Highlights of Spain in 14 days

Originally published April 17, 2020. Updated April of 2023

All images are courtesy of the Spain Less Traveled team, unless otherwise stated.

We all know that discovering Spain off the beaten path is our passion. That is why my business has the name Spain Less Traveled, because I do believe that the lesser-known parts of Spain are the country’s best secrets. But it’s also understandable why some cities in Spain are popular and why first-time visitors (and repeat travelers too!) would want to see these places.

Here are our top picks for “Spain 101,” the highlights of Spain.

If you are visiting Spain for the first time and can’t decide where to go (and how much time to spend there), I’ve got you covered. These places are favorites amongst visitors to Spain. Since they are popular, we also provided some off the beaten path tips for each place. Hopefully, this will help inspire your dream Spain trip.

And if you need even more help breaking it down, check out our “Where should I visit in Spain if….?” article that covers the top three destinations and beyond!

Even if you have traveled to Spain before and skipped some of these places, here are a few Spanish highlights that you don’t want to miss!

A suggested two-week Spain travel itinerary to see the best of the country

Spoiler alert…. you can not possibly see all of Spain in just a few weeks!

Here is a classic Spain travel itinerary, perfect for a first-time trip that provides a great overview of Spain. With about two weeks, something like this is possible. Of course, there are many other possibilities, but this is just one suggestion for a solid overview of Spain.

Of course, we’d love to work with you to customize it and plan the to Spain of your dreams. Especially if this will be your first time visiting Spain, Spain Less Traveled would love to help make sure your trip is perfect just for you. Check out the variety of professional Spain travel services we offer, from one-off consultations to ongoing support throughout the entire travel planning process through our itinerary service.

Planning your unique itinerary is only one of the many reasons why you should use a travel advisor to plan your trip to Spain. And we are happy to help!

The best of Spain: Madrid, Spain’s vibrant and authentic capital (3-4 Days)

Madrid, Spain’s vibrant and authentic capital (and largest city) is worth spending a few days. Often completely skipped, or simply used as a stopover, friendly Madrid is worth a visit in its own rite. Unique neighborhoods, a great food scene (and a city where you can sample some of the best food in Spain), world class museums, and bustling local plazas are just a few reasons to make sure you allocate at least a few days of your Spain itinerary to Madrid.

Madrid Highlights

Madrid is the perfect city for art lovers with its world class museums The Prado and the Reina Sofía Museum. Also worth a visit are the Royal Palace as well as Retiro Park for a stroll with the locals. Stop by the city’s oldest Plaza Mayor. Nearby Mercado San Miguel is a popular (and touristy) spot to try some of Spain’s local food. Nearby, Puerta del Sol is the city’s gathering spot where you can find the famous bear statue (note: during 2023 there is a considerable amount of construction in Sol).

For a great view of Madrid, looking down Gran Vía, famous for its ornate buildings, go to the top of Palacio de Cibeles. This is the ayuntamiento of Madrid, which means that houses Madrid’s city government. This has got to be one of the most beautiful city hall, buildings in the world, and with a great view from the top too!

Every Sunday, Madrid hosts El Rastro, a huge flea market (one of the biggest in the world) Starting from Plaza de Cascorro in Madrid’s La Latina neighborhood, the stalls go on for blocks and blocks. Also in La Latina is Cava Baja, Madrid’s popular street for tapas.

If you have an extra day in Madrid, a day trip to Toledo or Segovia are popular options.

(More of the best day trips from Madrid are here!)

Madrid Less Traveled

Those are just the highlights. But Madrid has so many hidden gems. If you want to visit one of Madrid’s most beautiful plazas, and one more local than Plaza Mayor, Plaza de Olavide in the city’s Chamberí neighborhood is perhaps our Madrid favorite. Madrid’s newly reopened archaeology museum is a great spot for those interested in Spanish archeology history. And the Sorolla Museum (showcasing the work of Valencian painter Joaquín Sorolla), has a beautiful Andaluz style patio.

