20 Experiences in Spain I want for Everyone
(This article has affiliate links to products which we may make commission from at no extra cost to you.)
Every time I come across a post about Barcelona or Madrid, I find myself reflecting on my first trip to Spain. Although not everything went perfectly, the experience was memorable enough to make me eager to return.
Spain is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful countries in Europe, and it’s likely on every traveler’s bucket list. With its iconic architecture, rolling hills, stunning beaches, and breathtaking seaside landscapes, Spain never fails to amaze its visitors.
The country’s rich cultural heritage is evident in its historic sites, from ancient Roman ruins to picturesque towns like Ronda. Spain also stands out for its warm and welcoming people, lively nightlife, bustling bars, vibrant wine culture, and an incredible variety of restaurants.
From incredible hiking trails to mouthwatering cuisine, Spain offers something unforgettable for every type of traveler, making it one of Europe’s top destinations.
While you are planning your visit to Spain, listing out all things to do and forming a bucket list is a fun way to explore the country to the fullest. Whether big or small, there are some experiences that I really hope that you won’t miss.
Recently, several friends have been planning their own adventures in Spain, and our conversations have inspired me to think about the moments and places that left the biggest impression on me. Here are some of the most memorable experiences in Spain that I believe everyone should try at least once.
Table of Contents
1. See The Remarkable Sagrada Familia In Barcelona
Much like the Eiffel Tower in Paris, it’s hard to imagine the Catalan capital of Barcelona without the famous Sagrada Família. The vast basilica is simply part of the cityscape of this beautiful Spanish city. But its extraordinary popularity has not only to do with its impressive size. The Sagrada Familia stands as a true one-of-a-kind structure, owing to its complete and unique design—from its foundation stones to its distinctive shapes, vibrant colors, and carefully chosen materials.
Another exciting feature of the Sagrada Familia is that it is still a building site even after more than a hundred years of construction. And still, the completion date has not been set. Although construction continues on the towers and exterior facades, visitors can already experience the church’s breathtaking interior. It’s truly worth a visit! The vibrant stained-glass windows fill the space with an enchanting play of light, creating an almost magical atmosphere.
In addition, at every corner of the basilica, you can discover new, unusual forms and construction methods. Finally, it is worth going up to one of the already finished towers. They are considered to be one of the most beautiful viewpoints in Barcelona. From here, you can see the city from a surprising new angle.
Recommended by Vicki Franz of Vicki Viaja
2. Walk Through Gaudi’s Park Güell In Barcelona
Park Güell is located in Barcelona, next to the Sierra de Collserola. Built between 1900 and 1914, the park is one of the greatest and most iconic architectural works of Antoni Gaudí, a world-renowned architect, and also one of the largest green spaces in the city today. The project was commissioned by a businessman, Eusebi Güell, with an aim to create a dream village on the edge of the city that resembles a fairy-tale forest.
The Park features gardens, structures, and decorations that are deeply related to nature, while visitors will find elements of plants and creatures incorporated into the rich design of the mosaic, a signature of Gaudí’s work.
Upon entering the main entrance, the Casa del Guarda and Dragon Staircase is the most photographed place in the park. The best place to enjoy the park is to have a seat at the Plaça de la Natura and Hypostyle Room, the spacious terrace offers an unobstructed and panoramic view of the city of Barcelona.
Recommended by Kenny of Knycx Journeying
3. Savour Delicious Tapas On A Tapas Tasting Tour
While a self-directed hunt to uncover the gastronomic treasures of a country can have pleasing results, sometimes the task is best left to the experts. This can certainly be the case when it comes to experiencing the vast array of tapas in Spain.
A tapas tour is an ideal choice for travellers who have time constraints. Within a few hours, participants can enjoy a vast selection of tapas and learn about their history, origins of key ingredients, and how various dishes are prepared. Another advantage is that there is reserved seating available in establishments with limited space.
If a tapas tour is taken early in a visit, favourite dishes such as Pulpo á la Gallega (Galician octopus), Boquerones en vinagre (small anchovies in vinegar with olives), Jamón serrano (red label cured ham), or La Taverna Patatas Bravas (potato wedges with romesco sauce) can be enjoyed more than once.
