Spain Wanderlust
From the shores of San Sebastian to Real Alcazar in Sevilla, Gaudi infused Barcelona to grand views in Granada, here is my guide for deciding where to travel in Spain.
In this wanderlusty decision guide we are going to peruse among six destinations in Spain.
Madrid
Barcelona
San Sebastian
Sevilla
Ronda
Granada
Where do you want to spend this one wild and precious vacation? Sometimes a destination calls to me in my dreams; there is an instinctual pull — travel here next! I’m deciding on a country and then I’m honing in on a direction.
Use this guide to inform your instincts. What of these speaks to your soul? And then — capitalize on my practical advice if that resonates. Is it more cost effective to fly into MAD or BCE? Or is there a magical Airbnb somewhere that’s been calling to you?
You certainly can base the destination on your accommodations or affordable flights. There are no rules! There are no wrong cities.
My husband recently took his first trip to Spain — he has traveled around Europe but never Spain! — so when an opportunity for a guys trip to San Sebastian + Barcelona presented, it got me thinking about these destinations again.
This post is based on my experiences, not his. But we might do a deeper dive into his trip, he has sent me some exciting food photos!
Cosmopolitan Madrid is delighted to embrace if you’ve touched down in Spain for the first time. Then, will you venture north to Catalonia for Barcelona’s vibrant scene? Potentially further up to Basque Country on the French border? Or will the Southern cities of Sevilla and Granada in Andalusia entice you with their Moorish charms?
The bullets under each destination city are meant to act as a birds eye view for deciding what you might like to explore and suggestions for where to wander. They are not meant as an itemized list that demands you add a check mark next to each one.
Madrid is the grand dame to immerse yourself in Spanish art and history, with commanding Museo Del Prado and Reina Sofia. Take in a bullfight at Plaza de Toros and sprawl among regal promenades in Parque Retiro. Eat the best churros con chocolate on the map at Chocolatería San Ginés! With a spirit that beams and corridors expanding to cultured plazas, and lively tapas bars, the list below will help familiarize the city’s points of interest.
Notable Promenades: Grand Via / Calle de Acalá / Paseo del Prado
Plaza Mayor — a marvelous Castilian square
Puerta Del Sol (kilometer zero!)
Mueso Nacional Del Prado / Museo Reina Sofia / Museo Thyssen Bornemisza
Plaza Santa Ana — nightlife!
Palacio Real w/ Plaza de la Armería + Sabatini Gardens
Catedral de Santa María la Real
Calle Cava Baja (La Latina) — Taberna Tempranillo, Casa Lucas
Plaza de Toros — bullfight
Parque del Buen Retiro | Park of the Pleasant Retreat
El Rastro | The Trail — Sunday flea market in Barrio de Embajadores
Barcelona is for visually immersive buildings — Antoni Gaudi’s presence high among them, to streets steeped in both ancient history and art nouveau, Mediterranean beaches to soak up the hot sun, combined with impressive museums, cathedrals and an eloquent culinary scene.
Park Güell
La Sagrada Família
Tibidabo and Montjuïc
Placa Catalunya — Las Ramblas — Port Vell — Barcelonetta
Eixample District — Passeig de Gràcia — Illa de la Discòrdia
Casa Batlló / Casa Amatller / Casa Milà (La Pedrera)
Palau Güell
Barri Gothic
Tapas, 24 de Carles Abellan
Catedral de Barcelona
Fundacio Joan Miro / Museu d'Art Contemporani (MACBA) / Museu National D'art Modern (MNAC) / Museu de Historia.
The capital city of Spain's Catalonia Region, Barcelona offers travelers both urban charm and Mediterranean beauty. Visit now or save it for later…
San Sebastian is a stylish coastal city nestled in the Basque Country. Also known as Donostia, it can be a welcome respite from the tourist centric squares of Madrid and sellers paradise beaches of Barcelona. The air is significantly more clean and crisp, where sea breezes waft above majestic bridges and through pristine kept parks flanked by blue iron benches.
La Concha Bay Beaches: Playa La Concha, Playa Ondaretta
Paseo de la Concha
Eduardo Chillida Sculptures: El Peine del Vinto or Comb of the Wind.
Pintxos, the highly regarded Basque style tapas
Txtakoli, the fizzy white wine notorious for its dramatic pour
Parte Vieja (Old Town) - pinxtos crawl! (Casa Vergara, Bar Ganbara)
Basilica of Santa Maria
Gros District - Playa Zurriola (surfing) - Bay of Biscay - River Urumea
Mount Urgull - Castillo de la Mota fortress
The golden sandy beaches and turquoise blue waters set to a backdrop of haute cuisine, whether humble pinxtos or Michelin stars, San Sebastian is all the glory; quite literally type of place that makes you believe in dreams.
