When we think of Spain, a picture of flamenco dancers with castanets, tapas with a glass of wine or beer, and the magnificent Alhambra area illuminated by the moon come to mind. If you’ve always wanted to fly to Spain but did not know exactly where to visit, here is the recommended trip plan for a two-week vacation, where you can absorb all of the culture, history, local cuisine and architecture that this amazing country has to offer.
If you can’t spend two whole weeks in Spain, do not worry, just divide the itinerary into two 1 week trips, because after spending the first week there, there’s no chance you won’t want to go back and see everything you missed.
We’ll start our vacation in Barcelona, the classic city famous for its architecture, which elegantly moves from the Roman era through the Middle Ages to the Catalan style. The truly amazing thing about this city is that no matter where you decide to travel, you will always find something great to do and see.
Click here to get to know 15 of Barcelona's best and recommended sites
If you’re interested in seeing Roman ruins during your trip to Spain, you can see some on your way from Barcelona to Valencia, stopping at Tarragona. This city was conquered during the third century by the Romans and is one of the most recommended cities in the country where you can see what remains of the legacy of their empire.
Visit the Tarraco archaeological site - you can see the ruins of the Roman Empire that ruled Tarragona. As you sit in the seats of the old amphitheater, you can imagine how gladiatorial battles were seen by the local spectators who once lived in the city, alongside the city's amazing coast.
Valencia, a port city in eastern Spain, is the third largest city in the country. It was founded by the Romans more than 2,100 years ago and today it includes amazing and modern architecture. It is reasonable to assume that if you stay there for 2 nights you won’t be able to see everything that this spacious city has to offer, but 2 nights is enough time to visit its main attractions. A few must-see attractions of the city are the Mercado Central, considered the largest covered market in Europe, The City of Arts and Sciences an entertainment-based cultural and architectural complex, and Malvarrosa Beach where you can feast on Spain’s most delicious paella.
You might want to get into shape before visiting Toledo since it is built on a hill. Therefore, it’s recommended to visit it with comfortable walking shoes that will help you navigate between the narrow cobblestone streets of this enchanting city.
Alcázar Fortress - the fortress of Alcázar is hard to miss since it is located in the highest area of the city. The fortress was already in use during the Roman period, was conquered by Muslims, renovated during the reign of the kings and was under siege during the Spanish Civil War, which took place in the 30s of the 20th century. In this ancient building, you can see the National Library of Castilla-La Mancha and the Toledo Museum of Weapons.
Granada is one of the places that no tourist misses on a trip to Spain, as this is the area where Muslim architecture in the country is best preserved. Their impressive architecture can be seen anywhere in the city, whether you stroll through the narrow old alleys or visit the other side of the River Darrow, where you’ll find the famous and impressive Alhambra Hill.
Alhambra Hill is not just a simple hill but a complex of palaces and fortresses built by the sultans who ruled Spain between the centuries. In this site, defined as a World Heritage Site by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), you can see Islamic architecture at its best.14th and 13th
The city of Córdoba was settled in since prehistoric times, and it’s a place where you can see a perfect combination of Roman, Muslim and Christian culture – which all left their mark in different ways, sometimes in the same places and buildings. If you’ve heard of Spain's Flower Street, you’ll be delighted to discover that it is located on a walking tour path through Córdoba that you won’t want to miss.
Despite the great distance between Seville and the Atlantic Ocean (80 km), it is still considered a port city, due to the fact that it is the only city in all of Spain whose port is actually located on the banks of the beautiful river Guadalquivir. In addition to the wonderful river, amazing and impressive architecture, some dating back to the time of the Muslim rulers can be seen. Christopher Columbus, the famous explorer, was also born in this city!
Click here to get to know the 11 most recommended attractions in Seville
Of course, during such a trip to Spain, it is impossible to pass up the exciting opportunity to visit its capital, Madrid. It is the largest city in all of Spain and it’s the seat of the king, the government, the parliament and the Supreme Court of the country. Madrid is full of museums and art galleries, and it’s a place where you can watch bullfights in the largest arena in Spain.
Even though you might have a hard time leaving wonderful Madrid, it's recommended to visit the city of Segovia, which was said to have been founded by the sons of Noah, while other legends say that its founder was the hero of Greek mythology, Hercules. Here you can see one of the most impressive Roman aqueducts in the world, and it’s the most perfect place to end your trip before going home.
