Our top cathedrals to visit in Spain
Published February 21st 2024 by Carlos Casuso, updated March 8th 2024
All photos are by the Spain Less Traveled team unless othewise noted.
Cathedrals are always a standing point in the skyline of almost every city in Spain.
Which cathedrals are worth visiting in Spain?
Did you know that Spain has a total of 107 cathedrals? This comes as no surprise as it has one of the longest Catholic traditions in the world. And when visiting a city, you’ll often start your tour with a cathedral.
Even if you are not Catholic or religious, visiting cathedrals is in many cases a central part of your travel itinerary as these buildings are architecturally stunning!
But which cathedrals are some of our favorites? Here is a list that the Spain Less Traveled team compiled based on architecture, history, and the “wow factor.”
Our top 21 favorite cathedrals in Spain
Sevilla
Sevilla can justly claim that it has the largest Gothic church in the world.
Local tradition state than when the Cathedral Chapter decided to build it they said: "Let us build a church so beautiful and so grand that those who see it finished will take us for mad”. And mad they were, as by the time of its completion in the 16th century, Seville had largest cathedral in the world.
The mostly Gothic church was built on top of a 12th century mosque. From that time it only keeps the courtyard (Patio de los Naranjos) and the minaret, that with a Baroque top added in the 17th century became the Giralda, the most famous landmark of the city.
The interior is huge and houses many artistic gems, such as the main altarpiece, by artist Pierre Dancart, the modernist style tomb of Christopher Columbus, by sculptor Arturo Mélida, and the finely carved wooden choir.
For tickets, go to the official website. There are different visits you can book, and we especially recommend the guided tour of the rooftops (“Las Cubiertas”).
2. Córdoba
The mindblowing mix of styles in Córdoba’s Mosque-Cathedral
Several cathedrals in Spain were built using existing mosques from the Al-Andalus times, but the original traces disappeared. Not in Córdoba, as the Christian church only destroyed the central section of the mosque, leaving the surrounding forest of arches intact. Curiously, the 8th century mosque was built on top of a visigothic chirstian church. So talk about layers…
The interior is magnificent. with hundreds of arches creating amazing perspectives. The Mihrab, the wall oriented to Mecca, becomes a marvel of geometry with its many lobed arches. As in Seville, the mosque courtyard was transformed into Patio de los Narnajos, and the minaret used as bell tower with a Baroque top.
For visiting, it’s recommended to buy tickets in advance at the official website. That way you’ll avoid the lines. You need a separate time ticket to climb the tower. The mosque is free every day from 8:30 am to 9:30 am, but you’ll have to exit before that time. Trust us, you’ll want more time there!
3. Cádiz
Enjoying the beach and a beautiful cathedral’s silhouette… Only in Cádiz.
In the 18th Century, Cádiz was one of the richest cities in Spain, due to the trade with the colonies in the Americas. This made that the original cathedral (Iglesia de la Santa Cruz) became small. Instead of building on top of it, the new cathedral was built close to it.
The church was in construction for 116 years, causing that the original design in the Baroque style by Vicente Acero, evolved with Rococo and Neoclassical elements. The interior is spectacular, with its white architectural elements, although not in the best shape. You can climb one of the twin towers, with amazing views of the city.
4. Granada
Renaissance architecture at its glory in Granada’s cathedral.
The Granada Cathedral was also built on top of the former mosque, after the city was taken by the christians in 1492. It’s one of the purest Renaissance stlye cathedrals in Spain, althougn it has some Baroque elements too. Construction started in 1518, with an original Late Gothic design by Enrique Egas. By the time of its completion in 1699, finantial issues left one of the bell towers unbuilt.
The interior is cavernous, with elaborate white vaults. It’s beautifully preserved and lighted, making it a must visit. King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella are buried there too. You will need to buy a separate ticket for the royal chapel if you want to see where Ferdinand and Isabella are entombed as that is not included in a general cathedral visit. All tickets can be purchased in advance at the official website.
