Spain is made up of 17 autonomous regions and each region has its own distinctive culture, traditions and gastronomy. Then there are the two autonomous African cities of Ceuta and Melilla.
Three languages are spoken in Spain: Castilian, Catalan and Basque. On top of that, there are a multitude of dialects.
Area: 506,030 km²
Population: Spain has 48,592,909 inhabitants (2024)
Capital: Madrid
Here you’ll find an overview with inspiration for your next trip to Spain, divided into regions. You’ll find everything from city breaks to nature experiences in Spain, as well as guides to the gastronomy of different cities and regions. You can also use it as a travel guide to the couch area.
ANDALUSIA
Andalusia is Spain’s largest region in terms of population, which is 8,628,026 (2024)
Area: 87,597 km²
Capital: Seville
ARAGONIAN
Aragon is Spain’s 11th largest region by population, which is 1,346,806 (2024)
Area: 47,720 km2
Capital: Zaragoza
Travel journalist’s insidertips for Northern Spain
Brian Schaefer Dreyer lives in Madrid, but the whole of Spain is his workplace, giving him an in-depth knowledge of the entire country. Brian has a special love for the northern part of Spain. Here are his personal tips for overlooked places worth visiting in Northern Spain.
Hop on the train for christmas getaway in the spanish cities
Go Christmas shopping in Barcelona, designer Christmas markets in Madrid, taste Valencia’s sweet Christmas treats, go ice skating in Zaragoza, immerse yourself in the Christmas gospel in Seville and see Málaga’s famous Christmas decorations. If you hop on the Spanish high-speed train, you can experience the magic of Christmas in several Spanish cities in one […]
ASTURIAN
Asturias is Spain’s 14th largest region by population, which is 1,008,876 (2024)
Area: 10,604 km²
Capital: Oviedo
Explore the sculptures of Oviedo
The center of Oviedo is an outdoor art museum sprinkled with sculptures. Here you can meet everything from film director Woody Allen and a famous pop singer to a stray dog and a giant ass. Plus, you’ll get a different insight into Oviedo’s important personalities.
5 boutique hotels in Oviedo worth checking into
The colorful streets and squares of the Asturian capital await. I’ve hand-picked a selection of the best boutique hotels in Oviedo where you can say good night to the city.
Guide to Oviedo: Spend a colorful weekend in Asturias’ overlooked capital
Colorful squares, historic churches and palaces, impressive Spanish art collection, local food and cider by the gallon. Oviedo is not called the most beautiful capital of Northern Spain for nothing.
Asturias: 5 reasons to visit Picos de Europa
Located in northern Spain between the regions of Cantabria, Asturias and Castilla y León, the Picos de Europa National Park is an underrated area. An important shrine, spectacular lakes, a historic village, award-winning cheese and a spectacular viewpoint are great reasons to visit Europe’s peaks at least once.
5 beautiful coastal towns in Asturias you must visit
Spain’s green coastline is dotted with picturesque towns and cities. Here you’ll find miles of beautiful beaches, spectacular views, exciting cultural history and plenty of local life. Here are five must-visit cities in the overlooked region of Asturias.
BAlEARIAN ISLANDS
The Balearic Islands are Spain’s 12th largest region in terms of population, which is 1,231,487 (2024)
Area: 4,992 km²
Capital city: Palma
Here you’ll find Mallorca’s secret places
The travel guide “111 Places in Mallorca That You Shouldn’t Miss” is a must-have if you want to discover Mallorca’s unknown gems, away from the tourist hordes. Here are tips for everything from nature and cultural experiences to small local shops and fincas.
5 cities in Mallorca that you shouldn’t miss
Culture, architecture, nature, beaches and delicious food and wine. Mallorca’s charming towns have something for everyone and the island is no bigger than you can get to them all in a short amount of time.
8 things to do in Palma de Mallorca
Mallorca’s largest city is made up of cosy narrow streets, beautiful architecture, exciting art, charming squares and good food. Here’s a travel guide to what’s worth seeing in Palma de Mallorca.
Hiking in Mallorca’s Tramuntana Mountains
Seasoned hikers and travel bloggers Toni and Helle give you their top tips for the popular GR221 hiking route in Mallorca.
Easter in Palma de Mallorca
In Mallorca’s largest city, Palma, Easter is celebrated with processions throughout the city, masses in the famous La Seu cathedral and a theatre performance about the death and resurrection of Jesus.
