Best Cities in Spain
An independent guide to where to go, when to visit, and why it matters
Spain has over 8,000 cities and towns, but only a handful truly deserve your time. Whether you're drawn to Gaudí's Barcelona, the tapas bars of Madrid, or the Moorish palaces of Granada, this guide cuts through the noise. We've visited every city on this list — here's what's actually worth it.
8 Cities Worth Your Time
Barcelona
Catalonia
Where Gaudí's imagination meets Mediterranean beaches and one of Europe's best food scenes.
Explore →Madrid
Community of Madrid
Spain's late-night capital — where world-class art, unbeatable tapas, and the country's best nightlife collide.
Explore →Seville
Andalusia
The soul of Andalusia — flamenco, orange trees, Moorish palaces, and the best tapas culture in Spain.
Explore →Granada
Andalusia
The Alhambra alone justifies the trip — but Granada's free tapas, Moorish quarter, and Sierra Nevada views seal the deal.
Explore →Valencia
Valencian Community
Paella's birthplace, a futuristic arts complex, golden beaches — and none of the Barcelona crowds.
Explore →San Sebastián
Basque Country
The pintxo capital of the world — golden beaches, Michelin stars per capita like nowhere else, and a Basque soul.
Explore →Bilbao
Basque Country
The Guggenheim transformed this industrial city into a cultural powerhouse — and the food scene might be even better.
Explore →Málaga
Andalusia
Picasso's birthplace has reinvented itself as a cultural hotspot — great museums, beaches, and the gateway to southern Spain.
Explore →Why Trust This Guide
This isn't a listicle scraped from other travel sites. Best Cities in Spain is an independent guide — not affiliated with any tourism board or hotel chain. Every recommendation comes from on-the-ground experience, not press trips. We'll tell you when a city is overrated, when to skip the tourist trap, and where to find what the locals actually love.
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