Spain Beyond Barcelona: 7 Cities Worth Exploring

Spain. Even the name evokes images of colorful flamenco dancers, old bull rings and sunlit beaches. Barcelona: Dominated by the Gaudi masterpieces and busy boulevard La Rambla, Barcelona sometimes takes a lion share in the Spanish adventure (and quite justly too!), but by sticking to just one city, you will deprive yourself of a pot of gold at the rainbow end, the vast variety of cultures, beautiful sceneries and memorable moments. Bargaining your second European vacation and looking forward to booking exciting Spain Tour Packages or enticing Spain Holiday Packages, then, I should inform you that you can do much more than the Catalan capital has to offer.

Spain is a land which has successfully managed to combine history and modernity, tradition and innovations. Every single region has its distinct identity, whether it is the Andalusia with its burning energy, or the lush green Basque Country. Therefore, when you are willing to pull off the wrappings and actually experience the essence of Spain, don your bags and prepare to have a wonderful experience.

Here are the 7 Cities Worth Exploring in Spain:

1. Seville: The Soul of Andalusia

Enter Seville and you are carried away headlong by its irresistible charm and vitality. This is the cradle of flamenco and you can sense the rhythm beating in the streets of this oranges tree city. The Alcazar of Seville, an eye-catching royal palace with a marvelous Moorish design is a must-visitor-area, as well as the massive Seville Cathedral and its commercial Giralda bell tower. Do not miss taking a stroll in the maze of the alleys in Santa Cruz quarter and locate hidden patios and pampering yourself with delicious tapas in mid range local bars. The city of Seville is so romantic in the true sense of the word in Spain.

2. Madrid: The Royal Heartbeat

Although in many cases people are more likely to hear about Barcelona first, Madrid, the capital is a beautiful, impressive and a glorious city that cannot be dismissed by any means. A city with great boulevards, great museums and a night life, which in actuality never sleeps. The Golden Triangle of Art of museums incorporating Prado Museum, Reina Sofia and Thyssen-Bornemisza museum will convince lovers of art to go to heaven because such museums are filled with the works of the best artists of Spain and other countries of the world. Visit the greatness of the Royal Palace, enjoy the wonderful Retiro Park and enjoy the busy Plaza Mayor. Madrid is an up-scale and vibrant city atmosphere.

3. Granada: A Moorish Masterpiece

Granada is a city of deep Moorish roots topped off by the spectacular Alhambra which rests at the base of the Sierra Nevada mountains. It is the largest architectural complex in the world built during the seventeenth century as a palace and fortress, representing the UNESCO World Heritage site that will bring you back in time. Spent hours in the process of exploring its gorgeous Nasrid Palaces, the Generalife gardens, and panoramic view. Then lose yourself in the picturesque, whitewashed streets of the Albaicin, the old Moorish quarter, with a picture postcard view of the Alhambra to be found round every corner.

4. Valencia: The City of Arts and Paella

Valencia (The third-largest city of Spain) is a fascinating territory with desire and antique history mixed together with futurism. It is the undoubtable land of paella and you should definitely have a taste of the real thing here! In addition to culinary pleasures, Valencia has the amazing City of Arts and Sciences, a futuristic project created by an architect Santiago Calatrava, with an oceanographic park, opera house, and interactive museums. Walk around this historic Old Town and its great Cathedral and Silk Exchange (La Lonja de la Seda) which is yet another UNESCO site. Valencia offers an urban cooling-down with a sun-like attitude.

5. San Sebastián: Culinary Delights and Coastal Charm

To the lover of good food and breathtaking coastal views, San Sebastian in the Basque Country is an epiphany. The fashionable city is located on the Bay of Biscay and is famous thanks to Michelin-starred restaurants and colorful culture of pintxos (Basque tapas). Surf all day at La Concha beach, walk the beautiful promenade, and then go on pintxos crawl trying to taste the little culinary pieces of art in bar after bar. San Sebastian is a different Spanish civilisation altogether where gourmet food has been served in a scenic environment.

6. Toledo: The City of Three Cultures

Located in close proximity to Madrid via a short train trip, Toledo is a UNESCO World Heritage city that seems like you have time traveled to the middle ages. The city was described as the City of Three Cultures, used to live Christians, Muslims, and Jews and their impact can be traced in the structure, paintings and streets that are narrow and twist. Visit the great Toledo Cathedral, the Synagogue of Santa Maria la Blanca and the Mosque of Cristo de la Luz. The whole city is a permanent museum, where a curious spectator can get an interesting view of the rich and multifaceted history of Spain.

7. Segovia: Roman Aqueducts and Fairytale Castles

Segovia is another amazing day trip to Madrid and it is a city with two absolutely amazing UNESCO World Heritage sites: The monumental Roman Aqueduct and the Alcazar of Segovia. The skyline of the city is dominated by the Aqueduct, the technology arts masterpiece constructed in 1st century AD. The Alcazar which is dramatically placed on top of a rocky outcrop said to have a fairytale castle is a beautiful place to have breathtaking views of the surrounding countryside. The small and beautiful old town of Segovia and its stunning architecture heritage make this place a memorable visit to any collection of Spanish destinations.

Conclusion

Although Barcelona will never cease being a highlight to many people, there is more to do by visiting paths beyond its picturesque streets. The seven cities have a unique taste of Spain, a fervent flamenco classicism of Seville, excellent gastronomy of San Sebasti, historical richness of Toledo, kinglike glamour of Madrid. Whether you want to be culturally immersed, explore the gastromony and food, or a general better understanding of this amazing country, visiting these cities will help you in building a rich experience. Therefore, when planning your next journey, why not step out and explore Spain Holiday Packages and the alluring Spain Tour Packages that would enable you to gain the essence of multilateral beauty of Spain. And You will not regret it!