Spain

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TRAVEL GUIDE

Barcelona

Between the infinite variety of street life, the nooks and crannies of the medieval Barri Gòtic, the ceramic tile and stained glass of Art Nouveau

Madrid

Madrid, the Spanish capital since 1561, is Europe's city that never sleeps. A vibrant and increasingly international metropolis, Madrid has

Eixample

Barcelona’s most famous neighborhood, this late 19th-century urban development is known for its dazzling Art Nouveau architecture. Called the

Mallorca

Saddle-shape Mallorca is more than five times the size of Menorca or Ibiza. The Sierra de Tramuntana, a dramatic mountain range soaring to nearly

Seville

Seville's whitewashed houses bright with bougainvillea, ocher-color palaces, and baroque facades have long enchanted both sevillanos and travelers

Bilbao

Time in Bilbao (Bilbo in Euskera) may be recorded as BG or AG (Before Guggenheim or After Guggenheim). Never has a single monument of art and

Tenerife

Tenerife is the largest of the Canary Islands. Triangular in shape, it is towered over by the volcanic peak of Mt. Teide, which at 12,198 feet

Barri Gotic

No city in Europe has an ancient quarter to rival Barcelona’s Barri Gòtic in its historic atmosphere and the sheer density of its monumental

Granada

The Alhambra and the tomb of the Catholic Monarchs are the pride of Granada. The city rises majestically from a plain onto three hills, dwarfed

Palma

If you look north of the cathedral (La Seu, or the seat of the bishopric, to Mallorcans) on a map of the city of Palma, you can see around the

Menorca

Menorca, the northernmost of the Balearics, is a knobby, cliff-bound plateau with some 193 km (120 miles) of coastline and a central hill called

Gran Canaria

The circular island of Gran Canaria has three distinct identities. Its capital, Las Palmas, population 379,000, is a thriving business center

Sant Pere and Born-Ribera

The textile and waterfront neighborhoods are home to some of the city’s most iconic buildings, from the Gothic 14th-century basilica of Santa

Lanzarote

With mostly solidified lava, dark and disconcerting dunes, and a palette made up of a thousand earthy shades, Lanzarote's interior is right

San Sebastian

San Sebastián (Donostia in Euskera) is a sophisticated city arched around one of the finest urban beaches in the world, La Kontxa (The Shell

Cordoba

Strategically located on the north bank of the Guadalquivir River, Córdoba was the Roman and Moorish capital of Spain, and its old quarter,

Ibiza

Tranquil countryside, secluded coves, and intimate luxury lodging to the north; sandy beaches and party venues by the score to the south; a

Santiago de Compostela

You don’t need to be a pilgrim to enjoy this medieval city, which is one of the most popular and beautiful in all of Galicia. Wander down the

Valencia

Valencia, Spain's third-largest municipality, is a proud city with a thriving nightlife and restaurant scene, quality museums, and spectacular

La Ciutadella and Barceloneta

Now Barcelona’s central downtown park, La Ciutadella was originally the site of a fortress built by the conquering troops of the Bourbon monarch

Upper Barcelona

Sarrià was originally a country village, overlooking Barcelona from the foothills of the Collserola. Eventually absorbed by the westward-expanding

Malaga

Málaga is one of southern Spain’s most welcoming and happening cities, and it more than justifies a visit. Visitor figures soared after the

El Raval

El Raval (from arrabal, meaning "suburb" or "slum") is the area to the west of La Rambla, on the right as you walk toward the port. Originally

Toledo

The spiritual capital of Spain, Toledo is perched atop a rocky mount with steep golden hills rising on either side and bound on three sides

La Rambla

The promenade in the heart of pre-modern Barcelona was originally a watercourse, dry for most of the year, that separated the walled Ciutat

Eivissa (Ibiza Town)

Hedonistic and historic, Eivissa (Ibiza, in Castilian) is a city jam-packed with cafés, nightspots, and trendy shops; looming over it are the

Salamanca

The Salamanca neighborhood, one of the new areas included in the program of city expansions which started in the second half of the 19th century

Salamanca

Salamanca's radiant sandstone buildings, immense Plaza Mayor, and hilltop riverside perch make it one of the most majestic and beloved cities

Barrio de las Letras

The Barrio de las Letras, long favored by tourists for its charming buildings and mix of historic and trendy bars and restaurants, is named

Sol

This small neighborhood, built in the 16th century around the Puerta del Sol, used to mark the city’s geographic center, which today sits a

Girona

At the confluence of four rivers, Girona (population: 97,000) keeps intact the magic of its historic past; with its brooding hilltop castle

Pamplona

Pamplona (Iruña in Euskera) is known worldwide for its running of the bulls, made famous by Ernest Hemingway in his 1926 novel, The Sun Also

Mahon (Mao)

Established as the island's capital in 1722, when the British began their nearly 80-year occupation, Mahón still bears the stamp of its former

Gracia

Gràcia is a state of mind. More than a neighborhood, it is a village republic that has periodically risen in armed rebellion against city, state

Fuerteventura

Some of Fuerteventura's towering sand dunes have blown across the sea from the Sahara Desert, 96 km (60 miles) away, and indeed it's not hard

Jerez de la Frontera

Jerez, world headquarters for sherry, is surrounded by vineyards of chalky soil, producing palomino grapes that have funded a host of churches

Palacio

Madrid’s oldest neighborhood, Palacio is the home of the imposing Palacio Real. This is where Muhammad I established the city's first military

Vitoria-Gasteiz

The capital of the Basque Country, and the region's second-largest city after Bilbao, Vitoria-Gasteiz might be Euskadi's least "Basque" city

Chueca

Chueca is Madrid's "gayborhood." Noisy bars and overcrowded nightclubs are still a trademark of the area, but it now also makes for pleasant

Ciutadella

Ciutadella was Menorca's capital before the British settled in Mahón, and its history is richer. Settled successively by the Phoenicians, Greeks

Santa Cruz de Tenerife

Although this busy port city is smaller, quieter, and less attractive than Las Palmas in Gran Canaria, Santa Cruz has its own share of elegant

Marbella

Thanks to its year-round mild climate and a spectacular natural backdrop, Marbella has been a playground for the rich and famous since the 1950s

Segovia

Medieval Segovia rises on a steep ridge that juts above a stark, undulating plain. It's defined by its ancient monuments, excellent cuisine

Cadiz

With the Atlantic Ocean on three sides, Cádiz is a bustling town that's been shaped by a variety of cultures, and has the varied architecture

Malasaña

Famous for being the epicenter of La Movida, the countercultural movement that united rockers, punks, artists and other creative tribes in the

Caceres

The provincial capital and one of Spain's oldest cities, Cáceres is known for its UNESCO-protected old town and lively tapeo (tapas scene

Zaragoza

Despite its hefty size (population 680,000), this sprawling provincial capital midway between Barcelona, Madrid, Bilbao, and Valencia is a detour

Ronda

Ronda, one of the oldest towns in Spain, is known for its spectacular position and views. Secure in its mountain fastness on a rock high over

A Coruña

One of Spain’s busiest ports, A Coruña is often (mistakenly) overlooked by travelers. While the weather can be fierce, wet, and windy, it does

Oviedo

Inland, the Asturian countryside starts to look picture-perfect. Gently rolling green hills, and wooden, tile-roof hórreos strung with golden

Puerto de la Cruz

This is the oldest resort in the Canaries, but despite mass tourism, it has retained some of its Spanish charm and island character. The old

Costa Teguise

A green-and-white complex of apartments and several large hotels, Costa Teguise is a typical ’80s resort and past its heyday, although it still

Santander

One of the great ports on the Bay of Biscay, Santander is surrounded by beaches that can often be busy, but it still manages to avoid the package

Úbeda

Úbeda's casco antiguo (old town) is one of the most outstanding enclaves of 16th-century architecture in Spain. It's a stunning surprise in

Trujillo

Trujillo rises up from the boulder-strewn fields like a great granite schooner under full sail. From above, the rooftops and towers are worn

Retiro

The Retiro holds the city's best-known park, Parque del Buen Retiro, and the neighborhood’s borders extend to its east and west. The area between

Centro

Leon

León, the ancient capital of Castile and León, sits on the banks of the Bernesga River in the high plains of Old Castile; today it's a wealthy

Tarragona

With its vast Roman remains and medieval Christian monuments, Tarragona has been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The city today is

Centro

El Arenal and Parque Maria Luisa

Parque María Luisa is part shady, midcity forestland and part monumental esplanade. El Arenal, named for its sandy riverbank soil, was originally

Albayzin

Covering a hill of its own, across the Darro ravine from the Alhambra, this ancient Moorish neighborhood is a mix of dilapidated white houses

Alicante

The Greeks called it Akra Leuka (White Summit) and the Romans named it Lucentum (City of Light). A crossroads for inland and coastal routes

