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The Ultimate Guide to Spain: Top 6 Must-Visit Destinations for First-Time Visitors (2023)


Spain is a beautiful country with unlimited travel opportunities for everyone. From beautiful sunny beaches to snow-capped mountains, you can do a plethora of activities in Spain depending on the region and time of year. Besides the beautiful places to visit, Spain is also well known for its appetizing cuisine and variety of delicious wines!


To help you plan your trip, here's a list of what we consider to be some of the best things to see and do in Spain:


6 - Barcelona

Sunset in Barcelona, Spain a must visit in 2023, 2024, 2025.
Sunset in Barcelona.

Barcelona is presumably the most popular city in Spain, and for many good reasons. Barcelona is jammed packed with museums, beaches, attractions, bars, restaurants, nightclubs, etc. There is so much to do and see in Barcelona that you could easily spend months there and not see it all.


If it's your first time visiting Barcelona, I recommend you check out the Sagrada Familia, Las Ramblas, and one of the typical paella restaurants in the area.


5 - Pamplona

Festival de San Fermin, Running of the Bulls in Spain 2023, 2024, 2025.
Picture of the Festival de San Fermin

Pamplona is a small town located in Spain's northern corridor and a worthwhile destination. The city is well known for the famous "Running of the Bulls festival,"which occurs every year from the 7th to the 14th of July during the Festival de San Fermin. Over a million spectators gather in Pamplona during the festival to witness thousands of runners fleeing from a stampede of bulls. After the run, which only occurs once each morning, the city becomes a giant festival where you can find excellent street food, parties on every corner, and plenty of "kalimotxo" (red wine mixed with cola)!


Note Running with the bulls is dangerous; people are often fatally wounded by the bulls while participating in the run.



4 - Valencia

Modern architecture of Valencia Spain in 2023, 2024. 2025.
Modern architecture of Valencia

Valencia is the third largest city in Spain and is well known for its historical and cultural attributes. Valencia has a rich combination of modern and antique architecture. With sites like the contemporary "Ciudad de las Artes y Las Ciencias," you will feel as if you suddenly jumped into the future thanks to its impressive architectural feats. On the other hand, when you walk through the "Casco Historico," you will feel as if you traveled back in time as you walk down the historic cobblestone streets of Old Town Valencia.


With plenty of museums, beaches, restaurants, and attractions, Valencia is a place where you never get tired of visiting!


3 - Marbella

Cobbled stone street in Marbella Spain.
Elli sipping on wine in Marbella.

Tucked away on Spain's southern coast sits the beautiful city of Marbella. Well known for its mild Mediterranean climate, Marbella is the perfect destination to visit for a relaxing experience while in Spain. The city is full of beautiful beaches, restaurants, and nightclubs. For the more traditional Spaniard part of Marbella, you can check out "Casco Antiguo" (the Old Town), where you will likely get lost in the small corridors full of authentic Spanish restaurants. If you are searching for a more luxurious Marbella, I recommend you head to "Nueva Andalucia" (the New Town), where you will find luxury shops, restaurants, and beachfront resorts.


No matter which side of the city you decide to visit, there are plenty of activities to do and see for everyone!


2 - Mallorca

Mallorca on a sunny day in Spain.
Mallorca on a sunny day.

Mallorca is a lovely Mediterranean island located in the Balearic Sea. Well known for its mild Mediterranean weather all year long and crystal clear beaches, Mallorca is well worth a visit if you are traveling through Spain. Furthermore, with a rich history that dates back to the 13th century, Mallorca is an excellent destination for culture admirers.


From castles, beaches, hiking trails, diving, sailing, clubbing, eating, etc., Mallorca is a stunning destination with limitless possibilities!



1- Granada

Alhambra in Granada Spain
Alhambra in Granada

Situated on the foothills of the Sierra Nevada mountains is one of Spain's most enchanting cities, Granada. With a rich history dating back thousands of years, Granada is a quaint city with lots to offer. From its delicious cuisine influenced by its Moorish past to breathtaking sites like the Alhambra, you could easily spend a week in Granada and not experience it all.


A beautiful city that seems to have frozen in time, Alhambra is a must-visit while in Spain!


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Have you been to Spain? What was your favorite city to visit there? Let us know in the comments below!




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