Top 10 Spanish Cities
for women to explore

We've put together a list of 10 Spanish cities with an interesting mix of culture, art and tradition. Madrid and Barcelona lead the top two cities, which doesn't come as a surprise. Read on and check out the other cities.

Photo courtesy of Luis PNúñez Calle de Alcalá in Madrid

1 Madrid
As Spain's capital, Madrid comes to mind as the first place to visit. It's got great museums with the Museo del Prado a must-see. You can spend an entire day breathing in the beauty of timeless masterpieces by such world-renowned artists. The best time for a visit is in May, when temperatures are pleasant. And when the weather's fine, I think of flea markets. On Sundays, visit El Rastro and check out the great finds. Main areas are the Puerta del Sol and the Gran Via.

2 Barcelona
Madrid and Barcelona are the two most visited Spanish cities but Barcelona is a personal favorite. Must be the food :-) But of course, there's more to Barcelona than its cuisine. Gaudi's architecture decorates the city, particularly the Sagrada Familia. Las Ramblas shows off the vibrance of the city. It's not to be missed. If you don't have the time to see the rest of Spain, spend some time at Poble Español.

3 Granada

Photo courtesy of Stefano Minopoli Glimpse of the city of Granada through arches into the Alhambra.

The city's pride is the Moorish Alhambra (literally meaning "the red fortress" in Arabic). Where else will you see a mix of Muslim, Jewish and Christian style? This important medieval monument has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. For a breathtaking view, head for the St. Nicholas Square at sunset and see the fortress turn golden before your eyes. After a long day admiring the sights, head out for the bars for some beer - and free tapas! Yum!

For the beach enthusiast, catch the sun at Costa Blanca from April to early November. Two of the Spanish cities in the area are:

4 Alicante


Photo courtesy of Pablo Rosello Plaza de los Luceros

Discover why Alicante City is one of the most vibrant cities in Spain. First hand tips to enjoy your stay in Alicante: shopping, night entertainment, golf, attractions, restaurants, theme parks, theaters, beaches, festivals and much more! For some expert advice, check out Alicante City Insider's Guide.

5 Murcia


Photo courtesy of Manu Castellon

From Alicante, why not continue on to Murcia, where you get to enjoy all kinds of outdoor sports such as mountain biking, quad biking, and great water sports. Best time to visit is from April to June. Let the Murcia expert lead the way - Visit Murcia is packed with info and great travel tips.

Photo courtesy of Gonzalo San Martin Baroque façade of the cathedral in Santiago de Compostela.

Today, students and pilgrims come to visit. The universities of Santiago de Compostela brings in vibrant youths from all over the world.

A favorite time for visitors to Santiago de Compostela is Easter. There are several processions going about the city during the Holy Week. Since this is a busy period, book early!

7 Seville

Photo courtesy of Stefano Minopoli A particular view of Seville through an balcony in the Ghiralda.

The top three reasons most people visit Seville are due to the non-stop partying during the Seville fair, the Alcazar and the Cathedral. The cathedral is the largest in Spain.

The best time to visit is during the Holy Week (Semana Santa). Since this is a very busy period, remember to book way in advance!

8 Cordoba

Photo courtesy of Stefano Minopoli A tower bell viewed through little buildings, in Cordoba.

It's the Mezquita, with its rows of beautiful pillars and graceful arches, that attracts most visitors to Cordoba. But well worth visiting is the Jewish quarter with its whitewashed streets. After a long day, try out an Arabic bath!

9 Valencia
First thing that comes to mind is Paella Valenciana. Paella was born in Valencia so check out its authentic ingredients. Stroll around the Plaza de la Reina and visit its cathedral. You could actually just stay a day or two at Valencia. But for the serious paella enthusiast, stay another day :-)

10 Toledo
It's a day trip from Madrid, so you can easily take a break from your Madrid stay and head for an amazing location. El Greco's masterpieces are housed at the Eglesia de Santo Tome. As for Toledo's three religions? Visit the Islamic Mezquita de Cristo de la Luz, the Christian cathedral and the Jewish Sinagoga del Transito.

So with these 10 Spanish cities in mind, it will be easier to plan that next trip. Bring it up with the girls!

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