Amazing Things to Do in Spain this Season!

There are many epic things to do in Spain besides lounging at the beach with a cheap drink. From dramatic mountains to historical cities, there is so much to explore. After living and traveling around the country for the last 10 years, I’ve uncovered some of the best things to do in Spain, and now, I’m going to share it all with you.

Collaboration by Linn Haglund

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Visit the UNESCO-listed Alhambra in Granada

The UNESCO-listed Alhambra complex in Granada is one of Spain’s most popular tourist attractions, and not without reason. It consists of a Moorish Alcazaba, a mesmerizing palace, and the stupefying Generalife Gardens.

It takes 2-3 hours to see the entire complex, and it is a great idea to go on a guided tour as there is so much history to learn. If you are wondering where to stay in Granada, you should know that you can stay inside the Alhambra complex at the old monastery, Parador de Granada, which is pretty cool!

Head to Mirador de San Nicolas in the Albaicin neighborhood of Granada to get a classic view of the Alhambra with the Sierra Nevada mountains as a backdrop.

Go on a Tapas Tour in Madrid

Tapas are often mistaken for a type of food, while all they are is the size of the dish. Small nibble-size dishes to share. It is the perfect way to try different food in Spain and to join in on the local culture of eating and drinking for hours to end, whether they sit in one place or move around to different tapas bars.

Whether you visit Madrid in one day or a week, make sure you join a tapas tour. There are so many amazing places to eat in the Spanish capital; it is truly a foodie’s paradise. Plenty of tapas tours take you to great places where you can try anything from traditional Spanish tapas to modern, creative tapas.

Explore the City of Arts and Sciences in Valencia

The City of Arts and Sciences has become the most prominent landmark in Valencia and is a different site from anywhere else in the country.

The futuristic architecture is cool even if you are not originally into architecture (take that from me, who only enjoys old architecture).

You can check out the interactive Science Museum and watch an IMAX movie in the Hemispheric. But even just walking around the recreational area between the buildings is wonderful. The waterscapes make it a popular place for locals and tourists to hang out.

Hike the Highest Peak in the Iberian Peninsula

Sierra Nevada National Park in southern Spain is home to Mulhacén (3479 asl), the highest peak on the entire Iberian Peninsula.

It is possible to hike Mulhacen, Spain, in just a day if you take the park shuttle bus from Capileira to Mirador de Trevelez and start the hike there. This is the highest point any vehicle can drive, and a lot higher than private cars can. The bus will pick you up exactly six hours later, giving you plenty of time to reach the top, take pictures, and eat your lunch with a view.

The day hike is easy, but you need good hiking shoes or boots, as the uneven ground gets rocky the further you go. If you are looking for a bigger adventure, make it a two-day hike from Hoya del Portillo, where you can sleep at Refugio de Poqueira and climb up the steep side of Mulhacen and down the easy side (where the day trip goes).

Take a Road Trip to the White Villages in Andalucia

One of the most iconic things to do in Spain is to take a southern Spain road trip to explore the traditional white villages. 

Serrania de Ronda is a traditional route to visit the famous town of Ronda, where you can see the dramatic Puente Nuevo connecting the two sides of the 100-meter-deep El Tajo Gorge. Surrounding the historic town are charming small villages like Zahara de la Sierra and Gaucin. There are also unique places like Setenil de las Bodegas, which is carved into the rock, and Genalgaucil, an open-air art gallery with over 200 art pieces throughout the streets of the little village.

To explore a little more off the beaten path, head to the Cordoba province’s Sierras Subbeticas, where you can explore some of the hidden gems in Andalucia, like Zuheros and Iznajar immersed in nature with so many epic hiking routes around.

Celebrate Holy Week the Spanish Way

Holy Week is a huge celebration in Spain that occurs during Easter Week and is called Semana Santa. The Spanish celebrate the days leading up to Jesus’ crucifixion with processions through the streets and large floats showcasing happenings from the Bible.

They wear large religious gowns and pointy hats with only openings for the eyes to see out. Large candles and incense are accompanied by music bands playing music that truly makes you feel the heavy feelings around Jesus’ crucifixion and death.

Celebrations take place in every city and small town in Spain, and they are a unique glimpse into a religious tradition and celebration that is very dear to the locals. Make sure you go out for a night procession, too, as the vibes are different from the daytime ones.

