Spain is a number one destination for all travel enthusiasts. As well as discovering the best cities to visit in Spain and the tried-and-tested coastal resorts, you can explore a little further to uncover some hidden gems., from the white beaches of Tenerife to the sparkling views of Barcelona, here are some of the reasons we think we should add Spain to your bucket list today.

Food

Food always comes first, and if you are an insatiable foodie like me, then it is a vital part of every holiday. Once you familiarize yourself with Spanish food, it’ll take a long time before you can consume anything else. From tapas and jamon to some of the most delicious (and ridiculously cheap) market food you have ever seen, Spain really does know how to feed you the right way.  A superb combination of long-lasting culinary traditions, fresh produce, Mediterranean diet, and avant-garde Catalan techniques, the Spanish cuisine is one of the best in the world. Just think about it: exquisite jamon, Valencian paella, Andalusian gazpacho, amazing seafood, Crema Catalana, tortilla de patatas, Queso Manchego…

I’m already convinced, aren’t you?

Amazing Cities and Destinations

If you are a stickler for beautiful sceneries and amazing places, then get your camera ready because Spain is your next stop. Here’s a guide into the top places and cities to visit in Spain – and where to stay while you’re there – including the best for couples and families.

Barcelona

Spain’s second city is an eternal favourite with visitors for its stunning Mediterranean location, iconic architecture and cosmopolitan atmosphere. Go gaga for Gaudí at the Sagrada Familia and Park Güell and check out some of the architect’s lesser-known works such as Casa Batlló. Make the trip up to Mount Tibidabo for sparkling views across the city to the sea beyond; rollercoaster lovers should visit the Tibidabo Amusement Park, opened in 1905, while the mountain is also a great place to cycle or hike. Barcelona has a relaxed pace, months of endless sunshine, unbeatable food – with the cultural and design clout of almost any city in the cold north.

Madrid

Madrid has really revamped itself in the past couple of years. The Prado, Reina Sofia and Thyssen-Bornemisza museums have all got bigger and better, while the centre of the city is smartening up with new boutiques, delis, cafés and gastrobars opening up every week. It’s perfect for a culture-rich long weekend or city break, with great food and a lively atmosphere at night. Madrid may be cold in winter – it is one of Europe’s highest capital cities, after all – but the sky is usually blue and the sunshine strong enough to allow visitors to sit at a pavement café sipping a vermut.

Granada

Granada is like a Disney fairytale come to life: it has the stunning ancient fortress, the snowcapped peaks and winding cobbled streets. The Alhambra is one of Spain’s most famous attractions, and for good reason. The Moorish palace sits high over the city and contains some of the best-preserved Islamic art and architecture in the world. Don’t miss Sacromonte, an area of white caves clinging to the hillside where the city’s gypsy community originally lived and flamenco dance and music flourished.

Valencia

A decade of bold development has given Spain’s third-largest city some of the most striking architecture in the country, adding to the wealth of elegant Art Nouveau buildings that line the streets, as well as Gothic and Renaissance monuments. With dynamic museums, a flourishing restaurant scene, lively nightlife, great shops and miles of beach, Valencia is bursting with Mediterranean exuberance. And a walkable centre means you can drift from the medieval monuments in golden stone to the avenues lined with elegant buildings, stopping at pavement cafés along the way. Head to a beachside restaurant and enjoy the rice dish for lunch (Spaniards never tend to eat the heavy dish for dinner) washed down with some Agua de Valencia, a potent local cava cocktail.

Tenerife

Tenerife might bring to mind package holidays and beaches, but this Canary Island, located off the coast of West Africa, is so much more. Its lunar landscapes and volcanic peaks are otherworldly. Mount Teide is Spain’s highest peak and is set within the Teide National Park, where you can explore the peculiar landscape of craters and ancient lava flows, Spain’s most unique geological gems.

Costa Brava

The Costa Brava is one of the most romantic, gorgeous, unspoiled stretches of coast in Europe. Gloriously wild in parts and tastefully manicured in others, the Costa has some of the finest Blue Flag beaches in Europe, broad and sandy stretches to elegant horseshoe bays and secluded smugglers’ coves. You’ll also find wonderful, independent hotels and exceptional food. In fact, this stretch of the coast is a foodie’s paradise and Catalonia – where the Costa Brava lies – has one of the highest concentrations of Michelin-starred chefs in Spain, not to mention superb, locally produced wines.

Seville

Compact, rich in history and famous for its flamenco, tapas bars and orange trees, Seville is an ideal short break destination. Stay in the city’s old town to explore the cobbled streets of the Santa Cruz quarter and the breathtaking Alcázar Palace. Soak up the atmosphere on the banks of the Guadalquivir, and admire the views from the ancient cathedral tower and recently opened Parasol Metropol. The influence of the city’s Moorish past and Catholic present is visible everywhere, most strikingly in the world’s largest cathedral and the Giralda minaret, an exquisite example of Islamic architecture.

Ibiza

The White Isle is famous for its clubs, but less known for its natural beauty. Away from the mega-clubs, Ibiza is home to little fishing villages and quiet beaches and in recent years has become a popular destination for yoga and relaxation retreats. So whether you want to party all night or chill and rejuvenate, Ibiza is a great summer holiday destination.

With other amazing cities like Galicia, The Pyrenees, Almeria, Ronda, and La Rioja, Spain is definitely set on keeping you busy with Instagram worthy pictures and a travel itinerary to die for.

Stunning Scenery

From the dramatic, imposing mountains to the countless glistening beaches that dot its coastlines, Spain is a country full of natural beauty and inspiring landscapes. While Spain is definitely known for being a sunny destination, many aren’t aware just how beautiful its sunsets are. Madrid and Barcelona, as well as plenty of other cities that are located on a higher landscape, boast some of the most gorgeous sunsets you have ever seen! Beautiful, scenic, and incredibly relaxing, the Spanish beaches are one of the many reasons why so many people choose Spain as their beloved destination. Just imagine living close to a beach and coming down whenever you fancy!

Festivals

From Barcelona’s Sonar and Primavera Sound to FIB (Festival Internacional de Benicasim) and Bilbao BBK Live, the Spanish summer is packed with all kind of bouncy music festivals. Spain also boasts of weird traditional festivals galore.  We all know the Spanish people love to party but they’re especially good at doing it in a weird way. Want to stomp your bare feet on tomatoes? There’s a festival for that! Want to burn large paper mache statues? You can do that too! Want to celebrate a near-death experience by being carried in an open coffin? Sorted!

We could go on and on and still wouldn’t be able to completely finish telling you why you should visit Spain. The most important thing is now you understand why you need to and that we would love to get you there.