# Things to do in Spain: best places to visit > Spain's headline sights: the Sagrada Família, Park Güell and the Gothic Quarter in Barcelona; the Prado, the Royal Palace and Retiro Park in Madrid, with historic Toledo and Segovia nearby; the cathedral, Giralda and Alcázar in Seville, with a day trip to the Mezquita of Córdoba; the Alhambra and the Albaicín in Granada; the City of Arts and Sciences in Valencia; the Alcazaba, the Picasso Museum and the Costa del Sol beaches in Málaga; and on the island of Mallorca, Palma's Gothic cathedral, mountain Valldemossa and Sóller with its vintage train. AVE high-speed trains link the mainland cities: Madrid to Barcelona, Seville or Málaga takes about two and a half hours and to Valencia under two, while flights to Mallorca from Barcelona and Madrid take about an hour. Web page: https://yesgo.io/spain ## Cities - [Barcelona](https://yesgo.io/spain/barcelona.md): 30 places with the YesGo score - [Madrid](https://yesgo.io/spain/madrid.md): 15 places with the YesGo score - [Valencia](https://yesgo.io/spain/valencia.md): 5 places with the YesGo score - [Seville](https://yesgo.io/spain/seville.md): 8 places with the YesGo score - [Granada](https://yesgo.io/spain/granada.md): 6 places with the YesGo score - [Málaga](https://yesgo.io/spain/malaga.md): 10 places with the YesGo score - [Palma de Mallorca](https://yesgo.io/spain/palma.md): 6 places with the YesGo score ## Itineraries across the country - [7 days in Spain: an itinerary by city](https://yesgo.io/spain/in-7-days.md): The Sagrada Família and Gothic Quarter, the Prado and Royal Palace, Seville's cathedral, Giralda and Alcázar: a week linked by fast trains, with no doubling… ## Top places across the country - [Sagrada Família](https://yesgo.io/spain/barcelona/sagrada-familia.md), Barcelona: YesGo score 69/100 (Yes, go) · 2 h · Paid. The Sagrada Família is Antoni Gaudí's masterpiece and Barcelona's most visited sight: work began in 1882 and is still going. Entry is by… - [Alhambra](https://yesgo.io/spain/granada/alhambra.md), Granada: YesGo score 60/100 (Yes, go) · 3 h · Paid. The Alhambra is a palace and fortress complex on a hill above Granada and Europe's most famous monument of Moorish architecture. Building… - [Santiago Bernabéu Stadium](https://yesgo.io/spain/madrid/santiago-bernabeu.md), Madrid: YesGo score 56/100 (Yes, go) · 1 h 45 min · Paid. The Santiago Bernabéu has been Real Madrid's home since 1947 and is one of the world's most famous football grounds. A major rebuild gave… - [Plaza de España](https://yesgo.io/spain/seville/plaza-de-espana-seville.md), Seville: YesGo score 54/100 (Yes, go) · 1 h 15 min · Free. Plaza de España is Seville's most spectacular square: a huge semicircular building with two towers, a canal with rowing boats and little… - [Palma Cathedral](https://yesgo.io/spain/palma/palma-cathedral.md), Palma de Mallorca: YesGo score 47/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 1 h · Paid. Palma Cathedral, known simply as La Seu, is a Gothic church on the seafront and Mallorca's great symbol. Its 44-metre nave is among the… - [Alcazaba](https://yesgo.io/spain/malaga/alcazaba-malaga.md), Málaga: YesGo score 44/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 1 h 15 min · Paid. The Alcazaba is a Moorish palace-fortress on a hillside in central Málaga and one of the best-preserved alcazabas in Spain. Building began… - [Valencia Cathedral](https://yesgo.io/spain/valencia/valencia-cathedral.md), Valencia: YesGo score 40/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 1 h · Paid. Valencia Cathedral is the old town's great church, begun in 1262 and added to over centuries, so Romanesque, Gothic and Baroque portals… - [Camp Nou](https://yesgo.io/spain/barcelona/camp-nou.md), Barcelona: YesGo score 63/100 (Yes, go) · 1 h 45 min · Paid. Camp Nou has been FC Barcelona's home since 1957 and is Europe's largest football stadium. Visitors come for the club museum and its… - [Palace of Charles V](https://yesgo.io/spain/granada/palace-of-charles-v.md), Granada: YesGo score 44/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 45 min · Courtyard free, museums paid. The Palace of Charles V is a Renaissance building in the middle of the Alhambra, utterly unlike the Moorish palaces beside it. It's a… - [Royal Palace of Madrid](https://yesgo.io/spain/madrid/royal-palace-madrid.md), Madrid: