Spain, with its diverse geography and vibrant culture, is one country on the Iberian Peninsula that you shouldn’t miss visiting when in Europe. Its capital, Madrid is swaggering of beautiful architecture like the Royal Palace and Prado museum. If you want to see a true medieval castle, there is Segovia with the enchanting Alcázar. There’s plenty of things to see, learn, and experience here, most especially, the numerous UNESCO Heritage Sites. In case you’re wondering about this must-visit attractions, read on and discover our top 10 list of UNESCO heritage sites in Spain.
1. Renaissance Monumental Ensembles of Úbeda and Baeza (from USD 130.12)
Úbeda and Baeza are cities in the Jaen province with beautiful renaissance structures and influences, making them one of the UNESCO Heritage Site in Spain.
Baeza is one impressive town characterized by quiet streets and golden stone. It features a collection of artistic gems, historical treasures, and religion at the center of it all. You’ll find here two well-known attractions the Seminary of San Felipe Neri and the Palace of Jabalquinto, which are famous for their glamour and cultural legacy.
The city of Ubeda, with its striking civic quality and its green olive groves, offers renaissance architecture that likened to its Italian counterpart. It is a town loaded with carved stone exteriors and whitewashed homes. If you’re into architecture at the same time history buff, you’ll surely love the Plaza de Vazquez de Molina Square, where you’ll see old structural wonders like the Las Cadenas Palace and El Salvador Chapel, which will make you feel like you go back in time.
From Granada: Úbeda and Baeza Day Trip
Duration: 7.0 hour
2. Alhambra, Generalife and Albayzín (from USD 53.13)
Situated in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada in Southern Spain, Granada is famous for its medieval architecture that dates back to the Moorish rules. As a great example, here are the UNESCO Heritage Sites – Alhambra, Generalife, and Albayzin. Alhambra and Albayzin are in two adjacent hills in Granada. Alhambra features Nasrid Art and also noted as the only intact palatine city during the period of Islamic ruling. The Generalife is a garden that best portrays medieval agricultural richness. Albayzin is an excellent example of a Moorish town planning, wherein Nasrid architectural style and Christian traditions complement each other perfectly.
Granada: Alhambra, Generalife & Nasrid Palaces Guided Tour
Duration: 3.0 hour
3. Historic Centre of Córdoba (from USD 109.0)
Cordoba is an important Roman city and an influential Islamic center during the middle ages. Today, it is one of the UNESCO Heritage Sites in Spain that features the iconic Mosque-Cathedral, which is an Islamic monument with great significance in the west. Its historic center is bragging of numerous, preserved, historical monuments, which dates back Roman, Arabic, and Christian times. If you want a more comprehensive tour of Cordoba, make sure to avail of the one in our link below. They have an expert guide that will tell you about the history of Cordoba, the late Muslim capital of Spain.
Cordoba City Tour with Mosque- Cathedral from Seville
Duration: 10 hours
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4. Teide National Park (from USD 37.95)
Located in Tenerife, Teide National Park is the home of a towering volcano named Mount Teide. If you want to visit the volcano there are trails to follow and a cable car to reach its peak. You’ll also find here the Roques De Garcia unique rock formation that includes the well-known Roque Cinchadu Column. Another point of interest is the former shepherd home and today’s Juan Evora Ethnographic Museum, which contains exhibit about the traditional shepherding life in Las Canadas.
Teide National Park: Moonlight Tour and Stargazing
Duration: 80.0 minute
Spain Tour Guide
Asier Garmendia
Hi! I’m Asier, welcome to Granada, the most wonderful and charming city in the world. I am a licensed tour guide, with a degree in Art History and specialized in the Alhambra. Let me show you as a local our traditions, food and heritage. The city of the Alhambra will not disappoint you !. Please don`t hesitate to contact me for private and flexible tours. My job is my passion!
