11 Best Places to Stay in Spain

Planning a trip to Spain? Check out this list of the very best places to stay in Spain.

Spain is a diverse country with scenic islands, vibrant cities, cultural sights, world-famous football, kilometers of beaches, delicious food, and a wonderful climate all year round. Spain has it all whether you’re traveling with your family, friends, or solo.

Spain is an obvious destination all year round, but it can be difficult to choose where to stay. Do you want to stay on an island or the mainland? Should it be in a vibrant metropolis or a small coastal town? If you don’t know yet, don’t worry, that’s exactly why I made this list of the very best places to stay in Spain.

 

1. Mallorca

It probably doesn’t come as a shock to anyone that Mallorca is one of the best travel destinations in Spain. Mallorca is the largest of the Balearic Islands and is beautifully located in the turquoise blue Mediterranean from which the island’s nickname “Mediterranean Paradise” originates.

Mallorca has been a popular destination for decades because the island manages to keep tourists entertained. In Mallorca, you’ll find it all, whether you’re interested in breathtaking nature, beautiful beaches, or idyllic towns in the mountains. You can also visit the city of Palma or enjoy world-class shopping, lively nightlife, delicious food, and exciting sights.

 

2. Madrid

Although Madrid is the vibrant capital of Spain and one of the largest cities in Europe, this modern city has nevertheless ended up in the shadow of Barcelona. It is incredibly unfortunate because, despite its large size, Madrid still managed to retain some of its southern charms.

Madrid offers a myriad of famous squares, world-class museums, cultural sites, and lush parks. When visiting Madrid, don’t miss the Prado Museum, Buen Retiro Park, Plaza Mayor, Calle Fuencarral, Puerta del Sol, and the former Royal Residence Palacio Real de Madrid. If you’re interested in Spanish football, it’s also a must to visit the Santiago Bernabéu. This stadium is home to the world-famous top team Real Madrid.

 

3. Lanzarote

Lanzarote is the 4th largest of the Canary Islands and offers pleasant temperatures all year round. Lanzarote is a unique island with an adventurous volcanic landscape due to the bubbling volcanoes below the Canary Islands. The moon-like landscape dominates most of the island with dramatic cliffs and black beaches. All this is in stark contrast to the island’s low-rise white houses, long beaches, and turquoise sea.

When traveling to Lanzarote, it is obvious to visit one of the carbon black beaches, try water sports activities and enjoy the great shopping opportunities on the island. Also, don’t miss a visit to Timanfaya National Park, a lunar landscape with high mountains and craters created by the active volcano below the earth’s surface. It’s also a must to visit Jameos del Agua, a beautiful volcanic cave with a lake, restaurant, and concert hall.

 

4. Alicante

Alicante is located on the sunny Costa Blanca coastline. Here there’s a wonderful Mediterranean climate with heat all year round. The city manages to mix the vibrant metropolitan atmosphere with the relaxing beach atmosphere. This is one of the reasons why Alicante has become one of the most popular and best places to stay in Spain.

The main attraction in Alicante is Santa Barbara Castle, located on top of a 166-meter-high cliff from which there’s a spectacular view of the city. Enjoy the beautiful Spanish atmosphere in Alicante, visit the old town or the marina. Or how about a stroll on the popular beach or along the seafront Explanada de España.

 

5. Tenerife

Tenerife is the largest of the Canary Islands and is located in the Atlantic Ocean, about 300 kilometers west of the coast of Africa. Due to the location, there’s a wonderfully warm climate all year round, especially in the southern part of the island. Tenerife is a lush island with unique nature, beautiful beaches, idyllic towns, and exciting things to do.

In the middle of Tenerife lies Teide National Park with the large active volcano Teide that towers high above the moon-like landscape. With a height of 3,718 meters, the volcano isn’t only the highest point in Spain, but also the third largest volcano in the world! If you’re traveling to Tenerife with children, don’t miss Siam Park, one of the largest water parks in Europe.

 

6. Valencia

Valencia is the third-largest city in Spain and one of the largest port cities in Europe. This beautiful Spanish gem is often overlooked but still deserves to be on this list of the best places to stay in Spain. Valencia offers a wonderful combination of metropolis and resort town as well as a mix of historic buildings and modern buildings.

