For years, vacations in Spain revolved around resorts that catered to tourists’ every need with a beach, a pool, and a room with a balcony. Now, a new generation of travelers is much more interested in diving deeper into the culture of the country. The perfect way to do this is via a Spanish road trip, where you can decide exactly where you want to go – and how long you stay at each stop.
One thing to note is that, if you need glasses, Spanish law requires drivers to always carry a spare pair of prescription glasses for safety. Once you’ve packed those, we’ve put together four places you’ll definitely want to consider adding to the itinerary.
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Barcelona
Just because you want to see the country as a whole, doesn’t mean you should skip the major cities. So, we begin with one of its most famous cultural destinations.
It wouldn’t be hard to spend a week here alone! But for the good of the trip (unless you have a long time to explore), try to pick out the sights you can’t miss and cram them into two or three days. Your time in Barcelona might be pretty hectic, but you’ll have a long, relaxing drive to wind down until the next stop.
Some suggested highlights would be: La Sagrada Familia (the unique and still-unfinished cathedral), Museo Picasso (where you can see many of the master’s works), and perhaps a trip to the Camp Nou (where the city’s famous football team plays).
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Madrid
Moving on to Barcelona’s main rival city will involve a long drive across the country. If you go via Zaragoza, a morning and evening journey can book-end an afternoon outdoors in this vibrant city. We especially recommend the Metropolitan Water Park.
Once in Madrid, you’ll once again face a dizzying range of choices. The country’s capital not only boasts world-class museums such as the Prado, but also a metropolis best experienced in the open air. It’s a city where people eat tapas in the sunshine of squares, and toast the sunset from rooftop bars.
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Toledo
Once known as “the city of three cultures,” Christians, Muslims, and Jewish communities lived in harmony in Toledo. The city’s wonderful mix of architecture still stands testament to diversity.
Aside from the churches, mosques, and synagogues, there is much more to dig into here. History buffs will be drawn to the Alcazar, a military museum built inside an imposing fortress. Art lovers be impressed by a trip to an intimate museum with works from the city’s most famous artist, El Greco.
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Seville
The capital of Andalusia, Spain’s southernmost region, is another city which happily mixes the modern and the historical. Among the more recent additions is the Metropol Parasol, the world’s largest wooden structure which not only provides shade to the city but also provides incredible panoramas for those who use its elevated walkways.
Seville is only an hour drive from some of Spain’s finest beaches, making it the perfect base for a trip to the sea. In the evening, return to see an authentic Flamenco performance.
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About the Author: You can call me Dan. I’m a backpacker and a self-taught cook. I’ve been to a few countries, mostly in Asia and Europe. I write articles as a part-time job. I have two lazy dogs, a pug (Bingo) and a husky (Reese).
P.S. You might also enjoy 13 Reasons to Visit Andalucia, Spain or Living in Spain: Village vs. City