Spain is a country with a long history in which cultures have mixed and left their mark for centuries. Precisely, this is what makes it possible for a trip through Spain to fascinate us with the sight of a Roman aqueduct, a Gothic cathedral, and castles from the Middle Ages, as well as avant-garde museums designed by world-class architects.
Yes, friends, Spain is a country full of wonders and artistic heritages. It is the fourth country globally with the most UNESCO World Heritage Sites. In addition, some of the most beautiful works of Spanish artists such as Velázquez, Picasso, Dalí, and Gaudí are here.
That’s why art is a big part of what makes Spain such an incredible place to visit. Our Local in-Destination Experts in Spain will know how to guide you through its monumental cities, palaces, museums, castles, cathedrals, picturesque villages steeped in history, and even avant-garde wineries!
MUSEUMS
In Spain, there are more than 1,500 museums, for painting, archaeology, science… In some, such as the Prado Museum in Madrid, it is possible to contemplate masterpieces by famous and renowned artists such as Titian, Rembrandt, Goya, Velázquez, or El Greco. But we cannot forget others dedicated entirely to artists, such as the Picasso Museum in Malaga or the Salvador Dali Museum in Figueras (Catalonia).
CATHEDRALS
There are 96 Cathedrals in Spain. Catholic temples are part of the Spanish Historical Heritage and have great historical, religious, and architectural value. Their construction usually spans several centuries, so they are usually the result of different periods and architectural styles.
The Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela (which is reached after a pilgrimage along the famous Camino de Santiago), the Cathedral of Burgos, the Cathedral of Mallorca, Segovia… are just some of the most beautiful. Or the curious Mosque-Cathedral of Cordoba, which combines the Andalusian architecture of its time as a mosque with the Renaissance and Baroque style embedded in the Muslim temple after the capture of Cordoba. Unique in the world!
CASTLES
Spain is a country of castles. Many fans of the Game of Thrones series will be amazed at the number of locations from the TV series they can see on a trip throughout Spain. Some are even for sale, from austere mountaintop fortresses to palace-like castles in the center of towns and villages!
Almodovar Castle in Cordoba, Cardona Castle in Barcelona, Peñafiel Castle in Valladolid… There are so many that it’s hard to choose just a few. Our favorite? The Castle of Zafra in the province of Guadalajara.
WINERIES
Wineries in a post about art in Spain? We will not ramble on about wine as an art form, nor about the goodness of Spanish wines (which we could). But we do want to point out that there are wineries in Spain that are the work of some of the most influential architects in the world. In addition, some culinary tours in Spain include visits to wineries that are beautiful examples of avant-garde architecture that knows how to blend in with their surroundings.
TOWNS & CITIES
And all of the above is concentrated in monumental towns and cities home to walls, palaces, monuments, castles, and cobblestone streets. Cities such as Avila, Toledo, or Segovia and villages such as Ronda, Albarracín, Calatañazor, Zahara de Los Atunes, and many more are examples of the enormous legacy of centuries of history in the country.