Ávila

In the middle of a windy plateau littered with giant boulders, with the Sierra de Gredos in the background, Ávila is a walled fairy-tale town

Vigo

Vigo's formidable port is choked with trawlers and fishing boats and lined with clanging shipbuilding yards. The city’s gritty exterior gives

Barrio de Santa Cruz

Gijon

The Campo Valdés baths, dating back to the 1st century AD, and other reminders of Gijón's time as an ancient Roman port remain visible downtown

Cuenca

The delightful old town of Cuenca is one of the most surreal looking in Spain, built on a sloping rock with precipitous sides that plunge to

Vielha

Vielha (Viella in Spanish), capital of the Vall d'Aran, is a lively crossroads vitally involved in the Aranese movement to defend and reconstruct

Cartagena

Don’t be put off by Cartagena’s outskirts, which house chemical plants and mining machinery; plunge straight into the Old Town near the port

Baeza

The historic town of Baeza, nestled between hills and olive groves, is one of the best-preserved old towns in Spain. Founded by the Romans,

Fuengirola

Fuengirola is less frenetic than Torremolinos. Many of its waterfront high-rises are vacation apartments that cater to budget-minded sun seekers

Puerto del Carmen

Most beach-bound travelers to Lanzarote head to the sandy strands of the Puerto del Carmen area, the island’s busiest resort. The small fishing

La Latina

Officially part of the Palacio neighborhood, this bustling area bordered by Calle de Segovia to the north; Calle Toledo to the east; Plaza de

Logroño

A busy industrial city of 153,000, Logroño has a lovely old quarter bordered by the Ebro and medieval walls, with Breton de los Herreros and

Laguardia

Founded in AD 908 to stand guard—as its name suggests—over Navarra's southwestern flank, Laguardia is situated on a promontory overlooking the

Almeria

Warmed by the sunniest climate in Andalusia, Almería is a youthful Mediterranean city, basking in sweeping views of the sea from its coastal

Soller

All but the briefest visits to Mallorca should include at least an overnight stay in Sóller, one of the most beautiful towns on the island,

Cambados

This breezy seaside town has a charming, almost entirely residential old quarter and is the center for the full-bodied and fruity albariño,

Torremolinos

Torremolinos is all about fun in the sun. It may be more subdued than it was in the action-packed 1960s and '70s, but it remains the gay capital

Jaca

Jaca, the most important municipal center in Alto Aragón, is anything but sleepy. Bursting with ambition and blessed with the natural resources

Merida

Mérida has some of the most impressive Roman ruins in Iberia. Founded by the Romans in 25 BC on the banks of the Río Guadiana, the city is

Plasencia

Rising dramatically from the banks of the narrow Jerte River and backed by the peaks of the Sierra de Gredos, this town was founded by Alfonso

Llanes

This beach town is on a pristine stretch of the Costa Verde. The shores in both directions outside town have vistas of cliffs looming over white

Burgos

On the banks of the Arlanzón River, this small city boasts some of Spain's most outstanding medieval architecture. If you approach on the A1

Corralejo

Most people visit this part of Fuerteventura for its magnificent sand dunes. Corralejo, a small port town, has one street of tourist restaurants

Denia

Dénia is the port of departure on the Costa Blanca for the ferries to Ibiza, Formentera, and Mallorca—but if you’re on your way to or from the

Barrio de la Macarena

This immense neighborhood covers the entire northern half of historic Seville and deserves to be walked many times. Most of the best churches

Arrecife

Although Arrecife has fully 50,000 of the 130,000 people that live on Lanzarote, this small city remains a place where life moves at a more

Carmona

Wander the ancient, narrow streets here and you'll feel as if you've been transported back in time. Claiming to be one of the oldest inhabited

Pontevedra

At the head of its ría, right where it joins the sea, Pontevedra is a delightful starting point for exploring the Rías Baixas. Its well-preserved

Getaria and Zumaia

Getaria (Guetaria in Castilian) is known as la cocina de Guipúzcoa (the kitchen of the Guipúzcoa province) for its many restaurants and taverns

Huesca

Once a Roman colony, Huesca would later become the capital of Aragón, until the royal court moved to Zaragoza in 1118. The town's university

Puigcerda

Puigcerdà is the largest town in the valley; in Catalan, puig means "hill," and cerdà derives from "Cerdanya." From the promontory upon

Antequera

The town of Antequera holds a surprising number of magnificent baroque monuments (including some 30 churches)—it provides a unique snapshot

Jaen

Nestled in the foothills of the Sierra de Jabalcuz, Jaén is surrounded by towering peaks and olive-clad hills. The modern part of town holds

Chamberi

Chamberí is a large area to the north of Salamanca. It's mostly residential but has a few lively spots, especially the streets around Plaza

Santa Eularia des Riu

At the edge of this town on the island's eastern coast, to the right below the road, a Roman bridge crosses what some claim is the only permanent

Siguenza

The ancient university town of Sigüenza dates back to Roman, Visigothic, and Moorish times and still has splendid architecture and one of the

Mundaka

Tiny Mundaka, famous among surfers all over the world for its left-breaking roller at the mouth of the Ría de Gernika, has much to offer nonsurfers

Estepona

Estepona is a pleasant and relatively tranquil seaside resort, despite being surrounded by lots of urban developments. The beach, more than

Poblenou

Converted loft spaces and cutting-edge architecture collide with handsome 19th-century residences in Poblenou. This sizable neighborhood faces

Montjuic

A bit remote from the hustle and bustle of Barcelona street life, Montjuïc more than justifies a day or two of exploring. The Miró Foundation

Astorga

Astorga, where the pilgrimage roads from France and Portugal merge, once had 22 hospitals to lodge and care for ailing travelers. Though the

Mijas

Mijas is in the foothills of the sierra just north of the coast. Long ago foreign retirees discovered the pretty, whitewashed town, and though

Cazorla

Unspoiled and remote, the village of Cazorla is at the east end of Jaén province. The pine-clad slopes and towering peaks of the Cazorla and

Benasque

Benasque, Aragón's easternmost town, has always been an important link between Catalonia and Aragón. This elegant mountain hub, with a population

Formentera

Environmental protection laws shield much of Formentera, making it a calm respite from neighboring Ibiza's dance-until-you-drop madness. Though

Haro

Haro is the wine capital of La Rioja. Its Casco Viejo (Old Quarter) and best taverns are concentrated along the loop known as La Herradura

Nerja

Nerja—the name comes from the Moorish word narixa, meaning "abundant springs"—has a large community of expats, who live mainly outside town

Triana

Triana used to be Seville’s Gypsy quarter. Today, it has a tranquil, neighborly feel by day and a distinctly flamenco feel at night. Cross over

Guadalupe

Guadalupe's monastery is one of the most inspiring sights in Extremadura, and its story begins around 1300, when a local shepherd uncovered

Cangas de Onis

The first capital of Christian Spain, Cangas de Onís is also the unofficial capital of the Picos de Europa National Park. Partly in the narrow

Benalmadena

Benalmádena-Pueblo, the village proper, is on the mountainside 7 km (4 miles) from the coast. It's surprisingly unspoiled and offers a glimpse

Besalu

Besalú, the capital of a feudal county until power was transferred to Barcelona at the beginning of the 12th century, remains one of the best

La Rioja Alta

The Upper Rioja, the most prized subregion of La Rioja's wine country, extends from the Río Ebro to the Sierra de la Demanda. La Rioja Alta

Pollença

This is a pretty little town, with a history that goes back at least as far as the Roman occupation of the island; the only trace of that period

Chamartin

This large neighborhood, which extends to the north of the city from Avenida de América, wasn’t annexed to Madrid until 1948. During the following

Santillana del Mar

Santillana del Mar has developed a thriving tourism industry based on the famed cave art discovered 2 km (1 mile) north of town—and the town

Alhambra

With more than 2.4 million visitors a year, the Alhambra is Spain's most popular attraction. The complex has three main parts: the Alcazaba

Cadaques and Around

Spain's easternmost town, Cadaqués, still has the whitewashed charm that transformed this fishing village into an international artists' haunt

Luarca

The village of Luarca is tucked into a cove at the end of a final twist of the Río Negro, with a fishing port and, to the west, a sparkling

Camprodon

Camprodón, the capital of its comarca (county), lies at the junction of the Ter and Ritort rivers—both excellent trout streams. The rivers

Lavapies

Lavapiés, which has overtaken Malasaña and La Latina as Madrid's trendiest neighborhood, has the city's highest concentration of immigrants

Tossa de Mar

Christened "Blue Paradise" by painter Marc Chagall, who summered here for four decades, Tossa's pristine beaches are among Catalonia's best