Taste of Menorca
Menorca is full of delicious local specialities that are worth trying when you’re on the island. Some of them you can also put in your suitcase and take home. Mahón-ost Queso Mahón er kendt langt udenfor hjemøen, og den er blevet en specialitet på højde med franske oste. Mahón-osten er lavet af komælk fra øens […]
BASQUE COUNTRY
The Basque Country is Spain’s 7th largest region by population, which is 2,227,746 (2024)
Area: 7,234 km²
Capital: Vitoria-Gasteiz
Here are the best things to do in Bilbao
Guide to Bilbao. Here you get the best experiences.
Unleash your inner bohemian in Bilbao’s artists’ quarter
La Vieja is the oldest working-class district in Bilbao. In recent years, the district has been transformed into a cool and creative neighbourhood, filled with art, design and hip cafés and restaurants. Here you can breathe in a real Basque bohemian and hipster atmosphere in a creative environment with high ceilings.
Ercilla Hotel: elegant accommodation in Bilbao city centre
At the 4-star Ercilla Hotel, you can enjoy luxurious accommodation in the centre of Bilbao. And you get the best view in town from the rooftop terrace.
The Guggenheim Museum put Bilbao on the international map
Bilbao’s spectacular Guggenheim Museum has not only distinguished itself as one of Spain’s greatest modern architectural gems. The museum attracts so many visitors that it has once again put Bilbao on the tourist map of the world.
CASTILLA Y LEON
Castilla y León is Spain’s 6th largest region by population, which is 2,390,452 (2024)
Area: 94,222 km²
Capital: Valladolid
Travel journalist’s insidertips for Northern Spain
Brian Schaefer Dreyer lives in Madrid, but the whole of Spain is his workplace, giving him an in-depth knowledge of the entire country. Brian has a special love for the northern part of Spain. Here are his personal tips for overlooked places worth visiting in Northern Spain.
Danish simplicity and elegance combined with Spanish charm in Navaluenga
Just 100 km west of Madrid, El Hotelito is surrounded by unspoilt countryside and backed by the Gredos Mountains. The Danish/Spanish hotel is an oasis where you can recharge and experience unadulterated Spanish country style.
CASTILLA-LA MANCHA
Castilla-La Mancha is the 9th largest region in Spain by population, which is 2,103,588 (2024)
Area: 79,463 km²
Capital: Toledo
Guide to Cuenca in Castilla La-Mancha: Hanging houses, spectacular views and gourmet food
Cuenca is known for its old town, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The city, which is Spain’s gastronomic capital in 2023, also offers exquisite gastronomy. Cuenca is just an hour by train from Madrid and is ideal for a day or weekend visit.
Discover El Grecos Toledo
The painter El Greco lived in and made Toledo famous with his landscape paintings of the city. Walk in the artist’s footsteps through Toledo and see some of his most famous works and the places that have had an impact on the artist. El Greco – born Domenikos Theotokopoulos (1541-1614) lived and worked in Toledo […]
Day trip to Toledo: discover the multicultural treasures of Spain’s former capital
Beautifully set on a cliff top surrounded by the Tejo River, Toledo is known as the city of the three cultures and the home of the artist El Greco. In the old town, you can walk the streets that Christians, Muslims and Jews have shared for centuries, see historic architecture and, not least, El Greco’s […]
CATALONIA
Catalonia is Spain’s 2nd largest region by population, which is 7,522,596 (2024)
Area: 32,114 km²
Capital city: Barcelona
The 7 best day trips from Barcelona
Within a short distance from Barcelona, you’ll find plenty of great small towns, culture, wine and nature experiences. So take a break from your city break and go on an excursion in the Catalan region.
6 of the best boutique hotels in Barcelona
Where should you stay in Barcelona? The city’s huge selection of hotels can be overwhelming. I often choose to check into a boutique hotel in Barcelona because I like smaller places with personality. Here are my favorites in Barcelona.
Poblenou Barcelona: A day in one of Barcelona’s coolest neighborhoods
Polbenou is one of Barcelona’s most bubbly, creative neighborhoods, yet free from the tourist hordes. Here you can blend in with the locals and a solid dose of culture fix.
Where to eat and drink in Girona
Girona is not only beautiful, you also eat well in the Catalan city. The city has one of the country’s most famous Michelin-starred restaurants, but there are several other good restaurants in Girona as well as breakfast and lunch cafés.
