Travel blog - Tips to explore the world on a budget: Spain
Things to Do in Cádiz City: What to See and Where to Go
Antoine Dubois
18
February,
2026
Cádiz is just a small peninsula jutting into the Atlantic. The city is filled with golden buildings and the faint scent of frying fish drifting through the alleyways. It's one of the oldest cities in Western Europe, and you can feel that age in the stones underfoot.
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What to Do in Valencia: Must-See Places, Free Things & Local Tips
Antoine Dubois
06
February,
2026
You're thinking about going to this beautiful city, but don’t know what things to do in Valencia. This city was the capital of Spain, is the birthplace of paella Valenciana, and claims to possess the Holy Grail in its cathedral. Going there, you will see a perfect Valencia sightseeing mix of ancient historic landmarks and modern architecture. The city has an incredible historic center packed with UNESCO World Heritage sites, numerous museums you can visit for free, outdoor attractions — beaches like Las Arenas and local markets like Mercado Central, and many more. When you ask yourself what to do in Valencia, just remember that what really can get you is how the destination just works. This place is one of those cities that surprises most visitors. It's got everything you'd want from a European city break destination without the overwhelming crowds of Barcelona or Madrid.
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What to See and Do in Madrid: Attractions, Sightseeing to Visit
Alexandra Dubakova
30
January,
2026
Madrid combines royal grandeur with vibrant street life, creating one of Europe's most dynamic capital cities. The Spanish capital offers world-class art museums, historic squares buzzing with activity, and neighborhoods where traditional tapas bars sit alongside modern cultural spaces. Whether you're visiting for a quick weekend or planning a longer stay, understanding what to see in Madrid will help you make the most of this walkable, easily accessible city.
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What to See in Tenerife: Itinerary, Highlights & Tours
Liam O'Connell
26
December,
2025
Tenerife is the largest of Spain’s Canary Islands, set in the Atlantic Ocean near Morocco. The island feels like a small continent, with microclimates ranging from volcanic deserts around Mount Teide to lush banana valleys in the north and black-sand beaches meeting turquoise waves. At its center, Teide National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, rises to 3,718 meters—Spain’s highest peak. A cable car ride here reveals craters in shades of ochre and rust-red above the clouds. Colonial La Laguna features 16th-century pastel mansions, Santa Cruz blends modern culture with port life, and La Orotava, surrounded by mountains, keeps Tenerife’s aristocratic history alive with its carved wooden balconies.
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What to See in Estepona: Itinerary, Highlights & Tours
Liam O'Connell
25
December,
2025
Estepona, nestled on Spain's Costa del Sol between Marbella and Gibraltar, enchants visitors as "The Garden of the Coast" with its immaculately whitewashed Old Town bursting with geranium-draped balconies, over 60 vibrant street murals transforming building facades into open-air galleries, and Europe's largest Orchidarium housing 1,500 orchid species beneath three glass domes—all just steps from 21 kilometers of golden-sand Mediterranean beaches. Home to 70,000 residents yet retaining authentic Andalusian charm often lost in neighboring resorts, this former Moorish fishing village balances history—15th-century Castillo de San Luis ruins, Roman mausoleum foundations, Torre del Reloj clock tower—with contemporary coastal living, its 5-kilometer Paseo Marítimo promenade linking Old Town plazas to marina yachts and Blue Flag beaches where locals still practice espeto de sardinas (sardine skewers) beachside grilling traditions. Free walking tours through the Centro Histórico unlock hidden courtyards, ceramic poetry plaques lining cobblestone alleys (Ruta de Poesía), and Plaza de las Flores' flower-framed cafés serving pescaíto frito (fried fish), while the coastal path reveals sculptor-dotted gardens and turquoise waters ideal for sunset strolls far from Costa del Sol's tourist crowds.
