From otherworldly Moorish palaces to fascinating medieval towns, Spain offers a dazzling wealth of not-to-be-missed tours and experiences. Here are a few of the most sought-after.
The Guggenheim Museum Bilbao is a dazzling work of contemporary architecture that serves as the city’s symbol. Art lovers will love exploring the museum’s dazzling collection of precious masterpieces.
El Retiro Park
One of the most popular tourist places in Spain, El Retiro Park is home to rose and topiary gardens, museums, monuments and an impressive boating lake. Its spacious avenues make it a favorite spot for locals to relax or practice sports such as running and cycling.
A definite highlight is the Crystal Palace, an architectural masterpiece inspired by the Crystal Palace in London. Built in the 1880s, this stunning building is now home to temporary exhibitions at Reina Sofia Museum of modern art and is one of the most impressive sights in Retiro Park.
Another unique sight is the Palacio de Velazquez, a former palace built at the end of the 19th century to host the International Exhibition of Mining, Metallurgical Arts, Ceramics and Glassware. It currently houses contemporary art exhibitions and is a must-see for visitors to Madrid.
The park also boasts a large lake with the Alfonso XII Monument standing tall by its banks. Throughout the summer, you’ll find plenty of people paddling around the lake in rowing boats. While it may seem like a touristy thing to do, renting a boat for 45 minutes costs just EUR6 on weekdays or EUR8 on weekends and is a great way to enjoy the warm Spanish sun.
The Alcazar of Seville
The Alcazar of Seville is a pristine, well-maintained symbol of Spanish culture. It’s a popular destination and is often featured in popular culture, as seen on the yellowing pages of history books or even the front cover of a postcard. The palace is an important part of Spanish history and has been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It’s an incredible place to visit for its enchanting gardens and majestic palace.
The palace is famous for its beautiful courtyards, palaces and halls with a mix of Gothic and Mudejar architecture. One of the most iconic features is the Puerta del Leon, a grand entrance with intricate details carved in stone that greets visitors with an air of regality and history. The palace also contains many other remarkable elements, such as the Hall of Justice and the Patio del Yeso.
Another notable feature is the Casa de la Contratacion, a room that was used for administrative and legal procedures for trade between Spain and its colonies in the Americas. Here, you can see beautiful Flemish tapestries with mythological themes from the 17th century.
It’s a great idea to book tickets ahead of time. This will ensure that you don’t have to wait in long lines, especially during peak times of the year or on weekends. You can also book a tour of the palace that includes skip-the-line entry and an expert guide.
Monfrague National Park
This natural park in Extremadura is home to a diverse range of fauna and flora. Its varied ecosystems of high natural value include the Mediterranean forests, rocky crags and open grasslands. The landscape here is marked by the twists and turns of rivers, where they carve deep gorges in the rock cliffs. It is one of the world’s most important ornithological sites, especially for raptors such as the Black Vulture and Spanish Imperial Eagle. It also supports a wide range of other species such as the Eurasian Eagle Owl, Black Stork and Griffon Vulture.
Located in the town of Villarreal de San Carlos, this park has an interpretation and visitor centre that is well worth a visit. From here you can take different trails to discover the flora and fauna of this unique enclave. You will find trails through holm oak, strawberry tree, laurustine, and ash, as well as areas of natural beauty like the Valle de las Almenaras.
During your visit to the park, be sure to make time to explore the cave paintings. Located near the castle, these caves date back to 4000BC and are one of the most significant examples of prehistoric art in the region. The Virgin of Monfrague is also revered in the villages of Torrejon el Rubio, Serradilla and Malpartida de Plasencia, where each village celebrates their own pilgrimage to ‘Monte Fragoso’ every year.
Ronda
In the heart of Andalusia lies Ronda, a town with a soaring gorge and iconic bridge. It was once a favorite with 19th-century “Viajeros Romanticos,” including Ernest Hemingway and Orson Welles, who sought inspiration for their writing in the town’s cobbled streets, stone buildings, and sweeping views. Today, it’s a popular day trip from Malaga and is home to some of Andalusia’s most interesting attractions.
Start with a visit to the Puerta de Almocabar, one of the city’s most significant gates that once served as an important defense point in Moorish times. Its name translates to the Cemetery Gate and was referred to as such because there were once several cemeteries within its walls. Then, head to the Alameda, a park that includes a tree-lined promenade and garden with impressive views of the Tajo gorge and the town below.
The town’s best-preserved Arab Baths are another highlight of a visit to Ronda. These bathhouses were once used for ritual cleansing before Muslims entered the local mosque. Today, they are a fascinating look into the culture and history of this region.
Visiting Ronda is easy and convenient with the help of a car rental in Spain. You can easily rent a car through Sunny Cars with free cancellation and insurance included in the price of your booking. This will give you freedom to visit other towns in the area or explore more of the country’s natural parks, such as Grazalema and Serrania de Ronda.