Murcia

Murcia is a busy commercial center with a charming old quarter, plenty of tapas bars, and a lively cultural scene. A particular highlight on

Puerto de Santa Maria

This attractive if somewhat dilapidated little fishing port on the northern shores of the Bay of Cádiz, with lovely beaches nearby, has white

Llivia

A Spanish enclave in French territory, Llívia was marooned by the 1659 Peace of the Pyrenees treaty, which ceded 33 villages to France. Incorporated

Deia

Deià is perhaps best known as the adopted home of the English poet and writer Robert Graves, who lived here off and on from 1929 until his death

Ainsa

Wander through the uninspiring outskirts of Aínsa’s new town until the road turns sharply upward toward one of Aragón’s most impressive walled

Ribes de Freser and Vall de Nuria

The small town of Ribes de Freser is the starting point of the famous cremallera (cogwheel) train, which connects passengers with Núria, a

Ribadesella

The N632 twists around green hills dappled with eucalyptus groves, allowing glimpses of the sea and sandy beaches below and the snowcapped Picos

Playa Blanca

Playa Blanca is Lanzarote's newest resort. Tourists come for the white beaches at Punta de Papagayo, which can only be reached by driving

Figueres

Figueres is the capital of the comarca (county) of the Alt Empordà, the bustling county seat of this predominantly agricultural region. Local

Potes

Known for its fine cheeses, the region of La Liébana is a highland domain also worth exploring for other reasons. Potes, the area's main city

Tarifa

Tarifa's strong winds helped keep it off the tourist maps for years, but now it is Europe's biggest center for windsurfing and kiteboarding

Arcos de la Frontera

Its narrow and steep cobblestone streets, whitewashed houses, and finely crafted wrought-iron window grilles make Arcos the quintessential Andalusian

Calpe (Calp)

Calpe has an ancient history, as it was chosen by the Phoenicians, Greeks, Romans, and Moors as a strategic point from which to plant their

La Seu d'Urgell

La Seu d'Urgell is an ancient town facing the snowy rock wall of the Sierra del Cadí. As the seat ( seu ) of the regional archbishopric since

Parc Nacional d'Aiguestortes i Estany de Sant Maurici

Catalonia's only national park is a dramatic and unspoiled landscape shaped over 2 million years of glacial activity. Hikers can reach the park

Mt. Teide

Spain’s highest peak and often snowcapped in the winter, Mt. Teide is visible from most of the island and from the neighboring islands of Gran

Moncloa

A large neighborhood extending to the northwest of Madrid, Moncloa includes high-class residential areas, such as Puerta de Hierro and Aravaca

La Laguna

This university town was the first capital of Tenerife. It was planned and built in a Renaissance style in 1500, a design that was later adopted

Begur and Around

From Begur, go east through the calas or take the inland route past the rose-color stone houses and ramparts of the restored medieval town of

Alquezar

As though carved from the rock itself, Alquézar overlooks the Parque Natural Sierra y Cañones de Guara and is one of Aragón’s most attractive

La Vera and Monasterio de Yuste

In northern Extremadura, the fertile La Vera region sits at the foot of the Gredos mountains, which are usually snowcapped through June. With

Lugo

Just off the A6 freeway, Galicia's oldest provincial capital is most notable for its 2-km (1½-mile) Roman wall. These beautifully preserved

Estella

Once the seat of the Royal Court of Navarra, Estella (Lizarra in Euskera) is an inspiring stop on the Camino de Santiago.

Almagro

The center of this noble town contains the only preserved medieval theater in Europe, which stands beside the ancient Plaza Mayor, where 85

Sant Feliu de Guixols

The little fishing port of Sant Feliu de Guixols is set on a small bay; Moderniste mansions line the seafront promenade, recalling a time when

Almuñecar

This small-time resort with a shingle beach is popular with Spanish and Northern European vacationers. It's been a fishing village since Phoenician

Roncal Valley

The Roncal Valley, the eastern edge of the Basque Pyrenees, is notable for the sheep's-milk cheese of the same name and as the birthplace of

Hondarribia

Hondarribia (Fuenterrabía in Spanish) is the last fishing port before the French border and a wonderful day trip from San Sebastián. Lined with

Costa Calma

As you continue south along the coast from Matas Blancas, the beaches get longer, the sand gets whiter, and the water gets bluer.

Zuheros

Zuheros, at the northern edge of the Subbética mountain range and at an altitude of 2,040 feet, is one of the most attractive villages in the

Valldemossa

The jumping-off point for a drive up the spectacular coast of the Tramuntana, this pretty little town, north of Palma, is famous for the vast

Taull

Taüll is a town of narrow streets and tight mountain design—wooden balconies and steep, slate roofs—that makes an attractive base for exploring

Santa Gertrudis de Fruitera

Blink and you miss it: that's true of most of the small towns in the island's interior and especially so of Santa Gertrudis. It's not much more

Montilla

Heading south from Córdoba toward Málaga, you'll pass through hills ablaze with sunflowers in early summer before you reach the vineyards of

Doñana National Park

The jewel in Spain’s crown when it comes to national parks, and one of Europe’s most important wetlands, Doñana is a paradise for wildlife in

Betancuria

Betancuria, set in the fertile center of the island, was once the capital of the island and has several interesting monuments. Its quiet streets

El Escorial

Outside Madrid in the foothills of the Sierra de Guadarrama, El Escorial, commissioned by Felipe II and built over 20 years in the late 16th

Parque Nacional de Ordesa y Monte Perdido

This great but often overlooked park was founded by royal decree in 1918 to protect the natural integrity of the central Pyrenees. It has expanded

Aracena

Stretching north of the provinces of Huelva and Seville is the 460,000-acre Sierra de Aracena nature park, an expanse of hills cloaked in cork

Roncesvalles (Orreaga)

Roncesvalles (often listed as Orreaga, its name in Euskera) is a small village and the site of the Battle of Roncesvalles (or Battle of Roncevaux

Sanlucar de Barrameda

This fishing town has a crumbling charm and is best known for its langostinos (jumbo shrimp) and manzanilla, an exceptionally dry sherry,

Realejo

Pasajes de San Juan

Three towns make up the commercial port of Pasaia (Rentería in Spanish): Pasai Antxo (Pasajes Ancho), an industrial port; Pasai de San Pedro

Setcases

Although Setcases ("seven houses") is somewhat larger than its name would imply, this tiny village nestled at the head of the valley has a distinct

Betanzos

The charming, slightly ramshackle medieval town of Betanzos is still surrounded by parts of its old city wall. An important Galician port in

Lorca

If you are touring the region, it’s worth a short detour to get a glimpse of Lorca, an old market town and the scene of some of Spain’s most

Sepulveda

A walled village with a commanding position, Sepúlveda has a charming main square, but the main reasons to visit are its 11th-century Romanesque

La Manga del Mar Menor

The advance of rocks and sand from two headlands into the Mediterranean Sea transformed what was once a bay into the Mar Menor (Smaller Sea

Sitges

The fine white sand of the Sitges beach is elbow-to-elbow with sun worshippers April–September. On the eastern end of the strand is an alabaster

Villafranca del Bierzo

After crossing León's grape-growing region, where the funky, floral Bierzo wines are produced, you'll arrive in this medieval village, dominated

Priego de Cordoba

The jewel of Córdoba's countryside is Priego de Córdoba, a town of 23,500 inhabitants at the foot of Mt. Tinosa. Wander down Calle del Río,

Puerto del Rosario

Fuerteventura's capital, Puerto del Rosario, has suffered from an image problem for a long time. It used to be called Puerto de Cabra (Goat

Alarcon

This fortified village (population: 148) on the edge of the great plains of La Mancha stands on a high spit of land encircled almost entirely

O Grove

O Grove throws a famous shellfish festival the second week of October, but you can enjoy the day's catch in taverns and restaurants year-round

Altea

Perched on a hill overlooking a bustling beachfront, Altea (unlike some of its neighboring towns) has retained much of its original charm, with

The Cabo de Gata Nature Reserve

The southeast corner of Spain is one of the country’s last unspoiled wildernesses, and much of the coastline is part of a highly protected nature

Baztan Valley

Tucked neatly above the headwaters of the Bidasoa River, beneath the peak of the 3,545-foot Gorramendi Mountain that looms over the border with

Salardu

Salardú is a pivotal point in the Vall d'Aran, convenient to Baqueira-Beret, the Montarto peak, the lakes and Circ de Colomers, Parc Nacional

Beget

The village of Beget, considered Catalonia's més bufó (cutest), was completely cut off from motorized vehicles until the mid-1960s, when a

Fisterra

There was a time when this lonely, windswept outcrop over raging waters was thought to be the end of the earth—the finis terrae . In fact,

Muxia

A small fishing village far off the beaten path, surrounded by the stunning rocky cliffs and virgin beaches of the Costa da Morte, close to

Tetuan

As Madrid grew dramatically in the second half of the 19th century, rough-and-tumble barrios like Tetuán got a face-lift. Today, it's main artery

Baena

Outside the boundaries of Subbética and surrounded by chalk fields producing top-quality olives, Baena is an old town of narrow streets, whitewashed

Espot

Espot is in the heart of the valley, along a clear stream, next to the eastern entrance of Parc Nacional d'Aigüestortes i Estany de Sant Maurici.

