10 Best Places To Visit In Spain For First-Timers
Spain is one of the most popular international art tours, rich culture, spectacular architecture and beautiful scenery. If this is going to be your first trip, then surely you are very much in for a ride of your life. Below are 10 Best Places To Visit In Spain For First-Timers with practical advice and the inside scoop on how to do them without breaking the bank.
Spain Map
Here are 10 Best Places To Visit In Spain For First-Timers
1. Barcelona
Why Visit: Visitors can also enjoy the beautiful city which boasts in rich history, culture and art; in fact, the city boasts of being host to famous architectural icons by such a famous architect such as Antoni Gaudí whose famous works include the famous Sagrada Família and Park Güell.
It is a great city, which boasts of its well developed culture while having the benefits of being lively as well. Tourists can also go around the gothic quarte with its lovely narrow streets, or have a lovely bonding at the Barceloneta Beach.
Tips :
- See famous places such as the Sagrada Família in the morning when there are few persons around.
- Eat your tapas in El Nacional restaurant and then accompany it with cava wine.
- Take the metro to save both time and money as an advisable advice for those who plan on travelling.
Budget Insight: With €100 to spend each day, €50 for a budget traveler, it is possible to afford a bed, a meal, sometimes transport and have some cash to spend on sightseeing.
2. Madrid
- Why Visit: Spain’s capital city offers the best of arts, historical landmarks and other historic attractions. Madrid has many great museums including: The Prado Museum, Museo Reina Sofía or The Thyssen Bornemisza Museum.
It also has active districts like Malasaña, and Chueca that offers the best of caffeine intake meeting points and nightlife activities. People can walk around the largest park in Madrid, known as Retiro Park or be astonished by the Royal Palace.
Tips:
- Save money by getting a Madrid Card which allows for free or discounted entry to the most famous sights and museums.
- Obviously, some great foods can be found at local markets such as Mercado de San Miguel.
- Go to a flamenco show for the real thing.
Budget Insight: The cost per day is about €120 for a comfortable arrival, however, in addition to the material conditions, tourists can spend about €60 by staying at hostels or boarding houses and eating in non-refined cafes and restaurants.
3. Seville
- Why Visit: Flamenco city with Gothic Cathedral, Alcázar Palace and the colourful Barrio de Santa Cruz.. This Spanish perl is also famous for its ancient district of Santa Cruz that impresses with rather narrow and beautiful streets with orange trees.
Feria de Abril and Semana Santa festivals of the city can be described as active and lively as a result of which such city can be safely recommended for a cultural tourism.
Tips:
- To avoid queuing up especially during peak season one can purchase tickets to Alcázar online.
- Many tourists rent a car to go out of town and sample a traditional Spanish flamenco show in the evening.
- Go for a horse and carriage tour to feel some of the city’s romantic flair.
Budget Insight: Travelers are able to get comfortable accommodation, food and enjoy the attractions while spending €80 per day. Tourists can shave extra costs on meals by opting for local tapas bars, and on touring, opting to use public means or walking.
4. Granada
- Why Visit: Located in the south of Spain on the foothills of the city’s iconic Sierra Nevada range, Granada is a city that perfectly showcases history and culture. The Alhambra Palace with magnificent Moorish style and beautiful gardens of the Generalife are a real must see and it was listed on the World Heritage List of UNESCO.
Apart from the visiting the royal place , the beauty of Granada can be seen from the hill top, markets and seafood. Albaincen is an excellent part of the city showing real Andalusia with its narrow streets and white houses.
Tips:
- Make sure to book your Alhambra tickets early as far in advance is possible because they are always sold out particularly during high season.
- Stroll through the Albayzín neighbourhood and then go to a mirador to take pictures of the city.
- Free tapas with every drink is perhaps the best and famous tradition of eating places in Granada.
Budget Insight: Granada can perfectly be explored for as low as €50 per day for backpackers that would include entree fees and local food, and lodging. To be more comfortable, one can take €80 per day.
5. Valencia
- Why Visit: Valencia presents a striking combination of modern architecture and Gothic facades, so tourists will not get lost in the usual Spanish castles and palaces. The City of Arts and Sciences: the Valencian happening is a collection of edifices of avant-garde architecture; there is an interactive science centre , IMAX theatre; Europe’s largest aquarium is situated here.
But for believers of history, you can tag along along the cobbled streets of El Carmen district transformed by history buildings and some fine street art. The city also features lovely shores and exquisite food, being of all, the birthplace of paella.
Tips:
- Bike rental will give you an opportunity to cycle through the Turia Gardens – the park situated on the diverted river bed.
- Taste a unique paella at La Pepica restaurant The restaurant enjoys its good reputation among the guests.
- To taste the traditional cuisine and shop groceries you should go to the Mercado Central.
Budget Insight: If childcare is needed, this will add anything from €10-€30 a day, depending on the age of the child or children and the quality of the facilities, while other costs for daily living average about €70-€90, inclusive of meals and basic sightseeing. Tourism in the areas can be cheap by using cheaper accommodation such as hostels and cheap meals from various markets.
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6. Bilbao
- Why Visit: Basque country’s modern city of Bilbao, where Guggenheim Museum as today’s art symbol harmoniously combines with traditional roots. Apart from the museum, you can go for some nice riverside walk, visit food markets like Mercado de la Ribera and explore the city transformed from an industrial hub to an after-modern culture hub.
This city is also an entrance to the coast of Bask country which has beautiful beaches and cliffs.
