Spain’s enormous central capital, Madrid, lies on the River Manzanares and is a city of contrasts. Historical monuments like the impressive Royal Palace stand in stark contrast to state-of-the-art skyscrapers; masterpieces by Picasso, Dali and Velazquez adorn the walls of the city’s world-class galleries alongside contemporary modern works; local chefs display a passion for Spanish food at traditional eateries while chic fusion restaurants operate next door. Madrid’s real attraction lies in the seductive lifestyle of its hedonistic inhabitants; indulging in tapas, hunting for treasures at the El Rastro flea market or partying the night away in one of the many lively nightclubs. Make sure to soak up the vibrant street life of the grand, historic Plaza Mayor, Madrid's central square, and spend a leisurely afternoon on the landscaped lawns at the Parque del Buen Retiro.
The small historical city of Granada lies tucked in a crook of the snow-capped Sierra Nevada, with the River Darro flowing through its centre, in southern Spain’s Andalucia region. The world-renowned and extraordinarily well-preserved Moorish Alhambra, with its mysterious, reddish-gold, fortressed palaces and exotic gardens, presides over the city. On an adjacent hill, the Albaicin quarter consists of a warren of narrow, cobbled alleyways strewn with whitewashed houses, tiny hidden squares adorned with orange trees and fountains, traditional bars serving free tapas, and a growing number of gourmet restaurants. The third hill, Sacromonte, once a Gypsy enclave, is packed with fascinating cave dwellings hosting nightly flamenco dance performances. The city centre has a more elegant, contemporary feel with its upmarket boutiques, art nouveau flower stalls and large decorative fountains.
Resting on the plains of the Guadalquivir River in the Andalucian province of Seville, the eponymous city is a feast for the senses. Famous for its Flamenco music and dancing, celebratory attitude, tasty oranges and rich Moorish heritage, Seville has reputation for charisma. At the heart of the old city stand three must-see architectural wonders: the Giralda tower, the Cathedral and the Alcazar. The neighbouring medieval Jewish quarter is a wonderful, whitewashed tangle of alleys, bougainvillaea and jacaranda trees, while on the other side of the river Triana is home to sailors, bullfighters, and flamenco artists. Seville travel is about exploring the way of life in these culture-rich neighbourhoods, eating at famed gelaterias, sipping late-night sangrias and, of course, savouring the bitter flavour of the famous Seville oranges.
The beautiful city of Lisbon lies draped across a string of seven hills on the western Iberian Peninsula and is the westernmost and oldest city in western Europe. Its long and tumultuous history has resulted in an aesthetic characterised by a haphazard combination of old and new; however, the aesthetic chaos of Lisbon only adds to its appeal and its undeniable charm. Bright yellow centenarian trams rattle their way up steep, tree-lined, cobbled streets; ornate ironwork balconies overrun with bougainvillaea sit above elegant outdoor cafes housed in ancient whitewashed, red-roofed stone houses; and a flurry of detailed mosaics decorate the sidewalks. Ancient statues adorn grand squares and hidden gardens. A diverse culinary scene, a plethora of fascinating museums, and numerous castles make it easy to see why Lisbon is one of Europe’s most misunderstood and underrated cities.
Located in northern Portugal along the Douro River estuary, the old sailing port of Porto is a World Heritage Site and the second-largest city in the country. While retaining the timeless charm of a small town, Porto also has many of the modern advantages of a metropolis. Browse the expansive art collection at the Soares dos Reis National Museum, view the ornate interior of the Church of Sao Francisco, and explore the medieval maze of stairways and terraces in the old quarter of Ribeira. Don’t miss the chance to visit the Vila Nova de Gaia area to sample some of Porto’s famous Port wine. Other popular attractions include the 12th-century Porto Cathedral, Clerigos Tower and the Harry-Potteresque Livraria Lello bookshop, showcasing some magnificent neo-gothic architecture.
Santiago de Compostela is the capital of northwest Spain’s Galicia region and lies within the Coruna province. The endpoint of the legendary Camino de Santiago pilgrimage trail, this sprawling urban hub has been a sacred bastion of Christianity for thousands of years. The major cultural attraction here is the spectacular stone cathedral of the same name, with its elaborate facade, lofty spires, and opulent interior. The city’s old town emanates outwards from the cathedral and is home to a smorgasbord of shops, restaurants, and sidewalk cafes where you can mingle with Camino pilgrims or simply watch the city life go by. This is also the best place to soak up the unique Galacian culture - which has its own language, customs, and music. Make sure to visit the Centro Gallego de Arte Contemporáneo to see some superb contemporary Galacian art.
Between the sparkling waters of the Bay of Biscay and the majestic Cantabrian Mountains, Oviedo is a quaint and colourful cathedral city in northwestern Spain. With a grand history as the capital of the Kingdom of the Asturias since its foundation in the 9th century, this UNESCO-listed boasts a charming medieval Old Town featuring littered with examples of glorious architecture, including the Cathedral of San Salvador, a Romanesque landmark with a magnificent bell tower; the Campo de San Francisco, the majestic Oviedo Cathedral, and the Church of Santa Maria del Naranco, the church of San Tirso, the Fine Arts Museum or the Archaeological Museum, these latter two housed in the former Velarde Palace and the convent of San Vicente. Oviedo's lush central park, excellent restaurants, modern shopping streets and lively student population add to the charm of this fun, sophisticated city.
On the coast of the Cantabrian Sea lies the sophisticated, modern city of Santander. The streets of this elegant port city wind their way up through the lush, hilly landscape and provide magnificent panoramic views of the surrounding countryside and the exquisite mountains standing watch over the Cantabrian Sea. The city was initially developed as a luxury resort for Spanish royalty, politicians and aristocrats, which allowed for the development of the lavish Palacio de Magdalena, the stunning Jardines de Piquio, and the bayfront promenade fronting the Jardines de Pereda. Today the town is a vibrant tourist and student centre with avant-garde buildings, a thriving historic city centre, bustling market-filled plazas, and dynamic and boisterous nightlife.
Straddling the River Ebro, Zaragoza’s history harks back to the 25BC, when it was established as a tribute to the Roman emperor Caesar Augustus. This scenic city still reflects the influences of its founders in ancient Roman archaeological sites, while Arabic palaces bear testament to the Moors who took power in the 700s AD. Its most iconic symbol is the multi-domed Cathedral of Our Lady of Pilar, which overlooks the river and dominates the skyline with its spires, towers and turrets. The artworks of Zaragoza’s most celebrated son, Romantic painter Francisco Goya, can be found in many venues across the city. Zaragoza is also one of northern Spain’s culinary hubs, with a flourishing tapas scene and a host of progressive chefs who are constantly reinventing local cuisine by putting new and tantalising spins on traditional dishes.
Set on Spain’s gorgeous southeastern coast, the capital and largest city of the Catalonia region, Barcelona, is an exquisite, seaside metropolis. With its dizzying array of architecture and its world-class galleries and museums, artistic delights abound at every corner (most strikingly in the astonishingly whimsical structures designed by the prolific modernist architect Antoni Gaudi). Explore the winding alleys of the picturesque Gothic Quarter, take in the boisterous carnival atmosphere of the world famous, tree-lined La Rambla boulevard, or go on a gastronomical adventure through the city's restaurants. Head to one of the gorgeous white sandy beaches and when the sun sets, join the eclectic all-night party scene. Don’t miss the opportunity to see the phenomenal Sagrada Familia, take in an opera at the sublime Palau de la Musica Catalana, and watch a game at the famous Camp Nou stadium.