5. Málaga
The incomplete but gorgeous exterior of Málaga’s cathedral.
We end our trip through Andalusian cathedrals, with Málaga. As in many of the cases we have seen, Málaga cathedral was also built on top of a mosque.
The construction of the Cathedral of Málaga began in 1528, with a desing by Renaissance master Diego de Siloé. In 1588 the cathedral was consecrated, although it wasn’t completed. The works were halted for almost a century, and were continued in early 18th century. The construction was funded by a special tax applied to ships arriving to the port, but by 1776 King Charles III decided to use that money to fund the American revolution against Britain. This left the church incomplete, with just one of the bell towers built.
The exterior is quite elegant, with a very decorated (and gorgeous) façade. It’s especially beautiful at night, as it’s very well lighted.
As in Seville, there is a great tour of the rooftops (“Las Cubiertas”) that we recommend. As the tours are guided and timed, we recommend you book them in advance through the official website.
6. Plasencia
“Catedral Nueva” (The new one), one of Plasencia’s adjacent cathedrals.
Curiously, the largest and most beautiful cathedral in Extremadura is neither in Cáceres or Badajoz (the capitals of the two provinces that form this region), but in Plasencia.
And it’s not one cathedral, but two. “Catedral Vieja” (the old one) started construction in early 13th century, so it shows very well the transition between Romanesque and Gothic styles. It also has a charming and quiet cloister. “Catedral Nueva” (the new one) was built next to the old one, but it’s not connected to it.
Construction began in 1498, in the Renaissance stlye. The interior is splendid, with very intricate vaults, contrasting with the austere interior of “Vieja”. The wooden choir is amazing, one of the finest in Spain.
Plasencia is an off the beaten path destination, so you don’t need to book tickets in advance.
7. Toledo
In Catholic hierarchy, Toledo’s cathedral is the most important in Spain.
In Castilla-La Mancha, Toledo’s Cathedral is the most important cathedral in Spain. It’s considered “Catedral Primada”, a title given by King Fernando and Queen Isabella in the 15th century. The origin of this cathedral is a Visigotic church of the 6th century, After the muslim occupation of the peninsula it became a mosque, and after the return of Cristians rule, the new cathedral was built on top of it.
The cathedral is in the Gothic style, with some Mudejar elements. Seen from the exterior it looks relatively low, mostly due to the very high bell tower. In this case the planned second tower wasn’t built by money shortage, but for ground’s instability.
In the interior shows a very pure Gothic style, with very simple vaults. In contrast, you’ll find the amazing “Transparente”, an exuberant Baroque chapel designed to bring light into the ambulatory.
Toledo is one of the most popular day trips from Madrid and the cathedral is a true gem.
To visit it, the box office is in a store across the street from the main entrance. And you can also book tickets in advance in the official website.
8. Segovia
Beautiful vaults of Segovia’s cathedral.
North of Madrid, in Castilla y León, Segovia is famous for two monuments: The Roman Aqueduct and the Alcazar. Just in between, in the heart of the UNESCO listed old city, you’ll find the cathedral. The cathedral’s construction started in 1525, and lasted “just” 52 years. (a fast construction in those times). So it shows a very consistent Late Gothic style. The reason for this speed was that the old cathedral was destroyed during the “comuneros” rebellion and the church needed its cathedral to reinforce its power.
The interior is lavish, with very intricate vaults and decoration. The stained glasses, in the Manierist and Baroque styles are also remarkable. You can also visit the beautiful cloister. As you walk around the cathedral you can appreciate scluptures and paintings from masters such as Churriguera, Berruguete or Sabatini.
They are different types of entrance tickets, depending of if you want a guided visit or not. You can also climb the tower for an extra fee. You can book tickets online, but it’s not as popular so you can usually get your tickets on the spot.
Segovia is also a popular day trip from Madrid.
9. Salamanca
“Torre del Gallo” (Tower of the Rooster) is the most famous feature of Salamanca’s cathedral.
