Spain is one of the most visited countries in the world and there are many beautiful cities that are worth visiting which makes writing lists like this rather difficult. However, despite this, we’ll do our best to help you choose among some of the best places to visit in Spain in 2022.
Barcelona
Barcelona is the most popular city in Spain and one of the most frequently visited cities in Europe. For a city as big as Barcelona, it’s no wonder that there are tons of exciting things to do in this Spanish city. Even though Barcelona is flocking with thousand of tourists every day, it is still one of the highly recommended places to visit in Spain. Some of the best things to do in Barcelona as a first-time traveler are watching the Castellers Building A Human Tower, exploring the ancient Roman temples, visiting the most beautiful hospital in Europe, trying the free flamingo dance, and much more.
Seville
Seville is Spain’s fourth-largest city and has some of the best modern architecture in Europe. Many tourists visit Seville for its amazingly unique culture, great food, and postcard-worthy architecture. But what makes this city a must-visit place for first-time travelers is that no matter if you’re a city fan or nature lover, history fanatic, or fantasy enthusiast, Seville has something to offer to everyone. Some of the most fun things to do in Seville are visiting the historic Santa Cruz district, Cruising the Guadalquivir, Visiting the famous Real Alcázar, and much more.
Malaga
Malaga is one of the most visited cities in Andalusia, and for good reason, its most prominent landmarks are located in the center of the city which is known as “Malaga’s historic center”. This city has an enormous number of historic buildings, landmarks, and unique architecture. Some of the most popular sites include the Gibralfaro castle, the Roman Theatre, Mercado de Atarazanas and La Alcazaba. Apart from historical sites, many tourists visit the pristine beaches Malaga has to offer like Playa de el Palo, Playa Peñón del Cuervo, Cabopino Beach, and much more!
Pro tip: Even though public transportations in Spain are quite efficient, hiring a rental car would be a convenient way to travel. Car hire Malaga offers high-quality and affordable services to customers.
San Sebastian
San Sebastian is also known as the gourmet paradise of Spain. San Sebastian has some of the best restaurants in Spain and has the second most Michelin stars per capita in the world. Besides its first-class restaurants and high-quality food, San Sebastian is also known for its picturesque beach views. San Sebastian is the perfect destination for travelers whose ideal vacation entails relaxing on beautiful beaches and eating incredible food. Some of the best things to do in San Sebastian are taking Pintxos Tour, visiting the old town, visiting the beautiful Santa Clara Island, relaxing at Ondarreta Beach, and much more.
Ibiza
Ibiza is widely known for its wild nightlife, and party all-night culture but this island much more than that. Ibiza is a place where you can enjoy pristine beaches, hippy markets, and some amazing sunsets. Unlike some places mentioned on this list, Ibiza is a place that mostly attracts young crowds due to its colorful and glamorous portrayal in the media. But if your dream vacation means a holiday on a pristine island then Ibiza is the right choice for you. Some of the best places to visit Ibiza are Cala d’Hort, Las Dalias Market, Las Salinas, Sa Talaia and much more.
Siurana
Siurana looks almost like a medieval town that prompts the memory of the Middle Ages. The most famous building in Siurana is its Romanesque church, which has a doorway with a figured tympanum framed by three semicircular archivolts. In addition to that, Siurana is one of the most important climbing destinations in Spain and the world. Some of the best things in Siurana include visiting the remains of a Moorish castle that was built in the 9th century, going rock climbing, and exploring the town’s marvelous cobbled streets.
Asturias
Asturias is a beautiful enclave, with a great natural, architectural and gastronomic heritage. There are small towns such as Ribadesella, Cudillero, or Lastres and larger cities such as Gijón, Oviedo, and Avilés that you cannot miss. The Enol, Ercina, and the Biracial can be visited throughout the year, but they are particularly beautiful in summer. Getting there is an adventure in itself since access to these places is through winding and narrow roads, but once you get there you will discover that the trip has been worth it. Some other fun things in Asturias include exploring some of the most famous natural parks in the area like Picos de Europa, Somiedo Natural Park, relaxing at Lakes of Covadonga, exploring Cabo de Penas, and visiting the Museum of the Asturian people.
Sierra de Grazalema
Surely you never imagined that the place where it rains the most in all of Spain would be Andalusia. Well yes! it is, Sierra de Grazalema is located between the provinces of Malaga and Cadiz. Uncover the beautiful white towns that are distributed throughout this spectacular massif such as Ubrique, Grazalema, Zahara de la Sierra, Cortes de la Frontera, or the famous Ronda, with its impressive Puente Nuevo.
Be sure to visit the Cueva del Gato, the El Saltadero gorge, and the Garganta Verde: a canyon with vertical walls over 400 meters high.
Santillana del Mar
On a route through Cantabria by car, you cannot forget to stop in Santillana del Mar, which although it is not holy, nor flat, nor does it have a sea, is among the most beautiful towns in Spain.
After spending a morning getting to know this medieval jewel and its most incredible buildings, such as the Collegiate Church of Santa Juliana, you cannot miss the impressive Cueva de Atamira, located just 2 kilometers away, which is another of the places to see in the most beautiful North of Spain.
Although to see the original, known as the Sistine Chapel of rock art and declared a World Heritage Site, you must be very lucky in a raffle that takes place every Friday, it is worth seeing its exact replica in the Neocave and thus delight yourself with its famous polychrome paintings.
If you have more time, you can go to Santa Justa Beach, located in the same municipality as Santillana del Mar and considered one of the best beaches in Cantabria.
Did you like our list? Which are some of your favorite places to visit in Spain for 2022? Feel free to share your thoughts in the comments below.