The 10 best places to visit in Spain
Spain received 96.8 million international tourists in 2025, the highest figure on record according to the National Statistics Institute (INE). This post describes ten places that draw many of those visitors: five large cities, three Andalusian destinations and the two island groups. It also shows which regions receive the most visitors, as a help for students who are planning trips during a stay in Spain.
Where international visitors go
INE publishes arrivals by autonomous community (region), not by city. In 2025 the six main regions of destination were:
- Catalonia: 20.1 million international tourists
- Balearic Islands: 15.7 million
- Canary Islands: 15.7 million
- Andalusia: 14.5 million
- Region of Valencia: 12.4 million
- Community of Madrid: 9.1 million
The main countries of residence of the visitors were the United Kingdom, France and Germany. The ten places below are not a ranking; they are grouped by type of trip.
The big cities
1. Barcelona
Barcelona looks over the Mediterranean and is known for the architecture of Gaudí and other Art Nouveau (Modernisme) architects. The sights that draw most visitors are the Sagrada Familia, Park Güell, Casa Batlló and La Pedrera. The seafront, the parks of Montjuïc and Ciutadella and the old town fill the rest of a visit.
2. Madrid
The capital has three large art museums close to each other: the Prado, the Reina Sofía and the Thyssen. Other landmarks are the Royal Palace, the Plaza Mayor, which is 400 years old, the Puerta del Sol and the Gran Vía. Madrid has high-speed trains to Barcelona, Valencia, Seville, Málaga and other cities.
3. Valencia
Valencia combines an old town with the futuristic City of Arts and Sciences and city beaches. In the centre, the Miguelete tower of the Cathedral can be climbed by its 207 steps, and the Silk Exchange is a World Heritage Site. Paella is the local dish. The Fallas festival ends on 19 March, when the large cardboard sculptures are burned.
4. Seville
In Seville, the Giralda tower, the Cathedral and the Real Alcázar palace stand a few metres from each other. The Cathedral is described by Spain’s tourism website as the largest Gothic temple in Europe. Plaza de España, María Luisa Park and the tapas bars of Triana and the historic quarter complete the visit.
5. Zaragoza
Zaragoza, the capital of Aragon, is the fifth Spanish city by number of inhabitants. It is known for the Basílica del Pilar and for the Aljafería Palace, an 11th-century Islamic fortress. It has an international airport and a high-speed train station, and Spain’s tourism website places it two to three hours from the main destinations in the north and centre of Spain.
Andalusia
6. Granada
Granada lies at the foot of the Sierra Nevada mountains. The Alhambra, the Generalife and the old Albaicín quarter are a World Heritage Site. Granada was the last city taken by the Catholic Monarchs, in 1492, and its Islamic past shapes the streets, crafts and food.
7. Málaga
Málaga is the birthplace of Pablo Picasso and has opened several museums in recent years, among them the Picasso Museum, the Carmen Thyssen Museum and the Pompidou Centre. The Alcazaba fortress, Gibralfaro Castle and the Roman theatre stand next to each other, and the city has 16 beaches.
8. Costa del Sol
The Costa del Sol is the coast of the province of Málaga. A car journey of around 180 kilometres along it links beaches, resorts such as Marbella and white villages in the mountains behind. Temperatures are pleasant all year round, so it is visited in winter too. The post on places to visit in Andalusia covers more of the region.
The islands
9. Balearic Islands
The Balearic Islands lie in the western Mediterranean. Mallorca and Ibiza are the two largest; Menorca and Formentera are quieter. Highlights on Mallorca are the capital, Palma, and the Serra de Tramuntana mountains. Ibiza is a World Heritage site and is known for its nightlife. The main airports are Palma de Mallorca, Menorca and Ibiza, and flights from the Spanish mainland take no more than two hours. Formentera has no airport and is reached by boat.
10. Canary Islands
The Canary Islands, in the Atlantic, have mild temperatures all year. Five of the seven islands are Biosphere Reserves and the archipelago has four national parks. Visitors come for the beaches, the volcanic scenery of Lanzarote, the sand dunes of Fuerteventura and Gran Canaria and the forests of La Palma and La Gomera. The Carnival of Santa Cruz de Tenerife is held in February.
Planning a trip as a student
- The five cities and the Andalusian destinations can be combined by train or bus; the islands need a flight or a ferry.
- Many of these places are also study destinations. The city pages describe them from a student’s point of view, and all schools in Spain can be searched by city.
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