Best of Spain

TRAVEL TIPS

Spain: From bustling Barcelona to majestic Madrid and sunny Seville, Spain’s best-known cities are among the most popular tourist destinations in Europe, but the country also boasts a broad array of beautiful cities and towns that most travelers never see. While Spain’s diverse landscapes lend each city its own picturesque ambience, it’s the country’s long history that differentiates one town from another. A tour of Spain’s less-visited cities gives travelers a unique look at Spain’s long and glorious past and offers a wide range of memorable travel experiences.

Trip Planning: The planning stage of your trip can be instrumental in its success and an enjoyable part of the experience itself. You have a world of options…and plenty to consider.

Entry and Exit formalities: Visitors must hold a passport valid for at least six months & beyond at the time of entering the country. Some nationalities can obtain visa on arrival and for nationalities who requires visa please refer to the Spain consulate website:  https://uae.blsspainvisa.com. Spain is part of the 26 Schengen State Countries.

Transportation: Figuring out how to get around is one of your biggest pre-trip decisions. Get our holiday expert best advice on deciding between your options. Based on your trip itinerary, our experts will help you choose wisely. You’ll also find a wealth of practical travel tips.

Money: Use your money wisely. Know the best time to use cash or card — and how to avoid unnecessary fees either way — as well as tipping etiquette, and how shoppers can take advantage of VAT refunds.

Phones and Technology: Phones and other smart devices can be huge time-savers…or expensive distractions. Get our tips for making the best use of technology during your trip, and for calling home with or without your own phone.

Packing Light: On your trip you’ll meet two kinds of travelers: those who pack light and those who wish they had.

Sleeping and Eating: Your hotel and restaurant choices can be a matter-of-face chore…or they can provide rich opportunities to connect with locals and their culture.

Health & Hygiene: Take comfort: Doctors, hospitals, launderettes, and bathrooms aren’t that different. Dealing with them can even be part of the fun of travel.

Sightseeing & Activities: Once you’re on the ground, the real fun begins…but it pays to have a thoughtful plan. Our experts will help you get oriented to your surroundings, use your sightseeing hours wisely, and find your way off the beaten path.

Things do & see:

Madrid- Spain’s central capital, is a city of elegant boulevards and expansive, manicured parks such as the Buen Retiro. It’s renowned for its rich repositories of European art, including the Prado Museum’s works by Goya, Velázquez and other Spanish masters. The heart of old Hapsburg Madrid is the portico-lined Plaza Mayor, and nearby is the baroque Royal Palace and Armory, displaying historic weaponry.

Barcelona- the cosmopolitan capital of Spain’s Catalonia region, is known for its art and architecture. The fantastical Sagrada Família church and other modernist landmarks designed by Antoni Gaudí dot the city. Museu Picasso and Fundació Joan Miró feature modern art by their namesakes. City history museum MUHBA, includes several Roman archaeological sites.

Seville– is the capital of southern Spain’s Andalusia region. It’s famous for flamenco dancing, particularly in its Triana neighborhood. Major landmarks include the ornate Alcázar castle complex, built during the Moorish Almohad dynasty, and the 18th-century Plaza de Toros de la Maestranza bullring. The Gothic Seville Cathedral is the site of Christopher Columbus’s tomb and a minaret turned bell tower, the Giralda. 

Granada– is a city in southern Spain’s Andalusia region, in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada mountains. It’s known for grand examples of medieval architecture dating to the Moorish occupation, especially the Alhambra. This sprawling hilltop fortress complex encompasses royal palaces, serene patios, and reflecting pools from the Nasrid dynasty, as well as the fountains and orchards of the Generalife gardens. 

Córdoba– is a city in the southern Spanish region of Andalusia, and the capital of the province of Córdoba. It was an important Roman city and a major Islamic center in the Middle Ages. It’s best known for La Mezquita, an immense mosque dating from 784 A.D., featuring a columned prayer hall and older Byzantine mosaics. After it became a Catholic church in 1236, a Renaissance-style nave was added in the 17th century. 

