The Spanish know how to live well, and when the dreary winter months stretch out in front of us here in Northern Europe, it’s difficult not to daydream about sunnier climes.
In Spain, days stretch out under the Mediterranean sun, the scent of tantalising tapas fills the air, and the cities are bursting with great art and even better company. Nights last until morning, with conversation flowing as freely as the tinto de verano.
So, if you’re longing for endless sunshine and a place to create warm memories, we hope this list of eight sun-soaked Spanish cities offers inspiration for your next getaway.
1. Madrid
Spain’s capital effortlessly blends historic charm with modern sophistication. In Madrid’s centre, you’ll find Puerta del Sol, the city’s famous square. Locals have rushed here since the 17th century to hear the latest news and, today, it’s a communication hub, popular meeting point, and place for celebrations.
Madrid’s Prado Museum undoubtedly has one of Europe’s top art collections. It’s home to masterpieces by the likes of Velázquez and Goya – an artist known for his haunting Black Paintings, like “Saturn Devouring His Son”, which will leave you moved and likely ready to grab a drink. Una cerveza, por favor!
Known as one of the world’s food and drink capitals, Madrid’s bar scene is as busy as it is friendly and joyous. For a taste of authentic Madrid, consider visiting La Venencia. This historic sherry bar, filled with vintage decor, is rumoured to have been a favourite haunt of writer Ernest Hemingway.
If at any point you’re looking for a retreat from the heat, Parque del Retiro offers a lush sanctuary. Originally designed for Spanish royalty, this expansive park features grand fountains and a serene man-made lake. It’s an ideal spot to unwind and watch the sunset paint the sky above Spain’s capital a deep crimson.
2. Salamanca
Detour destinations are predicted to be a top travel trend for 2025, with many tourists swapping popular holiday destinations for lesser-known spots that offer just as much at a lower price. With this in mind, Salamanca is well worth a visit.
This charming city is home to a prestigious university, and its students give it a vibrant, youthful energy. The nightlife here is just as lively as Madrid’s, so you won’t be short of things to do. And there are plenty of more local, intimate spots to enjoy, too – including cosy bars and tasty tapas restaurants.
By day, Salamanca is a feast for the eyes. The soft tones of sandstone buildings in the old town are lit up on sunny days, and a warm afternoon walk by the Tormes River is scenic and relaxed.
3. San Sebastián
San Sebastián is a chic seaside town where beaches and seafood meet world-class culture. The city is small and easily explored on foot, with its opulent architecture, lively plazas, and sweeping bay that shimmers under the northern Spanish sun.
Sandwiched between green hills and the deep blue Bay of Biscay, San Sebastián has a polished yet laid-back feel. And, speaking of sandwiches…here, traditional tapas are swapped out in favour of pintxos (small bites skewered with a toothpick onto bread).
San Sebastián is also home to one of the most prestigious film festivals in the world. Every September, the San Sebastián International Film Festival draws a mix of Hollywood stars, arthouse directors, and emerging Spanish and Latin American filmmakers. Open-air screenings bring world-class cinema to the streets and the city is filled to the brim with sophistication.
4. Granada
Granada is perhaps one of Spain’s most distinctive cities, and the country’s Moorish past is on full display here. The Moors (Muslim people of North African descent) ruled this part of the country for nearly 800 years. Their influence is particularly visible at the Granada’s magnificent Alhambra – one of the largest surviving Moorish palaces in Spain, with its characteristic, intricate tilework.
In Albaicín, the city’s old Moorish quarter, Arabic tea houses line the cobbled streets, and serve fragrant mint tea and sweet pastries, while flamenco sounds echo from hidden cave bars in the Sacromonte district. If you’re feeling peckish, you’ll be happy to know that Granada is one of the last places in Spain where every drink comes with a free plate of tapas – making bar-hopping a delicious (and budget-friendly) way to experience the city!
For a change of scenery, the Sierra Nevada (Spain’s highest mountain range) is just an hour away. Passing beautiful whitewashed villages on the way, it’s the perfect spot for hiking.
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5. Valencia
Despite being Spain’s third-largest city, Valencia is welcomingly compact and easy to navigate. It’s often praised for its high quality of life and, with sandy beaches, a beautiful Gothic old town, and an experimental food scene, it’s easy to see why.