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What to See in Mallorca: Itinerary, Highlights & Tours
Jürgen Müller
25
December,
2025
Mallorca is Spain's largest Balearic Island, with 3,640 square kilometers of Mediterranean coastline and mountains. The island has much more to offer than just its capital, Palma de Mallorca. There are over 300 beaches, from quiet turquoise coves to wide, family-friendly bays. The Serra de Tramuntana mountain range, a UNESCO World Heritage site, runs for 90 kilometers and is filled with limestone peaks and stone villages. You can also explore prehistoric caves, Roman ruins, and pine-covered cliffs reached by winding coastal roads. About 900,000 people live on Mallorca, but the island welcomes 16 million visitors each year, many of whom only see Palma. The real charm lies beyond the capital, such as the clifftop village of Valldemossa where Chopin composed, Cala Varques cove after a forest hike, the GR221 trail connecting mountain refuges, or the Portal Vells sea caves shaped by medieval sailors. Free tours from Palma can take you to hidden beaches, mountain viewpoints, and traditional farmhouses. Adventurers can paddleboard through limestone arches or snorkel under cliffs once used by hermits. Mallorca’s magic is found all over the island, not just in the city.
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What to See in Albarracín: Itinerary, Highlights & Tours
Sofia Ricci
23
December,
2025
Albarracín sits on a bend of the Guadalaviar River in Aragon's Sierra de Albarracín. It's one of Spain's prettiest villages, with rose-colored stone houses that seem to tumble down cliffs surrounded by pine forests and ancient rock art. With only about 1,000 residents, this well-preserved medieval town was named a Historic-Artistic Monument in 1961. Its narrow cobbled streets wind past wooden balconies that jut out over the lanes, ochre walls that glow at sunset, and Mudéjar plasterwork that mixes Islamic and Gothic styles. Albarracín began as a Moorish taifa kingdom in the 10th century under the Berber Banu Razín dynasty. It remained semi-independent through the Reconquista, with its pink cliffs helping to defend against sieges until Pedro III took control in 1284. Today, visitors can explore unique houses like Casa de Julianeta, see lizard carvings on doorways, visit the Torre del Andador, and spot noble coats of arms at Monterde-Antillón. Free walking tours from Plaza Mayor reveal everything from Islamic ceramics to medieval law codes in the Museo de Albarracín.
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What to See in Santa Cruz de Tenerife: Itinerary, Highlights & Tours
Liam O'Connell
23
December,
2025
Santa Cruz de Tenerife sits on the northeast coast and is the biggest city in the Canary Islands. It blends modern sights with colonial history and the excitement of Carnival. The city has about 210,000 people. Its waterfront features the striking Auditorio de Tenerife by Santiago Calatrava, while palm-filled plazas like Plaza de España are busy with markets, street performers, and the smell of papas arrugadas in mojo sauce. Founded in 1494 after the Spanish defeated the Guanche, Santa Cruz became a key port for ships heading to the Americas. It defended itself from pirates, British fleets, and rival ports like Garachico, which a volcano destroyed in 1706. Today, the city hosts Europe’s second-largest Carnival, attracting 400,000 visitors, and offers modern culture at the TEA museum and Palmetum gardens. Free walking tours are a fun way to explore the city’s history, from Guanche roots to today’s Canarian pride.
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What to See in Reus: Itinerary, Highlights & Tours
Jürgen Müller
22
December,
2025
Reus is a vibrant Catalan city located about 10 kilometers from the Mediterranean and close to Tarragona’s Roman ruins. It’s famous as Antoni Gaudí’s birthplace and has one of Spain’s largest collections of Modernist buildings. With a population of around 100,000, Reus features a walkable historic center with elegant squares like Plaça del Mercadal, lively cafés, market stalls selling local olives and cheeses, and ornate mansions that show its 19th-century trading success. Starting in the 18th century, Reus grew through wine, brandy, and especially vermouth, earning it the nickname “vermouth capital” of Catalonia. This prosperity brought architects like Lluís Domènech i Montaner, who designed over 70 Modernist buildings here, many as impressive as those in Barcelona but without the crowds. Gaudí was born here in 1852 during this golden era. Although his family moved nearby when he was five, Reus still honors him with museums, statues, and an annual festival. Today, you can walk past wrought-iron balconies with floral designs, enjoy vermouth in arcaded cafés, and admire the Gothic spires of Prioral de Sant Pere. Free walking tours let you discover how Reus blends medieval history, industrial energy, and artistic flair for a truly local experience.
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What to See in Puerto de la Cruz: Itinerary, Highlights & Tours
Ava Sterling
22
December,
2025
Puerto de la Cruz is on Tenerife’s green north coast, facing the Atlantic and surrounded by the Orotava Valley and Mount Teide. It started in the 16th century as a small fishing and export port for sugar and wine. After a volcanic eruption destroyed Garachico in 1706, Puerto de la Cruz became the main harbour in the north, growing with new houses, warehouses, and churches. In the 19th century, it became one of the first tourist resorts in the Canary Islands, attracting European visitors looking for a mild climate. Today, the town mixes historic Canarian buildings, leafy squares, black-sand beaches, and the famous Lago Martiánez pool complex designed by César Manrique. Free walking tours from the harbour show how the town grew from a fishing port into a lively, authentic Canarian city.
