1027 Best Sights in Spain

This Talaiotic site between Alaior and Son Bou comprises a complex set of stone constructions—fortifications, monuments, bottomless pits of ruined dwellings, huge vertical slabs, and taulas.

This 15th-century tower houses Vitoria's Museo de Ciencias Naturales, which contains botanical, zoological, and geological collections along with the museum's most prized items: pieces of amber from the nearby archaeological site at Peñacerrada-Urizaharra.

This is the oldest house and defensive tower in Vitoria, constructed in the 15th century beside the cathedral. Though it's closed to the public, the courtyards and winding streets that surround it are worth exploring.

Built by the Moors in 1220 to complete the city's ramparts, this 12-sided tower on the banks of the Guadalquivir served to close off the harbor when a chain was stretched across the river from its base to a tower on the opposite bank. In 1248, Admiral Ramón de Bonifaz broke through the barrier, and Fernando III captured Seville. The tower houses a small naval museum.

This fine example of Gothic architecture, constructed in 1445, was built as a private royal residence on the site of a burned-down palace. It became a prison in 1602 and was one of the only buildings to survive the destruction of Jaca during the War of Independence with France. You can't go inside.

For spectacular views, climb this large fortress—a Game of Thrones filming location—built by the Moors in the 9th century over older Roman foundations. To the south are silos, warehouses, and residential neighborhoods. To the north are green fields and brilliant flowers (in spring and fall), partitioned by a maze of nearly leveled Roman stone walls, and an ancient cistern. The castle's size underscores the historical importance of now-tiny Trujillo.

A crucial building during the medieval wars between Castile and Portugal, Tui's 12th-century Romanesque cathedral looks like a fortress. Its majestic cloisters surround a lush formal garden. Rooftop (\"Cubiertas\") tours take place every day but Sunday at 1:30 pm from July to September.

From Grazalema, the A374 takes you to this town on the slopes of the Saltadero Mountains, known for its leather tanning and embossing industry. Look for the Convento de los Capuchinos (Capuchin Convent), the church of San Pedro, and, 4 km (2½ miles) away, the ruins of the Moorish castle El Castillo de Fátima.

The university's walls, like those of the cathedral and other structures in Salamanca, often bear large ocher lettering recording the names of famous university graduates. The earliest names are said to have been written in the blood of the bulls killed to celebrate the successful completion of a doctorate (call it medieval graffiti!). The elaborate facade of the Escuelas Mayores (Upper Schools) dates to the early 16th century; see if you can spy the eroded \"lucky\" frog that's become the symbol of the city—legend has it that students who spot it on their first try will pass all their exams. The interior of the Escuelas Mayores, drastically restored in parts, is disappointing after the splendor of the facade and not worth entering unless you're a diehard Spanish literature buff. But if you are, the lecture hall of Fray Luis de León, where Cervantes, Pedro Calderón de la Barca, and numerous other luminaries of Spain's golden age once sat, is of interest, as is the grand library. Don't miss the art expositions (free entry) in the serene courtyard of the Escuelas Menores (Lower Schools) that wraps around the patio in front of the Escuelas Mayores.

Barcelona's Central University was built between 1863 and 1882 by Elies Rogent. In its neo-Romanesque style alluding, no doubt, to classical knowledge, the university's two-tiered Pati de Lletres (Literary Patio) is its most harmonious element, along with the vestibule, gardens, and Paraninfo (main assembly hall). Originally founded as a medical school in 1401 by King Martí I (dubbed "the Humane"), the university was exiled to the town of Cervera 100 km (62 miles) west of Barcelona in 1717 by Felipe V as part of his reprisal for Catalonia supporting the Habsburg contender in the War of the Spanish Succession. The town became Catalonia's version of Oxford or Cambridge until the university was invited back to Barcelona in 1823.

Fans of Bizet's opera Carmen will want to come here to see where the famous heroine reputedly rolled cigars on her thighs. At the far end of the Murillo Gardens, opposite Calle San Fernando, stands part of the University of Seville, in what used to be the Real Fábrica de Tabacos (Royal Tobacco Factory). Built in the mid-1700s, the factory employed some 3,000 cigarreras (female cigar makers) less than a century later. Free guided tours (book online only) are available on Tuesday (11 am), Thursday (11 am), and Friday (11 am and 6 pm), except in August. 

For a look at a working Basque farmhouse, or caserío, where the Urdapilleta family farms pigs, sheep, cattle, goats, chickens, and ducks, take a detour up to the village of Bidegoian, on the Azpeitia–Tolosa road. Pello Urdapilleta (which means "pile of pigs" in Euskera) sells artisanal cheeses and Basque heritage-breed pork sausages.

This town, famous for its early spring calçotada (onion feast) held on the last Sunday of January, is 10 km (6 miles) from Santes Creus and 15 km (9 miles) from Poblet. Even if you miss the big day, calçots are served November through April at rustic farmhouses such as Cal Ganxo in nearby Masmolets ( Carrer de la Font F 14  977/605960).