Valencians are quick to tell you their city is the birthplace of paella – though, traditionally, the local dish combines rabbit and chicken, rather than the better-known version with seafood. The city’s culinary scene is all about innovation, and exciting restaurants in the hip Ruzafa neighbourhood offer creative dishes made from fresh produce grown in Valencia’s city farms.
Cycling is one of the best ways to see Valencia and pedalling through the vast Turia Gardens, which stretch across almost the whole city, is a joy. With cycle lanes that stretch along Valencia’s main beaches, you can stop off for a swim or a touch of sunbathing, too.
Malvarrosa Beach is particularly popular. Wide and spacious, you won’t have to worry about hunting for a spot to put your beach towel down – and there are plenty of places to grab a delicious bite. Nearby, the former fishing village of El Cabanyal is a seafood lover’s paradise, serving up the freshest mussels, seabass, and anchovies.
6. Santiago de Compostela
Santiago de Compostela is best known as the final stop on the Camino de Santiago – a centuries-old pilgrimage route stretching across northern Spain, with routes originating in Portugal and France. You can quite literally feel the history here.
Every pure-hearted pilgrim aims to finish their trek at Santiago de Compostela Cathedral, one of Europe’s most important religious sites. Pilgrims and tourists alike gather in the grand Praza do Obradoiro to admire its intricate Baroque façade and soak in the city’s spiritual atmosphere.
If you’re taken by the spiritual dedication but don’t fancy walking for over a week, you can still get a slice of the pilgrim life at Monte do Gozo – also known as the Hill of Joy – which is the final stop for pilgrims before reaching the Cathedral. From the hill, the panoramic views of the cathedral’s spires have been stirring emotions in weary pilgrims for centuries.
Santiago de Compostela is also a culinary hub for authentic Galician cuisine, and its many restaurants offering high-quality meats, fresh seafood, and local cheeses are a treat for your senses. The city’s old town is a cultural haven, with winding medieval streets and stunning churches – it’s UNESCO-protected for a reason!
7. Seville
Seville is one of Europe’s sunniest cities, getting (on average) almost twice as many hours of sunshine as London (which we know isn’t all that difficult…). This means golden light fills the city’s grand plazas and Moorish courtyards, making packing a pair of sunnies a must, even during winter.
Walking the city streets, you’ll pass fragrant orange trees, their blossoms scenting the streets. There are plenty of places to stop off and cool down, too, and locals will tell you to ask for tinto de verano instead of sangria – a more authentic, cheaper, and less sugary wine fizz.
As evening falls, the city pulses with energy. Seville is regarded as the birthplace of Flamenco, and this passionate dance is a captivating form of storytelling. It’sperformed in venues all over the city, traditionally on a raised wooden stage that amplifies the sound of the dancers’ footwork.
8. Barcelona
Barcelona is popular for a reason. It has all of the makings of a cool, cosmopolitan city: modern art, quirky experimental architecture and fantastic independent bars…paired with almost three miles of sun-soaked beach, just a stone’s throw from all the action.
As a pioneer of modern art, it’s only right for Picasso to have a museum in Barcelona. And simply walking the streets of the city is a lesson in modernist architecture. The city has become somewhat synonymous with the work of architect Antoni Gaudí, and you’ll find his masterpieces scattered throughout the city. Most famously, the Sagrada Família stands proudly in the city centre, despite remaining unfinished.
Barcelona has several inviting beaches to enjoy, too. Poblenou Beach offers a relaxed atmosphere and is a popular spot for locals to unwind. And where there’s sea, there’s seafood! The nearby market of Sant Antoni is a local favourite, with its no-nonsense decor and the freshest, crispiest calamari in the city.
Final thoughts…
Spain is a popular holiday destination, and each one of its beautiful cities has something unique to offer. From the pulsing energy of Barcelona to the Moorish courtyards of Granada and the sun-drenched beaches of San Sebastián, whether you’re drawn to art, food, history, or late-night bars, Spain has it all.
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What are your favourite Spanish cities? Have you got travel plans for 2025? We’d love to hear from you in the comments below.