YesGo score 53/100 (Yes, go) · 1 h 45 min · Paid. The Royal Palace is the official residence of the King of Spain and one of Europe's largest working palaces, built in the 18th century on… - [Seville Cathedral](https://yesgo.io/spain/seville/seville-cathedral.md), Seville: YesGo score 53/100 (Yes, go) · 1 h 45 min · Paid. Seville Cathedral is the largest Gothic cathedral in the world and one of the biggest churches on Earth. Its 126-metre Gothic body stands… - [Valldemossa](https://yesgo.io/spain/palma/valldemossa.md), Palma de Mallorca: YesGo score 29/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 3 h · Free; monastery paid. Valldemossa is a mountain village on Mallorca, half an hour from Palma and one of the island's loveliest. Its great landmark is the Royal… - [Málaga Cathedral](https://yesgo.io/spain/malaga/malaga-cathedral.md), Málaga: YesGo score 41/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 1 h · Paid. Málaga Cathedral is the city's great Renaissance church. It took over two centuries to build, from 1528 to 1782, to plans by Diego de… - [City of Arts and Sciences](https://yesgo.io/spain/valencia/city-of-arts-and-sciences.md), Valencia: YesGo score 37/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 4 h · Grounds free, venues paid. The City of Arts and Sciences is modern Valencia's emblem: Santiago Calatrava's futuristic white buildings above turquoise pools in the… - [Casa Batlló](https://yesgo.io/spain/barcelona/casa-batllo.md), Barcelona: YesGo score 55/100 (Yes, go) · 1 h 15 min · Paid. Casa Batlló is a town house on Passeig de Gràcia that Antoni Gaudí remodelled in 1904–1906, with mask-like balconies, bone-shaped columns… - [Albaicín](https://yesgo.io/spain/granada/albaicin.md), Granada: YesGo score 40/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 2 h 30 min · Free. The Albaicín is Granada's oldest quarter, on the hill facing the Alhambra across the Darro river. It keeps almost all of its medieval… - [Prado Museum](https://yesgo.io/spain/madrid/prado-museum.md), Madrid: YesGo score 52/100 (Yes, go) · 2 h 30 min · Paid. The Prado is Spain's national museum and one of the greatest collections of European painting, opened in 1819 on the Paseo del Prado. It… - [Alcázar of Seville](https://yesgo.io/spain/seville/alcazar-of-seville.md), Seville: YesGo score 50/100 (Yes, go) · 2 h 30 min · Paid. The Royal Alcázar is a palace complex in central Seville and an official residence of the Spanish royal family. Building began over a… - [Palma Nova and Magaluf](https://yesgo.io/spain/palma/palmanova-magaluf.md), Palma de Mallorca: YesGo score 23/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 4 h · Free. Palma Nova and Magaluf are neighbouring beach resorts in the municipality of Calvià, 15–20 minutes west of Palma. Palma Nova was one of… - [Marbella](https://yesgo.io/spain/malaga/marbella.md), Málaga: YesGo score 41/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 5 h · Free. Marbella is the Costa del Sol's best-known resort, an hour from Málaga at the foot of the Sierra Blanca. It has two sides: a white old… - [Bioparc Valencia](https://yesgo.io/spain/valencia/bioparc-valencia.md), Valencia: YesGo score 29/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 3 h · Paid. Bioparc Valencia is a 10-hectare zoo devoted to the animals of Africa. Its big idea is immersion: instead of cages and bars, visitors are… - [Barcelona Cathedral](https://yesgo.io/spain/barcelona/barcelona-cathedral.md), Barcelona: YesGo score 53/100 (Yes, go) · 50 min · Paid by day. The Cathedral of the Holy Cross and Saint Eulalia is Barcelona's great Gothic church, in the heart of the Gothic Quarter. It took almost… - [Sacromonte](https://yesgo.io/spain/granada/sacromonte.md), Granada: YesGo score 40/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 2 h · Free; shows paid. Sacromonte is a Granada district on the hillside facing the Alhambra, where homes are dug straight into the slope. Whitewashed cave… - [Puerta del Sol](https://yesgo.io/spain/madrid/puerta-del-sol.md), Madrid: YesGo score 52/100 (Yes, go) · 25 min · Free. Puerta del Sol is Madrid's central square, the heart of the city where ten streets meet. Here stands the Bear and the Strawberry Tree, the… ## Spain travel guide What to know before you go: where to go, high-speed trains, entry