This May, I was lucky enough to go on a three week trip to Spain! It was one of the few countries in Europe that I’ve always wanted to visit but never had the chance to, so I went all out! Within those three weeks, I visited Barcelona, Madrid, Valencia, Magaluf, and Seville. I would have been open to more, but there simply wasn’t enough time (or energy).
Here are my honest ratings of the cities I visited:
1. Barcelona
Rating: 7.5
The first stop was Barcelona. This is a classic city to start your Spanish adventure in, as it’s probably the most famous. It’s known for its unique architecture; created by world renowned architect Antoni Gaudí. With their signature aesthetic, his works can be seen all around the city.
Some notable pieces are:
- Sagrada Família (probably the most famous attraction in all of Barcelona, definitely worth visiting)
- Park Güell (make sure to book tickets early, as spots fill up fast)
- Casa Batlló
Along with its notable buildings, Barcelona is a hub for amazing restaurants. It was easy to find nice culinary experiences wherever we went. However, like with any big city, it had its trappings. It had issues with over-tourism, pollution, and some gritty neighbourhoods.
Tip: For one of the best views of Sagrada Família, go to Sercotel Rosellón and ask to get access to the rooftop bar. There, you’ll find an unmatched view of the famous cathedral (and yummy sangrias!).
2. Magaluf
Rating: 8
Next up was the party town of Magaluf, located on the island of Mallorca. Mallorca is like a second cousin of Ibiza. Both are party islands, with Mallorca being a bit more relaxed and residential. It also has a big British population, often being Brits’ go-to place for vacations.
We stayed in the town of Magaluf, which is known for its party vibes and beautiful beaches. We got exactly what we expected, a classic party island experience.
The hotel we stayed at, HM Martinique, was almost like its own island. It was a big complex with two pools and seemed to be inhabited by everyone within a reasonable radius.
Tip: Check out Tom Brown’s, it’s a British owned restaurant with beach front seats. It’s a great place for people-watching and many people from our hotel had breakfast there.
3. Valencia
Rating: 8.5
If I had to pick a city to live in, it would be Valencia. I really liked a lot of aspects of this city. Its eclectic neighbourhoods, historic cathedrals, and giant futuristic entertainment complex gave the city an interesting blend of old and modern.
There were so many rustic neighbourhoods; getting lost along the colorful streets of Russafa was truly magical.
4. Madrid
Rating: 7
To be honest, Madrid was a bit of a blur. Having gone from city to city at this point, Madrid blended into the haze of Iberian architecture and tasty paellas. In its defence, it is a metropolis, filled with galleries and important government buildings…it is the capital after all. We even stumbled upon a protest! So it’s a city with many happenings, they just didn’t stand out compared to the other more distinct cities.
Check out Plaza Mayor and the Royal Palace of Madrid if you want to get a look at some beautiful architecture.
5. Seville
Rating: 9
Seville was breathtaking. The architecture was truly beautiful. It was as if we were walking through a storybook town come to life. Being the southernmost city we visited, it had a lot of Moorish influence in its architecture.
You could spend hours taking photos in Plaza de España, the most famous photo spot in Seville. This plaza was built in 1928 and has everything you need for an amazing photoshoot, castle-like structures, beautiful cross-bridges, canals, patterned tiles, the list goes on.