Tips:
- Stroll around the Old Town for an ultimate pintxo (tapas) culinary adventure for the best of Basque food.
- It will be wise to see the Guggenheim Museum early, in the morning, when there are few people there.
- Though free, make use of public transportation to move around in the city effectively; the Bilbao Card offers certain amount of discounts.
Budget Insight: Accommodation, food and transportation costs amount to €60 – €80 per day depending on the place visited. People can choose cheaper accommodations like guest houses and eat both-less expensive pintxo bars.
7. San Sebastián
- Why Visit: Run for its beautiful coastline, mouth-watering gastronomy and rich culture, San Sebastián must on the first-timers’ list to Spain. Most visitors flock to La Concha which is considered one of the best urban beaches in Europe, as well the Parte Vieja, with its narrow stone streets that open up to crowded pintxo bars.
Another plus the city could proudly boast of is several Michelin star restaurants in the city. As such, those in search of vacation destination that combines beauty of the beach and attraction sites, then this town is ideal.
Tips:
- The beautiful beach to go and spend a leisurely day at is La Concha Beach; other fun water activities include paddleboarding.
- Visit the place through the funicular to have spectacular view of the city and bay of Igueldo.
- You must book ahead of time for a Michelin starred restaurant such as Arzak or Akelarre.
- Stroll around and visit the food markets for local fresh vegetables/ fruits and typical Basque’s cheese and wine.
Budget Insight: They cost a mere €80-120 per day depending on eating plans. Tourists seeking a cheap place to sleep in San Sebastian can get an economical lodging while also tasting amazing pintxos.
8. Toledo
- Why Visit: Located in Spain Toledo is famous as a cultural city and a UNESCO World Heritage that presents the most enthralling combination of history and oriental fascination and stunning architectural ensembles. Being a city which has fully embraced its multiculturalism, it is referred to as the “City of Three Cultures” and this coming out in all the synagogues, mosques as well as the churches found all over the city.
Its course of slim streets, medieval fortifications, and picturesque views over the Tagus river makes the town stunning for tourists interested in history and taking pictures.
Tips:
- Explore the city by taking a guided tour to really explore the city and learn more about the history of Puebla.
- Walking around Toledo you must hit the Gothic Temple called Toledo Cathedral and the royal fortress called Alcázar where now the military museum is.
- Located in the area: visit the museum of El Greco, the painter that adopted Toledo as his residence.
- Take appropriate shoes since the geography of the city, with its several joins and interconnector roads – cobbled streets imply a lot of walking.
Budget Insight: These can be made from €50-70 per day, inclusive of transport, food and the entrance fees when on a day trip from Madrid. For the over-nighting, accommodation and food are not very expensive and could range as low as € 70/ € 100 per day.
9. Málaga
- Why Visit: Málaga is the first province of Costa del Sol which presents the beautiful sun-kissed beaches, a historic appealing city along with cultural opportunities. The city boasts Alcazaba, a redoubtable ‘Moorish’ castle financed by a taxation on numerous commodities; and Gibralfaro Castle which upon its summit overlooks the spectacular coast. History and art enthusiast will enjoy Picasso Museum- they are located in the birthplace of the greatest painter of the 20th century.
Featured as Muelle Uno, the modern port of the city has become a shopper’s paradise as well as having restaurants, and lovely sea-side promenades where tourists intending to relax while there are places of interest that they can visit are perfect.
Tips:
- Visit Alcazaba and Gibralfaro castle for great scenic views as well as to enjoy the feel of history around you.
- Foodie and shopaholic tourists will find a number of restaurants and shops along the Muelle Uno waterfront to dine by the sea or shop for valuable souvenirs or gifts.
- Make sure to go to Malaga Cathedral or La Manquita, a half-finished building with only one tower.
- You can taste such ‘typical’ Andalusian cuisine as espetos (sardines on the coal) in beaches’ chiringuitos.
Budget Insight: The minimum amount of money will be about €60-90 per day to pay accommodations, meals and tours around the city. Backpackers can use cheap hotels or hostels, and use local cheaps restaurants such as tapas bars to compensate for the difficulties of budget traveling and still get to enjoy Málaga.
10. Mallorca
- Why Visit: This Balearic Island boasts crystal-clear waters, hidden coves, and charming villages.
Tips:
- Rent a car to explore the island’s scenic routes.
- Visit the town of Valldemossa and the beaches of Cala d’Or.
Budget Insight: Expect to spend €100 daily, but costs vary by season.
Last advice for first time tourists
- Best Time to Visit: Tourism is scattered and weather is quite moderate during the Spring season (April to June) and Fall season (September to October).
- Transport: Renfe trains and low cost companies like Ryan Air for transportation between cities.
- Currency: Spain uses the Euro (€). Foreign credit cards are accepted but for family size shopping and villages, it is advisable to carry cash.
Sample Budget Plan
- Accommodations: Budget accommodation include; hostel 20-50 euro, mid-range include; hotels 60- 120 euro.
- Meals: home cooked meals (€ 10- € 20 per meal).
- Transport: Metro/bus-charge is about €1- €2 per person per ride Intercity trains range between € 20- €50.
- Attractions: €10-20 per site, although free entry can be obtained at a number of sites on particular days of the week or during bank holidays.
Because of the many facets of Spanish tourism, the country is ideal for first-time travellers. If you are interested in history, culture or nature, you will hardly remain untouched when visiting these places.
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