Things not to Miss

written by Rough Guides Editors

updated 4/27/2021

Related tailor-made travel itineraries for Spain

#01 Flamenco in Seville

The stamp of heels and heart-rending lament of a cante jondo encapsulate the soul of the Spanish south.

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#01 Flamenco in
#02 Las Alpujarras
#03 Burgos cathedral
#04
#05 Gourmet snacks in
#06 Clubbing in Ibiza
#07 Segovia
#08 Teatre-Museu Dalí,
#09 Toledo
#10 La Mezquita, Córdoba
#11 Bodegas Ysios
#12 The Alhambra,
#13 Semana Santa
#14
#15 Parque Nacional Coto de Doñana
#16 Universidad de Salamanca
#17
#18 Museo del Prado,
#19 Sitges
#20 Roman ruins of
#21 Museo Guggenheim,
#22
#23 Sagrada Familia,
#24 Sherry tasting in Jerez
#25 Las Fallas
#26 A night on the tiles,

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#02 Las Alpujarras

Drive over lemons and walk old mule paths in this picturesque region of mountain villages nestled in the southern folds of the Sierra Nevada.

#03 Burgos cathedral

Perhaps Spain’s finest Gothic cathedral dominates the likeable small city of Burgos, destined to be European City of Culture in 2016.

© Sergey Dzyuba/Shutterstock

#04 Ibiza and Formentera’s hidden coves

The islands’ little-developed beaches range from gem-like coves to sweeps of white sand. For more information, see Ses Salines and Es Cavallet.

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#05 Gourmet snacks in San Sebastián

Pintxos are kings of the tapas in the Basque region’s culinary capital.

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#06 Clubbing in Ibiza

Forget sleep, and experience everything else to excess, on Ibiza – the ultimate party island.

#07 Segovia

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At eight hundred metres long the extraordinary Roman aqueduct of Segovia is one of Spain’s most breathtaking ancient monuments.

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#08 Teatre-Museu Dalí, Figueres

The Dalí museum in Figueres is as surreal as its creator – who lies in a mausoleum within.

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#09 Toledo

The capital of medieval Spain, Toledo has changed little since its depiction in El Greco’s paintings.

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#10 La Mezquita, Córdoba

Nothing can prepare you for the breathtaking Grand Mosque of Córdoba – one of the world’s most beautiful buildings

© Jamie Farrant/Shutterstock

#11 Bodegas Ysios

Rioja region’s amazing designer temple of wine.

© Alex Barbero/Shutterstock

#12 The Alhambra, Granada

The legendary Moorish palace complex is a monument to sensuality and contemplative decoration.

© Lukasz Janyst/Shutterstock

#13 Semana Santa

Easter week sees processions of masked penitents, with the biggest events in Seville and Málaga.

© robert paul van beets/Shutterstock

#14 Santiago de Compostela

The pilgrim route to Santiago de Compostela left a swathe of Gothic and Renaissance churches, not least the great cathedral.

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#15 Parque Nacional Coto de Doñana

Doñana’s unique habitats host myriad birds and other wildlife, including the Iberian lynx.

#16 Universidad de Salamanca

Spain’s most famous and historic university sits at the heart of the gorgeous honey-coloured city.

#17 Picos de Europa

Take a hike along the stunning Cares Gorge, the most popular walk in glorious Picos de Europa National Park. For more information, see Hiking in the southern Picos: the Cares Gorge.

© Daniel Santos Gallery/Shutterstock

#18 Museo del Prado, Madrid

Spain’s greatest art museum is an obligatory visit on any trip to the capital.

#19 Sitges

Sitges is Spain’s biggest gay resort and throws simply spectacular parties, especially at Carnival time.

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#20 Roman ruins of Mérida

Wander at will around the ancient Roman ruins of Mérida, the most extensive such remains in the country.

#21 Museo Guggenheim, Bilbao

Frank Gehry’s flagship creation of undulating titanium has become one of the iconic buildings of our age.

#22 Seville

The quintessential Andalucian city with sun-drenched plazas, winding alleyways, Moorish monuments and more bars than seems remotely feasible.

#23 Sagrada Familia, Barcelona

One of Spain’s truly essential sights – Antoni Gaudí’s unfinished masterpiece, the church of the “Sacred Family”.

#24 Sherry tasting in Jerez

There are few greater pleasures than a chilled glass of fino or manzanilla, and there’s no better place to sample them than in the sherry heartland of Jerez.