Bilbao- an industrial port city in northern Spain, is surrounded by green mountains. It’s the de facto capital of Basque Country, with a skyscraper-filled downtown. It’s famed for the Frank Gehry–designed Guggenheim Museum Bilbao, which sparked revitalization when it opened in 1997. The museum houses prominent modern and contemporary works, but it’s the curvy, titanium-clad building that receives the most attention

Valencia- is a port lies on Spain’s southeastern coast, where the Turia River meets the Mediterranean Sea. It’s known for its City of Arts and Sciences, with futuristic structures including a planetarium, an oceanarium and an interactive museum. Valencia also has several beaches, including some within nearby Albufera Park, a wetlands reserve with a lake and walking trails.

Toledo- is an ancient city set on a hill above the plains of Castilla-La Mancha in central Spain. The capital of the region, it’s known for the medieval Arab, Jewish and Christian monuments in its walled old city. It was also the former home of Mannerist painter El Greco. The Moorish Bisagra Gate and the Sol Gate, in Mudéjar style, open into the old quarter, where the Plaza de Zocodover is a lively meeting place. 

Segovia– is a historic city northwest of Madrid, in central Spain’s Castile and León region. Its centuries of settlement have resulted in a rich architectural legacy, including medieval walls, Romanesque churches, a former royal palace and a Gothic cathedral. Its iconic ancient Roman aqueduct has more than 160 arches, most in the original mortarless granite, and stands above Plaza Azoguejo in the heart of the city.

Málaga– is a port city on southern Spain’s Costa del Sol, known for its high-rise hotels and resorts jutting up from yellow-sand beaches. Looming over that modern skyline are the city’s 2 massive hilltop citadels, the Alcazaba and ruined Gibralfaro, remnants of Moorish rule. The city’s soaring Renaissance cathedral is nicknamed La Manquita (“one-armed lady”) because one of its towers was curiously left unbuilt. 

Marbella– is a city and resort area on southern Spain’s Costa del Sol, part of the Andalusia region. The Sierra Blanca Mountains are the backdrop to 27 km of sandy Mediterranean beaches, villas, hotels, and golf courses. West of Marbella town, the Golden Mile of prestigious nightclubs and coastal estates leads to Puerto Banús marina, filled with luxury yachts, and surrounded by upmarket boutiques and bars.

Ávila- capital of the Spanish province of the same name, is a city in the rolling hill country northwest of Madrid. It’s best known for its intact medieval city walls, with 80-plus crenelated, semicircular towers and 9 gates, including the arched El Alcázar, on the eastern side. Long sections atop the walls are walkable. At night, the lighted walls are a distinctive sight. 

Salamanca- in northwestern Spain, is the capital of Salamanca province, part of the Castile and León region. With a history dating back to the Celtic era, it’s known for its ornate sandstone architecture and for the Universidad de Salamanca. Founded in the 1100s and a key intellectual center in the 15th-16th centuries, the university continues to add to the city’s vibrancy with its international student population.

Zaragoza– is the capital of northeastern Spain’s Aragon region. Overlooking the Ebro River in the city center is baroque Nuestra Señora del Pilar basilica, a famous pilgrimage site with a shrine to the Virgin Mary and multiple domes. Mudéjar-style landmarks, combining Islamic and Gothic architecture, include the Aljafería, an 11th-century Moorish palace, and the Cathedral of the Savior, begun in the 12th century. 

Alicante– is a port city on Spain’s southeastern Costa Blanca, and the capital of the Alicante province. Its old town, Barrio de la Santa Cruz, has narrow streets, colored houses and a nightlife scene. From here, an elevator or a steep climb leads to medieval Castillo de Santa Bárbara, set on a hilltop with sweeping views of the Mediterranean coast.

Cádiz– is an ancient port city in the Andalucia region of southwestern Spain. The home of the Spanish Navy, the port boomed in the 16th-century as a base for exploration and trade. It has more than 100 watchtowers, including the iconic Torre Tavira, which was traditionally used for spotting ships. On the waterfront is the domed, 18th-century Cádiz Cathedral, featuring baroque and neoclassical elements. 

Santiago de Compostela- is the capital of northwest Spain’s Galicia region. It’s known as the culmination of the Camino de Santiago pilgrimage route, and the alleged burial site of the Biblical apostle St. James. His remains reputedly lie within the Catedral de Santiago de Compostela, consecrated in 1211, whose elaborately carved stone facades open onto grand plazas within the medieval walls of the old town.

