Where to go in Spain

The beautiful city of Barcelona is considered the capital of Modernism, home to a wide range of impressive architecture, including many monuments designed and built by Antoni Gaudi like Sagrada Familia, La Pedrera, Casa Batllo, and the fantastical Park Guell. Among its magnificent buildings, the gothic-style Barcelona Cathedral often causes jaws to drop. It’s a shopping enthusiast’s dream, with everything from antique shops and boutique designers to big-name stores. When it comes to cuisine, it ranks high on the list as a popular destination for foodies. One could spend hours browsing the many food markets with La Boqueria Market in particular a standout for sampling Catalan fare. It hosts over 70 fruit and vegetable stalls, lots of fresh seafood, and jamon (cured ham). Don’t miss a stroll through animated Las Ramblas, a wide, shady boulevard with lots of action, including street performances. And, there are over two miles of sandy shoreline to enjoy too.

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Historic Seville, known as the ‘City of Flamenco’ is the perfect place to delve into Spanish culture, complete with Moorish architecture, bullfighting, and Flamenco dancing. If you’ve ever wanted to watch or even learn the dance yourself, this is the place to do it. It’s home to the 15h-century Seville Cathedral, the world’s largest gothic-style church, where you’ll find the tomb of Christopher Columbus, along with countless other impressive sights. You won’t want to miss the Royal Alcazar of Seville with over a millennium of history dating back to Moorish times. The oldest residence in Europe still in use, the country’s royal family still calls it home when on official visits to Seville. It’s worth exploring the atmospheric old quarters and visiting Plaza de Espana, the city’s most famous square, a landmark example of Regionalism architecture that combines elements of Baroque Revival, Renaissance Revival, and Moorish Revival styles.

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San Sebastian is a renowned food city and was named one of Europe’s two cities of culture for 2016, yet it’s often overlooked by tourists. Located along Spain’s northern coast as part of the Basque Autonomous Community, there are many reasons to visit. The food scene has been called one of the best in the world, with its streets not only filled with pintxos bars, the Basque equivalent of tapas, but there are more Michelin stars per square meter than any other city with the exception of Tokyo. You might want to take a food tour to sample it all, including items like local spider crab, stewed rabbit, and txakoli wine while learning about the history of the cuisine. There are beautiful beaches like Concha, the symbol of the city, considered one of the prettiest in all of Europe. As it’s a long stretch, it’s a top spot for tranquil walks.

One of Spain’s oldest cities, Ronda has prehistoric origins, not to mention spectacular beauty. It sits above a deep ravine, surrounded by lush river valleys, setting a striking scene that’s sure to take your breath away when you first catch a glimpse. There are remains of prehistoric settlements that date to the Neolithic Age spread throughout the city, like the cave paintings of Cueva de la Pileta. Still unknown to most travelers, they were discovered in 1905 and date back 30,000 years. Ronda also hosts 13th-century Arabic baths in its old Arab quarter that are considered the most well-preserved in all of Spain, with a large cauldron that heated the water still visible and in good condition. The home of modern-day bullfighting, the city’s famed Maestranza bullring is one of the country’s oldest and most picturesque. Other highlights include the La Sangre de Ronda wineries and Santa Maria church.

Bilbao isn’t known as a popular tourist destination but there are many reasons to visit. Located in the northwest region of Spain, it makes an ideal base for exploring the Basque countryside and Cantabrian mountains while offering plenty of its own. Enjoy the laid-back, artsy vibe as you stroll the streets, and don’t miss Guggenheim Museum, impressive inside and out. The sculpture-like structure made up of glass, titanium, and limestone represents a stunning example of some of the most groundbreaking 20th-century architecture with an innovative design and audacious configuration. One of the largest museums in Spain, the modern art exhibited inside includes permanent and visiting exhibits by Spanish and international artists. A highlight is Richard Serra’s monumental ‘A Matter of Time’ sculpture that required a special large hall for the massive steel pieces. Bilbao is also the country’s cod capital, making it a must-try while you’re here, along with the foodie favorites, pintxos.