Enjoying tapas is a social experience. A tapas tour offers the added benefit of mingling with other foodies from different countries.
Recommended by Anne Betts of Packing Light Travel
4. Go Hiking In Mount Teide National Park
If you are looking for the most awesome Spain bucket list experience, then you have to add hiking in Teide National Park to your list. Mount Teide is a 3,715 metre tall volcano on Tenerife, in the Canary Islands. It is the highest point in Spain and one of the tallest volcanoes in Europe. Surrounding the volcano peak, you will find Teide National Park, which covers an area of 190 km squared.
In the National Park, you will find loads of hiking trails of varying lengths and difficulty levels. Whether you want to go for a casual stroll amongst a lunar volcanic landscape or if you want to tackle the challenging night hike to the peak of Mount Teide, you are sure to find a trail that will suit your needs.
Some of the most popular routes are the Roques de Garcia trail and the one at Mirador de Samara. They are fairly easy trails, which is why they feature on almost every list of the best things to do in Tenerife. From both trails, you will be able to see the peak of Mount Teide while hiking through unique volcanic scenery.
Hiking amongst the unique lunar landscape of Teide National Park, while enjoying the distinctive views over mountains, the sea, and surrounding islands, is a must on any Spain bucket list.
Recommended by Greta of Greta’s Travels
5. Admire The Glorious Architecture Of Mosque-Cathedral of Cordoba
The star of the show in the Andalusian city of Cordoba is the Mezquita or Mosque-Cathedral of Cordoba. Exceptionally unique, the structure houses both an Islamic mosque full of red and white striped columns and pillars and a classical, Catholic church. As one of two of Spain’s most important Moorish symbols (the other being the Alhambra of Granada), the Mezquita should be added to every Andalucia itinerary.
For centuries, this site has been exchanged between Christians and Muslims. By the year 784 CE, while under Moorish rule, the city of Cordoba had grown so large that the original mosque was no longer big enough. The old mosque was demolished and replaced with a much bigger one.
What resulted is the incredible convergence of both contrasting religions and architectural styles under one roof, with beautiful Moorish columns and an exceptionally ornate gothic-Renaissance nave.
Travel Tip : A top tip for visiting is to go early in the morning. The Mezquita opens briefly from 8.30 AM to 9.30 AM before a service is held, and access during this time is free. Once the service is finished, you must then pay for entry, and it is far busier after this point. It’s the perfect opportunity to observe this incredible piece of architecture and place of worship when it’s likely to be at its quietest during the day.
Recommended by Isabelle of Issy’s Escapades
6. Enjoy A Flamenco Show In Seville
Witnessing a flamenco performance in the Andalusian state of Spain in the heart of Seville has to be at the top of your Spain bucket list. Flamenco, one of the purest forms of Andalusian folklore was said to originate in the Cadiz countryside of Jerez and Seville by gypsies in the fifteenth century. Growing in popularity, flamenco bars became all the rage in the nineteenth century, around 1885. More than just a dance, flamenco includes music, singing, poetry and emotion, and is said to be a vital philosophy and outlook on life.
You can enjoy a flamenco performance in one of the many “tablaos”, famous flamenco bars or neighbourhood clubs in Seville during the evening hours between 7-11 pm. Most shows run for a duration of one hour and cost on average 18 euros. One of the best places to see a flamenco performance is at the Museo del Baile Flamenco.
Recommended by Haley of Haley Blackall Travels
7. Wander Through The Charming Gothic Quarter In Barcelona
Barcelona is one of the most exciting and seductive cities in Europe – and one the best things to do in Barcelona is to wander the streets and alleys of the Gothic Quarter.
Together with El Raval and La Ribera (or El Born), the Gothic Quarter is part of Ciutat Vella, the old city of Barcelona. This is a dense network of narrow streets and alleys that have been there for centuries – many of which are not accessible by car. Therefore, the best way to explore this area is on foot.
Travel Tip : A top tip is to avoid the area immediately around La Rambla, which is full of souvenir shops. If you push east, deeper into the Gothic Quarter, it will start to feel more real and less of a tourist trap.
