Travel to Spain: A Complete Guide to Food, Art, Historic Cities and Hiking

Travel to Spain and you quickly discover a country of contrasts, where history, art, and natural beauty intersect at every turn. From bustling cities to tranquil villages, from coastal paths to mountain trails, Spain offers experiences for both first-time visitors and seasoned travellers. Whether sampling local cuisine, exploring world-class museums, or hiking dramatic landscapes, Spain invites you to connect with its past, people, and traditions.

Travel to Spain for Food

Tapas, Pintxos, and Gastronomic Capitals

Food is at the heart of Spanish culture. In Granada, tapas bars line narrow streets, offering a chance to graze while soaking in local atmosphere. The Basque Country, particularly San Sebastián, is renowned for pintxos—bite-sized creations that elevate traditional tapas, and you can taste them on our Food Adventures in Northern Spain trip. Classic gildas, seared foie gras, and spider crab tartlets are just the beginning. Explore the Parte Vieja and hop from bar to bar, sampling the inventive dishes of celebrated chefs such as Martín Berasategui, Juan Mari Arzak, and Andoni Aduriz.

Catalonia also delights food lovers. Michelin-starred restaurants share streets with seaside taverns, offering fresh seafood and paella. Valencia, the home of traditional paella, pairs Mediterranean flavours with local ingredients for an authentic experience. In Cuenca, the 2023 Capital of Gastronomy, travellers can explore regional specialities and local wine, highlighting Spain’s diverse culinary landscape.

Wine and Regional Flavours

Wine accompanies meals naturally across Spain. Rioja and Sherry are widely recognised, while Catalonia produces sparkling wines and Ampurdán reds, and Andalusia offers fruity Montilla. Sampling local wines in bodegas and vineyards deepens the connection to place and tradition.

Art and Architecture

Madrid: The Golden Triangle of Art

Madrid is a hub for art lovers, home to the Prado, Reina Sofía, and Thyssen-Bornemisza museums. The Prado showcases masterpieces by Velázquez, Goya, Titian, Rubens, and Raphael. The Reina Sofía houses Picasso’s Guernica, while the Thyssen-Bornemisza complements the collection with modern and contemporary works. Exploring all three provides a thorough journey through European art history.

Barcelona: Gaudí and Modernista Wonders

Barcelona’s skyline is defined by Antoni Gaudí. The Sagrada Família combines Gothic and Art Nouveau elements in an evolving masterpiece. Park Güell, originally intended as a housing estate, now features mosaic benches, sculpted columns, and panoramic views of the city. Lesser-known Modernista buildings, such as Casa Vicens and hidden L’Eixample residences, offer insight into the city’s creative energy. Museu Picasso and Museu Nacional d’Art de Catalunya provide further depth to the city’s artistic offerings.

Bilbao: Contemporary Architecture

Bilbao’s Guggenheim Museum, designed by Frank Gehry, revitalised the city and established it as a centre of modern art. The titanium-clad building houses works by Rothko, Warhol, and Anish Kapoor, while outdoor installations by Jeff Koons and Louise Bourgeois further enhance the urban landscape.

Moorish Architecture in Andalusia

Andalusia preserves a remarkable Islamic architectural legacy. The Alhambra in Granada, Córdoba’s Mezquita, and Seville’s Real Alcázar and Giralda tower illustrate centuries of cultural synthesis. The Alhambra’s Palacios Nazaríes and Generalife gardens combine stucco carvings, reflecting pools, and terraced landscapes. La Mezquita’s arches and columns create a hypnotic visual rhythm, while Seville’s Alcázar complements its Gothic cathedral, offering a layered historical perspective.

You can discover the art and architecture of Spain on our Discover Spain, a Premium Adventure

Historic Cities

Toledo and Segovia

Toledo, set above the Tagus River, reflects Christian, Muslim, and Jewish traditions. Its cathedral, Alcazar, and Santa Maria la Blanca synagogue showcase its multicultural past. Segovia, with its Roman aqueduct, Gothic cathedral, and Alcázar, provides a window into Roman and medieval history.

