“Traveling outgrows its motives. It soon proves sufficient in itself. You think you are making a trip, but soon it is making you - or unmaking you.” - Nicolas Bouvier, The Way of the World
There are no less than 41 buildings listed as UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Spain. Therefore, throughout the year, Spain attracts many tourists hoping to discover the richness of it's history and culture. Whether you're visiting Barcelona, Madrid , Zaragoza, Mardia, or Segovia, Spanish towns know exactly how to charm you with their iconic and historic cultural buildings. From the Alhambra in Granada to Catalonia’s Montserrat Abbey, the following 15 are some of the most beautiful monuments that you must surely see when you visit Spain.
The Sagrada Familia in Barcelona
In the heart of the picturesque city of Barcelona, is the famous Sagrada Familia Basilica , it is one of Gaudí’s most iconic architectural works. The building construction was first started in 1882 and is not expected to be fully completed until 2026. In fact, the construction is mostly funded by funds received from tourism. The economic boom of recent years had allowed further and faster construction of the monument. They are hopeful it will be completed on time. Find out more interesting facts about Spain's best cities.
The Alhambra in Granada
The Alhambra, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and is one of the finest examples of Islamic and Moorish architecture, it is one of the most visited monuments in all of Spain. Tourists enjoy the gardens and freely visit all the different parts of the monument, that lays out the story of Spain’s history. Visitors also enjoy the breathtaking views of the Sierra Nevada mountains.
If you’re visiting Andalusia, make sure to visit this monument! Granada will impress you just as much as the Alhambra. Don't miss this destination and make sure to add it to your list, you'll be enjoying the tapas you'll get free when you order any drink there.
Mosque-Cathedral of Cordoba
First built as a mosque in 786 , it was then converted into a cathedral in 1523, arguably Cordoba’s most famous monument and an architectural delight that's also a must see. Like the Alhambra in Granada, the Mezquita de Cordoba is one of the many Islamic monuments to be found in southern Spain. The Cathedral is also listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and a historical monument where you can enjoy the art of the Umayyad Caliphate.
Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela
This Roman Cathedral with it's Baroque facade built between 1098 and 1738 is a popular Catholic meeting point. Thousands of pilgrims each year make the journey to discover this monument in Galicia. It is the home of the tomb of Saint James the apostle, who travelled across Europe and converted the Iberian Peninsula to Catholicism. Many curious tourists visit the cathedral to learn more about the Pilgrimage or the Way of Saint James. You can learn more about this pilgrimage here.
Alcázar of Segovia
According to legend, the Castle of Segovia, is the inspiration for Sleeping Beauty 's fairytale castle. The castle is located near Madrid and boasts an incredible style with a fortress, a royal palace, a prison, and military academy. Set high on the hill, it overlooks the surrounding area and is the perfect place to admire the Spanish countryside near the capital. Taking Spanish lessons online will help you feel more at ease on your trip.
The Cathedral of Palma de Mallorca
The Cathedral of Palma de Mallorca, also known as the La Seu de Mallorca (the Cathedral of Santa Maria) is a huge monument built in the 13th century. The Cathedral overlooks the city and the Mediterranean Sea. If you do visit the island of Mallorca, besides visiting the Cathedral of Palma, you must also visit the chapel built by Miquel Barceló, it's will provide you an opportunity to see another part of the island.
Burgos Cathedral
Burgos Cathedral is also listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Famous for its Gothic style, it was built between 1221 and 1765, and made famous as the resting place of Rodrigo Diaz de Vivar (El Cid) and his wife Jimena. It’s one of the country’s biggest cathedrals in Spain, after those in Toledo and Seville respectively. The amazing historical sculptures that are found within this cathedral make it a veritable museum. Make sure you budget for your trip to Spain.
Cathedral-Basilica of Our Lady of the Pillar
The Cathedral-Basilica of Our Lady of the Pillar, found in the heart of Aragon is dedicated to the Virgin Mary and her appearance at this religious site. The Virgin is said to have appeared on a column in front of the apostle Saint James. The basilica therefore, is a Christian pilgrimage and holy site. If you visit Zaragoza in the region of Aragon, make sure you do not miss the breathtaking architecture of this cathedral.