This perched village is a quiet respite from Barcelona's headlong race. Oddly, there's nothing exclusive or upmarket—for now—about Vallvidrera, as most well-off barcelonins prefer to be closer to the center. From Plaça Pep Ventura, in front of the Moderniste funicular station, there are superb views over the Vallvidrera houses and the Montserrat. Vallvidrera can be reached from the Peu Funicular train stop and the Vallvidrera funicular, by road, or on foot from Tibidabo or Vil·la Joana. The cozy Can Trampa at the center of town in Plaça de Vallvidrera, and Can Martí down below are fine spots for a meal.

The capital of the Axarquía is a pleasant agricultural town of white houses, mango and avocado orchards, and vineyards. It's worth a half-day trip to see the Thursday market, the Contemporary Art Centre (CAC), the ruins of a Moorish castle, and the church of Santa María la Mayor, built in the Mudejar style on the site of a mosque that was destroyed when the town fell to the Christians in 1487. The town also has a thriving flamenco scene with regular events, usually on Fridays ( www.flamencoabierto.com).

Sitting among undiscerning modern buildings in Rincón de la Victoria (22 km west of Vélez-Málaga) lies one of the best-preserved maritime Roman villas in Andalusia. Named for the Greek mythological beauty seduced by Zeus, the villa dates from the 3^rd century AD when it was home to a wealthy tuna garum sauce dealer. The large complex houses the original layout of the villa, complete with stunning mosaics (including a centerpiece of Antiope and Zeus. Excellent information panels, videos, and an exhibition of recovered artifacts provide the background to life in AD 300–400 eastern Malaga.

Unearthed by excavations in 2014, this archaeological site houses a medieval village, inhabited from the 11th to 13th centuries and sealed by earthquakes. It offers a unique insight into how ordinary people lived, with well-preserved water ducts, rooms, and stairways. The visitor center showcases 118 pieces of ceramics, jewelry, lamps, and 32 gold dinars from the Alcazaba.

Few Phoenician settlements have survived intact, but excavations underneath the Puppet Museum revealed some of the best-preserved ruins in Southern Europe. You can visit the 9th-century-BC remains and discover eight houses along two cobbled streets, complete with animal hoofprints encased in mud and clay. The site also has the remains of a Roman fish-preserving factory with saltwater pools.

This farm just outside Jerez de la Frontera specializes in Carthusian horses. In the 15th century, a Carthusian monastery on this site started the breed for which Jerez and the rest of Spain are now famous. Visits are on Saturday at 11 am, April to November, and include a full tour of the stables and training areas and a show (allow two hours). Book ahead.

A solitary watchtower dominates a crag above this village, its outline visible for miles around. The tower is all that remains of a Moorish castle where King Alfonso X once fought the emir of Morocco; the building remained a Moorish stronghold until it fell to the Christians in 1470. Along the streets you can see door knockers fashioned like the hand of Fatima: the fingers represent the five laws of the Koran and are meant to ward off evil.

The Spanish word for the Arab souk (zoco) recalls the onetime function of this courtyard near the synagogue. It's now the site of a daily crafts market, where you can see artisans at work and live music on weekends.

Barcelona's zoo occupies the whole eastern end of the Ciutadella Park. There's a superb reptile house and a full assortment of African animals.

Just west of the town center, the Jerez zoo is set in lush botanical gardens where you can usually spy up to 33 storks' nests. Primarily a place for the rehabilitation of injured or endangered animals native to the region, the zoo also houses white tigers, elephants, a giant red panda, and the endangered Iberian lynx (the only place where you can see the lynx in captivity).

Santiago Calatrava's seagull-shaped bridge (the name means \"white bridge\" in Euskera) is a few minutes from the Guggenheim. Other creations by the cult architect include Bilbao Airport and Ondarroa's Puerto Bridge.

Across the Urumea River from La Concha lies this sprawling, less touristy beach. Exposed to the open Atlantic, the beach boasts waves that are often big enough to surf—and occasionally too dangerous for kids and inexperienced swimmers. Amenities: lifeguards; water sports. Best for: surfing.

This traditional café and rendezvous point at the top of the Rambla, over the metro station, has an elegant, high-ceilinged interior. The terrace is one of the city's prime people-watching spots—but keep a sharp eye on your bags and valuables.

Built by Pedro de Ribera in 1717–30 to accommodate the Regiment of the Royal Guard, this imposing building (the facade is 750 feet long) was used as a military academy and an astronomical observatory in the 19th century. It is now a cultural and arts center with a contemporary art museum and temporary art exhibitions in some of its spaces, including the public and historical libraries. Local history professors offer free tours (in Spanish) of the building every Friday at 5 pm. In summer, concerts are held outside in the main plaza.

To get to the local tourist office, cross the arch that's across from the visitors' entrance to the monastery.

Decorated with a pageant of biblical figures, the 12th-century doorway to the church is one of Catalonia's great works of Romanesque art, crafted as a triumphal arch by stonemasons and sculptors of the Roussillon school, which was centered on French Catalonia and the Pyrenees. You can pick up a guide to the figures surrounding the portal in the nearby Centro de Interpretación del Monasterio, in Plaça de l'Abat Oliva. The center has an interactive exhibition that explains the historical, cultural, and religious relevance of this cradle of Catalonia. It also provides information about guided tours.

To reach this museum inside the Centro de Conde Duque, take the door to your right after the entrance and walk up the stairs. Founded in 2001, the museum displays 200 modern artworks acquired by City Hall since 1980. The paintings, graphic art, sculpture, and photography are mostly by local artists.