Seville and Córdoba

Seville offers a combination of narrow streets, colonial grandeur, and lively festivals, including Semana Santa and Feria de Abril. Córdoba, with its Mezquita at the centre, invites visitors to explore winding streets, artisan workshops, and local culinary traditions, illustrating the city’s historical importance.

Our Discover Spain: Cultural Cities, and Moorish Architecture in comfort offers the perfect exploration of these historic cities.

Natural Landscapes and Outdoor Activities

Picos de Europa

The Picos de Europa, spanning Asturias, León, and Cantabria, feature limestone peaks, deep gorges, and lush valleys. Trails such as the Cares Gorge provide dramatic views for hikers, while cable cars and funiculars offer access to higher-altitude paths. Routes range from gentle walks to multi-day treks, catering to varying abilities. Hiking in the Picos de Europa is one of our best-selling trips.

Travel to Spain to hike the Camino de Santiago

The Camino de Santiago offers a historic pilgrimage through northern Spain. Popular routes include the Camino Francés and the Camino del Norte, traversing villages, forests, and farmland. Self-guided options with luggage transfer make the journey accessible for those seeking comfort without sacrificing the immersive experience. And you can choose to do the trip in stages, hiking the Camino over several years to fit your holiday time.

We offer guided options too, including Best Walks of Spain's Camino de Santiago.

Cycling in Catalonia

Cycling along Catalonia’s backroads allows travellers to explore olive groves, peach orchards, and coastal fishing villages. Optional rides and rest days provide a balance between activity and relaxation, while carefully selected accommodations—from boutique inns to restored castles—enhance the experience.

Andalusian White Villages and Hiking

The Alpujarras and Sierra de Grazalema feature whitewashed villages, terraced fields, and forested hills. Walking trails between villages combine scenic beauty with historical and cultural immersion. Moorish castles and alcazabas along the way offer further insight into the region’s past. You too can discover Andalucia on foot.

Flamenco, Nightlife, and Festivals

Flamenco in Andalucia

Flamenco is most authentic in Seville, Granada, and Málaga. Seek smaller venues or peñas for genuine performances, avoiding choreographed tourist shows. The interplay of guitar, singing, and dance reflects the emotional depth of Andalusian culture and can be experienced on our Discover Andalucia tour.

Festivals Across Spain

Spain’s festivals showcase local traditions, from Semana Santa in Seville to Pamplona’s running of the bulls, Feria de Abril, and Festes de la Mercè in Barcelona. Each event provides insight into regional culture and communal celebrations.

Nightlife

Cities like Madrid exemplify Spain’s vibrant nightlife. Tapas bars, late-night dining, and multi-level clubs such as Teatro Kapital combine food, music, and social interaction, with evenings often stretching into the early morning.

Spain Explored gives you ample free time to make your own discoveries both during the day and at night.

Accommodation and Travel Tips

Staying in a Parador

Paradores—historic monasteries, palaces, and castles converted into hotels—offer unique accommodations that blend comfort with cultural heritage. We often include them in our self-drive itineraries.

When to go

Spring and fall are ideal travel seasons, while Mediterranean regions are accessible year-round. Northern Atlantic areas, including the Camino de Santiago, experience heavier rainfall in autumn.

And finally

Spain offers an array of experiences, balancing world-renowned sites with hidden gems. From Granada’s tapas bars and the Alhambra to Barcelona’s Gaudí masterpieces, from the Picos de Europa to the pilgrimage routes of the Camino de Santiago, the country invites travellers to engage with its rich history, cuisine, landscapes, and cultural traditions. Whether walking through white villages, cycling along coastal paths, tasting regional wines, or enjoying authentic flamenco, Spain provides a journey that is as diverse as it is memorable.