As in Plasencia, Salamanca, also in Castilla y León, has two cathedrals, one next to the other.
“Catedral Vieja” (the old one) was built in the span of more than 250 years, so it shows a variety of styles, Romanesque and Gothic being the most important. The most important feature is the dome called “Torre del Gallo” or Tower of the Rooster (Shown on the right in the photo above). It’s an exquisite stone work, one of the finest examples of Romanesque architecture in Spain.
In the 16th century Salamanca had grown a lot, due mostly for the importance of its university. So they decided to built a new larger cathedral. The construction lasted 200 years, so you can see a mix of styles, mainly Gothic, Plateresque (Spanish version or Renaissance), and Baroque.
In 1992 one of the entrance doors was restored. To follow the tradition that adds a contemporary element in each restoration, a carved astronat was included, making it very popular.
You can tour both cathedrals, as well as the cloister and the Episcopal Palace.
10. Burgos
The elegant structure of Burgos cathedral stands proud above this quiet city.
In 1984, Spain got its first first five monuments added to the UNESCO World Heritage Site list. One of the five was the Cathedral of Burgos. So you can see how important this building is, for artistic and historical merits.
The construction of the cathedral started in 1221, on top of a Romanesque church from the 11th century. It was designed in the French Gothic style, so you can see some similarities with the cathedrals in Paris or Reims. It’s a very elegant building, with many clever architectural solutions, especially to solve the slope terrain where the church is located.
In the interior you can find very fine works of art, and two curiosities: The tomb of El Cid and his wife Jimena (El Cid is an important historical and literary military figure from the 11th century), and the “Papamoscas”, a funny automat from the 18th century that goes out every hour to toll a bell.
You will often see pilgrims on their Camino de Santiago stopping by.
11. León
The stained glass windows of Leon’s cathedral are not just the best in Spain, but one of the most important in Europe.
Leon cathedral, one of the finest examples of Gothic architecture in Spain is famous mostly for its spectacular stained glass. Together with the cathedral of Chartres, it’s considered the finest group of stained glass in the world. They are all originals, from the 13th to 16th centuries. In total there are 134 windows and 3 large rosettes, with a total surface of 1764 square meters. With such a large amount of glass, the interior feels incredibly airy.
Another particularity of this cathedral is that it was built on top of Roman baths. Leon was a very important city during the Roman times. The name “león” comes from the Latin “Legio”, and of course it also refers to the animal. There are some uncovered elements from that time in the cathedral’s crypt.
León is an off the beaten path city that you won’t need to buy cathedral tickets in advance.
12. Santiago de Compostela
Pilgrims doing the Camino will never forget the beautiful façade of Santiago’s cathedral.
The cathedral of Santiago de Compostela in Galicia is the most visited church in Spain, not just because of its artistic merits (it has plenty), but because it is the final point of the Camino, that is taken for almost half a million persons every year. Watching the pilgrims arrive into the plaza in front of the cathedral, singing and weeping, is a moving experience.
The whole church is built around the tomb of the apostle James. Tradition says that the tomb was discovered in the 9th century, and a church was built to worship it. That church was burn to the ground by the Moors and the present church started construction in 1075, therefore the interior style is Romanesque. The main façade is Baroque, as it was built in the 18th century to protect the jewel of the Cathedral: The “Pórtico de la Gloria”, the former entrance. This incredible masterpiece of Romanesque art underwent a delicate restoration during many years, but it has been unveiled recently, and it’s an absolute must-visit in the city.
The entrance to the cathedral is free. There is a separate line for pilgrims or visitors that want to see the apostle’s tomb and “hug” his statue. To visit the “Pórtico”, you need to buy a ticket that includes also the museum. Since the entrance is timed and limited (only 25 people every hour), we recommend getting the tickets well in advance.
13. Oviedo
The lone tower of Oviedo’s cathedral, one of the tallest in Northern Spain.