The crowds are silent when the processions pass by, clapping when the man-held floats are moved around, and crowds of young and old fill the streets.

Visit the Gaudí Sites in Barcelona

No visit to Spain is complete without visiting the UNESCO-listed Gaudí sites in Barcelona. You can visit many of his works, but at least visit La Sagrada Familia, the stunning cathedral still under construction.

The inside is magical with its natural shapes, large columns, and natural light flowing in. The architect used these features in all his work, and you recognize them in his famous Casa Battló and Casa Milá (La Pedrera), which are well worth visiting.

If you need a break from the city, take a stroll in Parc Güell. Gaudí started working on it as a residential area, but as work got disrupted, it became a magnificent public park. You will find lovely porticoes, viewpoints, and gingerbread houses with his iconic colorful tiles there.

Explore the Roman Ruins of Mérida

Mérida is home to the most and best preserved Roman remains in Spain, yet it is such an underrated city. The Roman Theater, Roman Amphitheater, and a Roman villa are all set close to the archaeology museum and are the main attractions you should not miss out on. But there are also remains of an aqueduct, and you can cross one of the longest Roman bridges in the world.

But one of the best things about Mérida is that you can stroll around the streets and come across epic Roman ruins in the middle of the street, like the Temple of Diana, which is all free to visit.

Besides the Roman remains, there are plenty of things to do in Mérida, and attractions like the Moorish Alcazaba and the churches should all be on your itinerary.

Experience the Reyes Parades on Three King’s Day

Unlike most of Europe, which celebrates Christmas in December, the main celebration in Spain is on Three Kings Day on January 6. This was the day the Three Kings brought presents to the Baby Jesus, and when kids are brought presents in Spain.

While giving gifts for Christmas on December 25 has become more commercialized in later years, and more people do so, it was not always this way.

But it is easy to see when the Spanish truly celebrate. On the evening of January 5 and the morning of January 6, you can see colorful parades in every city and small town in the country.

There are big floats with people dressed in fairytale figures, and, of course, the Three Kings are parading with dance and music. And the best thing is that they throw tons of candy at the crowds, and kids and adults throw themselves around to catch as many as possible!

Explore the UNESCO Sites in Seville

Seville is home to some of Spain’s most interesting UNESCO sites, the Real Alcazar and Seville Cathedral (together with the Archivos de Indias).

You can get joint tickets for the two sites to tour the largest Gothic cathedral in Europe, home to Christopher Columbus’ tomb, and climb the iconic Giralda Tower, seen from all over the city. From there you get splendid views of the city!

The Real Alcazar is an Arab palace that takes you back to when the Moors ruled the Al Andalus region. I highly recommend taking a guided tour of the sites, as you will learn much about the history.

Visit the Roman Theater in Cartagena

Cartagena is home to the fabulous remains of a Roman Theater built between 5 BC and 1 BC. Today, it is the biggest attraction in Cartagena and well worth the visit. The theater could seat 6,000 spectators, and the seats were excavated into the slope of a rock.

In addition to walking around the Roman Theater, the visit includes a museum where you can see items found in the area during the excavations.

Hike to the Stunning Cueva del Turche

The mesmerizing waterfall Cueva del Turche is only an hour from Valencia. It is located in the small town of Buñol, which got its name on the map due to the unique Tomatina Festival, the world’s largest tomato fight!

You can walk from the train station in Buñol, and the hike from the village to the waterfall takes about half an hour on a paved road, gravel road, and forest trail. But if you drive, it is only a 10-minute walk from the parking lot on a gravel road.

This option is great if you use a wheelchair or have small kids in a stroller, as the track is mostly flat. The waterfall is stunning but can be thin in summer during the dry season. Nonetheless, the swimming hole is full of emerald green water surrounded by steep limestone walls.

Picnic tables and rubbish bins are available for enjoying your lunch and keeping the place clean.

In summary, there are so many fun things to do in Spain for every type of traveler throughout the country. I am sure you have found something to add to your itinerary, whether you are an active traveler or you visit for culture and history.

Collaboration by Linn Haglund, an avid traveler based in Spain for the last 10 years. She currently travels the country full-time in her van to explore all its hidden gems. You can follow her adventures on YouTube.

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Amazing Things to Do in Spain!