I decided to prepare an article with a list of the most beautiful cities in Spain based on all my trips throughout the country, to date. Barcelona, Seville or San Sebastián are obviously some of the chosen ones. But with much difficulty, I finally selected 'my' top 10 of the most beautiful cities in Spain which I have visited. So if you have visited a city that you think is even more beautiful than any of these 10, please post it in the comments section!
So without further ado let's see the ranking of the most beautiful cities in Spain - each with its own special quality - that you should visit at least once in your life:
1. Seville - The most beautiful city bar none
Seville is, for me, the most beautiful city in all of Spain. Monumental, colourful, 'instagrammable', welcoming. As Los Del Rio said "The world falls in love with Seville because of its way of being, because of its warmth, because of its fairs ... It has to be Seville" and they were not wrong. One of the most important attractions to see in Seville is its wonderful Plaza de España that was built in 1929. Absolutely stunning.
Among other recommended places in the capital of Andalusia are the Alcazar, the Santa Cruz neighbourhood, the Triana neighbourhood, the Macarena, the cathedral and its Giralda, the Torre del Oro, the Maria Luisa Park and the Wooden Mushrooms of Seville (Setas de Sevilla) - the largest wooden structure in the world, if I am not mistaken, constructed to give shade to the square.
2. Barcelona - the most monumental city in Spain
Barcelona has it all! Culture, viewpoints, sea, good weather, good gastronomy, and it is another of the cities that dispute the title of the most beautiful city in Spain. Gaudí's wonderful works of art, such as the Sagrada Familia, Park Guell, La Pedrera or Casa Batlló, make it an open-air museum.
Its Mediterranean beaches, such as the famous Barceloneta, are visited by thousands of tourists every year. All this added to its many tourist attractions such as Montjuic, Tibidabo or El Born and its lively nightlife make the Catalan capital one of the cities preferred by foreigners.
3. Córdoba, the most charming city in Spain
Córdoba, although it is one of the smallest on the list, is one of the most beautiful and important cities in the country. Several of its monuments have been declared a World Heritage Site such as the Mosque-Cathedral or the Medina Azahara.
But what makes it really attractive is its patio festival where every May the Cordovan houses cover their walls with pots full of colourful flowers to compete for the award of the most beautiful patio in Córdoba.
4. San Sebastián, the jewel of the Basque Country
Strolling along Playa de la Concha, reaching the Peine del Viento, contemplating the beautiful Miramar Palace, or walking aimlessly through the streets of its historic centre are some of the best things to see and do in San Sebastián, considered one of the most beautiful cities in Spain and undoubtedly the Basque Country for its extreme elegance. No surprise that Donostia (in Euskera) was the city chosen by monarchs and aristocrats of the 19th century as the ideal location to spend their summer holidays.
A gastronomic route through the Basque capital is essential and rest assured that San Sebastián will also conquer your stomach.
5. Granada, the city with the most visited monument in Spain
Granada is one of the most visited cities in Spain thanks to the Alhambra, the most visited monument in the country, which looks over the city from above. This wonder deserves a special mention and without a doubt, you will need to dedicate at least half a day to visit each of its areas: the Alcazaba, the Nasrid Palaces and the Generalife gardens.
In addition to this historic place, there are other things you can do in Granada such as visit the Albaicín, the Cathedral of Granada, walk through the Carrera del Darro, enjoy its tapas, go shopping in the Alcaicería, attend a flamenco show in one of the Sacromonte Caves or see a beautiful sunset from one of its viewpoints.
6. Valencia, the city with the best climate
Valencia has become the most visited city in Spain every March because, in addition to its magnificent climate, the Fallas are also celebrated there, a massive party where you can attend fireworks such as the mascletás and the burning of the ninots.
Other reasons why Valencia is included on the list of the 10 most beautiful cities in Spain are the modern and avant-garde City of Arts and Sciences, its old town, the Turia gardens, its beaches ... And when it comes to gastronomy, few dishes are more famous in the world than the Valencian paella.
7. Salamanca, the historic city of excellence
Salamanca is also included in my list of the 10 most beautiful cities in Spain because I believe that this city should be on all itineraries when travelling through the country. In addition to being declared a World Heritage Site in 1988, reason enough to include it on the list, its beautiful old town full of architectural jewels will make you fall completely in love.
The main places you can see in Salamanca are its magnificent Cathedral, the House of shells, the Plaza Mayor, the University of Salamanca (don't forget to find the frog and the astronaut!) and the wonderful views of the old town from the Tormes bridge make it one of the most beautiful places in Spain.
8. Madrid, the city with the best entertainment
There are endless things to see in Madrid. The Spanish capital has a wide cultural offering which makes it one of the most requested cities by tourists.
The Plaza Mayor, the Prado Museum, the Royal Palace, strolling through the Retiro Park, the Debod Temple, the Puerta de Alcalá, its infinite museums or simply walking along the Gran Via are some of the places that will amaze you in the city. No matter how many days you stay, there will always be something new to do.
9. Cáceres, the best-preserved medieval city in Spain
Cáceres is one of the cities with the most beautiful medieval old town in Spain. Walking through it is like travelling back in time. It is as if you were in medieval times with the feeling of being immersed in a movie set, surrounded by palaces, stately homes and cobbled streets. This is why Cáceres has been declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.
The city has also been the scene of several films and series of great international success such as Game of Thrones and Romeo and Juliet. Here while wandering around, you can visit the Plaza Mayor, the Plaza de San María, the Palacio de Carvajal, the Aljibe and tour the Barrio de San Antonio, the old Jewish quarter.
10. Toledo, formerly the capital of Spain
Toledo, the capital of the country between 1519 and 1561, is also known as the city of the three cultures because Arabs, Christians and Jews lived together for centuries within the same city walls. This city completes the list of the 10 most beautiful cities in Spain.
Located just one hour from Madrid, it is one of the most beautiful medieval cities in the country. Its cobbled streets and its sword shops and knights' armour will make you feel like you're in the Middle Ages. The main things to see in Toledo are the Puerta de la Bisagra, the Plaza de Zocodover, the Catedral Primada, the church of Santo Tomé and the wonderful views of the city from the viewpoint of the Valley.
There we have it, if you think you have visited a more beautiful city than one of these, please mention it in the comments section!