The capital of Asturias has one of the most elegant cathedrals in Northern Spain. Although its origins date back to the 9th century, the present building was erected between the 14th and 16th centuries, therefore its architecture is mainly Gothic.
In the exterior, its main feature is that the double entrance, with some exterior arches that form a nartex protecting the actual entrance of the church. A well thought feature for a rainy city as Oviedo. The original design had two twin bell towers, but as in many cases we have already seen, money was only left for one tower.
The interior is not very tall, compared to other Gothic churches, but it has very pure ane elegant lines. The most important part inside is the “Camera Sancta”, the only remaining part of the original Romanesque construction, and that contains very important relics.
14. Vitoria
The modest cathedral of Vitoria reads like an architectural treat. (Photo courtesy of Canva Pro)
Vitoria, the administrative capital of Basque Country, has two cathedrals (“Vieja” and “Nueva”, of course), but in this case, they are at completely separate parts of the city. We’ll talk about “Catedral Vieja”, the old one.
This cathedral was built in the 13th century, and let’s say that the constructors were not the best. The cathedral has had structural and conservation problems. In 1994, a stone from an arch felt down during a mass celebration. The restoration is still ongoing, but you can still visit the cathedral.
The restoration has helped to create a very interesting visit, since you can access parts of the church that are normally closed in other churches. The visit starts in the catacombs and ends in the roof. You can even visit the high galleries for an unusual view of the church from the top.
As these visits have a limited capacity, we recommend you book your visit in advance at the official website.
15. Zaragoza
Zaragoza’s cathedral reflects in the Ebro river.
Tradition says that in 40 AD, the Virgin Mary appeared to St James in the banks of the Ebro river. At that time Zaragoza was Cesar Augusta, one of the most important cities in Roman Hispania. A church was quickly built in the point, becoming the first church devoted to Mary in history.
Nothing remains from that church. In its place we have this magnificent basilica or Baroque style. You will be surprised by its size. Everything is huge: the façade, the towers, the spacious interior. Even the plaza in front of the church is inmense, one of the largest in Spain.
In the interior you can see some early frescoes by Goya, as well as two bombs that were dropped inside the church during the Spanish Civil War, but didn’t explode. The entrance to the basilica is free.
And of course, it’s not the sole cathedral in Zaragoza. Across the square you’ll find “La Seo”, the city’s other cathedral, in Gothic style.
16. Teruel
The awesome geometry of Teruel’s cathedral mudejar-style roof.
Teruel is a sleepy little city in the south of Aragon, so sleepy that many say it doesn’t exist. (Jokes apart, there is a local political party named “Teruel Existe”.
The most important features of the city are its “mudéjar” monuments. Mudéjar is the architecture made by muslim artists and artisans that facing explusion or death when their cities were taken by Christians, converted to Christianism.
One of this monuments (inscribed in UNESCO’s World Heritage List) is the cathedral, and particularily its ceiling. This cathedral doesn’t have a stone cover, but one made of wood. And it’s an exquisite piece or art. The geometry used to design it is incredible, and the use of textures and colors make it unique. The rest of the church pales in comparison, except for the bell tower, another Mudejar masterpiece.
17. Murcia
Murcia’s cathedral spectacular façade is even more beautiful at night.
Murcia’s cathedral is a curious case. The interior is a beatiful Gothic church, but not more beautiful than many others. What makes it really special are its two main exterior elements:
The bell tower, the second tallest in Spain after Seville’s Giralda. It’s a combination of styles, Renaissance in the lower parts and Baroque in the top. You can see it from eveywhere in the city.
The façade, a masterpiece of Baroque architecture, was built in the 18th century, and serves as an altar facing the city. It’s a marveolus composition made of architectural elements and sculptures, advertising the might of the Church. Watching it is like watching the stone dancing. The façade is currently being restored, so it’s fullt covered by scaffolding. It’s expected to be over by the end of 2024.
There is an entrance fee to access the cathedral and the museum, but you don’t need to get the tickets in advance.
