A country that is rich in history and culture, there are many famous landmarks in Spain that attract tourists from all over the world. If you’re planning to travel to Spain, you are almost sure to visit some of these amazing Spanish landmarks!
Famous Landmarks of Spain
Spain is home to some of the most impressive landmarks in Europe with many beautiful castles, cathedrals, and palaces for visitors to explore.
It also hosts some beautiful natural landscapes and wonders for travelers to discover. Here are some of the most popular landmarks of Spain, and interesting information about them.
Madrid, Spain Landmarks
The Royal Palace, Madrid
One of the most visited Spain landmarks is located in Madrid and is the official residence of Spain’s royal family.
It was designed by Italian architect Filippo Juvarra who wanted to create something grandiose for Spain with this palace which he did indeed accomplish.
The palace has over 2000 rooms, many beautiful gardens, an impressive art collection on display, and even a zoo! It’s definitely worth a visit if you’re in Madrid.
Museo Nacional del Prado, Madrid
The Museo Nacional del Prado is a museum located in Madrid, and is home to one of the largest art collections in the world. The museum was founded in 1819 and has since grown to include over 200,000 different pieces of artwork.
Some of the most famous artists whose work is on display at the museum include Vincent van Gogh, Francisco Goya, and Pablo Picasso. If you’re interested in art, then be sure to visit the Museo Nacional del Prado while you’re in Madrid!
Plaza Mayor, Madrid
The Plaza Mayor is a plaza located in the city of Madrid, Spain. It was originally built in the late 1600s and has been renovated and expanded a few times over the years. The plaza is home to many different shops, restaurants, and bars and is a popular spot for tourists and locals alike.
Many different events take place in the plaza throughout the year, such as Christmas markets and concerts.
El Escorial, Madrid
Located northwest of Madrid, El Escorial was commissioned by King Philip II as a royal palace, monastery, and pantheon which are all still used today.
It took 23 years to build from 1563-1584 after Spain had just conquered Peru in 1533. This means that one of Spain’s most famous landmarks was created from the riches brought back home by Spanish conquistadors.
The building itself has an impressive Renaissance architectural style with Spanish Baroque touches throughout. The building is very large and has many different sections including a library, art gallery, and an armory.
Its interior is not as elaborate as other palaces such as Versailles or Buckingham Palace due to religious reasons. Philip II wanted something more modest where he could pray without distractions from worldly objects around him.
El Escorial is also home to Spain’s largest church which is called the Royal Chapel.
Santiago Bernabeu Stadium, Madrid
The Santiago Bernabeu Stadium is the home stadium of Spain’s most popular football club- Real Madrid. It was originally built in 1947 and has been renovated and expanded a few times over the years.
The stadium can now hold over 85,000 spectators and has been the stage for some of the biggest football matches in history. If you’re love football, then be sure to visit the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium!
If you cannot get a ticket for match day, there is also a stadium tour that you can take which brings you through the stadium facilities.
Barcelona, Spain Landmarks
La Sagrada Familia, Barcelona
Located in Barcelona, Spain, the construction of this historic landmark was started by Antoni Gaudi over 130 years ago and is still not finished today as of 2019! It remains one of Spain’s most popular attractions for travelers who want to see this unique cathedral up close.
There are three facades on Sagrada Familia that have different meanings behind them each with their own symbolism representing life, death, or passion according to religious beliefs. This leaves visitors questioning what those symbols mean when looking up at one of the most famous landmarks in Spain.
Camp Nou, Barcelona
If we talk about Santiago Bernabeu as one of the famous landmarks of Spain, we cannot fail to mention its rival in recent years.
Camp Nou is the home stadium of Spain’s most popular football club-FC Barcelona. The stadium was built in 1957 and has been renovated and expanded a few times over the years.
The stadium can now hold over 99,000 spectators and has been the stage for some of the biggest football matches in history. If you’re a sports fan, the atmosphere in Camp Nou is definitely worth a visit while you’re in Barcelona!
Casa Batlló, Barcelona
This Spain landmark is located in Barcelona and was designed by the famous architect Antoni Gaudi. The building is very colorful and has a very unique and curved design.