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What to See in Huelva: Itinerary, Highlights & Tours
Sofia Ricci
20
December,
2025
Huelva is a port city in southwestern Andalusia, Spain, where the Tinto and Odiel rivers meet the Atlantic. With about 145,000 residents, it is the capital of Huelva province and a starting point for the Costa de la Luz and Doñana National Park. The city’s history goes back to the Phoenicians in the 9th century BC, followed by Romans and Moors, who helped it grow through fishing, mining, and trade. Huelva is best known for its link to Columbus: he prepared for his 1492 voyage at the nearby La Rábida monastery in Palos de la Frontera, where his three ships set sail for the Americas. Today, visitors can see Casa Colón, wander the historic centre around Plaza de las Monjas, walk along the Muelle del Tinto pier, and enjoy the beaches and the UNESCO-listed Marismas del Odiel wetlands. Free walking tours are a great way to discover Huelva’s history, architecture, and maritime traditions, making them perfect for first-time visitors.
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What to See in Gran Canaria: Itinerary, Highlights & Tours
Alexandra Dubakova
20
December,
2025
Gran Canaria is one of Spain’s Canary Islands, located off the northwest coast of Africa. It’s known for its varied microclimates, volcanic scenery, and golden beaches. About 850,000 people live here, with half in the capital, Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, which has a charming old town called Vegueta. The island was founded by Castilian forces in 1478 and became an important Atlantic stop between Europe, Africa, and the Americas, leading to a mix of Canarian, Spanish, and colonial cultures. Today, you can stroll through Vegueta’s cobbled streets, see the Maspalomas sand dunes, and visit towns like Arucas with its neo-Gothic church, parks, and rum distillery. Inland, you’ll find rugged peaks and viewpoints such as Roque Nublo and Tejeda, while the coast offers resorts and urban beaches like Las Canteras for swimming, surfing, and sunset walks. Free walking tours in Vegueta and Arucas are a great way to learn about the island’s history, architecture, and daily life from local guides.
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What to See in Cartagena: Itinerary, Highlights & Tours
18
December,
2025
Cartagena is a port city on Spain’s Mediterranean coast, in the Murcia region, with about 220,000 residents. Its history stretches back 3,000 years, with settlements by Iberians, Carthaginians, Romans, Byzantines, and Spaniards. Founded in 227 BC by the Carthaginian general Hasdrubal the Fair as Qart Hadasht, it became Carthage’s main base in the western Mediterranean and the starting point for Hannibal’s campaigns. The Romans took over in 209 BC, renamed it Carthago Nova, and made it a busy colony known for trade and silver mining. Today, you can visit the Roman Theatre Museum, designed by Rafael Moneo, which features a 7,000-seat theatre from the 1st century BC discovered in 1988. Concepción Castle stands on the city’s highest hill, offering views of the harbor and an interpretation center about Cartagena’s past. The historic center is also famous for its Modernist buildings from the late 1800s, such as Casa Cervantes, Casa Aguirre, the Casino, and Gran Hotel, all with elegant Art Nouveau designs. The ARQUA National Museum of Underwater Archaeology and the Naval Museum showcase Cartagena’s maritime history, including the Peral submarine from 1888, the first successful electric-powered submarine. Each September, the city hosts the Carthaginians and Romans festival, where thousands dress up to reenact ancient battles. With its walkable center, Mediterranean cuisine, authentic Spanish atmosphere, and easy access from Murcia, Cartagena is a top cultural destination in southeastern Spain.