Palma– is a resort city and capital of the Spanish island of Mallorca (Majorca), in the western Mediterranean. The massive Santa María cathedral, a Gothic landmark begun in the 13th century, overlooks the Bay of Palma. The adjacent Almudaina is a Moorish-style Arab fortress converted to a royal residence. West of the city, hilltop Bellver Castle is a medieval fortress with a distinctive circular shape.

Pamplona- is the capital of Navarre province in northern Spain. It’s best known for the Running of the Bulls (Feast of San Fermín) in July. During this legendary multiday festival, bulls are led through the city streets by daredevil runners. A major stop along the Camino de Santiago, a medieval-era pilgrimage route, Pamplona is also home to Gothic-style churches including fortresslike San Nicolás.

Girona– is a city in Spain’s northeastern Catalonia region, beside the River Onyar. It’s known for its medieval architecture, walled Old Quarter (Barri Vell) and the Roman remains of the Força Vella fortress. Landscaped gardens line the Passeig Arqueològic, a walkway following the Old Quarter’s medieval walls, which include watchtowers with sweeping views.

Santiago de Compostela– is the capital of northwest Spain’s Galicia region. It’s known as the culmination of the Camino de Santiago pilgrimage route, and the alleged burial site of the Biblical apostle St. James. His remains reputedly lie within the Catedral de Santiago de Compostela, consecrated in 1211, whose elaborately carved stone facades open onto grand plazas within the medieval walls of the old town.

Burgos- a provincial capital in Spain’s autonomous community of Castile and León, is marked by its intact medieval architecture. Its most recognizable landmark is the French Gothic Cathedral of St. Mary, whose 3 main doorways are flanked by ornamented bell towers. Inside is the Chapel of Condestable, decorated with figures of saints, and the tomb of El Cid (Rodrigo Díaz de Vivar), the 11th-century military commander. 

Jerez de la Frontera- usually called Jerez, is a city in southern Spain’s Andalusia region. Its old quarter surrounds the Alcázar de Jerez, a Moorish fortress founded in the 11th century. The Royal Andalusian School of Equestrian Art is a famed riding school with horse shows and a carriage museum. The city is also known for flamenco music and sherry production in the so-called Sherry Triangle lying to the west.

Ronda– is a mountaintop city in Spain’s Malaga province that’s set dramatically above a deep gorge. This gorge (El Tajo) separates the city’s circa-15th-century new town from its old town, dating to Moorish rule. Puente Nuevo, a stone bridge spanning the gorge, has a lookout offering views. New town’s Plaza de Toros, a legendary 18th-century bullring, is one of the city’s most recognizable landmarks.

Las Palmas– is a capital of Gran Canaria, one of Spain’s Canary Islands off northwestern Africa. A major cruise-ship port, the city is known for duty-free shopping and for its sandy beaches. At Playa de Las Canteras, a coral barrier lines the beach and shelters swimmers. The annual Las Palmas de Gran Canaria carnival brings together flamboyantly costumed performers, music and dancing..

A Coruña– is a port city on a promontory in the Galicia region of northwest Spain. It’s known for its Roman lighthouse, the Tower of Hercules, which has sweeping coastal views. In the medieval old town is the arcaded Plaza de María Pita, surrounded by narrow pedestrianized lanes. In this square is the Estatua de María Pita, a statue of a 16th-century woman who warned the town of an invasion by Sir Francis Drake.

Tarragona- is a port city in northeastern Spain’s Catalonia region. Many ancient ruins remain from its time as the Roman colony of Tarraco. The Amfiteatre Romà is a 2nd-century arena facing the Mediterranean, the Necropolis contains Roman tombs, and traces of the Forum stand among the alleys of the walled, medieval Old Town. A walkway along the ramparts, the Passeig Arqueològic, has sweeping views of the city.

Logroño– is a city in northern Spain, south of Bilbao. It’s a stop on the pilgrimage route to Santiago de Compostela. The Cathedral of Santa María de la Redonda has twin baroque towers, an elaborate facade and an image attributed to Michelangelo. The Cubo del Revellín fort connects to remnants of the old city wall. Leafy Ebro Park has views of the River Ebro, its arched Stone Bridge and its 19th-century Iron Bridge. 

Murcia– is a university city in southeastern Spain and the capital of a region also named Murcia. Plaza Cardenal Belluga is the city’s architectural showpiece, where the ornate cathedral, with its mash-up of styles from Gothic to baroque, and the colorful 18th-century Palacio Episcopal stand in striking contrast to the modern 1990s Ayuntamiento (city hall) annex by architect Rafael Moneo.