We are taking it way down south now to Sevilla in Andalusia. I traveled here (more recently than the former three cities) in May 2023 with my college girls for our annual Euro Moms trip.
Royal Alcazar is jaws drop outstanding. The Medieval Islamic Palace is a grand scale fusion of Spanish + Moorish architecture where rooms are massive yet intricate. There are garden pathways and mazes, ornate terraces and peacocks — everything winds and sprawls with elaborate carvings and the motherload of green, blue, yellow and orange from floor to ceiling tile.
The Cathedral de Sevilla is majestic, you can linger with audio guides. A climb to the top of Giralda, which is the bell tower, provides good exercise plus panoramic views. A late afternoon Spanish wine tasting at Vinoteca Lama La Uva offers a meandering walk from Centro to take in more of the sprawling city.
Palacio Pinello is a four star boutique hotel in the Santa Cruz district, housed in a late 15th century palace. The rooms are situated around the stunning central courtyard where breakfast is served. [Our triple room was very spacious, the bathroom and waterfall shower were too! It had soaring ceilings and really pretty furnishings].
Royal Alcazar
Cathedral de Sevilla + La Giralda
Santa Cruz District
Plaza de San Francisco
Rooftop Bar — La Terraza del EME
Cute Vinoteca — Lama La Uva
Chic Tapas Bars — Barra Castizo, Catalina El Bar
Cocktails — The Second Room, Torero Brandy Bar
Hotel — Palacio Pinello
Plaza de Toros de la Real Maestranza (the bullring)
[Also check out here on Substack. Her Locals Only Guide is what I’d use if I head back someday!]
Visit Torero Brandy Bar and be prepared to swoon over the presentation of your Brandy.
A drive through the Spanish countryside from Seville to Ronda is outstanding.
Ronda itself is otherworldly; remarkable bridges, magnificent vistas, and steep cobblestone streets lead you around this dramatic mountaintop town.
viewpoints over El Tajo Gorge carved out by the Guadalevin River.
wander, walk, hike!
Bodega Garcia Hidalgo — a husband wife team warmly embrace you at their family run winery for a tour + tasting paired with homemade tapas.
A just baked loaf of crusty bread accompanies fresh jam, tangy relish, hand churned cream cheese + a luscious pâté. Next, plates of local cheeses and cured meats. The tapas were flowing as much as the delicious wine and when she brought out her homemade Spanish tortilla - warm, fluffy and filled with soft potatoes, I nearly lost my mind it was so good!
Ronda was nothing short of spectacular with a highly recommended experience: Bodega Garcia Hidalgo.
From the bright, clean streets of Centro with unique and pretty fountains, to the winding narrow pathways as you climb or descend the Albaicin, there's an abundance of leisure to be had in Granada.
"Oh Morocco is cool, yea Sevilla is great, but Granada, well, Granada is something else. Granada is reallly special, you'll see" ~ agent at the Renfe Station.
She was not wrong. In fact she was thriving on an accuracy one could not conceive of until after spending time in the city. You feel it. Granada is special, something beyond, 10/10, our favorite on Euro Moms 2023. It's not bragging or in your face, it is sneaky stunning and casually hip.
Don’t miss: Alhambra. Book tickets in advance. Closes at 8pm.
Eat here: Pimienta Rosa | Atelier Casa de Comidas | La Tomasas
Drink here: Mama Samba | Lemon Rock | Bar Chaplin | Calle Elvira area
Views: El Huerto | Plaza de San Nicolas
Stay here: Hotel Casa 1800. Tucked in a cave like setting at the base of Albaicin. A beautiful continental breakfast spread is included. Rooms feel cozy yet elegant.
Sad we missed: Bar Axia "heart of the Albayzin" (Situated on a charming old school plaza, a perfect tapas bar stop that was closed upon our arrival.)
leisure, late nights + fountains
This Spanish repertoire doesn’t feel entirely complete without having visited coastal cities Valencia directly to the east of Madrid and Bilbao not far from San Sebastian. Then, I stumbled upon this gem of a town called Galicia from
! And I would be super interested in hiking Camino de Santiago and exploring the many Spanish Islands. Okay, so there is a lot more Spain I want to see!!!Most importantly, I love this country. Spaniards are genuine and laid back. Life flows at a pace on the later side. Late mornings, late dinners, late nights. It’s embraceable and relaxed and beautiful.
Which destination in Spain are you choosing? Do you have any posts on traveling to this country?! Leave your link in the comments!
My wife and I loved Madrid and Granada a couple years ago. I'm excited to see all the other spots on your list too. But first we may need to visit Mexico City....
You make me want to revisit all these places and remind me what a special country this is. So much to do and see! And thanks Kristen for the mention. :)