Madrid is a great city to shop for little things to bring home from Spain. The boutique shops in the neighborhoods Malasaña and Barrio de Las Letras/Huertas carry cute locally made souvenirs and gifts. Shoes made in Spain are famous all over the world. And for many reasons: they’re comfortable, durable, stylish and adorable. For shoes “hecho en españa” the shops on on Calle Fuencarral and on Calle de Augusto Figueroa. For Spanish food products, head to some of Madrid’s more local markets. Mercado de Chamberí and Mercado Maravillas are a great place to try and buy regional products.

If you are looking for a day trip with fewer tourists, head to the town of Chinchón. Just an hour by bus from Madrid, this small town feels a world away from Madrid.

Finally, for Madrid’s up and coming tapas streets, head to Calle de Ibiza near Retiro park or Calle de Ponzano in the northern part of the center of the city. And Mercado San Fernando is a much more local option to Mercado San Miguel with food stalls from all over Spain and the world (there’s even a book shop selling books by the kilo).

Be sure to also check out the Madrid travel guide for more Madrid local tips, information about getting around, Madrid’s neighborhoods, where to stay, and more!

Barcelona: tips to see the highlights and skip the crowds (3-4 Days)

Barcelona, Catalonia is Spain’s most visited city (and second largest in terms of population). Diverse and very international, Barcelona is a unique destination that most visitors to Spain want to visit. Come here for some beach time, modernista architecture, and to practice your Catalan. You can check out the rest of our Barcelona insider tips here.

(Are you a city lover? Check out our top 30 cities in Spain too!)

Barcelona Highlights

Architect Anton Gaudí is synonymous with Barcelona. His most stunning (yet still unfinished) La Sagrada Familia is a must see in Barcelona. Reserve your tickets in advance. Once inside, it’s hard not to be blown away by his signature whimsical style and dance of light, colors, and shadows. Also well-known, you can visit Gaudís Casa Batlló as well Casa Mila and of course Park Güell.

Being a coastal city, Barceloneta Beach is perhaps Spain’s most popular urban beach. Get lost in the charming Gothic Quarter. Lively and rambunctious Las Ramblas is also very popular with tourists.

Montserrat, located in the mountains and accessible by train from the city center, makes for an interesting day trip. But the smaller city of Girona is our personal favorite Barcelona day trip. Climb its medieval walls to take in the views. If you are a Game of Thrones fan, this is a must!

Barcelona Less Traveled

Very close to Plaza de Cataluña, the Eixample neighborhood is beautiful, central and has a much more local feel. Gracia, another Barcelona neighborhood, feels more like a small village than a big city. The old bullring (bullfighting is illegal in Cataluña) near Plaza de España has been converted into a shopping area with good views (and restaurants) on top. Worth a visit for the architecture alone.

And speaking of Spanish architecture, if modernista is your style, don’t miss Hospital de Sant Pau a work of Catalan architect Lluís Domènech i Montaner. The views from the roof of Basilica of Santa Maria del Mar are some of the best in the city. And if you are looking for a less crowded beach, yet still within the city limits, Playa de Bogatell is a good bet.

And for an amazing view of the city without the crowds, head to the skyscraper of Torre Glòries. There is an observation deck.

The town of Vic, a hotbed of Catalan independence accessible by commuter train makes for a different and very unique day trip. If you have access to a car, the coastline north of Barcelona, called the Costa Brava is stunning. Wine lovers might want to head to Penedès, one of Spain’s most beautiful wine regions. Even without a car, some places such as Tossa de Mar are accessible.

Andalucía: Bucket List Southern Spain

Andalucía, the famous South of Spain has so many wonderful places to explore. Many travelers like to visit some of the region’s highlights on a highlights of Spain trip. Here are some of the region’s top sites. Warning: Andalucía will leave you wanting to come back for more and more and even more.

And we understand why!

