No irony that this city happens to house the World Tourism Organization. And why not? Spain as a whole is synonymous with excellent tourism, and Madrid might as well be the very capital of tourism, though Barcelona at times wrests that title from her. Start by its most fashionable street, Calle de Alcala, where you'll find most of the city's famous landmarks, like the bustling Puerta del Sol Square, the picturesque Plaza de Cibeles square, the Puerta de Alcala monument (evoking Berlin's Brandenburg Gate), the Cervantes Institute; the Las Ventas bull ring, and where many would enjoy an afternoon stroll, the Buen Retiro Park. At Plaza de Oriente square, one can stop for a minute and decide whether to visit the magnificent Royal Palace or go across the street to the equally imposing Teatro Real, or royal theatre. Madrid is mostly about its famous squares. No other is more visited than Plaza de España, where Cervantes' hero had been immortalized with Don Quixote's statues and his stout side-kick, Sancho Panza. Plaza de España is a short distance to the Gran Via, or grand avenue, Spain's trendiest, with hundreds of upscale shops, fine restaurants, clubs, and cafes. And if you think you've seen it all, well…you haven't! Paris has the Louvre just as Spain has the El Prado, with magnificent works by Velazquez, Goya, El Greco, and others. The Reina Sofía and Thyssen-Bornemisza museums also house marvelous modern Spanish paintings, including Picasso's Guernica and European and American masters. One will encounter a myriad of cheerful bars throughout the city, packed with warm clientele and, of course, tapas! Madrid is for the lively and the strong; there's nothing peaceful about an incredibly vibrant city ranked 4th as the most visited in the world.

If you thought Madrid was lively and had it all…think again! The second-largest city in Spain, Barcelona is also the major port and has a reputation for being an ultramodern city, with its bizarre architecture and vigorous nightlife. Like Madrid, the city is replete with bars, cafes, fine restaurants, superb galleries, and endless shopping boulevards, but unlike Madrid, Barcelona seems relatively young, pulsating, and bold! Yes, bold as conceiving such astounding architecture like Gaudi's unfinished Sagrada Familia Cathedral. The Barri Gotic, or Gothic Quarter, is a living testament to the city's ancient past, sharply contrasting with Guell Park, another of Gaudi's colorful fancies. Equally bizarre, and thus so remarkably unique to this city, are the Batllo and Mila buildings, again, by the renowned architect. So evident has been his legacy that Barcelona could almost be the brainchild of Gaudi. And if you thought Madrid had trumped the idea of fashionable streets with Calle de Alcala and Gran Via, you would change your mind in Barcelona: La Rambla is perhaps Europe's most fashionable shopping avenue, flanked with verdant trees, open-air cafes, quaint shops, boutiques and the very picturesque La Boqueria bazaar packed with people, young and old, living the life as they stroll through a boulevard paved with eclectic mosaics courtesy of Joan Miro. Nearby is the city's famed square, Placa de Catalunya, where Barcelona's major avenues diverge, like the tree-lined Passeig de Gracia, deemed the most expensive city and Portal de l'Angel, yet another pedestrian street resembling the La Rambla very much.

The notes of flamenco resound against the agitated steps of a woman in love…This is the 'passionate' city of Spain, one where history and passion combine to offer perhaps the most alluring of Andalucía. Once more decadent that Madrid as the first stop for the overseas' gold fleet, grew into an imposing city of palaces and villas. But centuries of civilizations have left Seville a combination of a splendid Moorish past, evoking a bygone charm and intense passion echoed in its flamencos, and the rumbling of modern life which tries to pick up the pace from that glorious past. Semana Santa, or Holy Week, is perhaps one of its most colorful festivals where figurines of saints are paraded with music. Some of the city's most beautiful sites include the iconic Alcazar Palace complex, the ultimate symbol of the Moorish Civilization that once flourished; the emblematic Giralda Tower; and like nearly every city in Spain, its colossal cathedral, the St. Mary of the See. There are also the Archives of the Indies for the lover of culture, displaying nearly the entire history of Spain's huge overseas empire, from Columbus to the very end of the Spanish-American War in 1898; the elegant Museum of Arts and Traditions. Other places of interest include the Torre del Oro, or Tower of Gold; the city's grand Plaza de España; the Maestranza Bullring where some of the country's most spectacular bullfights take place; the iconic Puente de Triana bridge; and finally the Macarena neighborhood with its winding streets and colorful Moorish-styled homes packed against each other. 

These are a group of islands east of the Spanish mainland. They are mainly four Ibiza, Formentera, Mallorca, and Menorca. With a mild Mediterranean climate and alluring beaches, The Balearics are a magnet for thousands of tourists worldwide, mostly for the cold-and-drenched British, German, and Nordic visitors. They come to sunbathe on the white-sanded beaches of the islands. Though they all share the same features, Ibiza is the most famous as a playground for the rich. Every year, hundreds of yachts dock at its harbor, and the island's central city becomes a terrific hub of pure, vibrant nightlife. The island resembles the Greek Kos, Rhodes, and Santorini, but its vivacity and fame generate an air of bustling around it. Its cuisine is also something worth visiting; try their legendary Lobster Stew, said to be so unique that even the King of Spain himself is said to go there not only for the water sports and regatta, but also to sit and taste the dish. The islands' capital and largest city, Palma de Mallorca, is on Mallorca Island and is itself a center of cafes, fine restaurants, and stylish shops against a backdrop of rugged landscapes and fortresses. It's no exaggeration when many refer to Palma as a bigger version of Monaco, but admit, nevertheless, it's less flashy. And it's true! There are no opulent hotels and casinos. Palma makes it up with picturesque neighborhoods packed with colorful facades, squares, and fortresses, alongside the seaside's lavish promenades and outlets.

It is a mix of modern, traditional culture, beach, gastronomy, and shopping.

It is famous around the world for its Great Mosque. Its historic old town is a World Heritage site, ample of little streets to be discovered, courtyards full of flowers, where you can enjoy a good flamenco performance or try the local cuisine.

As per the English poet Laurie Lee, Granada is a city that should be visited at least once in a lifetime. Fascinated by the Alhambra's allure, many visitors head to Granada for its passionate flamenco, delicious tapas, and incredible culture.

The Basque country stands out for its ground-breaking architectural structures, beautiful old town, charming streets, bars, and exotic food.