Tours by Asier
5. Works of Antoni Gaudí (from USD 10.84)
A Spanish architect that is well-known for practicing Catalan Modernism, Antoni Gaudi has made a great contribution to the field of architecture and its technology during the late 19th and early 20th century. He is known for creating unique masterpieces, with a touch of personal style, which range from gardens up to sculptures, decorative arts, and more. Because of his prowess and for the value of his works, seven of those are now UNESCO Heritage Sites. One of his works is the iconic Sagrada Familia which is still under construction up to this day. It is a combination of architectural styles that mostly influenced by Gothic and Art Nouveau. Other Heritage sites included in the list are Casa Vicens, Casa Mila, Casa Batllo, Palau Guell, Park Guell, and Church of Colonia Guell.
Gaudí Crypt in Colònia Güell with Audioguide
6. Historic walled town of Cuenca (from USD 70.48)
The historic fortified town in Cordoba, Cuenca offers picturesque landscapes with colorful houses, medieval architecture, and Gothic-style cathedral. It is one of Spain’s UNESCO Heritage Sites that will make you feel like you’re being transported back in time. After the Christians conquered this town, with Moorish origins, it then became a Royal town. The upper town is the historic center where you’ll find Spain’s first Gothic cathedral, noble houses, abbeys, churches, and the exceptional “Hanging Houses” that overlooks the Huécar River.
From Madrid: Cuenca Guided Tour with Optional Lunch
Duration: 12 hour
7. San Cristóbal de La Laguna (from USD 21.0)
If you want to be transported back in time, particularly during the 16th and 18th century, then you have to visit the city of San Cristóbal de La Laguna. It is a city defined by wide streets and open spaces and boasting of beautiful churches and historical buildings and structures that features modernist, contemporary, neoclassical, and rationalist architecture. It also has a well-preserved square, the Plaza del Adelantado, where you’ll see the Navas Palace, the Town Hall, and the Santa Catalina Monastery.
La Laguna: Walking Tour
Duration: 2.5 hour
8. Aranjuez Cultural Landscape (from USD 63.0)
Another fascinating UNESCO Heritage Site, in Spain, is the Aranjuez Cultural Landscape. It is a perfect example of the complex relationship between native and human existence. Also, it paves the way to the development of the art of landscaping in Spain.
It is a perfect example of the mixture of influences, such as humanism, political centralization, urban lifestyle along with the advancement of science and technology. Other attractions you need to see while you’re here are the Palace of Island Garden, Great Historic Garden, and the King’s Garden.
Royal Site of Aranjuez Half-Day Tour
Duration: 4 hour
9. Cathedral, Alcázar and Archivo de Indias in Seville (from USD 39.0)
Located in Southern Spain, the town of Seville offers stunning architecture and fascinating historical buildings. Here, you’ll find three UNESCO Heritage Sites. First is the astonishing Gothic Museum, which is the largest gothic edifice in Europe and where Christopher Columbus tomb lies. Second is the Palace of Alcazar which is a medieval castle and home to the past kings of Spain. And lastly, Casa Lonja in the Archivido de Indias, where you’ll find the collection of documentation regarding the New World. Collectively these three notable historical structures make a set of a monumental complex in Seville. Make sure to visit all the nooks and crooks of these places, by availing a tour at Viator website, for a more efficient and time conserving journey ahead.
Monuments of Seville Private Tour: Alcazar & Cathedral Skip the Line
Duration: 4 hours
10. Garajonay National Park (from USD 85.0)
Densely populated of Laurel trees, Garajonay National Park is 70% rare laurel forest and features various species of flora and fauna. It is one of the oldest national park in Spain and a paradise of luscious vegetation because of the presence of various springs and streams. Thus, making it like the Tertiary, which due to climate change has been almost obsolete in this part of Europe. Moreover, it also has geological monuments, including Roques and Phyton, which are the remnants of the erosion of volcanic pipes as time passes by.
Combined Hiking Route in The Garajonay National Park and La Gomera Ravines
Duration: 7 hours
Hello Spain
You’ll never tire of exploring Spain with its rich history, colorful culture, and fascinating attractions. Don’t worry, if you’re running out of things to do and see in Spain, for we have compiled a list of the country’s UNESCO Heritage Sites to add up in your itinerary. Check them out, above.
History
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