In fact, many travelers spend their entire time exploring Andalucía. The possibilities of things to see and do in this special region of Spain is endless. (Check out the best of classic Andalucía, the best of Spain’s beautiful south, where you can download our free 14-day Andalucía Spain travel itinerary)

The best of Spain: Passionate Seville (3-4 Days)

Seville, or Sevilla, Andalucía’s passionate capital is worth spending several days in. Sizzling in the summer, Andalucía’s largest city has so much to offer visitors. Take some time to explore the city, and make sure to leave room for a day trip! Some of Spain’s best pueblos blancos are nearby!

Seville Highlights

You will want at least a few days in Seville, especially if you plan on doing a day trip. Sevilla is also a great city to just to enjoy the chill, so the less rushed the better.

Seville’s top two attractions are the Alcázar and the Cathedral. Both should not be missed, and both are best to visit early in the morning. Many believe that the Alcazar was built in the moorish style, but it’s actually Mudéjar as it was built for the Catholic King Pedro I. But the tile work and intricate carvings are so exquisite you won’t even notice this difference. The Cathedral is the largest in Spain and for fantastic views of the city as well as the orange grove in the patio below, be sure to climb to the top of the Giralda, the bell tower. Both of these are located in Barrio de Santa Cruz, Seville’s old Jewish quarter.

(For much more information about exploring Spain’s Jewish history, have a look at our travel guide to Sephardic Spain.)

Plaza de España, complete with a “river” that runs through the plaza where you can rent a boat, is an impressive monument built in 1928 for the Ibero-American Exposition of 1929. Be sure to walk around and have a look at the homage to each of the provinces of Spain.

Across the river, the Triana Neighborhood is known for its lovely market, ceramics workshops, and tapas bars. The Centro Cerámica, a more modern building, houses the ceramics museum. Triana is a pleasant walk or bike ride from the center.

From Seville you can take an organized day trip to Ronda as well as some of the pueblos blancos, but my recommended day trip is described in the next section (Seville Less Traveled).

Seville is the city to catch a flamenco show. There are several options but the shows at Casa de la Memoria tend to be a hit amongst visitors.

(Learn more about the things to do in Seville Spain!)

Seville Less Traveled

Seville is just so charming that wandering around is always a treat. Renaissance mixed with mudéjar, for even more tile work overload, be sure to also visit Casa de Pilatos, Stop by the small ceramics shop just across the street where you can buy authentic Andaluz tiles.

The area around Alameda de Hércules is where locals tend to gather for drinks and, you guessed it…. tapas. The big park sometimes hosts outdoor concerts and events.

Hip and artsy, the Macarena area is filled with great boutique shops. There is also some great street art around the neighborhood. Near by the Mercado de Feria is a great place to try some of Seville’s local flavors.

For a special day trip from Seville, we recommend renting a car for the day and exploring Spain’s pueblos' blancos on your own. True, there are packaged tours, but they tend to linger in Ronda and not spend much (if any) time in the authentically local villages. Grazalema and Olvera are two of our top picks, but there are so many others. If we had to name our favorite day trip in Spain, this would be it.

Granada: The most beautiful city in Spain (2-3 Days)

Granada, situated in the foothills of Andalucía’s Sierra Nevada mountain range, is Spain’s most visually breathtaking city.

Spend some time in Granada. And for in-depth Granada suggestions and recommendations check out our list of the top 10 things to do in Granada Spain!

The Alhambra, a brilliant Moorish fairy tale castle, all lit up, flanked in front of the snowy mountains is the signature Spain photo. We have a deep fondness for Granada.

We also have a comprehensive guide on how to visit the Alhambra. Granada is truly one of our favorite Spanish cities.

Granada Highlights

Obviously one can not go to Granada and miss the Alhambra, the best of Spain. With its palaces, gardens, fortresses, and castle, this cornerstone of Moorish architecture is on every list of best Islamic architecture in the world along with monuments such as the Taj Mahal and Abu Dhabi’s Sheikh Zayed Mosque. Visiting the Alhambra requires pre-planning and even some strategy. But it is so worth it to be experience its beauty. (I regularly share Alhambra tips and tricks to the Travel Spain! community. Make sure you’ve joined us over there so you don’t miss anything).

