathedrals. Close to the river is the 12th-century Romanesque Catedral Vieja (Old Cathedral). The larger Catedral Nueva (New Cathedral) largely dates from the 16th century.
Stop for a drink in Salamanca’s Plaza Mayor, one of the most beautiful squares in Spain. Tunas (musicians in Renaissance costume) stroll between its cafes, playing for smiles rather than tips.
Where to stay: Hotel Rector, a 5-star hotel in the heart of the city with outstanding reviews.
10. Santiago de Compostela
Recommended by Alya of Stingy Nomads
Named after St James (Santiago in Spanish), Santiago de Compostela’s history dates back to 814 when the apostle’s tomb was discovered nearby. Since then, millions of pilgrims have followed the Way of St James, Europe’s most popular pilgrimage route.
There are many great things to do in Santiago de Compostela.
Visiting the Cathedral de Santiago is essential. Built over St James’s tomb between 1075 and 1122, it’s one of only four cathedrals in the world constructed over an apostle’s tomb. Entrance is free.
Becoming a pilgrim for a day and walking the last 20 km to the cathedral is a unique experience. You can start from O Pedrouzo or Padrón and follow one of the Camino routes.
Going out for tapas is unmissable in Santiago. Rua de Franco in the Old Town has the best tapas bars, with local delicacies that’ll make you reconsider what tapas can be.
The summer months of June to August are the best time to visit. Unlike most of Spain where it gets extremely hot, Galician summers are mild and pleasant.
Where to stay: Hostal Reis Catolicos occupies one of Santiago’s most emblematic buildings in the heart of the Old Town.
Lesser-Known Gems
11. Tarragona
Looking for a city where Mediterranean waters meet Roman history? Visit Tarragona, one hour by train from Barcelona on Spain’s sunny Costa Dorada.
Tarragona’s history as the earliest Roman stronghold in Spain – the city of Tarraco – is evident throughout. The remnants of Roman walls have been transformed into an archaeological promenade. There’s a first-century Roman circus, one of the best conserved in the Western world, and a Praetorium.
Best of all is Tarragona’s Roman amphitheatre with its backdrop of the Mediterranean. Built at the turn of the 2nd century AD, it’s said to have accommodated 12,000 bloodthirsty spectators.
Once you’ve got your Roman fix, explore the Old Town with its sand and ochre-coloured buildings lining narrow, shaded streets. The cathedral with its cloister is magnificent.
At the end of the day, watch the sunset with locals from the Balcó del Mediterrani at the southeastern end of Rambla Nova.
Where to stay: Hostal 977, a welcoming guesthouse in the heart of the Old Town.
Read next: Top 10 Things to Do in Tarragona
12. Puerto de la Cruz, Tenerife
Puerto de la Cruz is as far removed from Tenerife’s soulless sun-and-sangria resorts as you can get. Located in the lush north of this Canary Island, it’s both the perfect base for touring Tenerife by bus and also a superb city in its own right.
There’s the small but lush Jardín Botánico as well as the smaller gem of the Orchid Garden (Jardín de Orquideas de Sitio Litre).
The walls of Puerto de la Cruz have acted as blank canvases for some of the greatest muralists, transforming the old town into an open-air art gallery. For more contemporary art, the 17th-century Old Customs House hosts exhibitions by Spanish painters at the Museum of Contemporary Art (MACEW).
You can watch life go by under the shade of Canarian palms in Plaza del Charco, or visit Castillo San Felipe, a small but imposing fort built to protect the city from pirates.
To cool off, take a dip in the swimming pools at Lago Martiánez. This complex also features gardens, terraces, islands, viewpoints, bars and restaurants.
Where to stay: Central PENTHOUSE with TERRACE and SEA views in the heart of the old town with sweeping ocean views.
Read next: 10 Best Things to Do in Puerto de la Cruz
13. Marbella
One of the swankiest cities in Spain, Marbella is an easy day trip from Málaga by bus. Beloved by the glitterati, the so-called Diamond of the Costa del Sol has a spectacular setting and a pristine Andalusian old town.
Its Old Town has ceramic flowerpots clinging to the sides of whitewashed buildings that line its cobblestone streets. As you might expect there is no shortage of boutiques and chi-chi shops.
Avenida del Mar, which links the Old Town to the beach, is an open-air gallery, showcasing bronze sculptures by Salvador Dalí. Walk along Paseo Maritimo, Marbella’s elegant seafront promenade, for epic views across the Mediterranean and a great choice of bars and restaurants.
Where to stay: Hotel Claude in the heart of Marbella’s Old Town.
Read next: 7 Things to Do in a Day in Marbella
14. Bilbao
Recommended by Leyla from Women on the Road
Unlike many Spanish cities, for years Bilbao stood in the shadows of tourism, often reeling from the terrorism which swept the Basque Country as the independence movement gripped the land. After decades of fighting, the Basque groups unilaterally gave up their weapons, and Bilbao emerged pristine and ready for the world.
Bilbao is a surprising Spanish city, often visited because it is the home of the Guggenheim Museum, a silver-coloured set of waves that roll skyward by the riverside. Perhaps even more striking are the Art Nouveau structures scattered throughout Bilbao, not to mention the older buildings of Casco Viejo, the Old Town.
A major delight of Bilbao is the food.
Basque chefs are world-renowned with good reason. They say it’s because of the freshness of the produce, but it’s probably equally because of the marvellous culinary talent in the city.
A favourite pastime is to eat pintxos, the Basque version of Spanish tapas. They’re often mounted on a small slice of bread and pierced by a toothpick to hold the pieces together. Head for Casco Viejo for some pintxo-hopping!
Where to stay: Basque Boutique, a quirky hotel in the heart of Bilbao (Leyla’s room was decorated like Guernica, the Picasso painting). If you have time to take a day trip, the village of Guernica has a small but compelling museum tracing the history of the massacre.
15. Santander
I visited Santander on a cruise and found it to be one of northern Spain’s most underrated coastal cities.
The star attraction is Centro Botín, a futuristic contemporary art museum designed by Renzo Piano that shimmers along the waterfront. The rooftop terrace alone is worth the visit.
The city’s history dates back to the 12th century, though much was rebuilt after a devastating 1941 fire. The cathedral features two churches stacked one atop the other, whilst the Mercado de la Esperanza has been trading since 1897.
I walked to the Magdalena Peninsula, home to an English-style palace in parkland and several beaches. The 40-minute stroll passed Los Raqueros sculptures and offered sweeping bay views.
Read next: What to Do in Santander in One Day from a Cruise Ship
Final Thoughts
Spain is an excellent solo travel destination. It is one of the best places for single travellers in Europe, especially if you are setting out on your first solo trip.
It has a rich history, a vibrant cultural scene, buzzing nightlife and well-developed infrastructure. There are activities to suit all interests and plenty of opportunities to meet other people when you are travelling.
Whilst Spanish cities are generally safe, pickpockets do operate, especially in crowded tourist hotspots and on public transport. Remain vigilant, keep your belongings close and use your hotel safe to store valuables.
Happy travels!
About Bridget
Bridget Coleman has been a passionate traveller for more than 30 years. She has visited 70+ countries, most as a solo traveller.
Articles on this site reflect her first-hand experiences.
To get in touch, email her at hello@theflashpacker.net or follow her on social media.