Teresa Carles: The woman who made green food hip in Barcelona
Spanish chef Teresa Carles is a pioneer of green gastronomy in Barcelona. With a mission to get Spaniards to eat healthier and take better care of the planet, she runs a number of restaurants in the city.
Vegan and vegetarian restaurants in Barcelona: Here are 4 favorites
Vegan and vegetarian restaurants in Barcelona.
Graffiti artist’s insider tips for Blanes
Graffiti artist and street art guide Javier Garcia lives in the Catalan city of Blanes, also known as the “Gateway to the Costa Brava”. Here he shares his favorite travel tips in the small, quiet town that’s perfect for slow travel.
Hop on the train for christmas getaway in the spanish cities
Go Christmas shopping in Barcelona, designer Christmas markets in Madrid, taste Valencia’s sweet Christmas treats, go ice skating in Zaragoza, immerse yourself in the Christmas gospel in Seville and see Málaga’s famous Christmas decorations. If you hop on the Spanish high-speed train, you can experience the magic of Christmas in several Spanish cities in one […]
6 insider tips for Barcelona’s Sarrià district
Danish designer Maja Asaa lives in Barcelona’s Sarrià district. Here are some of her favourite spots in Barcelona’s overlooked district.
Barcelona’s best tapas bars
Where to eat tapas in Barcelona? The city has a huge selection of tapas bars with an equally varied selection, so it can be hard to choose. Here’s a guide to some of the best tapas bars in Barcelona that are worth visiting more than once.
THE CANARY ISLANDS
The Canary Islands are Spain’s 8th largest region in terms of population, which is 2,236,013 (2024)
Area: 7,492 km²
Capitals: Santa Cruz de Tenerife and Las Palmas de Gran Canaria
7 Spanish Paradores with stunning pool views
Are you dreaming of a vacation where you can relax in the hotel pool while enjoying sunset views of the sea, green fields or mountain landscapes? Spanish state-owned Parador hotels hide luxurious pools in postcard-perfect surroundings.
9 cultural experiences in Tenerife
Many people travel to Tenerife for the beach and sun, but if, like me, you don’t have the patience to lie on a beach, it’s still worth visiting the Canary Island. In fact, there are plenty of cultural reasons to get out of your deckchair and head to the volcanoes of Tenerife.
LA RIOJA
La Rioja is the 17th largest region in Spain in terms of population, which is 324,009 (2024)
Area: 5,045 km²
Capital: Logroño
The wine region of a thousand colours: 6 autumn experiences in La Rioja
Spain’s smallest region is known for being shrouded in changing, beautiful colour palettes according to the season. In late autumn, when the pilgrims have gone into hibernation and most of the tourists have gone home, La Rioja is decked out in the most beautiful yellows, browns, reds, blues and greens. It’s the perfect time to […]
MADRID
Madrid is the 3rd largest region in Spain by population, which is 7,000,621 (2024)
Area: 8.028 Km2
Capital: Madrid
Guide: Unique experiences in Madrid
Have you visited Madrid’s main sights, or do you just fancy some alternative experiences in Madrid? The Spanish capital is packed with different experiences and interesting stories. Visit the new Banksy Museum, the surprising Central Station, beautiful gardens and eat tapas with the locals.
Alternative art experiences in Madrid
Once you’ve visited the three famous art museums, Prado, Reina Sofia and Thyssen-Bornemisza, there are still many exciting art experiences waiting for you in Madrid.
Guide: 5 highlights at PhotoEspaña 2024 in Madrid
This year’s edition of the international photography festival PhotoEspaña features both established and young local and international photographers. Threads are drawn from the past into the future, conveyed from poetic and aesthetic staging to raw and humorous realism.
10 sustainable experiences in Madrid
Madrid is one of the greenest capitals in the world in terms of the number of trees, and the city has plenty of natural oases. The Spanish capital also has a growing number of sustainable and organic restaurants and shopping options, so you have plenty of opportunities for a green city break.
Travel guide to Madrid for beginner’s: What to see
What to see in Madrid? The city has so much to offer, from a wide range of museums, squares, monuments to plenty of bars and restaurants, it can be hard to choose. Here’s a guide to Madrid with 15 of the best things to do in the city. If you can’t get to all the […]
Hop on the train for christmas getaway in the spanish cities
Go Christmas shopping in Barcelona, designer Christmas markets in Madrid, taste Valencia’s sweet Christmas treats, go ice skating in Zaragoza, immerse yourself in the Christmas gospel in Seville and see Málaga’s famous Christmas decorations. If you hop on the Spanish high-speed train, you can experience the magic of Christmas in several Spanish cities in one […]
Prado Museum: World-class art
The Prado Museum houses one of the world’s largest art collections and is a must-see when in Madrid. Take your time to explore the famous collection of Spanish and European paintings.