Casares

The mountain village of Casares lies high above Estepona in the Sierra Bermeja, with streets of ancient white houses piled one on top of the

Puente la Reina

Puente la Reina (Gares in Euskera) is at the junction of the two Camino de Santiago pilgrimage routes from northern Europe, one passing through

Sacromonte

The third of Granada's three hills, the Sacromonte rises behind the Albayzín. The hill is covered with prickly pear cacti and riddled with caverns

Mazagon

There isn't much to see or do in this coastal town, but the parador makes a good base for touring La Rábida, Palos de la Frontera, and Moguer

Albufera Nature Park

South of Valencia, Albufera Nature Park is one of Spain's most spectacular wetland areas. Home to the largest freshwater lagoon on the peninsula

Olot

Capital of the comarca (administrative region) of La Garrotxa, Olot is famous for its 19th-century school of landscape painters and has several

Morro Jable

The old fishing port of Morro Jable, at the very southern tip of Fuerteventura, has a long stretch of golden sand. Many more miles of virgin

Huelva

When you've had enough of Seville's urban bustle, nature awaits in Huelva. From the Parque Nacional de Doñana to the oak forests of the Sierra

Viveiro

The once-turreted city walls of this popular summer resort are still partially intact. Two festivals are noteworthy here: the Semana Santa

Agua Amarga

Like other coastal hamlets, Agua Amarga started out in the 18th century as a tuna-fishing port. These days, as perhaps the most pleasant village

Calella de Palafrugell and Around

Up the coast from S'Agaró, the C31 brings you to Palafrugell and Begur; to the east are some of the prettiest, least developed inlets of the

Alcudia

Nothing if not strategic, Alcúdia is the ideal base for exploring Mallorca's north coast, with the 13-km-long (8-mile-long) beach from Port

Ourense and La Ribeira Sacra

Despite the uninspiring backdrop of Ourense’s new town, Galicia’s third-largest city has bubbling thermal springs and an attractive medieval

Fornells

A little village (full-time population: 500) of whitewashed houses with red-tile roofs, Fornells comes alive in the summer high season, when

Ribadeo

Perched on the broad ría of the same name, Ribadeo is the last coastal town before Asturias. The views up and across the ría are marvelous—depending

Elantxobe

The tiny fishing village of Elantxobe (Elanchove in Castilian) is surrounded by huge, steep cliffs, with a small breakwater that protects its

San Vicente de la Barquera

This is one of the oldest and most beautiful maritime settlements in northern Spain; it was an important Roman port long before many other shipping

Villaviciosa

Famed for its cider, Villaviciosa also has a large dairy and several bottling plants as well as an attractive old quarter. The Habsburg emperor

Comillas

This astounding pocket of Catalan Art Nouveau architecture in the green hills of Cantabria will make you rub your eyes in disbelief. The Marqués

Yaiza

Yaiza is a quiet, whitewashed village with good restaurants. Largely destroyed by a river of lava in the 1700s, it's best known as the gateway

Baiona

At the southern end of the AP9 freeway and the Ría de Vigo, Baiona (Bayona in Castilian) is a summer haunt of affluent gallegos. When Columbus

Tui

The steep, narrow streets of Tui, rich with emblazoned mansions, suggest the town's past as one of the seven capitals of the Galician kingdom

Axpe

The village of Axpe, in the valley of Atxondo, sits in the shadow of 4,777-foot Mt. Anboto—one of the highest peaks in the Basque Country outside

Santes Creus

Sitges, with its beach and its summer festivals of dance and music, film and fireworks, is anything but solemn. Head inland, however, some 45

Padron

Padrón grew up beside the Roman port of Iria Flavia and is where the body of St. James is believed to have washed ashore after its miraculous

Santa Maria de Poblet

Alcala la Real

Alcalá la Real's hilltop fortress, the Fortaleza de la Mota, was installed by the Moors in 727 and sits imperiously at an elevation of 3,389

Ripoll

One of Catalonia's first Christian strongholds of the Reconquest and a center of religious erudition during the Middle Ages, Ripoll is known

La Rabida

La Rábida's monastery is worth a stop if you're a history buff: it's nicknamed "the birthplace of America" because in 1485 Columbus came from

Sant Joan de les Abadesses

The site of an important church, Sant Joan de les Abadesses is named for the 9th-century abbess Emma and her successors. Emma was the daughter

Sort

The capital of the Pallars Sobirà (Upper Pallars Valley) is the area’s epicenter for skiing, fishing, and white-water kayaking. The word sort

Bellver de Cerdanya

Bellver de Cerdanya has preserved its slate-roof-and-fieldstone Pyrenean architecture more successfully than many of La Cerdanya's larger towns

Fuente Vaqueros

Vilalba

Known as Terra Cha (Flat Land) or the Galician Mesopotamia, Vilalba is the source of several rivers, most notably the Miño, which flows down

Lluc

The Santuari de Lluc, which holds the Black Virgin and is a major pilgrimage site, is widely considered Mallorca's spiritual heart.

Italica

Neighboring the small town of Santiponce, Itálica is Spain’s oldest Roman site and one of its greatest, and is well worth a visit when you’re

Cova des Coloms

There are caverns and grottoes all over the Balearics, some of them justly famous because of their size, spectacular formations, and subterranean

El Toro

The peak of El Toro is Menorca's highest point, at all of 1,555 feet. From the monastery on top you can see the whole island and across the

Rastro

The Rastro area in Embajadores traces back to the last third of the 16th century, when it marked the lower part of the old city’s wall. The

San Juan de Gaztelugatxe

A recent Game of Thrones filming location, this solitary stone hermitage clings to a rocky promontory over the Bay of Biscay. A narrow, 231

Muros

Muros is a popular summer resort with lovely, arcaded streets framed by Gothic arches. The quiet back alleys of the old town reveal some well

Noia

Deep within the Ría de Muros y Noia, the compact medieval town of Noia is at the edge of the Barbanza mountain range. The Gothic church of

Blanes

The beaches closest to Barcelona are at Blanes. The Costa Brava begins here with five different beaches, running from Punta Santa Anna on the

Tahiche

Only one thing makes Tahíche a destination rather than just a place to drive through en route from Arrecife to the north of the island, but

S'Agaro

S'Agaró is an elegant gated community on a rocky point at the north end of the cove. The 30-minute walk along the sea wall from Hostal de

Bermeo

The charm of Bermeo is easy to miss if you don't park and walk from the old town to the port. Before the town became synonymous with the commercial

Montserrat

A popular side trip from Barcelona is a visit to the shrine of La Moreneta (the Black Virgin of Montserrat) and the dramatic sawtooth peaks

Burguete (Auritz)

Burguete (Auritz, in Euskera) lies between two mountain streams forming the headwaters of the Urobi River and is surrounded by meadows and forests

Monasterio de San Juan de la Peña

South of the Aragonese valleys of Hecho and Ansó is the Monastery of San Juan de la Peña, a site connected to the legend of the Holy Grail and

Covadonga

To see high alpine meadowland, some rare Spanish lakes, and views over the peaks and out to sea (if the mist ever disperses), take the narrow

Lesaka

Leboreiro

Riotinto

Aranjuez

Pastrana

San Roque

Martinet

Santa Fe

Santa Fe (Holy Faith) was founded in winter 1491 as a campground for Ferdinand and Isabella's 150,000 troops as they prepared for the siege

Pajara

Pájara, the administrative center of the southern peninsula of Jandía, has a two-block strip of boulevard and pretty wrought-iron street lamps

Salobreña

San Jose

Aragues del Puerto

Alta Ribagorça Oriental

Llessui

Bielsa

Castro-Urdiales

Mollo

Frigiliana

Calahorra

Lekeitio

La Rioja Baja

Icod de los Vinos

Attractive plazas rimmed by unspoiled colonial architecture and pine balconies form the heart of Tenerife's most historic wine district. A 3

Guadix

Today, Guadix—and the neighboring village of Purullena—is best known for its cave communities, though this was an important mining town as far

Laredo

Roncesvalles

Moguer

Garachico

Garachico is one of the most idyllic and best-preserved towns on the islands, and it's well worth a quick visit. It was the main port of Tenerife

O Cebreiro

Deserted and haunting when it's not high season (and often fogged in or snowy to boot), O Cebreiro is a stark mountaintop hamlet built around

