What to See in Spain: Cities to Explore on Foot

Spain is a country of historic cities, Mediterranean and Atlantic coastlines, mountain ranges, islands and distinct regional cultures. From Roman Mérida and Córdoba’s Islamic heritage to Barcelona, Madrid and the Canary Islands, there are things to do in Spain for many different kinds of traveller. Neywo offers free audio guides for 93 cities in Spain, covering 3,763 narrated places in total.

What to see and do in Spain

Discover Spain’s layered history

Spain’s story stretches back more than a million years, when hominids lived on the Iberian Peninsula. Iberians, Celts and other peoples followed, before Rome incorporated the territory into Hispania. Romanisation left a lasting mark, and later the Visigoths established a kingdom centred on Toledo.

In the early eighth century, most of the peninsula came under Umayyad rule. Al-Andalus was centred on Córdoba, while northern Christian kingdoms gradually expanded southwards. The fall of Granada ended Islamic rule in the peninsula. The crowns of Castile and Aragon were later joined through the marriage of Isabella and Ferdinand, a dynastic union often regarded as Spain’s de facto unification.

The country’s heritage can be explored in cities such as Toledo, Córdoba, Mérida and Zaragoza. Their monuments reflect different periods, from Roman Hispania to medieval Christian kingdoms and Al-Andalus.

Explore Madrid, Spain’s capital

Madrid is both the capital and the country’s largest city. It is also home to the Royal Palace of Madrid, the Palace of Zarzuela, the Museo del Prado and the Royal Basilica of Saint Francis the Great. With 116 narrated places available in the Neywo guide, Madrid is one of the country’s most extensive city destinations for discovering history and culture on foot.

Visit Barcelona and Catalonia

Barcelona combines major religious, artistic and civic landmarks. The Templo Expiatorio de la Sagrada Familia, the Cathedral of Santa Eulalia of Barcelona, the basilica of Santa María del Mar and Palacio Güell are among the city’s narrated places.

Beyond the capital, Catalonia includes destinations such as Girona, whose narrated highlights include Girona Cathedral, the Arab Baths of Girona and the Archaeology Museum of Catalonia. Other places covered by Neywo include Besalú, Cadaqués, Tarragona, Sitges and Tossa de Mar.

Experience Andalusia’s heritage

Andalusia brings together some of Spain’s best-known historic cities and white villages. In Seville, the Reales Alcázares, Seville Cathedral and the Museo Naval Torre del Oro are among the places narrated by Neywo. Granada is home to the Alhambra, the Generalife, the Museo de la Alhambra and the Church of Saint James.

Córdoba offers a particularly clear view of the region’s layered past, with the Mosque-Cathedral of Cordoba, Madinat Al-Zahra, the Torre de la Calahorra and the Roman bridge. Other Andalusian destinations in the guide include Cádiz, Málaga, Ronda, Úbeda, Antequera, Tarifa and Frigiliana.

See the cities of northern Spain

Northern Spain has its own landscapes, histories and cultural traditions. Asturias includes Oviedo, Gijón and Covadonga. Oviedo’s narrated places include the Metropolitan Cathedral Basilica of the Holy Saviour, Santa María del Naranjo, San Miguel de Lillo and San Julián de los Prados. Gijón combines heritage sites with the Aquarium of Gijón and the Asturias Railway Museum.

In the Basque Country, Bilbao features the Guggenheim Museum Bilbao, St. James’ Cathedral and Palacio Olabarri. San Sebastián includes the Castle of La Mota, the Good Shepherd Cathedral of San Sebastián and Peine del Viento XV. Guernica, Vitoria-Gasteiz, Zumaia, Azpeitia and Orduña are also covered.

Galicia offers a different Atlantic character. Santiago de Compostela is centred on its cathedral, while La Coruña has the Tower of Hercules, the Monument to Emilia Pardo Bazán and Casa del Hombre. Vigo’s narrated places include monuments to García Barbón, Jules Verne, Méndez Núñez and Curros Enríquez.

Visit historic cities in Castile and León

Castile and León is home to cities shaped by medieval, religious and civic history. Ávila includes its cathedral, the Palacio de Polentinos and the Palace of Superunda. Burgos is known in the guide for Burgos Cathedral, the Miraflores Charterhouse and the Palacio de Castilfalé.

Salamanca’s narrated places include the Convent of Las Dueñas, Casa de las Conchas, La Salina Palace and Palacio de Orellana. Segovia combines the Royal Alcázar of Segovia, the Roman aqueduct and Segovia Cathedral. Tordesillas completes this group with the Royal Convent of Santa Clara and the Casas del Tratado de Tordesillas.

Explore Valencia and the Mediterranean coast

The Valencian Community stretches along Spain’s Mediterranean coast and includes cities with very different identities. Valencia’s narrated highlights include the Lonja de la Seda, the City of Arts and Sciences, Valencia Cathedral and the Monestir de Sant Miquel dels Reis.

Alicante features Santa Bárbara Castle, the Archaeological Museum of Alicante, the Co-Cathedral of St. Nicholas of Bari and the Basilica of Saint Mary. Villajoyosa offers the Valor Chocolate Museum, Casa Museo la Barbera dels Aragonés and Vilamuseu. Other destinations in the guide include Benidorm, Calpe, Dénia, Peñíscola, Sagunto and Xàbia.

Discover the islands

Spain’s territory extends beyond the Iberian Peninsula. The Balearic Islands lie in the Mediterranean and include Mallorca, Menorca and Ibiza. Palma de Mallorca features Palma Cathedral, Bellver Castle, the Royal Palace of La Almudaina and the Gran Hotel. Ibiza includes Puig des Molins, Dalt Vila, Ibiza Cathedral and the Museum of Contemporary Art of Ibiza. Ciutadella de Menorca and Mahón are also available in the guide.

The Canary Islands lie in the Atlantic. Mount Teide, Spain’s highest peak, stands on Tenerife. Neywo covers destinations including Santa Cruz de Tenerife, San Cristóbal de La Laguna, Puerto de la Cruz, Garachico, Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Corralejo and San Sebastián de La Gomera.

Plan your Spain trip with a free audio guide

Download Neywo to explore Spain independently. The app offers 209 walking tours across the country, with 3,763 narrated places in total, and narration available in 11 languages. Each story plays as you reach the place, at your own pace, with no group and no schedule. Use it to explore the major cities, regional capitals, historic towns and island destinations while the app tells the story of each place around you.