Almería– is a city in southeast Spain. The Alcazaba is an imposing Moorish fortress overlooking the city. The fortified, 16th-century Almería Cathedral has a Gothic ribbed ceiling. The Museum of Almería displays archaeological finds from across the region. Underground lies a network of tunnels, the Civil War Shelters of Almería. The English Cable is a huge iron pier and symbol of the city’s former mining industry. 

Oviedo– is a town in northwest Spain between the Cantabrian Mountains and the Bay of Biscay. The capital of Asturias, it’s known for its medieval old town, the site of the Gothic Oviedo Cathedral with its 9th-century Holy Chamber. The Archaeological Museum of Asturias, in a nearby convent, displays regional artifacts. The Fine Arts Museum of Asturias includes 2 palaces and has an expansive Spanish art collection. 

Gijón– is a large coastal city in northern Spain. It’s known for its maritime heritage and the old fishermen’s quarter of Cimadevilla. Santa Catalina hill has a clifftop park and sculpture. The 18th-century Revillagigedo Palace houses an international arts center. It adjoins the Collegiate Church of San Juan Bautista, now a concert hall. Nearby is the 16th-century Clock Tower, with a museum about the city. 

Vitoria- Gasteiz is the capital of the Basque Autonomous Community in northern Spain. In the medieval quarter, the Gothic-style Santa María Cathedral features a sculpted facade and towering columns. The 17th-century Plaza de la Virgen Blanca has a monument to the 1813 Battle of Vitoria. The Church of San Miguel has a large, baroque altarpiece and houses a statue of the White Virgin, the city’s patron saint. 

Pontevedra– is a city in northwest Spain. It’s known for its well-preserved old town and Gothic Santa María la Mayor Basilica. The Ruínas de San Domingos are the remains of a 14th-century convent. Nearby, the Sexto Edificio museum showcases Galician art. Northeast, Illa das Esculturas is an island with outdoor sculptures. Northwest of town, Mosteiro de Santa María de Armenteira is a 12th-century Cistercian monastery.

Cuenca– is a city set in the mountains of east-central Spain. Founded by Moors, it retains its Historic Walled Town with steep cobbled streets and medieval castle ruins. Perched on a limestone spur high above the Júcar and Huécar rivers, it’s most famous for its well-preserved “casas colgadas,” or hanging houses. Cantilevered over the Huécar gorge, they seemingly cling to the cliffs’ edges.

Valladolid– is a city in northwest Spain. It’s known for medieval religious sites like the Spanish Gothic San Pablo Church, with a history dating from the 1400s, on San Pablo Plaza. Nearby is the Royal Palace, home of Spanish kings in the early 1600s. The National Sculpture Museum occupies a Gothic building. The Christopher Columbus Museum chronicles the life of the Italian explorer, who died in Valladolid in 1506.

Santa Cruz de Tenerife– is a port city on the island of Tenerife, in Spain’s Canary Islands. Well-preserved buildings in its old town include the colonial Church of the Immaculate Conception. The 1700s Palacio de Carta has baroque and neoclassical features. In the Old Civil Hospital, the Museum of Nature and Man has interactive displays on the islands. The city’s squares include the central Plaza de España. 

Vigo– is a city on Spain’s northwest coast. The mouth of the nearby Vigo Estuary is sheltered by the Cíes Islands, which form part of the Atlantic Islands National Park. The Cíes are known for their rich birdlife and crescent-shaped Rodas Beach. The city’s old quarter is home to the neoclassical Church of Santa María. The Castro de Vigo archaeological site has reconstructed ancient dwellings.

Huelva- is a port city in southwestern Spain, at the mouth of the Odiel and Tinto rivers. North of the center is whitewashed Santuario de Nuestra Señora de la Cinta chapel, dating from the 15th century. Huelva Museum hosts an extensive archaeological collection. La Merced Cathedral features a striking baroque facade. A statue of explorer Christopher Columbus overlooks the palm-flanked square of Plaza de las Monjas.