Ripoll

Mondoñedo

Founded in 1156, this town was one of the seven capitals of the kingdom of Galicia from the 16th to early 19th century. The cathedral, consecrated

Las Palmas

Las Palmas is a long, sprawling city, strung out for 10 km (6 miles) along two waterfronts of a peninsula. Though most of the action centers

Écija

Ojen

For a contrast to the glamour of the coast, drive up to Ojén, in the hills above Marbella. Take note of the beautiful pottery and, if you're

Matalascañas

Barcelona

Between the infinite variety of street life, the nooks and crannies of the medieval Barri Gòtic, the ceramic tile and stained glass of Art Nouveau

Madrid

Madrid, the Spanish capital since 1561, is Europe's city that never sleeps. A vibrant and increasingly international metropolis, Madrid has

Seville

Seville's whitewashed houses bright with bougainvillea, ocher-color palaces, and baroque facades have long enchanted both sevillanos and travelers

Bilbao

Time in Bilbao (Bilbo in Euskera) may be recorded as BG or AG (Before Guggenheim or After Guggenheim). Never has a single monument of art and

Granada

The Alhambra and the tomb of the Catholic Monarchs are the pride of Granada. The city rises majestically from a plain onto three hills, dwarfed

Palma

If you look north of the cathedral (La Seu, or the seat of the bishopric, to Mallorcans) on a map of the city of Palma, you can see around the

San Sebastian

San Sebastián (Donostia in Euskera) is a sophisticated city arched around one of the finest urban beaches in the world, La Kontxa (The Shell

Cordoba

Strategically located on the north bank of the Guadalquivir River, Córdoba was the Roman and Moorish capital of Spain, and its old quarter,

Santiago de Compostela

You don’t need to be a pilgrim to enjoy this medieval city, which is one of the most popular and beautiful in all of Galicia. Wander down the

Valencia

Valencia, Spain's third-largest municipality, is a proud city with a thriving nightlife and restaurant scene, quality museums, and spectacular

Malaga

Málaga is one of southern Spain’s most welcoming and happening cities, and it more than justifies a visit. Visitor figures soared after the

Toledo

The spiritual capital of Spain, Toledo is perched atop a rocky mount with steep golden hills rising on either side and bound on three sides

Eivissa (Ibiza Town)

Hedonistic and historic, Eivissa (Ibiza, in Castilian) is a city jam-packed with cafés, nightspots, and trendy shops; looming over it are the

Salamanca

Salamanca's radiant sandstone buildings, immense Plaza Mayor, and hilltop riverside perch make it one of the most majestic and beloved cities

Girona

At the confluence of four rivers, Girona (population: 97,000) keeps intact the magic of its historic past; with its brooding hilltop castle

Mahon (Mao)

Established as the island's capital in 1722, when the British began their nearly 80-year occupation, Mahón still bears the stamp of its former

Pamplona

Pamplona (Iruña in Euskera) is known worldwide for its running of the bulls, made famous by Ernest Hemingway in his 1926 novel, The Sun Also

Jerez de la Frontera

Jerez, world headquarters for sherry, is surrounded by vineyards of chalky soil, producing palomino grapes that have funded a host of churches

Vitoria-Gasteiz

The capital of the Basque Country, and the region's second-largest city after Bilbao, Vitoria-Gasteiz might be Euskadi's least "Basque" city

Santa Cruz de Tenerife

Although this busy port city is smaller, quieter, and less attractive than Las Palmas in Gran Canaria, Santa Cruz has its own share of elegant

Ciutadella

Ciutadella was Menorca's capital before the British settled in Mahón, and its history is richer. Settled successively by the Phoenicians, Greeks

Segovia

Medieval Segovia rises on a steep ridge that juts above a stark, undulating plain. It's defined by its ancient monuments, excellent cuisine

Marbella

Thanks to its year-round mild climate and a spectacular natural backdrop, Marbella has been a playground for the rich and famous since the 1950s

Cadiz

With the Atlantic Ocean on three sides, Cádiz is a bustling town that's been shaped by a variety of cultures, and has the varied architecture

Zaragoza

Despite its hefty size (population 680,000), this sprawling provincial capital midway between Barcelona, Madrid, Bilbao, and Valencia is a detour

Caceres

The provincial capital and one of Spain's oldest cities, Cáceres is known for its UNESCO-protected old town and lively tapeo (tapas scene

A Coruña

One of Spain’s busiest ports, A Coruña is often (mistakenly) overlooked by travelers. While the weather can be fierce, wet, and windy, it does

Ronda

Ronda, one of the oldest towns in Spain, is known for its spectacular position and views. Secure in its mountain fastness on a rock high over

Puerto de la Cruz

This is the oldest resort in the Canaries, but despite mass tourism, it has retained some of its Spanish charm and island character. The old

Oviedo

Inland, the Asturian countryside starts to look picture-perfect. Gently rolling green hills, and wooden, tile-roof hórreos strung with golden

Costa Teguise

A green-and-white complex of apartments and several large hotels, Costa Teguise is a typical ’80s resort and past its heyday, although it still

Santander

One of the great ports on the Bay of Biscay, Santander is surrounded by beaches that can often be busy, but it still manages to avoid the package

Úbeda

Úbeda's casco antiguo (old town) is one of the most outstanding enclaves of 16th-century architecture in Spain. It's a stunning surprise in

Trujillo

Trujillo rises up from the boulder-strewn fields like a great granite schooner under full sail. From above, the rooftops and towers are worn

Leon

León, the ancient capital of Castile and León, sits on the banks of the Bernesga River in the high plains of Old Castile; today it's a wealthy

Tarragona

With its vast Roman remains and medieval Christian monuments, Tarragona has been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The city today is

Alicante

The Greeks called it Akra Leuka (White Summit) and the Romans named it Lucentum (City of Light). A crossroads for inland and coastal routes

Ávila

In the middle of a windy plateau littered with giant boulders, with the Sierra de Gredos in the background, Ávila is a walled fairy-tale town

Gijon

The Campo Valdés baths, dating back to the 1st century AD, and other reminders of Gijón's time as an ancient Roman port remain visible downtown

Vigo

Vigo's formidable port is choked with trawlers and fishing boats and lined with clanging shipbuilding yards. The city’s gritty exterior gives

Cuenca

The delightful old town of Cuenca is one of the most surreal looking in Spain, built on a sloping rock with precipitous sides that plunge to

Cartagena

Don’t be put off by Cartagena’s outskirts, which house chemical plants and mining machinery; plunge straight into the Old Town near the port

Logroño

A busy industrial city of 153,000, Logroño has a lovely old quarter bordered by the Ebro and medieval walls, with Breton de los Herreros and

Puerto del Carmen

Most beach-bound travelers to Lanzarote head to the sandy strands of the Puerto del Carmen area, the island’s busiest resort. The small fishing

Baeza

The historic town of Baeza, nestled between hills and olive groves, is one of the best-preserved old towns in Spain. Founded by the Romans,

Vielha

Vielha (Viella in Spanish), capital of the Vall d'Aran, is a lively crossroads vitally involved in the Aranese movement to defend and reconstruct

Fuengirola

Fuengirola is less frenetic than Torremolinos. Many of its waterfront high-rises are vacation apartments that cater to budget-minded sun seekers

Laguardia

Founded in AD 908 to stand guard—as its name suggests—over Navarra's southwestern flank, Laguardia is situated on a promontory overlooking the

Torremolinos

Torremolinos is all about fun in the sun. It may be more subdued than it was in the action-packed 1960s and '70s, but it remains the gay capital

Cambados

This breezy seaside town has a charming, almost entirely residential old quarter and is the center for the full-bodied and fruity albariño,

Soller

All but the briefest visits to Mallorca should include at least an overnight stay in Sóller, one of the most beautiful towns on the island,

Almeria

Warmed by the sunniest climate in Andalusia, Almería is a youthful Mediterranean city, basking in sweeping views of the sea from its coastal

Merida

Mérida has some of the most impressive Roman ruins in Iberia. Founded by the Romans in 25 BC on the banks of the Río Guadiana, the city is

Corralejo

Most people visit this part of Fuerteventura for its magnificent sand dunes. Corralejo, a small port town, has one street of tourist restaurants

Plasencia

Rising dramatically from the banks of the narrow Jerte River and backed by the peaks of the Sierra de Gredos, this town was founded by Alfonso

Burgos

On the banks of the Arlanzón River, this small city boasts some of Spain's most outstanding medieval architecture. If you approach on the A1

Llanes

This beach town is on a pristine stretch of the Costa Verde. The shores in both directions outside town have vistas of cliffs looming over white

Jaca

Jaca, the most important municipal center in Alto Aragón, is anything but sleepy. Bursting with ambition and blessed with the natural resources