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What to See in Aranjuez: Itinerary, Highlights & Tours
Liam O'Connell
18
December,
2025
Aranjuez is a UNESCO World Heritage site about 48 kilometers south of Madrid, known for its blend of royal history and beautiful landscapes. The Royal Palace, once the Spanish Crown’s spring home, stands at the center of gardens shaped by the Tagus and Jarama rivers. These rivers made it possible to create impressive gardens like the Island Garden, Parterre Garden, and Prince's Garden, each with its own style, from French Baroque to English landscape design. The gardens are filled with fountains, sculptures, waterfalls, and rare plants that reflect Enlightenment-era science. Inside the palace, you can visit 18th-century rooms such as the Porcelain Room, Arab Room, and Smoking Room, all decorated with remarkable art. The historic town center, built alongside the palace, has tree-lined streets, classic plazas like Plaza de San Antonio, and the Mercado de Abastos market. Aranjuez is also famous for its sweet strawberries and green asparagus, grown with irrigation systems that have been used for centuries. The Casa del Labrador, found in the Prince’s Garden, is a neoclassical building with silk-lined rooms and fine details from the late 18th century. The Strawberry Train, a vintage steam train from Madrid, runs on weekends from April to October and brings back the feel of 19th-century travel. With its grand buildings, lovely gardens, creative landscape design, and well-known food, Aranjuez is a great choice for a day trip from Madrid.
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What to See in San Cristóbal de La Laguna: Itinerary, Highlights & Tours
17
December,
2025
San Cristóbal de La Laguna, once Tenerife’s capital and now home to about 160,000 people, is the only UNESCO World Heritage City in the Canary Islands. Its grid layout, planned in 1497 by Alonso Fernández de Lugo, inspired many Latin American cities. The old town has 627 protected buildings, including 361 from the 16th to 18th centuries with Mudéjar architecture, which mixes Islamic and European styles. The Cathedral of La Laguna and the Iglesia de la Concepción, with its distinctive tower, stand out among wooden-balconied mansions and lively pedestrian streets. The city’s university brings a vibrant student scene, tapas bars, and cultural festivals. The Casa Lercaro Museum, in a grand 16th-century mansion, shares Tenerife’s history. With its cooler weather, authentic feel, and location near Santa Cruz, La Laguna is a top cultural destination in Tenerife.
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What to See in Murcia: Itinerary, Highlights & Tours
Ava Sterling
17
December,
2025
Murcia is the sunny capital of southeastern Spain’s Region of Murcia. The city is famous for its Moorish history, impressive Baroque buildings, and tasty vegetable-based dishes. Founded in 825 AD by Abd ar-Rahman II, Murcia grew because of advanced irrigation that turned the Segura River valley into what’s known as “the orchard of Europe.” The Cathedral of Santa María, with its grand Baroque front and Spain’s second-tallest cathedral tower, stands in Plaza del Cardenal Belluga. The Salzillo Museum features the dramatic sculptures of Francisco Salzillo, which are a highlight of Murcia’s Holy Week. The Real Casino de Murcia, built in 1847, is a beautiful example of 19th-century architecture, blending Moorish, neoclassical, and Art Nouveau styles. Plaza de las Flores, lined with tapas bars, is the heart of local food culture, serving dishes like marineras, zarangollo, and michirones. Other highlights include the remains of the Arab Alcazaba, the Puente de los Peligros bridge, the Almudí Palace, and lively pedestrian streets that link historic squares. With about 460,000 residents, Murcia has an authentic Spanish atmosphere, a walkable city center, a Mediterranean climate, and excellent free walking tours that showcase its 1,200 years of history.
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What to See in Mérida: Itinerary, Highlights & Tours
Alexandra Dubakova
16
December,
2025
Mérida, the capital of Spain's Extremadura region, has the largest and best-preserved Roman ruins in the Iberian Peninsula. The city became a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1993. Founded in 25 BC as Augusta Emerita by Emperor Augustus for retired soldiers, it later served as the capital of the Roman province of Lusitania. The Roman Theatre, built between 16 and 15 BC, seats 6,000 people and still hosts summer performances during the Classical Theatre Festival. Next to it, the Amphitheatre, built in 8 BC, once held 15,000 spectators for gladiator games. The Temple of Diana, with its 16 Corinthian columns from the 1st century AD, survived because it became the base for a Renaissance palace. The National Museum of Roman Art, designed by Rafael Moneo and opened in 1986, displays Roman mosaics, sculptures, and artifacts in a building inspired by Roman architecture. The Alcazaba fortress, built in 835 AD by emir Abd ar-Rahman II, is the oldest Islamic fortification in Spain and was constructed atop Roman ruins, using recycled materials. The Los Milagros Aqueduct, called the "Aqueduct of Miracles" for its 25-meter-high pillars, brought water from the Proserpina reservoir to the city. Other highlights include the 792-meter Roman Bridge over the Guadiana River, the Circus Maximus with seating for 30,000, and many excavated villas, baths, and monuments. Mérida, with about 60,000 residents, offers local Extremaduran food, a walkable historic centre, a mild climate, and a unique journey through Roman, Visigothic, and Islamic history.
