Barcelona

In the heart of Catalan country, whimsical Barcelona marches to the beat of its own drum. This sparkling seaside city has long inspired artists with its gorgeous light and open-minded approach to offbeat art; Dalí, Picasso, and Miró have all called Barcelona home.

Las Ramblas—the main promenade and the place to see and be seen—embodies the city’s spirit: By day a laidback boulevard lined with shops and tempting spots to try the famed paella, Las Ramblas transforms at night into a hub of festive revelry. Spaniards are known for celebrating the good things in life, but in Barcelona, la fiesta is more than a celebration—it’s a way of life.

In no other city can the stamp of modernism be felt as strongly: Barcelona’s architecture is a monument to the creative genius of Antoni Gaudí, whose fantastical creations are dotted throughout the city. Visit the fairytale-like Park Güell, flanked by its Hansel-and Gretel gatehouses and reptilian mosaics, or take a stroll to Casa Batlló, a dreamy residential building in Barcelona’s center that seems to be made of undulating waves. But for the city’s star attraction, and Gaudí’s crowning achievement, head to La Sagrada Família, a towering sand castle of a cathedral that has been under construction since 1882.

Explore Barcelona with O.A.T. on:

• Iberian Voyage: Lisbon to Barcelona
• New! Mediterranean Navigation: Malta, Sicily, Tunisia, Algeria, Morocco & Coastal Spain

Bilbao

An industrial port city in the heart of Spain’s Basque Country, Bilbao is an intriguing mix of traditional and modern. The unquestionable star of Bilbao’s cityscape is the Guggenheim Museum, designed by postmodern architect Frank Gehry. The building is a shimmering, sculptural icon that captures the imagination before you even step foot inside to view its contents—one of the world’s premier collections of contemporary art. The museum and its audacious silhouette made Gehry a household name and put Bilbao on the map.

The Guggenheim is not the only museum in town, of course. Visitors can also discover the elegant Museo de Bellas Artes, which houses up to 9,000 pieces from modern masters like El Greco, Goya, Gauguin, and Picasso, as well as works that date as far back as the twelfth century.

Bilbao’s fascination with modernism can be found outside the museums as well—Indautxu Square, an urban re-design project, is a pedestrians-only plaza that features avant-garde touches such as leaf-shaped lighting fixtures and soaring glass canopies. There is plenty of natural beauty to enjoy here as well, as more than 100 maple, birch, and yew trees surround the modern-style benches.

Once you’ve gotten your fill of modernism, explore Bilbao’s charming old quarter, or Casco Viejo, and immerse yourself in Basque culture. At the heart of this atmospheric section of the city are Bilbao’s original seven streets, Las Siete Calles, which were constructed in the 1400s. Stroll the meandering medieval streets, explore the Ribera Market (Europe’s largest covered market), and stop to snack on pintxos, the Basque version of tapas.

Explore Bilbao with O.A.T. on:

• Northern Spain & Portugal: Pilgrimage into the Past
• Post Trip:Northern Spain: Bilbao, San Sebastian & Medieval Villages on Back Roads of Iberia: Spanish Paradores & Portuguese Pousadas

Madrid

Discover Madrid—the sun-drenched capital of Spain—and you’ll find yourself swept up in its pulse. A sprawling metropolis of more than 3 million people, Madrid has the endless options of a big city mingled with the laid-back attitude that permeates the fabric of the country as a whole.

Traditional tapas bars, temples dedicated to fine gastronomy, and dazzling night clubs are de rigueur—but there is a stately elegance and depth of artistic culture to be found here as well. Madrid is well-known for its fine museums such as the Prado, home to one of the best classical art collections in the world. Outside the museum walls, the buildings themselves are a tapestry of beautiful architecture. Stroll through the Plaza de España, the city’s most prominent square, and you’ll gaze up at the two tallest buildings in Madrid: the Torre de Madrid and the Edificio España. Elsewhere, dramatic fountains and sculptures dedicated to Spanish icons like Cervantes, Don Quixote, and Sancho Panza grab your attention.

Then there are the palaces—most notably, the Palacio Real (Royal Palace), one of the largest palaces in Europe. The official residence of Spain’s royal family, this lavish palace is one of the most beautiful buildings in Madrid not just due to its design, but also to its location—it is perched, fairy tale-like, on a bluff overlooking the lush river valley.

