Spain

Spain is huge and diverse and you need multiple trips to see it properly. The food is incredible, the culture is vibrant, and every region feels different. Late dinners, afternoon siestas, and a relaxed pace of life. Don’t try to rush Spain or you’ll miss the whole point.

Madrid is the capital and it’s underrated. The museums are world class. Prado, Reina Sofia, Thyssen. Retiro Park is beautiful for wandering. Tapas bar hopping in La Latina or Malasana is the best way to eat. Gran Via for shopping and people watching. Real Madrid stadium tour if you’re into football.

Barcelona is the tourist magnet and yeah it’s crowded but Gaudi’s architecture is wild. Sagrada Familia is still unfinished and stunning. Park Guell has mosaic benches and city views. Gothic Quarter for narrow streets and history. La Rambla is too touristy but walk it once. The beach is decent. Food markets like La Boqueria are fun.

Andalusia down south is different. Seville has flamenco, tapas, the cathedral with Giralda tower. Granada has the Alhambra palace which needs booking ahead. The Sierra Nevada mountains behind it are gorgeous. Cordoba has the Mezquita mosque-cathedral. The white villages like Ronda are stunning. It’s hot in summer.

San Sebastian up north has the best food scene in Spain. Pintxos bars are next level. The beach is beautiful. Basque Country feels different from the rest of Spain. Bilbao has the Guggenheim Museum. Valencia has City of Arts and Sciences and paella.

Getting around means trains or buses between cities. AVE high speed trains are fast but pricey. Budget airlines work too. Cities have metros. Rent a car for countryside and coastal drives.

Money is reasonable for Western Europe. Tapas keep costs down. Wine is cheap. Cards work everywhere now.