Travel blog - Tips to explore the world on a budget: Spain
What to See in Jaén: Itinerary, Highlights & Tours
09
December,
2025
Jaén is one of Andalusia's hidden gems, known for its impressive Renaissance cathedral and a hilltop castle with views over 66 million olive trees. The city is home to Spain's largest and best-preserved Arab baths from the 11th century, found beneath a Renaissance palace. In the La Magdalena neighborhood, narrow medieval streets are filled with stories of the legendary Lagarto that once frightened locals. You can explore the Cathedral’s long history, walk through the old Islamic baths, or enjoy the sweeping olive grove views from Santa Catalina Castle. Jaén combines Renaissance beauty, Moorish history, and real Andalusian culture, all without the usual crowds. As the world’s olive oil capital and a city with deep historical roots as the "Holy Kingdom," Jaén appeals to history fans, architecture lovers, and anyone looking for a less-traveled part of Spain.
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What to See in Gijón: Itinerary, Highlights & Tours
Liam O'Connell
09
December,
2025
Gijón is the biggest coastal city in Asturias, with a 1.5km stretch of golden sand and Roman history dating back to the 1st century AD. The Cimavilla neighborhood sits on a clifftop and still feels like a fishing village, with narrow streets that were once home to sailors, cigarette sellers, and fishmongers. At the top of the headland, you’ll find Eduardo Chillida’s Elogio del Horizonte sculpture, looking out over the Cantabrian Sea. Beneath the modern city, you can visit underground Roman baths and the birthplace of Gaspar Melchor de Jovellanos. Whether you’re surfing at Playa de San Lorenzo, exploring the Campo Valdés archaeological site, or tasting Asturian cider in a sidrería, Gijón offers a mix of beach life, ancient ruins, and maritime traditions—without the crowds. The city blends its industrial past with deep historical roots, attracting surfers, history lovers, and families who want to explore the waterfront on foot.
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What to See in Cáceres: Itinerary, Highlights & Tours
Alexandra Dubakova
08
December,
2025
Cáceres has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1986 and is known for its remarkably well-preserved medieval old town. Inside its ancient walls, the Ciudad Monumental features a unique mix of Roman, Islamic, Gothic, and Italian Renaissance architecture, shaped by centuries of different cultures. Around 30 Moorish towers still rise above the city, and cobblestone streets lead past noble palaces, fortified homes, and grand churches that remain untouched by modern changes. This authentic setting even caught the attention of Game of Thrones producers, who used Cáceres as King's Landing in Season 7. The city is also famous for its food, including Torta del Casar cheese, migas extremeñas, and traditional shepherd dishes that reflect its rural history. Every November, the Medieval Market of the Three Cultures celebrates the Christian, Jewish, and Muslim influences that define Cáceres. Whether you’re exploring Renaissance palaces near Plaza de Santa María, visiting the Arab cisterns under the Cáceres Museum, or enjoying local cheese in a cozy tavern, Cáceres offers a genuine Spanish experience without large tourist crowds.
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What to See in Pontevedra: Itinerary, Highlights & Tours
Sofia Ricci
08
December,
2025
Pontevedra, a captivating historic city in Galicia, northwestern Spain, is celebrated for its beautifully preserved old town and its status as one of Europe’s most pedestrian-friendly urban centers. The maze of stone streets, lively plazas, and elegant medieval and Renaissance buildings create an intimate and culturally rich atmosphere. Visitors can enjoy outstanding seafood, explore local markets, and experience the region’s traditions through festivals and museums. Thanks to its mild climate and location near the scenic Atlantic coastline, Pontevedra is an ideal base for exploring the beaches, vineyards, and natural landscapes of the Rías Baixas. This makes it a rewarding destination for travelers seeking a blend of heritage, gastronomy, and relaxed coastal charm.
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What to See in Jerez de la Frontera: Itinerary, Highlights & Tours
Ava Sterling
06
December,
2025
Jerez de la Frontera is the largest city in Cádiz province and is known as the world capital of sherry wine (vino de Jerez). More than 30 historic bodegas age this fortified wine using the unique solera system. The city’s UNESCO-listed Alcázar, an 11th-century Almohad fortress with Arab baths, a mosque, and a palace, highlights impressive Islamic architecture. Nearby, Baroque and Gothic cathedral spires create a striking skyline. The Royal Andalusian School of Equestrian Art hosts horse ballet shows that blend classical dressage, 18th-century costumes, and Spanish music. Traditional tabanco bars, found only in Jerez, serve sherry straight from wooden barrels and feature spontaneous flamenco performances, keeping Andalusian traditions alive. Jerez brings together wine tourism, equestrian shows, authentic flamenco, and a mix of Moorish and Christian architecture, making it one of southern Spain’s most underrated cultural destinations.