Cáceres– is a city in western Spain’s Extremadura region. Founded by the ancient Romans, it retains widespread evidence of subsequent occupation by many different cultures. Its old town, Ciudad Monumental, has a mix of Gothic and Renaissance architecture, with cobbled medieval streets, fortified houses and palaces. Encircled by 12th-century Moorish walls, it also has around 30 towers, some occupied by nesting storks.

Elche– is a city in southeast Spain. It’s known for its Vila Murada old town and the Palmeral of Elche, a vast palm grove. The Basilica of Santa María has baroque and neoclassical features. The “Mystery Play of Elche,” a sacred musical drama, is performed there each year. A former fortress, Palacio de Altamira is part of the Archaeology and History of Elche Museum and home to a replica of the “Lady of Elche” bust.

Lleida– is an ancient city in Spain’s northeastern Catalonia region. La Seu Vella, a Gothic-Romanesque cathedral in a ruined hilltop fortress, towers over the city. Below the hill stretches the long, pedestrianized Eix Comercial de Lleida, with shops set inside many of the old town’s striking buildings. On a hill to the west, the 12th-century Castle of Gardeny complex explores the region’s Templar history.

Mérida- the capital of western Spain’s Extremadura region, was founded by the Romans in the 1st century B.C. Remains of the ancient city include the still-used Teatro Romano, which has a double tier of columns rising onstage. The ancient Puente Romano, a 792m bridge spanning the Río Guadiana, adjoins the Alcazaba, a 9th-century Islamic fortress built over Roman walls.

Palencia– is a city in northern Spain. Dating from the 11th century, San Miguel Church has a Romanesque apse and Gothic facade. Palencia Cathedral has a Gothic exterior and Renaissance altarpiece with paintings by Juan de Flandes. Cristo del Otero is a huge post-cubist statue of Christ by Victorio Macho, who is buried in the chapel below. The Museo de Palencia has Paleolithic artifacts, Roman mosaics and sacred art. 

Alcalá de Henares– is a city in central Spain, northeast of Madrid. It’s known for the University of Alcalá, which occupies 16th-century buildings in the old town. These include the Paraninfo, a hall with an intricately patterned Mudejar ceiling, where the King of Spain presents the annual Cervantes literary prize. Nearby, the Cervantes Birthplace Museum is the former home of the celebrated author of “Don Quixote.”

Jaén– is a city in southern Spain. It’s known for its olive oil production, and for its fortresses, including medieval Santa Catalina Castle. The Renaissance-style Jaén Cathedral holds the Holy Veil, said to have been used to wash Christ’s face. In the Palacio de Villardompardo, the Arab Baths Cultural Center includes an 11th-century bathhouse and 2 museums. The San Ildefonso Church has several striking altarpieces.

Badajoz– is a city in southwest Spain. It’s known for its Moorish historic quarter with the fortresslike Cathedral of San Juan Bautista. Overlooking the city, the Alcazaba of Badajoz is a Moorish citadel with fortified walls and verdant gardens. It also encompasses the Provincial Archaeological Museum and the 12th-century Espantaperros Tower. Castelar Park features palm trees and statues of local cultural figures.

Castellón de la Plana- is a city in eastern Spain. In the center, the Gothic-style Concatedral de Santa Maria has an octagonal bell tower (El Fadrí). The modernist Museu de Belles Arts specializes in archaeology, ethnology and art, with a collection of Valencian ceramics. On the nearby Costa Azahar, Pinar Beach is known for its beach sports and pine forest. The Columbretes Islands are a nesting ground for rare birds.

Terrassa- is a city in the east central region of Catalonia, in the province of Barcelona, comarca of Vallès Occidental, of which it is the cocapital along with Sabadel

Melilla- is a Spanish autonomous city located on the northwest coast of Africa, sharing a border with Morocco. It has an area of 12.3 km². Melilla is one of two permanently inhabited Spanish cities in mainland Africa, the other being nearby Ceuta.

Ceuta– is a Spanish autonomous city on the north coast of Africa. Bordered by Morocco, it lies along the boundary between the Mediterranean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean and is one of nine populated Spanish territories in Africa and, along with Melilla, one of two populated Spanish territories on mainland Africa.

Explore Madrid – The capital city is famous for its museums, tapas, and great nightlife. This is a city that doesn’t start until midnight. Make sure you see the Prado, one of the largest museums in the world, and the Royal Palace. You’ll also want to spend some time strolling through the main square, Plaza Mayor.

