After coming up with 101 things to do in Madrid, I figured I could go a little deeper. What are the things that anyone visiting Spain absolutely must do? I sat down, gave it some serious thought, and came up with 9 experiences. I vividly remember each of those experiences because of how they made me feel – deliriously happy, full of energy, in awe, surprised, or even anxious – but in a what’s-gonna-happen way. Whether you’re a first-time visitor or returning, these experiences should be on your Spain bucket list. Here are the 9 experiences you absolutely can’t miss in Spain, in no particular order.
9 Experiences You Must Have in Spain
Visit La Alhambra
If you could only visit one place in Spain, it should be La Alhambra in Granada. Period. This palace and fortress is the stuff of dreams! Built in the 14th century, La Alhambra showcases the finesse of Moorish architecture and design. The landmark is a compound with various distinct halls and a complex for the Emirate of Granada and his family. It is perched on a hill with breathtaking views of Granada. There are two ways to see La Alhambra: you can purchase and ticket and do a self-guided tour or you can do a group tour with a guide. Check out the La Alhambra website for more details on tours.
La Alhambra de Granada, a flagship of the remnants of the Islamic culture in Spain. Interiors and exteriors of delicate architectonic finesse. This is a wide angle shot of the Patio de los Leones.
Dine at El Botin
Founded in 1725, El Botin holds the Guinness World Record for the oldest restaurant in the world
Wouldn’t it be cool to say you’ve dined at the oldest restaurant in the world? Well, that honor belongs to El Botin. Found in 1725, El Botin is the world’s oldest continuously-running restaurant. Today, it has the ambiance of an upscale restaurant, but most of the items on the menu are in the 20 euro range. You need to make a reservation because this restaurant is in high demand! I wholeheartedly recommend you order the roasted suckling pig. You will thank me later!
Tour La Sagrada Familia
La Sagrada Familia (Church of the Holy Family) is easily among the best attractions in Barcelona. Did you know the church is actually not complete? It has been under construction for over 100 years! Designed by the famed architect Antoni Gaudi, La Sagrada Familia is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. You have to book your ticket online at the La Granada Familia website. Book your ticket at least a couple of days in advance, especially if you’re visiting between June-August.
La Sagrada Familia is the work of Antoni Gaudi. It has been under construction for 100 years!
Get lost in the madness of Las Fallas Festival
The Las Fallas Festival is crazy, overwhelming, hilarious, captivating, and beautiful at the same time. It’s really hard to describe! But if I had to pick a word I would say intense. Held in the city of Valencia on March 15-19 every year, the festival commemorates the life of Saint Joseph, the patron saint of Valencia. During the first four days, there are parades with intricately designed, over-the-top floats with all sorts of characters . The last day, La Crema, is the day you don’t want to miss! Judges choose the best float and the rest are burned down in flames throughout the city. I don’t want to give away any more details, but I should issue a warning. If you are claustrophobic or can’t handle excessive noise, you may want to go to see the parades on March 15-18 and skip La Crema.
Las Fallas puts most festivals out there to shame. You’ll see some incredible floats, tons of girls in colorful ball gowns, and some craziness. Just go! Really, do it. Photo courtesy of studyabroad.wisc.edu
Got to a Football Game
Even if you don’t care for football (soccer in ‘Murica), you need to go to a Real Madrid or Barcelona game. Why? The experience is just phenomenal – the excitement and energy of the crowds, the cheering, the suspense – you just can’t help but have a good time. You would need to check the calendar on the La Liga website and purchase tickets way in advance. They sell out at the snap of a finger. If you can, go and see ‘El Clasico,’ the match between rivals FC Barcelona and Real Madrid. It is guaranteed to be epic!
El Clasico is the game between Madrid and Barcelona that takes place every year. It is always the highlight of the La Liga (Spanish football association) season so go if you can.
Devour some tapas in San Sebastian
The pintxos, basque for tapas, in San Sebastián are the best I’ve had anywhere in Spain. The variety, the freshness of the meats, the extra sauces they add – I don’t know how they do it, but their pintxos will send you to food heaven. You can go pintxo bar hopping in the Gros district (casual and laid back) or the Old Quarter (more touristy).
San Sebastian wins the ‘best tapas in Spain’ contest. I would go there just for the tapas, but there is also a gorgeous coastline to explore.
Watch a Flamenco Show in Andalusia
Contrary to popular belief, the Flamenco is not a national Spanish dance. It is the traditional dance of Andalusia, Spain’s southernmost community. Since the Flamenco was born in Andalusia, you will see the most authentic performances there. I first saw a Flamenco performance in the gypsy neighborhood of Granada, in a little cave-like room. Six years later, I still remember the passion and intensity of the dancers. It was that infectious! You can see a Flamenco show that is true to its Andalusian roots at any town or city in Andalusia – Sevilla, Cordoba, Cadiz, Jaen, to name a few. The traditional style of Flamenco is known as Flamenco Peñas.
A traditional flamenco performance in a cave in Granada. You can’t leave Spain without watching a Flamenco show. Photo courtesy of andalucia.com
Explore art at the Guggenheim in Bilbao
The Guggenheim was a part of the Spanish government’s efforts to generate more tourism in Bilbao and the Basque Country. Built in 1997, the museum is the creation of Frank Gehry, who also designed the Walt Disney Concert Hall in Los Angeles. The museum showcases contemporary art and hosts different exhibitions throughout the year. You can purchase a ticket at the venue or online at the Guggenheim Bilbao website.
The Guggenheim Museum is one of the highlights of Bilbao, in the Basque Country. It hosts exhibitions of contemporary art.
There you have it. These are the things you must do in Spain before you die. Have you done any of them yet? Comment below!
Other Posts in the Spain Bucket List Series
- A Self-Guided Walking Tour of Barcelona
- 6 Dishes to Eat in Spain Besides Paella and Tapas
- 10 Travel Tips You Need To Know Before Visiting Spain
La Alhambra de Granada, a flagship of the remnants of the Islamic culture in Spain. Interiors and exteriors of delicate architectonic finesse. This is a wide angle shot of the Patio de los Leones