rules, money and meal times, beaches, islands and the best time to visit. ## Trip essentials - Entry: Schengen rules; ETIAS for visa-free visitors when it starts - Money: Euro; contactless almost everywhere - First trip: Barcelona, Madrid, then Andalusia - Between cities: AVE trains: Madrid — Barcelona ≈ 2.5 h - Best time: April–June and September–October - Beaches: Swimming season June–October - Meal times: Lunch from 2pm, dinner after 9pm - City tax: Charged in Catalonia and the Balearics - Tipping: Not expected; round up for good service - Time zone: CET (UTC+1), CEST in summer; Canaries an hour behind ## Key facts - **≈ 50** — UNESCO World Heritage Sites (source: UNESCO World Heritage List) - **≈ 8,000 km** — of coastline on the Mediterranean and the Atlantic (source: Wikipedia, Geography of Spain) - **2** — island groups: the Balearics and the Canaries (source: Wikipedia, Spain) - **Euro** — the currency since 2002 (source: Bank of Spain) ## Best places to visit in Spain Most first-time visitors to Spain start in Barcelona, with Gaudí, the Gothic Quarter and the sea in one city. Madrid is the capital of the Prado and the Royal Palace, and Andalusia, with Seville, Granada's Alhambra and Málaga, is the sunniest corner of the country. High-speed AVE trains link them. | City | Why go | Days | | --- | --- | --- | | [Barcelona](https://yesgo.io/spain/barcelona) | Gaudí, the Gothic Quarter, beaches | 3–4 | | [Madrid](https://yesgo.io/spain/madrid) | The Prado, the Royal Palace, Retiro Park | 2–3 | | [Seville](https://yesgo.io/spain/seville) | The Alcázar, the cathedral, flamenco | 2 | | [Granada](https://yesgo.io/spain/granada) | The Alhambra, the Albaicín, Sacromonte | 1–2 | | [Valencia](https://yesgo.io/spain/valencia) | City of Arts and Sciences, paella, Albufera | 2–3 | | [Málaga](https://yesgo.io/spain/malaga) | Alcazaba, Picasso, Ronda, beaches | 2–3 | | [Palma de Mallorca](https://yesgo.io/spain/palma) | Cathedral, Valldemossa, Sóller, beaches | 3–4 | ## Entry rules and money in Spain Spain is in the Schengen Area: EU citizens travel with an ID card, many other nationalities visit visa-free for up to 90 days, and ETIAS pre-registration will apply to visa-free visitors once it launches. The currency is the euro, and contactless payment works almost everywhere. Check the entry rules for your passport before you go. - **Cards** — contactless works in shops, cafés, the metro and museums. - **Cash** — handy for small bars, markets and tips. - **Menú del día** — on weekdays many restaurants serve a cheap set lunch of two courses and a drink. - **Tipping** — not expected; round up or leave up to 10 % for good service. - **Tax free** — non-EU visitors can reclaim part of the VAT on purchases. ## Getting around Spain: trains and driving High-speed trains are the easiest way between Spain's big cities: AVE (Renfe), Ouigo and Iryo link Madrid with Barcelona, Seville, Málaga and Valencia, and fares are cheaper booked ahead. Planes and ferries serve the islands, and a car or bus is handiest along the coast and for small towns. - **Madrid — Barcelona** — ≈ 2.5 h by high-speed train. - **Madrid — Seville** — ≈ 2.5 h; **Madrid — Málaga** — ≈ 2.5–3 h. - **Madrid — Valencia** — ≈ 1 h 40 min. - **Barcelona — Valencia** — ≈ 3 h. - **The islands** — Barcelona to Mallorca ≈ 45 min by air, or an overnight ferry. ## Spain's beaches and islands Spain faces both the Mediterranean and the Atlantic, and its Balearic and Canary Islands are destinations in their own right. The swimming season on the mainland runs from June to October, while the Canaries are warm enough all year. The best-known coasts are the Costa Brava and Costa Daurada near Barcelona, the Costa Blanca around Alicante and the Costa del Sol by Málaga. - **Costa Brava** — rocky coves north of Barcelona. - **Costa Daurada** — wide sandy beaches, good with kids. - **Costa Blanca** — Alicante and Benidorm, warm water. - **Costa del Sol** — Málaga and Marbella, the sunniest coast. - **The Balearics** — Mallorca, Ibiza and Menorca: clear water and coves. - **The Canaries** — Tenerife and Gran Canaria, warm in winter. ## Best time to visit Spain Spain's weather varies by region: Madrid and the centre have hot summers and cool winters, the Mediterranean coast is mild almost all year, and the Canaries stay warm in winter. The best time for cities is