From its nightlife and food to its art and architecture—Madrid is a city that strives to excite its visitors and residents alike in every possible way.

Explore Madrid with O.A.T. on:

• Back Roads of Iberia: Spanish Paradores & Portuguese Pousadas

Ronda

Perched high atop a cliff and gauged by a 360-foot ravine, Ronda seems an improbable place to build a city. But with its precarious position comes a big payoff: Dramatic views of the Serranía de Ronda mountains surround this ancient whitewashed city, known as a Pueblo Blancos (White Village) for its distinctive alabaster look. Hike down El Tajo ravine to take in the superb views of Ronda from below, and sample the region’s unique wines—the high altitude produces grapes of a lighter, and more interesting, bouquet.

Or, if you’re feeling more daring, visit the Plaza de Toros, one of the oldest bullrings in Spain. The tradition of bullfighting has deep roots in Ronda: the legendary Pedro Romero—the first bullfighter to confront his bovine nemesis on foot, and not on horseback—was born here. And each September, the city alights with activity for the Feria Goyesca, the annual bullfighting festival, to see the fearless matadores in action.

Experience Ronda with O.A.T. on:

• Back Roads of Iberia: Spanish Paradores & Portuguese Pousadas

Santiago de Compostela

The cobblestone streets of Santiago de Compostela have witnessed the footfalls of countless pilgrims—or peregrinos—each one taking their last determined steps toward the final stop of an epic journey of faith. Some ride in on bicycles, some carry walking sticks, the most fervent arrive barefoot. All will make their way past the arcaded streets, perhaps not even seeing Santiago’s elegant beauty at first, as they only have eyes for the Camino’s end: the city’s Gothic cathedral.

According to legend, a ninth-century Galician shepherd witnessed a star moving across the sky and followed it, its light eventually leading him to a burial site. A local bishop was called to examine the bones found there and he proclaimed them to be those of James the Great, one of the twelve Apostles of Christ, the patron saint of Spain. Upon hearing the news, the Spanish king ordered a cathedral be built on the spot. This legend drew the faithful from across the country and all over the world—eventuating in the famous Camino de Compostela pilgrimage that still beckons people to this day.

Now an UNESCO World Heritage Site, Santiago’s old city center welcomes modern-day peregrinos at the 700-year-old Obradoiro Square and Platerias Plaza, the arrival point of thousands of pilgrims every day. The cathedral, also a UNESCO site, is a fascinating mix of architectural styles. Construction began in 1075 and continued to expand over the centuries, with embellishments continuing into the 19th century.

The capital of Galicia, Santiago also offers travelers who have arrived by less-arduous means not only these grand sights, but smaller streets and plazas lined with cafes and seafood restaurants where you can sit and watch both locals and pilgrims walk by.

Explore Santiago de Compostela with O.A.T. on:

• Northern Spain & Portugal: Pilgrimage into the Past

Seville

Situated in the southern Andalucia region, sunny Sevilla is the birthplace to three of Spain’s best known cultural exports: tapas, flamenco, and Don Juan. In true Spanish style, a visit to this easygoing city is a feast to the senses. Stroll down cobbled streets lined with whitewashed buildings, stop for a bite to eat in a hole-in-the-wall tapas bar, and breathe in the heady scent of orange blossom that bathes the city in spring.

Sevilla’s long and winding history is reflected in its delightful hodgepodge of architecture. Roman ruins mingle with Moorish creations, such as the Real Alcázar, a spectacular Mudéjar palace complete with intricate carvings, colorful mosaics, and Eden-like gardens. The city’s skyline is dominated by the soaring spires of the Sevilla Cathedral, the world’s largest gothic cathedral and the final resting place of famed explorer Christopher Columbus.

But for all its cultural and architectural treasures, Sevilla is perhaps most notable for its feasts. The city’s Semana Santa (Holy Week) is considered the best in Spain: For the week leading up to Easter, crowds throng the streets to watch in awe as penitents groan beneath the weight of ornate wooden floats during daily religious parades. Sevilla takes on a carnival atmosphere yet again during the Feria de Abril, a celebration of spring that lasts two weeks and keeps the sevillanos dancing until dawn.

Discover Seville with O.A.T. on:

• Iberian Voyage: Lisbon to Barcelona
• Back Roads of Iberia: Spanish Paradores & Portuguese Pousadas
• New! Coastlines of Portugal, Spain & Morocco