Recommended By Martha of May Cause Wanderlust
8. Marvel At Stunning Views Of Barcelona From Tibidabo Hill
Barcelona is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful cities in Europe and visiting Tibidabo Hill is one of the best things to do in the city for the incredible views, architecture and fun activities available at the top.
Tibidabo Hill, rising to 512 meters, is the highest peak in Barcelona, and there is no better spot for enjoying the panoramic view of this gorgeous city. At the top of the hill stands a catholic church – Temple of the Sacred Heart of Jesus with an impressively large statue of Jesus at the top of the church built in the 1960s.
Catch Line 7 from Plaza Catalunya to Avenida Tibidabo, where a funicular will take you all the way to the top of the hill.
Recommended by Mal of Raw Mal Roams
9. See The Roman Aqueduct In Fairy-Tale City Of Spain, Segovia
Sitting just 90 kilometres from Madrid, Segovia is an easy day trip from the Spanish capital. It is most famous for its Roman aqueduct, which is one of the best examples of preserved Roman architecture in Spain and stands as a symbol of the city. The aqueduct was built around the 1st century AD and was used to transport water from the River Frio. This river is about 15 kilometres from Segovia, so the aqueduct goes on for a long way before the famous bridge that you may know it for.
The aqueduct then transported water around the city, which used to be walled. It provided water to the city until the 19th century. While you are in Segovia, it is also worth visiting the Alcazar, or the “Segovia Fortress”. This dates back to the medieval era and stands proud atop a nearby hill.
You can easily take a bus to Segovia from Moncloa Station or take the high-speed AVE train, which takes just half an hour. The city is welcoming, and the attractions are open year-round, so it’s a great day trip even if you’re visiting Madrid in winter.
Recommended by Claire of Claire’s Footsteps
10. Experience The La Tomatina Festival
La Tomatina is a legendary festival that encompasses running through the streets and chunking tomatoes at each other. It is so uniquely Spanish and a must-do Spain bucket list item.
The tradition was started in 1945 in a small town called Buñol. It is held around the end of August every year, and consists of locals and tourists alike, taking to the streets and having a food fight with tomatoes. After the fight, which lasts about an hour, you can eat, drink, and party in the streets until the festivities die down.
The easiest way to get to Tomatina is by arranging transport from Valencia. There are buses, trains, or you have the option of renting a car. I took a bus that included the price of the entrance. The entrance by itself will cost you 10 euros (about $15 USD). Alternatively, you can reach Buñol from Barcelona, even if it takes a little bit longer.
Be sure to wear clothes that you can throw away later because you WILL get soaked in tomato juice, and chances are they will be ruined.
Recommended by Jori Sutton of The Tejana Abroad
11. Soak In Some Fantastic Views From Balcon de Europa
Balcon de Europa, located in the white town of Nerja, is one of the most beautiful places in Costa del Sol. It has incredible views of the crystal blue sea, mountains, and other coastal villages. The lively area is surrounded by restaurants, narrow streets with independent shops, and the picturesque 17th-century church of El Salvador.
The statue of the late King Alfonso XI is also located here. He is the person who named the viewpoint after an earthquake that reached Nerja. From Balcon de Europa, you can access two beaches – Calahonda on the left and Caletilla on the right. These are very busy during the summer months, so you want to go early in the morning to take a spot.
Another must-see village near Nerja is Frigiliana, the most beautiful white village in the province of Malaga. You can go from Nerja to Frigiliana by bus, which takes only 15 minutes.
Recommended by Cristina of My Little World of Travelling
12. Check Out The Iconic Prado Museum In Madrid
The Prado Museum or the Museo Nacional Del Prado is the National Art Museum of Spain. It is located in Madrid, the “Paseo del Prado”, near many important and sought after attractions. It is viewed as the most important museum in Spain and one of the most important in the world.
The Prado displays a valuable collection with over 8000 paintings and more than 700 sculptures. Key works of art on display include work by Velazquez, El Greco, Goya and El Bosco. Consider setting aside at minimum of 2 hours to wander the collections; however, you could spend days exploring.