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What to See in Girona: Itinerary, Highlights & Tours
Jürgen Müller
16
December,
2025
Girona is a medieval city in northeastern Catalonia with over 2,000 years of history and scenic views along the Onyar River. The Cathedral of Girona is famous for having the world's widest Gothic nave, at 22 meters, and features architecture from the Romanesque to the Baroque periods. Inside, you can find treasures such as the 11th-century Tapestry of Creation. The Jewish Quarter, called El Call, is one of the best-preserved medieval Jewish neighborhoods in Europe, with winding cobblestone streets, the Museum of Jewish History, and a tradition of Kabbalah studies until the 1492 expulsion. Girona sits 99 km northeast of Barcelona at the foot of the Pyrenees, where four rivers meet. It was an important defensive city and endured 25 sieges over the centuries. The medieval walls, known as Passeig de la Muralla, date back to Roman times and the 14th century, and offer panoramic views of the old town. The colorful houses along the Onyar River, painted in ochre, pink, yellow, and red, are Girona's most famous sight and are best viewed from the Eiffel Bridge, built by Gustave Eiffel's company in 1877. Girona gained even more attention after Game of Thrones filmed scenes here, using the Cathedral steps, Arab Baths, and Jewish Quarter as locations for Braavos and King's Landing in Season 6. With about 103,000 residents, Girona is the capital of its province and a gateway to the Costa Brava. The city is known for its Catalan culture, local foods like xuixo pastries and ratafia liqueur, the lively Plaça de la Independència, and its rich history from Roman to medieval times.
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What to See in Avilés: Itinerary, Highlights & Tours
Liam O'Connell
15
December,
2025
Avilés is a post-industrial city in Asturias, on the northwest coast of Spain. It blends impressive medieval architecture with modern design along the Avilés estuary. The Oscar Niemeyer International Cultural Centre, opened in 2011, is the only work in Spain by the famous Brazilian architect. Its white, curved buildings—an auditorium, observation tower, exhibition dome, cinema, and restaurant—stand out against the city’s industrial background. The well-preserved medieval center features arcaded streets and Plaza de España (known as "El Parche"), the city’s main square since the 17th century, surrounded by the Town Hall, Ferrera Palace, and Llano Ponte Palace. The Sabugo neighborhood, once a fishing village north of the old inlet, keeps its maritime character, distinct from the commercial area of La Villa. Gothic churches like San Nicolás de Bari and the Church of the Franciscan Fathers, along with palaces such as Valdecarzana and Camposagrado, reflect the wealth from overseas trade in medieval and baroque times. The Chapel of Las Alas, a 14th-century highlight, is open to visitors on special tours. With about 79,000 residents and a spot on the Northern Way of the Camino de Santiago, Avilés offers authentic Asturian culture, traditional cider houses (sidrerías), and easy access to beaches like Salinas.
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What to See in Soria: Itinerary, Highlights & Tours
Sofia Ricci
15
December,
2025
Soria is in north-central Castile and León, set along the Douro River. The city blends ancient Celtiberian history, a strong literary tradition, and beautiful natural surroundings. Just 7 km north, the Numancia Archaeological Site preserves the Celtiberian city that famously resisted a Roman siege for 13 months (134-133 BC) before its people chose death over surrender. The Church of Santo Domingo, built in the 12th century, has one of Spain's finest Romanesque facades, with detailed sculptures and a striking rose window. Soria is called the "City of Poets" because writers like Gustavo Adolfo Bécquer, Antonio Machado, and Gerardo Diego found inspiration here. The Ermita de San Saturio, an 18th-century baroque hermitage on a rocky outcrop above the river, contains frescoes and marks the place where the city's patron saint lived. Outside Soria, you can visit Laguna Negra de Urbión, a glacial lake surrounded by pine forests and cliffs, and the Cañón del Río Lobos, a 25-km limestone gorge with the 12th-century Ermita de San Bartolomé. Soria's signature dish is torreznos de Soria: crispy fried strips of cured pork belly with a Quality Guarantee certification.
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