It was built as a private residence in the late 1800s but is now open to the public as a museum. There are many different rooms and hallways to explore in the building, each featuring interesting decorations with different tiles, sculptures, and stained glass windows.
Parc de la Ciutadella, Barcelona
The largest and oldest park in Barcelona is also one of the greenest and most frequented landmarks in Spain.
The Parc de la Ciutadella was originally built as a fortress to protect the city from attacks by pirates, but now it’s just an amazing place for people to relax and enjoy nature. Parks are always a great place to experience local life and people watch.
Parc de la Ciutadella also houses some really cool museums like the Museum of Natural History or the Museum of Catalan Art so there are plenty of things to do if you want to explore this landmark!
These are just some of the famous landmarks in Barcelona awaiting you to discover.
READ MORE: EXPLORE FOOD SCENE IN BARCELONA
Segovia, Spain Landmarks
Alcázar Fortress, Segovia
The Alcázar Fortress can be found in Segovia and is one of the most popular Spain landmarks that travelers visit. It was originally built in the 11th century as part of a castle to protect the city from naval attacks.
The fortress has been rebuilt and renovated over the years and is now open to the public as a museum. There are many different sections of the fortress to explore including a dungeon, a chapel, and an armory.
The fortress is also home to Spain’s largest collection of medieval armor. Some travelers take a day trip from Madrid to visit this imposing Spanish landmark.
Roman aqueduct, Segovia
One of the most popular Spain landmarks that travelers visit is the Roman aqueduct in Segovia. This magnificent structure has been standing since the first century and is still in use today. It’s located about an hour north of Madrid.
The original purpose of the aqueduct was to transport water from the Frío River to Segovia’s city center. It is an impressive sight to see up close with the stone arches that make it look like it’s defying gravity.
Valencia, Spain Landmarks
Ciudad de las Artes y las Ciencias, Valencia
The Ciudad de las Artes y las Ciencias (City of Arts and Sciences) is a cultural complex located in Valencia, Spain. It was designed by Spanish architect Santiago Calatrava and consists of many different buildings including an opera house, a science museum, an IMAX cinema, and a water park.
The complex is very popular with tourists and locals alike and is a great place to visit if you’re in the city of Valencia.
Catedral de Valencia, Valencia
The Catedral de Valencia is a cathedral located in the city of Valencia, Spain. It was built in the 12th century and is considered one of the most important religious buildings in Spain.
The cathedral is also home to many beautiful works of art, including paintings by Francisco Goya and Joaquin Sorolla. If you’re visiting Valencia, be sure to stop by the Catedral de Valencia and take a look inside!
Seville, Spain Landmarks
Torre del Oro, Seville
This landmark can be found in Seville, Spain, and was originally built as part of a fortress to protect the city from naval attacks. It was built in the 13th century and is made up of three tiers with a turret on top which gives it its name (Torre del Oro-Tower of Gold).
The tower has been used over the years as a prison, arsenal, and mint. Today, it’s one of the most popular Spanish landmarks with over one million visitors each year.
Real Alcazar de Sevilla
The Real Alcazar de Sevilla is a royal palace located in the city of Seville, Spain. It was originally built in the Moorish period in the 8th century and has been expanded and modified many times over the years.
The palace is now a museum and is home to many important historical artifacts from the Spanish royal family. The Alcazar is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Seville and is worth a visit if you like to discover more Spanish history and architecture.
Other famous landmarks in Spain
Alhambra, Granada
One of the most visited Spanish monuments in Granada, Spain. It was added to UNESCO World Heritage List in 1984. In 2014, it had over one million visitors per year. That made it a top tourist attraction and one of the most prominent landmarks in Spain.
Alhambra was built by the Moors who ruled Spain for centuries before it fell to Christian rule during the Reconquista period. This famous Spanish landmark is an important part of Spain’s history and culture.
It’s a complex of palaces, gardens, and fountains which were built in the 13th century under Sultan Yusuf I. The palace also includes an ornate mosque known as La Mezquita.
Guggenheim Museum, Bilbao
The Guggenheim Museum Bilbao is a museum located in the city of Bilbao, Spain. It is designed by Canadian-American architect Frank Gehry and opened to the public in 1997. The museum is home to a large collection of modern art, including pieces by some of the most famous artists in history such as Pablo Picasso and Salvador Dali.