The Roman Theatre, Mérida
The Roman Theatre in Mérida was built between the 16th and 15th BCE, and is a huge part of the city’s archaeological history. It’s one of the largest roman theatres on the Iberian Peninsula and was part of the former city of Emerita. Like all Roman theatres, it was designed with exceptional acoustics and this particular theatre can seat 3,000 audience members, and does produce an incredible sound and acoustics.
The Giralda of Seville
The Giralda of Seville was first constructed as a mosque in this old Andalusian city, and provides visitors with the highest viewpoints in the city. In fact, the city had prohibited construction of anything higher than the minaret of the mosque. It later became a cathedral after the Reconquista. The Giralda was turned into a bell-tower and it combines Spanish architectural styles with Islamic styles. The best vantage point where you can take in the most breathtaking views of the old Andalusian city, is from the very top!
The City of Arts and Sciences in Valencia
The City of Arts and Sciences in Valencia boasts one of the city's finest architecture and design. The futuristic architectural site covers 350,000 metres squared. Designed by Santiago Calatrava and Félix Candela, the buildings include a science museum, oceanographic museum, botanical gardens, planetarium, an art and music space, with a bridge and a covered square.
This incredible futuristic architectural site merits a visit to Valencia. Learn more about art and science while also learning about the Spanish culture. English language guides are readily available throughout or you can learn Spanish by taking Spanish classes Calgary or in your city.
The Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao
The Guggenheim Contemporary Art Museum was designed by the famous American architect Frank Gehry. The Art gallery is located in the heart of the Basque Country in Bilbao. Opening in 1997, it includes works from many famous contemporary artists such as Richard Serra and Jeff Koons. It is famous world wide for it's incredible and iconic architecture. The building is constructed out of stone, titanium, and glass and its structure alone is just as impressive as the art it contains within. This contemporary monument has elevated Bilbao’s status as a world known art city.
Casa Milà in Barcelona
There are many examples of D Antonio Gaudí's architecture found in the city of Barcelona. After Gaudi's Sagrada Familia, definitely another one of his must see monument's is the Casa Milà. The building, known as La Pedrera, was built between 1906 and 1910. Also listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, La Pedrera's baroque and modern style have left an indelible mark on Barcelona’s urban landscape. At first, the building was not warmly received by the city and its residents , but over a century later, it's now one of the city’s most popular sights, and tourists from around the world marvel at its whimsical and playful architecture. Need more information about finding accommodations in Spain.
The Royal Palace of Madrid
At the heart of the Spanish capital city of Madrid, is the famous Royal Palace. Boasting over 3,000 rooms in the palace along with its massive gardens, it is considered the biggest palace in Western Europe. Listed as the king’s official residence, it only really welcomes tourists and official visits. Built during the latter half of the 18th century it easily covers 135,000 metres squared. In the heart of the city of Madrid, the Royal Palace is one of Spain’s most visited attractions.
Montserrat Abbey
Tourists and pilgrims alike make their way to the Montserrat Abbey in the Montserrat Mountain Range of Catalonia. This abbey was built in the 9th century, the monument is now a Catalan art museum and monastery, with some sixty monks living in the abbey. Pilgrims can visit the monastery daily, and is truly an impressive monument built in the heart of the mountains. Although Spain is famous for these major tourist attractions, it's also a popular tourist destination for its sun lit beaches. There are plenty of well known beach destinations and regions including Malaga in the Costa del Sol in the South, Ibiza in the Balearic Islands, San Sebastian in Northern Spain, or Tenerife in the Canary Islands. When you travel to Spain, why not take a small detour to one of the small villages with whitewashed streets in Andalucia, or take in a flamenco show in Sevilla or Madrid, or enjoy some authentic paella in Valencia. With so many things to see and do, this is why Spain easily welcomes thousands of tourists every year! You can prepare for you trip to Spain by taking Spanish classes Toronto or elsewhere in Canada.
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