Spain is one of the most countries who receives more tourist in Europe; exactly, it is the second most visited country in Europe, around 81.8 million travelers. In addition, in 2018, Spain was the second most visited country in the world which marked record-beating numbers.
Spain is pretty famous for its delicious food and monuments. Tourism in Spain is the third major contributor to national economic life after the industrial and business sector, contributing about Spain’s GDP. From the ancient monuments based on the Romans and Moors, the medieval castles of the interior, the ancient villages in inland Andalucía or the beautiful cities of Barcelona and Madrid, there are various cultural attractions in Spain.
The landscape is different in all sites. The amazing evergreen of Galicia could be more different from the deserts of Almería or the beautiful mountains of the Sierra Nevada. And then there are the wonderful beaches around the Spanish coast as the Mediterranean or Cantabrian. However as in summer Spain receive too much people the coasts are prepared to have many tourists who will enjoy on the beaches. Here we have a top of tourist attractions in Spain.
10. PALACIO REAL, MADRID
The Palacio Real (Royal Palace) of Madrid is situated outside the city and is the official residence of the King of Spain although it is used just for state ceremonies or events. This palace was built between 1738 to 1755 and King Carlos III went to residence in the palace in 1764.
There is a valorous patrimony historic-artistic, highlighting the royal jewelry and collections too important about art, architecture or sculpture.
9. RUNNING OF THE BULLS, PAMPLONA
This attraction is situated in Pamplona, a city in Navarra, famous for San Fermin festival held each year from July 6th – 14th.
The most important of the festival is El Encierro, the Running of the Bulls, an activity which people have to run in front of a dozen bulls that have been let loose and they are on the town’s streets until the bull ring where people try to run around the bulls.This race starts at eight on the morning, every day of the festival.
8. LA CONCHA, SAN SEBASTIAN
Protected from strong winds by steep cliffs and islands, La Concha in San Sebastian, situated on the Cantabrian coast (north of Spain), is one of the best city beaches in Europe.
The beach got shape of a shell due to erosion of hard winds a thousand years ago. Here you can go surfing, walk along the promenade next to the beach and enjoy the beautiful views of the coast.
7. AQUEDUCT OF SEGOVIA, SEGOVIA
The Aqueduct of Segovia, situated in Andalucía south of Spain, is one of the best-preserved monuments made by the Romans in Spain, which carries water from the river to Spanish city.
The ancient monument was built the second century a. C. with massive granite blocks without the use of mortar.
6. CUENCA
A city situated between Madrid and Valencia; Cuenca is a wonderful medieval city. It was built on the steep sides of a mountain. The famous “hanging houses” are built right up to the cliff edge, letting Cuenca one of the most special towns in Spain, a brilliant city in the province of Castilla La Mancha.
Its ancient landscapes are declared World Heritage Site, being a city with the most important artistic and architectonic patrimony around the old city, although focused on the cathedral or the “hanging houses”.
5. IBIZA
Ibiza is one of the Balearic Islands in the Mediterranean Sea, outside the coast of Spain. The island is one of the most popular party destinations in Europe, the most famous is Magaluf city which receives over a million tourists in summer.
The best places in Ibiza are the clubs or beaches bars and restaurants and walking around the coast and enjoying the beautiful views of the Spanish coast.
4. SAGRADA FAMILIA, BARCELONA
The Sagrada Familia is a large Roman Catholic church in Barcelona (north-east of Spain), and one of Spain’s most visited tourist attractions.
It is designed by Antoni Gaudí, a Catalan architect who worked on this project for almost 40 years until his death in 1926. The construction is in operation for 100 years ago and it is still not finished until over 50 years.
3. EL ESCORIAL, MADRID
San Lorenzo of El Escorial of the Sierra de Guadarrama, northwest of Madrid, was the summer home of Spain’s kings, which include a monastery, church, royal palace, mausoleum, library and museum made in the kingdom of Phillip II.
The result of the monument is a staggering collection of attractions, built around 16 courtyards, its rooms and structures connected by 16 kilometers of corridors.
2. MEZQUITA OF CORDOBA
The Mezquita (Spanish for “Mosque”) of Cordoba is a fascinating building famous and still known as the Mezquita, Cordoba’s mosque is one of the largest in the world and Moorish architecture in Spain. After the Spanish Reconquista a cathedral was built into the center of the large Moorish building.
Narrow, winding streets, small squares and low whitewashed houses visible from the old Juderia around the Mosque, a Moorish atmosphere inherited from its past.
1. ALHAMBRA, GRANADA
Part fortress, part palace and part garden the Alhambra is situated in Granada, southern Spain. The Nasrid dynasty’s royal palace is the artistic highlight od Spain’s Islamic period, the palace was constructed in the 14th century by the Nasrid’s sultans.
The Alhambra is now one of Spain’s major tourist attractions and many visitors come to Granada just to see the Alhambra.