18. Valencia
Glazed colored tiles cover the domes of Valencia’s cathedral.
The mix of styles in Valencia’s cathedral is so big that it can look like different churches depending from where you see it. The entrance from Plaza de La Reina is Baroque, and very similar to the façade in Murcia’s cathedral. But if you access from Plaza de la Virgen you’ll see a pure Gothic entrance. And if you go around, you might believe you are passing by Rome’s Colosseum.
The inside is more regular, mostly in Gothic style, although with a lower ceiling height. But you will find many Baroque elements.
But the most famous part of the cathedral is “Capilla del Santo Cáliz”, a small Gothic chapel close to the entrance where you can see the Holy Grail, or at least what tradition says it is.
Be sure to climb the bell tower for awesome views of Valencia down below!
19. Barcelona
No, Sagrada Familia is not Barcelona’s cathedral. It’s this beautiful Gothic church.
Many visitors believe that the Sagrada Familia church (Gaudí’s masterpiece) is Barcelona’s cathedral. But it isn’t. Barcelona, Catalonia, has a beautiful gothic cathedral in the middle of the gothic quarter (no coincidence there!).
The cathedral was built during 14th and 15th centuries, in the style called Catalan Gothic, a more proportioned style than the French Gothic present in other Spanish cathedrals. Therefore the buidling looks wider as the height is reduced to achieve more harmonious proportions.
The main façade is Neo-Gothic, and was completed in 1913, as the original façade was flat and not very impressive.
As everything in Barcelona, the entrance ticket is more expensive than in other cities, but it allows access to the roof. There is a ticket for twice the price that allows the visit after hours, when the general visit is over, therefore with less visitors. All tickets can be booked in advance through the official website.
20. Girona
The fortress-like cathedral of Girona dominates the city.
When you see it from the outside, Girona’s cathedral looks more like a fortress than a church. It’s a block-like building, where the only decorative elements are the Baroque façade, and the Renaissance tower.
The inside is also very different from what you see. it’s Gothic, but it only has one nave, the second widest in the world, only surpassed by St Peter’s in Rome. As windows are small, the interior is relatively dark, and the dark stone used give sit a cave-like ambiance.
The cloister is gorgeous, built in the 11th century in pure Romanesque style.
One fun trivia: The main façade and the stairs in front were used as a location for Game of Thrones, as well as other parts of the city. There are many Game of Thrones themed tours offered in Girona, one of the most popular day trips from Barcelona.
21. Palma de Mallorca
The ship-like shape of Mallorca’s cathedral contains many treasures, including one of Gaudì’s early works.
And we end our trip in the Balearic islands with the Cathedral of Palma de Mallorca on the largest island of Mallorca.
Seen from outside, this cathedral has a peculiar shape, like a ship, as there are no high towers or pinnacles. It was built in the Catalan Gothic style, aiming for a wide space in the interior. But don’t be fooled, with a height of 44 meters, the central nave is the third tallest Gothic nave in the world. Taller than Reims, Amiens and Notre Dame of Paris. (The tallest one is Beauvais).
The church underwent some renovations in the early 20th century, with the addition of a beautiful central altarpiece designed by Gaudì. And on one side you’ll find a beautiful modern chapel by Mallorca-born artist Miquel Barceló.
Be sure to pay close attention to the stained glass inside. When the sun hits it, it creates beautiful colors and light!
Inspired by these cathedrals in Spain?
And want to weave some of them into your Spain travel itinerary?
As you can see, you can find great cathedrals all over the country. But since you can´t visit them all in a single trip, the challenge is to choose what suits better your interests and travel style. And that’s where having a Spain travel planning professional working for you is essential. To help you define a Spain travel itinerary custom made for you.
Spain Less Traveled offers several levels of Spain traveling planning services. Spain Less Traveled can work with all different types of travelers and travel planners, from those who want our full support throughout the entire travel planning process to those who simply need to talk with a Spain destination specialist to assist with specific aspects of travel planning.
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