Why is Spain so popular?

By David Barclay | September 25, 2024

Sitting on the Iberian Peninsula along with neighbor Portugal, Spain has become one of the most visited destinations in Europe.  It is the second most popular country in Europe for my clients (after Italy).  It is also the second most popular country for tourists (after France) attracting over 85 million visitors in 2023.   Offering a plethora of both city and rural experiences, along with great beaches along the Spanish Riviera, Spain has something to offer every traveler.

Spain has a rich culture and history, offering many historic sights and ancient hill towns to explore.  Spain also has a strong food culture, offering food that is approachable but also a little more exotic than typical American cuisine.  Given its proximity to both the Mediterranean and Atlantic Ocean, seafood plays an important part in Spanish cuisine.  Tapas is popular throughout the country, as is the prized Jamón Ibérico.

If you wish to see a few examples of trips to Spain, you can read my blog post “A Family Trip to Spain” about one of my family’s spring breaks, and my post “Client Trip Spotlight: A Family of Four in Portugal & Spain” about a recent client trip to Spain & Portugal.

Below are some of the more popular destinations within Spain for visitors.

Madrid

The capital of Spain, Madrid is a popular starting or ending point for a trip to Spain, given the numerous direct flight options to and from major cities in the U.S.   Madrid has grown in popularity over the last few decades, as tourists have come to appreciate its culture, museums, and culinary delights. 

Soccer fans may want to visit the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium, home of the famous Real Madrid soccer team.  Art lovers can tour the Prado Museum or just soak in the architecture on a walking tour of the city.  The Royal Palace, home to the kings and queens of Spain, gives visitors insight into how the royalty used to live and the might of the Spanish empire in the 16^th-18^th centuries. 

A visit to Madrid is not complete without at least one foodie experience.  Wander a local market with a chef to select ingredients and then prepare a traditional Spanish meal.  Or visit food stalls to try local wines and cheese and the prized jamón ibérico. 

Those with extra time can take a day trip to Toledo, either by train or private transfer.  The city is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, an ancient masterpiece created over a 1,000+ years by various cultures including the Romans, Moors, Jews, and Christians. 

Barcelona

Located on the Mediterranean on the northeastern coast of the Iberian Peninsula, Barcelona is one of the most visited cities in Spain.  It has a rich history dating back to before Roman times.  Visitors can take a walking tour through the Gothic Quarter, which rests on the ancient Roman city of Barcino and contains well preserved buildings from the 13-15^th centuries.  Or take a motorcycle sidecar tour through the streets and explore the backstreets and outlying areas of the city.

Any first-time visitors to Barcelona will want to see a few of the famous works of the visionary architect Antonio Gaudí.  Stop at Parc Güell, what could have been a strange and colorful community for the wealthy, instead transformed into a public park for all to see.  Next, visit Sagrada Familia, a massive church that is Gaudi’s most famous work.  Under construction for over 100 years (construction began in 1882), it isn’t expected to be fully completed until 2034.

A day trip from Barcelona brings visitors to Santa Maria de Montserrat, the famous mountain monastery that stands over 4,000 feet above the valley floor.  Visitors can enjoy the breathtaking views and the opportunity to hike around the mountain, before exploring this unique spiritual and religious center.

Seville

The capital of Andalusia, Seville is located on the River Guadalquivir.  Visitors will want to see the famous Alcazar, originally a Morrish palace that was rebuilt for the Christian royalty after the expulsion of the Moors.  Nearby is the Seville Cathedral, the third largest church in the world as well as the largest Gothic building.  It is also home to the tomb of Christer Columbus. 

Guests will also want to explore the Parque de María Luisa, a park designed for the World’s Fair.  Today it is a city park enjoyed by locals and visitors alike, providing picturesque walking paths past many gardens and fountains.  Inside the park, visitors can stroll past the famous Plaza de España, a building original built to showcase Spain’s industry and technology exhibits at the fair.

A trip to Seville isn’t complete without experiencing the famous Flamenco culture.  Brought to Spain by the gypsy community, visitors can enjoy a performance of this unique dance followed by a tapas tour through the neighborhood.  More adventurous travelers can take a private class to learn how to dance the Flamenco themselves. 

Seville is also famous for painted tile, stemming from its Moorish roots, and colorful tiles are incorporated into many of its buildings.  Visitors can try their hand at tile painting and have their artwork shipped home after being fired in a kiln.  Those less artistically inclined might want to visit a traditional Andalusian Hacienda to witness the Andalucia equestrians and their choreographed performances.

Ronda

The most famous of Spain’s “White Villages,” Ronda sits perched dramatically above a deep gorge.  The Puente Nuevo, or New Bridge, straddles the gorge connecting the old town and new town.  Views from the dizzying height of the bridge are breathtaking.  Ronda is also home to the oldest bullfighting ring in Spain.  Ronda can be visited as part of a day trip from Seville, or as a stop on a transfer between Seville and other parts of Spain.

Cordoba

Cordoba can also be visited as a day trip from Seville or included as a stop on a longer exploration of Spain.  Famous for its Festival de Los Patios (Festival of the Patios) which happens every May, visitors are treated to a competition among locals who open their patios to the public and show off their gardening skills.  Throughout the entire summer, visitors will enjoy a plethora of flowers all over this city. 

Visitors can see the Cordoba Mosque-Cathedral.  Built on the site of a Christian church that was demolished to build a mosque, the mosque was later converted into a church when the Christians reconquered the peninsula in 1236.  Guests can also stroll the long city bridge and pose for a few pictures.

Granada

Granada is home to the Alhambra, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the most visited sites in Spain.  This hilltop fortress complex dates to the Moorish occupation, serving as a palace for the royalty, and is one of the best-preserved palaces from the historic Islamic world. 

The Spanish Riviera

Stretching along the Mediterranean coastline, sun lovers will enjoy the warm weather and long stretches of beach.  Popular stops include Malaga, the second-most populous city in Andalusia, Marbella, a ritzy seaside town known for its luxury resorts, and at smaller towns and villages along the Costa del Sol (Sun Coast).

Mallorca (Majorca)

One of the Spanish islands in the Mediterranean, Mallorca is a little more refined and relaxed compared to nearby Ibiza, which tends to attract a younger and party focused crowd.  Guests will arrive at the main city of Palma but can early venture around the island to explore and enjoy multiple land and water activities.  The island offers multiple luxury resorts, including the 5-star Belmond – La Residencia.