The Prado is generally open 7 days a week with some exceptions. Admission is free for a 2 hour period from Monday to Saturday from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm, and on Sundays and holidays from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm. Tours are offered by the museum for a nominal fee.
Recommended by Nicole Hunter of Go Far Grow Close
13. Explore Montserrat
Tucked in the mountains of Catalonia, in the Monistrol de Montserrat, is a beautiful monastery dating back to the 11 century. The mountain, Montserrat, houses this monastery and is of extreme religious and historical significance.
Visiting the Montserrat Monastery is one of the best things to do in Barcelona for a day’s adventure. Hop on the train heading Northwest for about an hour to arrive at this mountain. After arriving at the base of the mountain, there are three ways to arrive at the monastery.
Take the railway up the side of the mountain, grab the bright yellow Funicular to witness a panoramic view of the mountain’s irregular rock formations, or hike up the mountainside to soak up its natural beauty.
At the top of the mountain, there’s several trails to follow the wind along the mountainside. Take a leisurely walk to see more incredible views, then head to the basilica to witness the Black Madonna.
Recommended by Ciara of Wellness Travel Diaries
14. Climb the highest peak in the Iberian Peninsula
One of the top adventures for any Spain bucket list is climbing Mount Mulhacén, the highest peak in the Iberian Peninsula at 3,479 meters. This hike is especially accessible during the summer months and can be completed as a day trip. A convenient shuttle bus runs from the village of Capileira in the Sierra Nevada, transporting hikers to Mirador de Trevélez—the highest point the bus can reach.
From there, you’ll have around six hours to ascend to the summit, snap stunning photos, and savor a well-deserved lunch at the top before catching the return shuttle. Conquering Mulhacén is a memorable experience that rewards you with breathtaking views and a true sense of achievement.
Make sure you bring enough water for the hike, it can get hot and there’s no shade along the trail. But it can also get windy and cold, so make sure you pack a windbreaker and warm clothes in your day hiking backpack, so you are prepared if the weather changes. But you can also do this on a two-day hike from either Capileira or Trevelez. There are refuges you can sleep at during the night.
The two-day hikes are a lot tougher than the one-day hike so it requires that you are in good physical condition. You should also bring trekking poles as it gets very steep on both these treks.
Recommended by Linn Haglund of Andalucia Hiking
15. Watch Sunset at Cala Comte in Ibiza
The Platges de Comte on Ibiza’s South-western coast are two of the most beautiful beaches in Ibiza. White sand, golden cliffs and crystal clear water await you. They are also one of the best places in Ibiza to watch the sunset.
Pack a picnic, or book a table for dinner at Sunset Cala Conta, and arrive early to get the best seats as the sun sets into the Mediterranean Sea. It’s definitely one of the most iconic experiences you can have in Spain, and one you are likely to remember for a lifetime.
To get there, head down Carretera de Comte until you find the free car park on your left (be aware that it gets very busy the closer you get to sunset). Proceed by foot and you will likely encounter the stunning cove of Cala Escondida first.
Home to its own beach bar, you can settle in here, or proceed a little further to Cala Conta. Do be aware that some of the cliffs have been cordoned off for safety, but there’s still plenty of places to find a spot to watch the sunset.
Recommended by Nadine of Le Long Weekend
16. Admire Iconic Artworks At Reina Sofia Museum In Madrid
Madrid is a fantastic city, especially for art lovers. Those interested in modern Spanish art should head straight to the Reina Sofia. The Reina Sofia is the country’s national museum of 20th-century art and forms part of Madrid’s famous Golden Triangle of Art (together with the Prado and Thyssen museums).
What sets the Reina Sofia apart from the rest is that it is mainly devoted to Spanish art, including fantastic collections by Spain’s masters of modern art: Picasso, Dali and Miro. Other than the big names, exhibitions also feature contemporary Spanish and international artists.
The highlight of a visit to the Reina Sofia is, without a doubt, Picasso’s Guernica. This enormous and moving painting is over 7 metres long and depicts the bombing of a Basque town with the same name during the Spanish civil war in 1937. The museum is one of the world’s largest collections of modern art and among the best museums in Europe.