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What to See in Alcalá de Henares: Itinerary, Highlights, and Tours
Liam O'Connell
05
December,
2025
Alcalá de Henares is a UNESCO World Heritage city located 35 kilometers east of Madrid and is known as the birthplace of Miguel de Cervantes, the author of Don Quixote and Spain's most famous writer. The University of Alcalá, founded in 1499 by Cardinal Cisneros, features impressive Renaissance and Plateresque architecture and is one of Spain's oldest universities. Each year, it hosts the prestigious Cervantes Prize for Spanish literature. Calle Mayor, the city's main street, stretches nearly a kilometer and is lined with arcades, making it one of Europe's longest covered streets filled with traditional shops and cafés. The Cathedral-Magistral of Saints Justus and Pastor is a rare Gothic church with great historical importance. The Complutum archaeological site showcases well-preserved Roman mosaics, baths, and villa remains from the ancient city that came before medieval Alcalá. The Corral de Comedias, built in 1601, is Europe's oldest preserved theater and still hosts performances in its original setting. Alcalá blends literary history, university life, Roman ruins, and a true Castilian atmosphere, all just a short trip from Madrid.
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What to See in Marbella — Itinerary, Highlights & Tours
Jürgen Müller
04
December,
2025
Marbella, the jewel of Spain's Costa del Sol, blends historic charm with Mediterranean glamour, making it one of Europe's most exclusive resort destinations. The atmospheric Old Town (Casco Antiguo) captivates with whitewashed buildings, flower-draped balconies, and the orange-tree-filled Plaza de los Naranjos, dating to the Reconquista era following centuries of Moorish rule. Just kilometers away, Puerto Banús Marina showcases superyachts, designer boutiques, and waterfront restaurants where the international jet-set congregates. The city's 27 kilometers of beaches stretch along the Mediterranean, offering golden sand, beach clubs, and water sports from the center to San Pedro de Alcántara. The promenade connecting Marbella to Puerto Banús provides scenic coastal walks past palm trees and luxury villas. The 16th-century Iglesia Mayor de la Encarnación and remnants of Moorish walls demonstrate the city's layered history beneath its modern sophistication. Marbella combines cultural heritage, year-round sunshine, golf courses, and an upscale lifestyle, creating Costa del Sol's most glamorous destination.
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What to See in Salamanca: Itinerary, Highlights & Tours
Liam O'Connell
04
December,
2025
Salamanca is a UNESCO World Heritage city in western Spain's Castilla y León region, known for its golden sandstone buildings that have earned it the nickname "La Dorada" (The Golden City). It is home to Spain's oldest university, founded in 1218, and is rich in academic traditions, including the famous frog legend on the University's ornate Plateresque façade. The impressive Plaza Mayor, often called Spain's most beautiful baroque square, is full of student life, tapas bars, and evening strolls under its elegant arcades. Two cathedrals, one Romanesque and one Gothic, stand side by side, showing the city's architectural history. Other highlights include the Casa de las Conchas with its shell-covered façade, the Clerecia's baroque towers with panoramic views, and the Roman bridge over the Tormes River. Just 90 minutes from Madrid, Salamanca offers a mix of historic monuments, a lively student scene, and authentic Castilian culture.
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What to See in León: Itinerary, Highlights, and Tours
Sofia Ricci
03
December,
2025
León is a historic city in northwest Spain’s Castilla y León region. It draws visitors with its impressive Gothic cathedral, called "Pulchra Leonina" (Beautiful Leonese), which has Europe’s largest collection of medieval stained glass windows. Once an ancient Roman settlement, León became a key stop on the Camino de Santiago and is filled with architectural treasures from Roman walls to Gaudí’s Casa Botines. The cathedral’s 125 stained glass windows, covering 1,800 square meters, fill the interior with colorful light and make it Spain’s top Gothic masterpiece. The Royal Pantheon in the Basilica of San Isidoro, often called the "Sistine Chapel of Romanesque" for its 12th-century frescoes, preserves outstanding medieval art. Barrio Húmedo, or the Wet Quarter, is famous for its many tapas bars, where León’s tradition of free tapas with every drink makes it a great value for food lovers.
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What to See in Segovia: Itinerary, Highlights & Tours
Antoine Dubois
03
December,
2025
Segovia is a UNESCO World Heritage city set on a rocky ridge northwest of Madrid. It draws visitors with three main landmarks: the well-preserved Roman Aqueduct, a fairytale-like Alcázar castle, and a tall Gothic cathedral. Founded by the Romans and shaped by Christian, Jewish, and Moorish cultures, Segovia displays architecture from every era of Spanish history. The 2,000-year-old Roman Aqueduct, made of 167 granite arches without any mortar, is one of the world's most impressive ancient engineering works still in use today. The Alcázar's towers and clifftop setting are said to have inspired Disney's Cinderella Castle, while the Gothic cathedral, known as "The Lady of Spanish Cathedrals," stands out in Plaza Mayor. Only 30 minutes from Madrid by high-speed train, Segovia is an ideal day trip, blending Roman, medieval, and Renaissance sights with its famous roast suckling pig.
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