The building is also a work of art, with its unique and curved design that has been praised by many architecture critics. If you’re interested in modern art, then be sure to visit the Guggenheim Museum Bilbao while you’re in Spain!
Mezquita de Córdoba, Cordoba
A mosque-cathedral located in Cordoba, Spain that dates back to the 16th century. It was used for Catholic worship until 1836 when Moors ruled over Spain and created an Islamic city on the Iberian Peninsula called Al-Andalus (now known as Andalucia).
The Mezquita consists of eight red brick domes with Gothic, Mudejar, and Baroque architectural styles. The building itself is one of Spain’s most famous landmark because it represents Spain’s Christian heritage and its Muslim past.
Santiago de Compostela, Santiago
The city in Southwest Spain is famous for being a pilgrimage site, particularly its cathedral dedicated to Saint James. It takes six days walking on foot across Spain starting at St Jean Pied France ending up at Santiago de Compostela Spain.
The pilgrimage is called Camino Frances or French Way which has been used since medieval times when pilgrims traveled from all parts of Europe for religious reasons.
Pilgrims walk through Spain’s countryside and pass many famous Spanish landmarks along the way including areas where they could rest overnight.
The journey brings them to one of Spain’s most religious landmarks – Saint James Cathedral, which is located within the city of Santiago de Compostela.
Alcázar de Toledo, Toledo
The Alcázar de Toledo is a beautiful fortress located in the city of Toledo, Spain. It was originally built by the Moors in the 12th century and has been rebuilt many times over the years.
The Alcázar is most famous for its intricate Moorish architecture, which is shines through in its arches, doorways, and windows. The fortress is also home to a number of beautiful gardens and courtyards.
If you’re visiting Toledo, this is the iconic architectural highlight.
Alcazaba, Almeria
Located in Almeria, Alcazaba is an Arabic fortification that stands on top of a hill overlooking both sides of Almeria Bay. It was built during the 11th century A.D.
The views out into the Mediterranean Sea beyond its shoreline make this one of Spain’s most famous landmarks. It is one of the best-preserved examples of Islamic architecture in Spain.
The three-tiered fortress, elaborate water gardens, and numerous palaces all reflect Andalusian architectural influences from when Moors ruled over Spain for centuries.
Pamplona Cathedral, Pamplona
The Pamplona Cathedral is located in the northeast of Spain and is known for being one of the country’s most beautiful Gothic cathedrals.
It took over two centuries to build starting in the 12th century and still isn’t finished today as of 2019! The cathedral has a very ornate interior with carvings, sculptures, and paintings on display from different periods of Spanish history.
One famous feature is the roof which is made up of intricate wooden beams that are carved to look like Spain’s emblem of a two-headed eagle.
Famous Natural Landmarks of Spain
El Teide, Tenerife, Canary Islands
El Teide is a volcano located on the island of Tenerife, in the Canary Islands. With a peak elevation of 7,500 meters, this is the highest mountain in Spain. It is also the third highest mountain in Europe.
The volcano is also a popular tourist destination, with many people coming to climb or hike up to the summit.
For the less active visitors, there is also a cable car you can take. The views from the top are some of the best in the world.
Torre de Cerredo
At a height of 2,648 meters, the Torre de Cerredo is one of the highest peaks in Spain. Surrounding the area, there are many mountains and hiking routes with rewarding views. This is a paradise for nature lovers and hikers. So if you’re looking for an adventure while in Spain, be sure to visit the Torre de Cerredo!
Antequera, Andalusia
Antequera is a city located in the Andalusia region of Spain. It is famous for its many ancient historical monuments, which date back to the Roman and Moorish periods.
Some of the most popular attractions in Antequera include the Cathedral, the Alcazaba, and the Torre del Sol. The city is also home to a large number of art galleries and museums, which covers a wide scope of Spanish art and history.
Visiting Spanish Landmarks
Spain has a rich history that can be evident through the architecture and culture. This makes this country an ideal destination no matter what type of traveler you are.
These are just a few of the many famous landmarks in Spain to trigger some wanderlust. Be sure to do some research before your trip to see what else piques your interest.