Recommended by De Wet of Museum Of Wander
17. Visit The Royal Palace Of Madrid
If there is one landmark that stands out amongst all others in terms of grandeur and opulence, it is undoubtedly the Royal Palace of Madrid, or “Palacio Real de Madrid” as it is known in Spanish.
This exquisite 135,000 m2 palace boasts an impressive 3,418 rooms and is one of the largest royal palaces found in all of Europe, and in fact the largest in Western Europe. Construction of the palace originally started in 1735 and features both Baroque and Classic architectural features.
Today, the palace is not the official residence of the Spanish royal family but is still used for state ceremonies. Visitors can also visit his impressive building and tour its various awe-inspiring rooms including the Throne Room, the Hall of Columns, the Royal Kitchen, the Royal Armory, and the Royal Chapel to name but a few.
By Marco of The Avid Campers
18. Eat Your Way Through The Malasaña Neighbourhood In Madrid
When adding new destinations to any Spain bucket list try to make sure that there is a hotspot that can offer a taste of Malasaña, one of Spain’s most bustling neighbourhoods. Located in Madrid and a few minutes’ walk from the Sol Metro station lies a haven of bars and traditional-style restaurants fused with modern street art.
During both day and night, there are many options to be able to get fully acquainted with the lively atmosphere. Most of the bars and discos are open into the early hours of the morning, and the majority of the main streets in the neighbourhood are lined with party people.
After a night of fun, why not enjoy a traditional breakfast at HanSo Café? Or, check out one of the other local coffee shops in the area. All in all, with a long list of landmarks in Madrid a visit to the Malasaña Neighbourhood is simply not to be missed.
Recommended By Daniel of Urban Abroad
19. Eat Espetos
One of the Spain bucket list experiences that you must try when you travel to the South of Spain, is eating espetos at a chiringuito on the beach. Firstly, chiringuitos are no-frills beach bars that usually have plastic chairs and tables directly on the sand.
They have umbrellas to protect from the sun, plenty of beer, and serve espetos. The espetos is one of the best fish dishes on Costa del Sol, it is so famous that the locals in Malaga sometimes refer to themselves as boquerones (the Spanish name of this anchovy).
Espetos are practically grilled sardines. What makes them special is that this particular type of sardine only grows in the waters of the Mediterranean Sea, in the South of Spain, where the currents bring in plenty of food from the Strait of Gibraltar.
Recommended by Joanna of Andalucia In My Pocket
20. Go On A Road Trip Through Andalucia
Probably you have heard of the magical Andalucia and you might have been dreaming of visiting it ever since then. Andalucia is a land of fascinating history, passionate flamenco, vibrant fiestas, dramatic bullfights, incredible landscapes, gorgeous whitewashed villages, pristine beaches, breathtaking architecture, amazing art, and mouthwatering tapas.
But, amazing Andalucia is one of the best road trip destinations in the world as well. Taking a 10 day Andalucia road trip gives much time, freedom, and flexibility to see the best of it. In a 10-day road trip through Andalucia, you can visit glorious Seville, stunning Granada, fascinating Cordoba, sunny Malaga (the capital of Costa del Sol), historic Cadiz, lovely Jerez de la Frontera (the birthplace of flamenco), beautiful ‘pueblos blancos‘ of Arcos de la Frontera, Ronda, and off-the-beaten-path Iznájar and Ubrique.
Seville, Granada, Cordoba, and Cadiz in Andalucia are some of the prettiest cities in Spain and beyond, and traditional Andalusian whitewashed villages are jaw-droppingly gorgeous. So, if you are after a road trip of your lifetime, buy your plane ticket to Malaga, rent a car at Malaga Airport, explore Andalucia in 10 days.
The best months for road tripping beautiful Andalucia are spring (March-May) and autumn (September-November) for pleasant temperatures.
Recommended by Milijana Gabric of World Travel Connector
And that, my friends, is what I want for everyone. I hope you have enjoyed this Spain bucket list and come up with some travel inspiration for your trip! If you think I have missed something, let me know in the comments section below.