Denia

Dénia is the port of departure on the Costa Blanca for the ferries to Ibiza, Formentera, and Mallorca—but if you’re on your way to or from the

Arrecife

Although Arrecife has fully 50,000 of the 130,000 people that live on Lanzarote, this small city remains a place where life moves at a more

Huesca

Once a Roman colony, Huesca would later become the capital of Aragón, until the royal court moved to Zaragoza in 1118. The town's university

Pontevedra

At the head of its ría, right where it joins the sea, Pontevedra is a delightful starting point for exploring the Rías Baixas. Its well-preserved

Antequera

The town of Antequera holds a surprising number of magnificent baroque monuments (including some 30 churches)—it provides a unique snapshot

Puigcerda

Puigcerdà is the largest town in the valley; in Catalan, puig means "hill," and cerdà derives from "Cerdanya." From the promontory upon

Getaria and Zumaia

Getaria (Guetaria in Castilian) is known as la cocina de Guipúzcoa (the kitchen of the Guipúzcoa province) for its many restaurants and taverns

Carmona

Wander the ancient, narrow streets here and you'll feel as if you've been transported back in time. Claiming to be one of the oldest inhabited

Estepona

Estepona is a pleasant and relatively tranquil seaside resort, despite being surrounded by lots of urban developments. The beach, more than

Jaen

Nestled in the foothills of the Sierra de Jabalcuz, Jaén is surrounded by towering peaks and olive-clad hills. The modern part of town holds

Santa Eularia des Riu

At the edge of this town on the island's eastern coast, to the right below the road, a Roman bridge crosses what some claim is the only permanent

Siguenza

The ancient university town of Sigüenza dates back to Roman, Visigothic, and Moorish times and still has splendid architecture and one of the

Mundaka

Tiny Mundaka, famous among surfers all over the world for its left-breaking roller at the mouth of the Ría de Gernika, has much to offer nonsurfers

Cazorla

Unspoiled and remote, the village of Cazorla is at the east end of Jaén province. The pine-clad slopes and towering peaks of the Cazorla and

Haro

Haro is the wine capital of La Rioja. Its Casco Viejo (Old Quarter) and best taverns are concentrated along the loop known as La Herradura

Benalmadena

Benalmádena-Pueblo, the village proper, is on the mountainside 7 km (4 miles) from the coast. It's surprisingly unspoiled and offers a glimpse

Formentera

Environmental protection laws shield much of Formentera, making it a calm respite from neighboring Ibiza's dance-until-you-drop madness. Though

Nerja

Nerja—the name comes from the Moorish word narixa, meaning "abundant springs"—has a large community of expats, who live mainly outside town

Guadalupe

Guadalupe's monastery is one of the most inspiring sights in Extremadura, and its story begins around 1300, when a local shepherd uncovered

Benasque

Benasque, Aragón's easternmost town, has always been an important link between Catalonia and Aragón. This elegant mountain hub, with a population

Mijas

Mijas is in the foothills of the sierra just north of the coast. Long ago foreign retirees discovered the pretty, whitewashed town, and though

Astorga

Astorga, where the pilgrimage roads from France and Portugal merge, once had 22 hospitals to lodge and care for ailing travelers. Though the

Cangas de Onis

The first capital of Christian Spain, Cangas de Onís is also the unofficial capital of the Picos de Europa National Park. Partly in the narrow

Camprodon

Camprodón, the capital of its comarca (county), lies at the junction of the Ter and Ritort rivers—both excellent trout streams. The rivers

Cadaques and Around

Spain's easternmost town, Cadaqués, still has the whitewashed charm that transformed this fishing village into an international artists' haunt

La Rioja Alta

The Upper Rioja, the most prized subregion of La Rioja's wine country, extends from the Río Ebro to the Sierra de la Demanda. La Rioja Alta

Pollença

This is a pretty little town, with a history that goes back at least as far as the Roman occupation of the island; the only trace of that period

Santillana del Mar

Santillana del Mar has developed a thriving tourism industry based on the famed cave art discovered 2 km (1 mile) north of town—and the town

Tossa de Mar

Christened "Blue Paradise" by painter Marc Chagall, who summered here for four decades, Tossa's pristine beaches are among Catalonia's best

Besalu

Besalú, the capital of a feudal county until power was transferred to Barcelona at the beginning of the 12th century, remains one of the best

Murcia

Murcia is a busy commercial center with a charming old quarter, plenty of tapas bars, and a lively cultural scene. A particular highlight on

Luarca

The village of Luarca is tucked into a cove at the end of a final twist of the Río Negro, with a fishing port and, to the west, a sparkling

Parc Nacional d'Aiguestortes i Estany de Sant Maurici

Catalonia's only national park is a dramatic and unspoiled landscape shaped over 2 million years of glacial activity. Hikers can reach the park

Potes

Known for its fine cheeses, the region of La Liébana is a highland domain also worth exploring for other reasons. Potes, the area's main city

Ribadesella

The N632 twists around green hills dappled with eucalyptus groves, allowing glimpses of the sea and sandy beaches below and the snowcapped Picos

Alquezar

As though carved from the rock itself, Alquézar overlooks the Parque Natural Sierra y Cañones de Guara and is one of Aragón’s most attractive

La Vera and Monasterio de Yuste

In northern Extremadura, the fertile La Vera region sits at the foot of the Gredos mountains, which are usually snowcapped through June. With

Mt. Teide

Spain’s highest peak and often snowcapped in the winter, Mt. Teide is visible from most of the island and from the neighboring islands of Gran

Llivia

A Spanish enclave in French territory, Llívia was marooned by the 1659 Peace of the Pyrenees treaty, which ceded 33 villages to France. Incorporated

Playa Blanca

Playa Blanca is Lanzarote's newest resort. Tourists come for the white beaches at Punta de Papagayo, which can only be reached by driving

Ainsa

Wander through the uninspiring outskirts of Aínsa’s new town until the road turns sharply upward toward one of Aragón’s most impressive walled

Arcos de la Frontera

Its narrow and steep cobblestone streets, whitewashed houses, and finely crafted wrought-iron window grilles make Arcos the quintessential Andalusian

Figueres

Figueres is the capital of the comarca (county) of the Alt Empordà, the bustling county seat of this predominantly agricultural region. Local

La Laguna

This university town was the first capital of Tenerife. It was planned and built in a Renaissance style in 1500, a design that was later adopted

Begur and Around

From Begur, go east through the calas or take the inland route past the rose-color stone houses and ramparts of the restored medieval town of

Ribes de Freser and Vall de Nuria

The small town of Ribes de Freser is the starting point of the famous cremallera (cogwheel) train, which connects passengers with Núria, a

Calpe (Calp)

Calpe has an ancient history, as it was chosen by the Phoenicians, Greeks, Romans, and Moors as a strategic point from which to plant their

La Seu d'Urgell

La Seu d'Urgell is an ancient town facing the snowy rock wall of the Sierra del Cadí. As the seat ( seu ) of the regional archbishopric since

Deia

Deià is perhaps best known as the adopted home of the English poet and writer Robert Graves, who lived here off and on from 1929 until his death

Puerto de Santa Maria

This attractive if somewhat dilapidated little fishing port on the northern shores of the Bay of Cádiz, with lovely beaches nearby, has white

Lugo

Just off the A6 freeway, Galicia's oldest provincial capital is most notable for its 2-km (1½-mile) Roman wall. These beautifully preserved

Tarifa

Tarifa's strong winds helped keep it off the tourist maps for years, but now it is Europe's biggest center for windsurfing and kiteboarding

Almagro

The center of this noble town contains the only preserved medieval theater in Europe, which stands beside the ancient Plaza Mayor, where 85

Betancuria

Betancuria, set in the fertile center of the island, was once the capital of the island and has several interesting monuments. Its quiet streets

Almuñecar

This small-time resort with a shingle beach is popular with Spanish and Northern European vacationers. It's been a fishing village since Phoenician

Costa Calma

As you continue south along the coast from Matas Blancas, the beaches get longer, the sand gets whiter, and the water gets bluer.

Sant Feliu de Guixols

The little fishing port of Sant Feliu de Guixols is set on a small bay; Moderniste mansions line the seafront promenade, recalling a time when

Taull

Taüll is a town of narrow streets and tight mountain design—wooden balconies and steep, slate roofs—that makes an attractive base for exploring

Estella

Once the seat of the Royal Court of Navarra, Estella (Lizarra in Euskera) is an inspiring stop on the Camino de Santiago.