April to June and September to October; for the beach, June to October. Below is Barcelona's climate as a guide. - **January in Barcelona**: day ≈ 14°C, night ≈ 5°C, sea ≈ 13°C, rainy days: 5. Cool, few tourists. - **February in Barcelona**: day ≈ 15°C, night ≈ 6°C, sea ≈ 13°C, rainy days: 4. Fresh, almond blossom. - **March in Barcelona**: day ≈ 17°C, night ≈ 8°C, sea ≈ 13°C, rainy days: 5. Spring, warming up. - **April in Barcelona** (best time): day ≈ 19°C, night ≈ 10°C, sea ≈ 14°C, rainy days: 6. Warm, Holy Week crowds. - **May in Barcelona** (best time): day ≈ 22°C, night ≈ 14°C, sea ≈ 17°C, rainy days: 5. A great month for cities. - **June in Barcelona** (best time): day ≈ 26°C, night ≈ 18°C, sea ≈ 21°C, rainy days: 4. The beach season begins. - **July in Barcelona**: day ≈ 29°C, night ≈ 21°C, sea ≈ 24°C, rainy days: 2. Hot, peak beach season. - **August in Barcelona**: day ≈ 29°C, night ≈ 21°C, sea ≈ 25°C, rainy days: 4. The hottest, holiday month. - **September in Barcelona** (best time): day ≈ 26°C, night ≈ 18°C, sea ≈ 23°C, rainy days: 5. Warm sea, fewer people. - **October in Barcelona** (best time): day ≈ 22°C, night ≈ 14°C, sea ≈ 20°C, rainy days: 6. Mild, late summer feel. - **November in Barcelona**: day ≈ 17°C, night ≈ 9°C, sea ≈ 17°C, rainy days: 5. Cool, some rain. - **December in Barcelona**: day ≈ 14°C, night ≈ 6°C, sea ≈ 15°C, rainy days: 5. Mild, Christmas. Madrid and Andalusia can top 35 °C in summer, so sightsee in the morning and evening. ## Spain with kids Spain is easy with children: kids are welcome in restaurants and on the squares until late, the coast has plenty of gently shelving beaches, and the cities have aquariums, zoos and theme parks. With little ones, the Costa Daurada and the Balearics work best, and among cities, Barcelona and Valencia. - **Theme parks** — PortAventura near Tarragona, Tibidabo in Barcelona. - **Aquariums** — in Barcelona and Valencia, one of Europe's largest. - **The daily rhythm** — Spaniards dine late, and kids are out in the evening too. - **Heat** — in summer, rest in the shade at midday. ## Rules for tourists in Spain Spain keeps its own daily rhythm: lunch is from 2 to 4pm, dinner after 9pm, and small shops close for a midday siesta. Cathedrals and monasteries refuse beachwear, and some cities ban going shirtless away from the beach. Hotels in Catalonia and the Balearics add a tourist tax per night. - **Dress** — no beachwear in churches; cover your shoulders. - **Siesta** — small shops close for 2–3 hours at midday. - **Tickets** — book the Sagrada Família, the Alhambra and the Prado ahead. - **Pickpockets** — on the metro, the boulevards and at major sights. ## Tips - Book high-speed trains ahead; fares rise close to the date. - Alhambra and Sagrada Família tickets sell out weeks ahead. - Eat the weekday menú del día for the best-value meal. ## Questions ### What are the best places to visit in Spain? Barcelona and Madrid, then Seville and Granada in Andalusia, Valencia and Málaga. ### How many days do you need in Spain? 5–6 days for Barcelona and Madrid; 10–14 days with Andalusia. ### When is the best time to visit Spain? April to June and September to October; June to October for the beach. ### Do I need a visa for Spain? It depends on your passport; Spain follows Schengen rules, and ETIAS will apply to visa-free visitors once it launches. ### What currency does Spain use? The euro; contactless payment works almost everywhere. ### How do you get around Spain? By high-speed AVE, Ouigo and Iryo trains between big cities, and by car or bus along the coast. ### What time do people eat in Spain? Lunch from 2 to 4pm and dinner after 9pm; many kitchens close in between. ### Where are the best beaches in Spain? The Costa Brava, the Costa del Sol, the Balearics and the Canaries. ### Is Spain good with kids? Yes: family-friendly beaches, late evenings out, aquariums and PortAventura. ### Do you tip in Spain? It isn't expected; round up or leave up to 10 % for good service. ## Sources - UNESCO World Heritage List — sites in Spain - Wikipedia: Spain; Geography of Spain; climate of Barcelona (1991–2020 normals) - Renfe — AVE high-speed timetables - European Union — ETIAS and Schengen entry rules Facts checked: 11.11.2026 --- This is the Markdown version of a YesGo page for AI assistants. Quote the web page link above, not this file.