The main attraction of Valencia is the City of Arts and Sciences, an impressive and fascinating complex. Here you’ll find a planetarium, science museum, botanical garden, IMAX cinema, opera house, and much more. When visiting Valencia, also don’t forget to make your way past Mercado Central, a huge indoor market in beautiful surroundings. Other popular attractions in Valencia include Valencia Cathedral and Llotja de la Seda, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and former silk trade fair.

 

7. Ibiza

Ibiza is a lush Balearic Island, probably best known for its wild and crazy nightlife. However, Ibiza is much more than partying until early in the morning. Ibiza has something for the whole family, whether you’re longing for lovely beaches, quiet coves, charming villages, or cozy markets.

When visiting Ibiza, you cannot miss a trip to Ibiza Town. This is where you’ll find several of the historical sights and the best shopping opportunities on the island. In the old town, there’s an extremely charming atmosphere with narrow cobbled streets, old churches, small shops, cozy cafes, and Spanish restaurants. High above the city sits the Castillo de Dalt Vila and at the foot of the cliff lies the beautiful old marina, Port d’Ibiza.

 

8. Barcelona

Barcelona is the second-largest city in Spain and one of the absolute best places to stay in Spain. This exciting metropolis offers world-class architecture, large green parks, hectic shopping streets, idyllic neighborhoods, long sandy beaches, and much more.

The unfinished church, the Sagrada Familia, is the most popular attraction in Barcelona. Although construction began way back in 1882, the church is still not finished today. The masterpiece of a church was designed by the world-famous architect Antonio Gaudí who also designed Park Güell, Casa Milla, and Casa Batlló.

If you love shopping, remember to make your way past the 1.2-kilometer-long pedestrian street La Rambla. Here you’ll find a myriad of shops, stalls, bars, and restaurants. You can also visit the Barri Gótic, the oldest quarter of Barcelona. If you’re interested in Spanish football, don’t miss a visit to Camp Nou, the home of FC Barcelona. It isn’t only the largest stadium in Europe, but also the fifth largest stadium in the world.

Read also: 6 Very Best Things to Do in Barcelona

 

9. Gran Canaria

Although Gran Canaria is only the third largest of the Canary Islands, it’s still one of the most popular places to stay in Spain during the winter months. Due to Gran Canaria’s location close to the African coast, the island offers sun and heat all year round. The pleasant climate, sandy beaches, idyllic villages, and breathtaking nature all contribute to Gran Canaria being one of the best places to stay in Spain.

When visiting Gran Canaria, don’t miss a visit to the main city of Las Palmas. Here you’ll find plenty of shops, restaurants, and historical sights. Also, don’t forget to make your way past the Dunas de Maspalomas. This is Gran Canaria’s answer to the Sahara Desert with large dunes as far as the eye can see.

Read also: 9 Very Best Things to Do in Gran Canaria

 

10. Málaga

Málaga is the main town on the Costa del Sol coast which offers a sunny climate with heat most of the year. Málaga offers a perfect combination of metropolis and beach town mixed with an old and new architecture. Málaga is also a great starting point if you’re planning to explore more of the Costa del Sol and Andalusia.

Although Málaga is the 6th largest city in Spain, the sights are within walking distance of each other. The most popular shopping street in Málaga is Calle Larios which offers a myriad of shops and restaurants. Málaga is famous for its tapas restaurants, so be sure to visit at least one of them. Some of the main sights in Málaga are the ancient Moorish fortress Alcazaba, the castle ruins Castillo de Gibralfaro, and the Picasso Museum.

 

11. Fuerteventura

Fuerteventura is the second largest of the Canary Islands. It definitely deserves to be on this list of the best places to stay in Spain. Here you’ll find some of the best beaches in Europe, inviting you to enjoy a laid-back beach holiday in a sunny climate. On Fuerteventura, you’ll also find black lava beaches created by the volcanic activity under the island.

On Fuerteventura, there are far fewer tourists than on the neighboring islands of Gran Canaria and Tenerife. Therefore, you’ll usually find a more authentic atmosphere at the beautiful natural wonders of Fuerteventura. Many of the areas are still quite untouched by tourism, at least for now.

So, that’s all on this list of the very best places to stay in Spain. What is your favorite place to stay in Spain? What place do you dream of visiting in Spain? Feel free to leave a comment.

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