PHotoESPAÑA 2021: 7 highlights worth travelling to Madrid for
Madrid’s annual international photography festival is in no way flagging, despite a tough year of coronary restrictions. Also in 2021, PHotoESPAÑA offers a huge programme of local and international photographers and visual artists. And here is everything from classical to contemporary and futuristic photography and audiovisual art.
MO de Movimiento: at the restaurant of the future in Madrid, everything from design to gastronomy is sustainable
The new sustainable restaurant MO de Movimiento in Madrid’s Chamberí district is proof that innovation, architecture, design and gastronomy can go hand in hand with social responsibility.
Spanish design festival focuses on sustainability and cultural history
The third edition of the Madrid Design Festival was a wonderful mix of interior design, architecture and fashion, with the environment and history at the centre. Both Spanish and international designers attended the festival, which highlighted the design trends of the future.
MURCIA
Murcia is the 10th largest region in Spain by population, which is 1,569,706 (2024)
Area: 11.314 Km2
Capital: Murcia
5 cultural experiences in overlooked Murcia
Murcia is an overlooked region, sandwiched between the much more visited Andalusia to the south and Valencia to the north. That’s a shame, because there are great experiences waiting in Murcia that are well worth the trip.
VALENCIA
Valencia is the 4th largest region in Spain in terms of population which is 5,319,448 (2024)
Area: 23.255 Km2
Capital: Valencia
Ruzafa: A day in Valencia’s hippest neighbourhood
Unleash your inner bohemian in Valencia’s multicultural Ruzafa district, where artists, hipsters and freaks gather. Here you can soak up the local atmosphere in pavement cafés and restaurants, shop for vintage finds and contemporary design and view art.
The hidden side of Benidorm: Escape the tourist traps and enjoy an active holiday in nature
Spain’s Manhattan is best known for mass tourism. However, you can easily avoid the tourists and enjoy a long weekend to nurture your body and soul in nature and silence.
9 sustainable experiences in Valencia
Sustainable natural, cultural and gastronomic experiences await in Valencia and its surroundings. Named European Green Capital in 2024, the city has a special ability to connect tradition with a green future.
Hop on the train for christmas getaway in the spanish cities
Go Christmas shopping in Barcelona, designer Christmas markets in Madrid, taste Valencia’s sweet Christmas treats, go ice skating in Zaragoza, immerse yourself in the Christmas gospel in Seville and see Málaga’s famous Christmas decorations. If you hop on the Spanish high-speed train, you can experience the magic of Christmas in several Spanish cities in one […]
Europe’s largest salt lake is pink and located in Torrevieja
Located in the Las Lagunas de la Mata y Torrevieja Natural Park, Torrevieja’s pink salt lake is not only a beautiful sight but also of great importance to the city. For generations, the pink lake has shaped the lives of Torrevieja’s inhabitants, nature and wine.
Guide: 9 design experiences in Valencia
When Valencia was named the Word Design Capital 2022, it really came to the fore that the city is much more than the paella’s birthplace and beaches. Valencia has a century-long design history, which the city’s young designers and architects are passing on in new interpretations. Take a tour of everything from modernism to avant-garde […]
Agua de Valencia – recipe for a delicious drink with cava and freshly squeezed oranges
Agua de Valencia is a lovely Spanish drink with cava for summer cosy moments and garden parties. The refreshing drink originates from Valencia and consists of sweet, fresh oranges, bubbly cava and a little kick of gin and vodka.
Guide Valencia: Unique architecture, great atmosphere and heavenly rice dishes
Valencia is packed with beautiful buildings, wonderful museums, cozy squares, Mediterranean atmosphere and delicious food. Here you will get tips for 15 great experiences in Spain’s third largest city.
Workshop: The art of preparing and eating an authentic paella
I tried out a paella workshop at Mi Paella en el Huerto in Valencia, where I learned not only how to make local paella, but also the rituals involved in eating it
Recipe: Valencian paella with chicken and rabbit
The paella originated in Valencia and according to paella expert Rafael of Mi Paella en el Huerto, an authentic paella contains no fish or shellfish, only meat. Here is Rafael’s recipe for paella with chicken and rabbit.