Valldemossa

The jumping-off point for a drive up the spectacular coast of the Tramuntana, this pretty little town, north of Palma, is famous for the vast

Roncal Valley

The Roncal Valley, the eastern edge of the Basque Pyrenees, is notable for the sheep's-milk cheese of the same name and as the birthplace of

Santa Gertrudis de Fruitera

Blink and you miss it: that's true of most of the small towns in the island's interior and especially so of Santa Gertrudis. It's not much more

Zuheros

Zuheros, at the northern edge of the Subbética mountain range and at an altitude of 2,040 feet, is one of the most attractive villages in the

Montilla

Heading south from Córdoba toward Málaga, you'll pass through hills ablaze with sunflowers in early summer before you reach the vineyards of

Hondarribia

Hondarribia (Fuenterrabía in Spanish) is the last fishing port before the French border and a wonderful day trip from San Sebastián. Lined with

Sepulveda

A walled village with a commanding position, Sepúlveda has a charming main square, but the main reasons to visit are its 11th-century Romanesque

The Cabo de Gata Nature Reserve

The southeast corner of Spain is one of the country’s last unspoiled wildernesses, and much of the coastline is part of a highly protected nature

Alarcon

This fortified village (population: 148) on the edge of the great plains of La Mancha stands on a high spit of land encircled almost entirely

Roncesvalles (Orreaga)

Roncesvalles (often listed as Orreaga, its name in Euskera) is a small village and the site of the Battle of Roncesvalles (or Battle of Roncevaux

Aracena

Stretching north of the provinces of Huelva and Seville is the 460,000-acre Sierra de Aracena nature park, an expanse of hills cloaked in cork

Setcases

Although Setcases ("seven houses") is somewhat larger than its name would imply, this tiny village nestled at the head of the valley has a distinct

Pasajes de San Juan

Three towns make up the commercial port of Pasaia (Rentería in Spanish): Pasai Antxo (Pasajes Ancho), an industrial port; Pasai de San Pedro

Villafranca del Bierzo

After crossing León's grape-growing region, where the funky, floral Bierzo wines are produced, you'll arrive in this medieval village, dominated

Puerto del Rosario

Fuerteventura's capital, Puerto del Rosario, has suffered from an image problem for a long time. It used to be called Puerto de Cabra (Goat

Altea

Perched on a hill overlooking a bustling beachfront, Altea (unlike some of its neighboring towns) has retained much of its original charm, with

Lorca

If you are touring the region, it’s worth a short detour to get a glimpse of Lorca, an old market town and the scene of some of Spain’s most

O Grove

O Grove throws a famous shellfish festival the second week of October, but you can enjoy the day's catch in taverns and restaurants year-round

Sitges

The fine white sand of the Sitges beach is elbow-to-elbow with sun worshippers April–September. On the eastern end of the strand is an alabaster

Betanzos

The charming, slightly ramshackle medieval town of Betanzos is still surrounded by parts of its old city wall. An important Galician port in

Priego de Cordoba

The jewel of Córdoba's countryside is Priego de Córdoba, a town of 23,500 inhabitants at the foot of Mt. Tinosa. Wander down Calle del Río,

La Manga del Mar Menor

The advance of rocks and sand from two headlands into the Mediterranean Sea transformed what was once a bay into the Mar Menor (Smaller Sea

Sanlucar de Barrameda

This fishing town has a crumbling charm and is best known for its langostinos (jumbo shrimp) and manzanilla, an exceptionally dry sherry,

Fisterra

There was a time when this lonely, windswept outcrop over raging waters was thought to be the end of the earth—the finis terrae . In fact,

Albufera Nature Park

South of Valencia, Albufera Nature Park is one of Spain's most spectacular wetland areas. Home to the largest freshwater lagoon on the peninsula

Viveiro

The once-turreted city walls of this popular summer resort are still partially intact. Two festivals are noteworthy here: the Semana Santa

Olot

Capital of the comarca (administrative region) of La Garrotxa, Olot is famous for its 19th-century school of landscape painters and has several

Baztan Valley

Tucked neatly above the headwaters of the Bidasoa River, beneath the peak of the 3,545-foot Gorramendi Mountain that looms over the border with

Beget

The village of Beget, considered Catalonia's més bufó (cutest), was completely cut off from motorized vehicles until the mid-1960s, when a

Baena

Outside the boundaries of Subbética and surrounded by chalk fields producing top-quality olives, Baena is an old town of narrow streets, whitewashed

Morro Jable

The old fishing port of Morro Jable, at the very southern tip of Fuerteventura, has a long stretch of golden sand. Many more miles of virgin

Huelva

When you've had enough of Seville's urban bustle, nature awaits in Huelva. From the Parque Nacional de Doñana to the oak forests of the Sierra

Espot

Espot is in the heart of the valley, along a clear stream, next to the eastern entrance of Parc Nacional d'Aigüestortes i Estany de Sant Maurici.

Salardu

Salardú is a pivotal point in the Vall d'Aran, convenient to Baqueira-Beret, the Montarto peak, the lakes and Circ de Colomers, Parc Nacional

Puente la Reina

Puente la Reina (Gares in Euskera) is at the junction of the two Camino de Santiago pilgrimage routes from northern Europe, one passing through

Casares

The mountain village of Casares lies high above Estepona in the Sierra Bermeja, with streets of ancient white houses piled one on top of the

Muxia

A small fishing village far off the beaten path, surrounded by the stunning rocky cliffs and virgin beaches of the Costa da Morte, close to

Mazagon

There isn't much to see or do in this coastal town, but the parador makes a good base for touring La Rábida, Palos de la Frontera, and Moguer

San Vicente de la Barquera

This is one of the oldest and most beautiful maritime settlements in northern Spain; it was an important Roman port long before many other shipping

Elantxobe

The tiny fishing village of Elantxobe (Elanchove in Castilian) is surrounded by huge, steep cliffs, with a small breakwater that protects its

Ribadeo

Perched on the broad ría of the same name, Ribadeo is the last coastal town before Asturias. The views up and across the ría are marvelous—depending

Santa Maria de Poblet

Padron

Padrón grew up beside the Roman port of Iria Flavia and is where the body of St. James is believed to have washed ashore after its miraculous

Ourense and La Ribeira Sacra

Despite the uninspiring backdrop of Ourense’s new town, Galicia’s third-largest city has bubbling thermal springs and an attractive medieval

Baiona

At the southern end of the AP9 freeway and the Ría de Vigo, Baiona (Bayona in Castilian) is a summer haunt of affluent gallegos. When Columbus

Axpe

The village of Axpe, in the valley of Atxondo, sits in the shadow of 4,777-foot Mt. Anboto—one of the highest peaks in the Basque Country outside

Santes Creus

Sitges, with its beach and its summer festivals of dance and music, film and fireworks, is anything but solemn. Head inland, however, some 45

Calella de Palafrugell and Around

Up the coast from S'Agaró, the C31 brings you to Palafrugell and Begur; to the east are some of the prettiest, least developed inlets of the

Comillas

This astounding pocket of Catalan Art Nouveau architecture in the green hills of Cantabria will make you rub your eyes in disbelief. The Marqués

Agua Amarga

Like other coastal hamlets, Agua Amarga started out in the 18th century as a tuna-fishing port. These days, as perhaps the most pleasant village

Tui

The steep, narrow streets of Tui, rich with emblazoned mansions, suggest the town's past as one of the seven capitals of the Galician kingdom

Villaviciosa

Famed for its cider, Villaviciosa also has a large dairy and several bottling plants as well as an attractive old quarter. The Habsburg emperor

Alcala la Real

Alcalá la Real's hilltop fortress, the Fortaleza de la Mota, was installed by the Moors in 727 and sits imperiously at an elevation of 3,389

Alcudia

Nothing if not strategic, Alcúdia is the ideal base for exploring Mallorca's north coast, with the 13-km-long (8-mile-long) beach from Port

La Rabida

La Rábida's monastery is worth a stop if you're a history buff: it's nicknamed "the birthplace of America" because in 1485 Columbus came from

Bellver de Cerdanya

Bellver de Cerdanya has preserved its slate-roof-and-fieldstone Pyrenean architecture more successfully than many of La Cerdanya's larger towns

Ripoll

One of Catalonia's first Christian strongholds of the Reconquest and a center of religious erudition during the Middle Ages, Ripoll is known

Yaiza

Yaiza is a quiet, whitewashed village with good restaurants. Largely destroyed by a river of lava in the 1700s, it's best known as the gateway

Sant Joan de les Abadesses

The site of an important church, Sant Joan de les Abadesses is named for the 9th-century abbess Emma and her successors. Emma was the daughter

Sort

The capital of the Pallars Sobirà (Upper Pallars Valley) is the area’s epicenter for skiing, fishing, and white-water kayaking. The word sort

Fornells

A little village (full-time population: 500) of whitewashed houses with red-tile roofs, Fornells comes alive in the summer high season, when

Muros

Muros is a popular summer resort with lovely, arcaded streets framed by Gothic arches. The quiet back alleys of the old town reveal some well

Noia

Deep within the Ría de Muros y Noia, the compact medieval town of Noia is at the edge of the Barbanza mountain range. The Gothic church of

Lluc

The Santuari de Lluc, which holds the Black Virgin and is a major pilgrimage site, is widely considered Mallorca's spiritual heart.