But Granada is so much more than the Alhambra. Make sure to spend ample time here to wander around the Albaicín, the maze of an old Moorish quarter. You will be immediately transported to Morocco. Climb to the top for the signature Spain view (see above) at Mirador San Nicolás.

While not as impressive as Seville’s cathedral, the chapel of Granada’s cathedral is where King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella are buried. And the area around the cathedra, Granada’s  centro histórico is charming.

Home of the free tapa, and where that tradition lives on the most, a tapas hop on Calle Navas is a Granada locals’ staple.

Granada Less Traveled

Just across from the Alhambra, on the other side of the hill is Carmen de los Martires, with its beautiful gardens (there are peacocks!). The site is almost like a very mini-Alhambra, and is worth a visit.

A great alternative to Mirador San Nicolás is Granada’s mezquita mayor (mosque). The grounds are impressive in their own rite, and the beautiful open garden offers the same views as the mirador with a fraction of the crowds.

Spanish poet Federico García Lorca hails from Granada, and his childhood home, which is now a museum is on the other side town, the walk there provides a much more local taste of day to day life in Granada.

For a nice walk out of town head up through Sacromonte, Granada’s Roma neighborhood, where you can see flamenco shows in caves, up to the abbey (Abadía del Sacromonte). The views of the city below are fabulous, and the abbey has underground chapels.

Córdoba (more than a day trip on your Spain travel itinerary)

While many visitors pass through Córdoba as a stopover between Seville and Madrid, not many spend more than a day there. That is a shame as Córdoba’s charm is worth spending more than a few hours. I recommend spending a night, even two.

And every May, when the city hosts its splendid La Fiesta de Los Patios, the best of Spain in terms of Spanish festivals, spend several days exploring the city and the patios!

Córdoba Highlights

Córdoba’s centerpiece is its Mezquita Mayor (mosque), which is also its cathedral. After the Catholics conquered Córdoba, they build their holy site right on top of the Moors’. Famous for its bright orange and white arches, and other staples of Islamic architecture, the alter right in the middle looks so out of place.

You can also climb the bell tower for an amazing view of Córdoba, but you need to get your tickets in the morning the day you want to go up.

Famous for its Judería, Córdoba has one of the best-preserved old Jewish quarters in Spain. It is possible visit to the old synagogue. You can even sample Sephardic food at Casa Mazal in Plaza Maimónides, where there is a statue honoring the famous Jewish philosopher, the namesake of the plaza.

Though not as impressive as the Alcázar in Seville, the gardens in Córdoba’s Alcázar should be on the list of any garden lover to visit.

From the city, you can take a day trip to Medina Azahara, the ruins of a fortified Anadluz palace city.

Córdoba Less Traveled

Some of Córdoba’s best patios can be visited year-round (outside of the dates of la Fiesta de los Patios). Palacio de Viana has many patios and gardens. Also open year-round is the Trueque Cuatro, with its typical Cordobés patio.

At Caballerizas Reales, just a little down the way from the Alcázar, you can catch an authentic Andaluz horse show.

And for an off the beaten path day trip from Córdoba, the town of Zuheros, the center of Córdoba province’s cheese and olive industry, is a hidden gem. White-washed streets and an imposing castle, this town sees very few travelers from abroad. On the way, stop at Finca Duernas, where you can see how olive oil is made and yes, even taste it.

Need even more reasons to visit Córdoba? Here are my top picks of things to do in Cordoba Spain!

So there you have it: the best of Spain for your Spain travel itinerary. Some of Spain’s most popular sites with visitors.

There is not a one size fits all answer to travel and itinerary planning. And of course, there are so many other beautiful places to explore in Spain.

The possibilities are simply endless.

Check out our other general in depth guides!

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