Enjoy Barcelona – Like Madrid, Barcelona is famous for its partying, late-night eating, and amazing historic streets. You’ll find a lot of history here, learn to sleep until 10 pm, and eat dinner at midnight just like the locals do. I highly suggest a visit to the history museum — it is one of the best in Europe.

Revel in La Tomatina – Held the last Wednesday in August in Buñol, tens of thousands of people descend on this small town in the morning to throw tons and tons of tomatoes at each other. It was the messiest, most fun hour of traveling I’ve ever had.

Running of the Bulls – Held in July in Pamplona, the Running of the Bulls attracts both the brave and the stupid. While I’d never do the actual running, the multi-day celebration is still a good place to go drink sangria, eat good food, wear a red scarf, and celebrate the way only Spain can.

Explore the history of Granada – This ancient Moorish city is one of my favorite in Spain. I love wandering the ancient streets in the center and relaxing in the old palace, the Alhambra. No trip to southern Spain is complete without a visit here.

Lounge on the Costa Del Sol – Come hang out on the beach and enjoy the laid-back life for which Spain is famous. The sun coast in southern Spain is famous for its beautiful beaches, great nightlife (and tons of tourists). Malaga is one of the biggest places on the coast but I think there are better places further down.

Go to Valencia – Valencia is a pretty amazing town. Initially, I wasn’t attracted to Valencia for any reason in particular — I came for the tomato fight in the nearby town of Bunol, which attracts thousands of people each August, most of whom use Valencia as their home base. However, Valencia grew on me. It has great seafood, paella, history, and a good soccer team. I would go back in a second. It’s a wonderful city!

Walk The Camino – El Camino de Santiago, or The Way of Saint James, is a popular pilgrimage route stretching from the border of France all the way to Santiago de Compostela in North-Western Spain. Stretching 800km, this month-long walk takes a lot of dedication.

Wander through Seville – An amazing city with great churches, palaces, and historic sites. They also have good shopping here. I really like the Jewish Quarter here and the monument dedicated to the different regions of Spain. This is also a big student town.

Visit Gibraltar – Bordering Spain on the Iberian peninsula, Gibraltar is actually an overseas territory of the United Kingdom. Here you’ll encounter an interesting mix of cultures, with influences from Britain, Spain, and North Africa all colliding.

Explore the islands – Whether you go to Ibiza to party or to the Canaries to relax, Spain has some of the most beautiful islands in all of Europe. Because of that, during the months of July and August, they are full and expensive so try to avoid peak season. If you love beaches, surfing, hiking, or cycling then be sure to hit up the islands especially Gran Canaria

Hike in the Sierra Nevada – This mountain area is a great place for summer hiking, winter skiing, and exploring small towns. This area is one of the prettiest and most rugged in Spain and one of the better areas for outdoor activities in Spain. There are plenty of trails ranging in length and difficulty.

Visit San Sebastián – The center of the Basque area of Spain, this place has a killer nightlife and beach. Moreover, the architecture makes it one of the most beautiful and unique cities in all of Spain.

Hike the Pyrenees – The majestic mountain chain that walls off France is laced with medieval villages, high mountain walking trails, and great skiing. It’s also the traditional start of The Camino.

Visit the Great Cathedral and Mosque – The Mezquita de Cordoba is by far the most exquisite example of the Muslim fabric in Spain. Its giant arches, jasper columns, marble floors, richly gilded prayer niches, and the awe-inspiring domed shrine of Byzantine mosaics take you back to when Córdoba was under Muslim influence.

Unwind in Salamanca – Salamanca seems to be in the middle of nowhere, but it’s got a huge amount of life to it. This is a university city, but it’s not huge, so you can expect a mix of small-town atmosphere, great nightlife, and many backpackers.

Visit the Guggenheim Museum – One of the most famous museums in the world, the Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao always has some interesting exhibits on modern art. Even if you’re not a modern art fan, you should stop by just to check it out.  The architecture of this museum is something to marvel at.  Frank Gehry, arguably one of the most famous living architects of today, designed it to have a very unique undulating style.

Explore Basque Country – Basque Country is an autonomous region is Spain, a place with its own unique culture and heritage. Located in the north-east corner of Spain, you’ll notice the difference as soon as you step foot in the region. If you’re into off-the-beaten-path locations, be sure to visit Basque Country.