Montserrat

A popular side trip from Barcelona is a visit to the shrine of La Moreneta (the Black Virgin of Montserrat) and the dramatic sawtooth peaks

Bermeo

The charm of Bermeo is easy to miss if you don't park and walk from the old town to the port. Before the town became synonymous with the commercial

San Juan de Gaztelugatxe

A recent Game of Thrones filming location, this solitary stone hermitage clings to a rocky promontory over the Bay of Biscay. A narrow, 231

El Toro

The peak of El Toro is Menorca's highest point, at all of 1,555 feet. From the monastery on top you can see the whole island and across the

Blanes

The beaches closest to Barcelona are at Blanes. The Costa Brava begins here with five different beaches, running from Punta Santa Anna on the

Vilalba

Known as Terra Cha (Flat Land) or the Galician Mesopotamia, Vilalba is the source of several rivers, most notably the Miño, which flows down

Italica

Neighboring the small town of Santiponce, Itálica is Spain’s oldest Roman site and one of its greatest, and is well worth a visit when you’re

Burguete (Auritz)

Burguete (Auritz, in Euskera) lies between two mountain streams forming the headwaters of the Urobi River and is surrounded by meadows and forests

Cova des Coloms

There are caverns and grottoes all over the Balearics, some of them justly famous because of their size, spectacular formations, and subterranean

S'Agaro

S'Agaró is an elegant gated community on a rocky point at the north end of the cove. The 30-minute walk along the sea wall from Hostal de

Tahiche

Only one thing makes Tahíche a destination rather than just a place to drive through en route from Arrecife to the north of the island, but

Covadonga

To see high alpine meadowland, some rare Spanish lakes, and views over the peaks and out to sea (if the mist ever disperses), take the narrow

Fuente Vaqueros

Leboreiro

San Jose

San Roque

Pastrana

Martinet

Llessui

Frigiliana

Aragues del Puerto

Alta Ribagorça Oriental

Castro-Urdiales

Laredo

Moguer

Calahorra

Las Palmas

Las Palmas is a long, sprawling city, strung out for 10 km (6 miles) along two waterfronts of a peninsula. Though most of the action centers

Lesaka

O Cebreiro

Deserted and haunting when it's not high season (and often fogged in or snowy to boot), O Cebreiro is a stark mountaintop hamlet built around

Icod de los Vinos

Attractive plazas rimmed by unspoiled colonial architecture and pine balconies form the heart of Tenerife's most historic wine district. A 3

Bielsa

Mollo

Salobreña

La Rioja Baja

Ripoll

Santa Fe

Santa Fe (Holy Faith) was founded in winter 1491 as a campground for Ferdinand and Isabella's 150,000 troops as they prepared for the siege

Riotinto

Roncesvalles

Écija

Ojen

For a contrast to the glamour of the coast, drive up to Ojén, in the hills above Marbella. Take note of the beautiful pottery and, if you're

Garachico

Garachico is one of the most idyllic and best-preserved towns on the islands, and it's well worth a quick visit. It was the main port of Tenerife

Lekeitio

Guadix

Today, Guadix—and the neighboring village of Purullena—is best known for its cave communities, though this was an important mining town as far

Matalascañas

Pajara

Pájara, the administrative center of the southern peninsula of Jandía, has a two-block strip of boulevard and pretty wrought-iron street lamps

Mondoñedo

Founded in 1156, this town was one of the seven capitals of the kingdom of Galicia from the 16th to early 19th century. The cathedral, consecrated

Aranjuez

Andalusia

Gypsies, flamenco, horses, bulls—Andalusia is the Spain of story and song, simultaneously the least and most surprising part of the country

Bilbao and the Basque Country

Situated in the crook of the Iberian Peninsula between Spain and France on the Bay of Biscay, the Spanish Basque Country (known as “Euskadi

Galicia and Asturias

Spain's westernmost region is en route to nowhere, an end in itself. This magical, remote area is sure to pull at your heartstrings, so be prepared

Canary Islands

The Canary Islands offer a mix of African, European, and South American cultures—and wonderfully welcoming people. Every day on the Canaries

Ibiza and the Balearic Islands

Could anything go wrong in a destination that gets, on average, 300 days of sunshine a year? True, the water is only warm enough for a dip May

Catalonia, Valencia, and the Costa Blanca

The long curve of the Mediterranean from the French border to Cabo Cervera below Alicante encompasses the two autonomous communities of Catalonia

Castile–Leon and Castile–La Mancha

Costa del Sol and Costa de Almeria

With roughly 320 days of sunshine a year, the Costa del Sol well deserves its nickname, "the Sunshine Coast." It's no wonder much of the coast

The Pyrenees

Separating the Iberian Peninsula from the rest of the European continent, the snowcapped Pyrenees have always been a special realm, a source

Extremadura

Rugged Extremadura a nature lover's paradise, so bring your mountain bike (or plan on renting one), hiking boots, and binoculars. The lush Jerte

The Murcia Coast

The Murcia Coast is markedly different from the surrounding coastal areas of southeastern Spain. Here you see the curious Mar Menor, an inland

The Costa Brava

Los Cristianos and Playa de las Americas

The sunniest (and probably tackiest) tourist area on Tenerife is the southwestern shore, where high-rise hotels are built chockablock above

Jerte and El Valle del Jerte (Jerte Valley)

Every spring, the Jerte Valley in northern Extremadura becomes one of Spain’s top attractions for its riot of cherry blossoms. Unsurprisingly

The Axarquia

The Axarquía region stretches from Nerja to Málaga, and the area's charm lies in its mountainous interior, peppered with pueblos, vineyards

Hecho and Anso Valleys

The Valle de Ansó is Aragón's western limit. Rich in fauna (mountain goats, wild boar, and even a bear or two), it follows the Veral River up

The Alpujarras

A trip to the Alpujarras, on the southern slopes of the Sierra Nevada, takes you to one of Andalusia's highest, most remote, and most scenic

Grazalema and the Sierra de Grazalema

The village of Grazalema is the prettiest of the pueblos blancos. Its cobblestone streets of houses with pink-and-ocher roofs wind up the hillside

Central Highlands

This part of the island has the most interesting geography: a drive up the winding mountain roads to the top and then down the other side takes

The Sierra Nevada

The drive southeast from Granada to Pradollano along the A395—Europe's highest road, by way of Cenes de la Vega—takes about 45 minutes. It's

The Highlands

The rivers forming the seven main valleys of the Ebro basin originate in the Sierra de la Demanda, Sierra de Cameros, and Sierra de Alcarama

The Guadalhorce Valley

The awe-inspiring Garganta del Chorro (Gorge of the Stream) is a deep limestone chasm where the Río Guadalhorce churns and snakes its way

Around Ronda: Caves, Romans, and Pueblos Blancos

Vall d'Aran and Environs

The Vall d'Aran is at the western edge of the Catalan Pyrenees and the northwestern corner of Catalonia. North of the main Pyrenean axis, it

Vallferrera and Cardos Valleys

Maspalomas and the Southern Coast

One of the first places in Spain to welcome international tourists (starting in 1962), Maspalomas remains a beach resort with all the trappings

Doñana National Park

The jewel in Spain’s crown when it comes to national parks, and one of Europe’s most important wetlands, Doñana is a paradise for wildlife in

Parque Nacional de Ordesa y Monte Perdido

This great but often overlooked park was founded by royal decree in 1918 to protect the natural integrity of the central Pyrenees. It has expanded

Mallorca

Saddle-shape Mallorca is more than five times the size of Menorca or Ibiza. The Sierra de Tramuntana, a dramatic mountain range soaring to nearly

Tenerife

Tenerife is the largest of the Canary Islands. Triangular in shape, it is towered over by the volcanic peak of Mt. Teide, which at 12,198 feet

Menorca

Menorca, the northernmost of the Balearics, is a knobby, cliff-bound plateau with some 193 km (120 miles) of coastline and a central hill called

Gran Canaria

The circular island of Gran Canaria has three distinct identities. Its capital, Las Palmas, population 379,000, is a thriving business center

Lanzarote

With mostly solidified lava, dark and disconcerting dunes, and a palette made up of a thousand earthy shades, Lanzarote's interior is right

Ibiza

Tranquil countryside, secluded coves, and intimate luxury lodging to the north; sandy beaches and party venues by the score to the south; a

Fuerteventura

Some of Fuerteventura's towering sand dunes have blown across the sea from the Sahara Desert, 96 km (60 miles) away, and indeed it's not hard