Spain

Few castles in Spain capture the imagination quite like the Alcázar of Segovia. Rising dramatically from a rocky ridge between the city's ancient walls and the surrounding Castilian plains, this fortress looks almost like something from a fairy tale. Its distinctive towers and slate roofs helped inspire castles in popular culture.

The Alhambra is one of Spain's most extraordinary historic sites and one of the finest examples of Islamic architecture anywhere in Europe. Built by the Nasrid rulers of Granada during the final centuries of Muslim rule in Spain, this hilltop palace-fortress combines defensive walls with breathtaking gardens, courtyards and decorated halls.

Standing dramatically on a rocky outcrop in the foothills of the Pyrenees, Loarre Castle is considered one of the best-preserved Romanesque castles in Europe. Built during the 11th century, it was created as a frontier fortress during the Christian campaigns against Muslim-controlled territories.

One of Spain's most famous ancient conflicts took place at Numantia, where a small Celtiberian city resisted the power of Rome for years during the Roman conquest of Hispania. The siege became legendary because the defenders refused to surrender despite overwhelming odds.

The Battle of Baecula was one of the major clashes of the Second Punic War between Rome and Carthage. Fought in 208 BC, it marked a turning point in Rome's campaign to remove Carthaginian influence from the Iberian Peninsula.

The Battle of Las Navas de Tolosa is one of the most important medieval battles in Spanish history. Fought in 1212, it brought together several Christian kingdoms against the Almohad Caliphate in a decisive clash during the Reconquista.

The Alhambra is one of the most extraordinary historic landmarks in Europe and Spain's most famous symbol of the Islamic period. Built by the Nasrid dynasty during the final centuries of Muslim rule in Iberia, this magnificent palace and fortress complex combines architecture, gardens and defensive structures into one breathtaking site.

The Sagrada Família is one of the most recognisable buildings in the world and a unique landmark of modern Spain. Designed by architect Antoni Gaudí, construction began in 1882 and continues today, creating a masterpiece that blends Gothic traditions with natural forms and innovative design.

The Roman Aqueduct of Segovia is one of the finest surviving Roman engineering achievements in the world. Built around the first century AD, this incredible structure carried water from nearby mountains into the ancient city for centuries.

Mérida is arguably the greatest Roman archaeological site in Spain and one of the finest examples of Roman heritage anywhere in Europe. Founded in 25 BC as Augusta Emerita, it became the capital of the Roman province of Lusitania and a major centre of administration, culture and trade.

The Roman Aqueduct of Segovia is one of the most impressive surviving engineering achievements of the ancient world. Built around the first century AD, this huge structure transported water from mountain springs into the Roman settlement of Segovia.

The Cave of Altamira is one of the world's most important prehistoric discoveries. Often called the "Sistine Chapel of prehistoric art", it contains extraordinary paintings created by Stone Age humans over 14,000 years ago.

Spain's flagship high-speed rail route, covering around 600km in about 2.5 hours. Not scenic in a mountain sense, but a fast, reliable way to cross the country if you're combining a road trip with rail legs.

A slow, dramatic line through the Serranía de Ronda mountains in Andalusia, winding through gorges, tunnels and pine forest before dropping to the coast near Gibraltar.

A heritage tourist train running along Spain's northern coast through Asturias, Cantabria, and Galicia, taking in green hills, fishing villages and the Picos de Europa over several days.

A cross-border route through Extremadura's quiet plains and historic towns like Cáceres and Mérida, far less touristed than the main coastal lines.

The classic pilgrim route from the French border across northern Spain to Santiago de Compostela, dotted with albergues and campsites for those doing it in stages.

A demanding long-distance trail crossing the full length of the Spanish Pyrenees from the Atlantic to the Mediterranean, with high passes and remote refuges.

A restored walkway clinging to the walls of the Gaitanes Gorge near Málaga; short but spectacular, and requires advance booking.

Runs from the Pyrenees down through Andalusia, passing through varied terrain including the Sierra Nevada foothills; most people walk it in regional stages.

A disused rail line converted into a gravel cycling route through the Cádiz/Sevilla countryside, with tunnels, viaducts and vulture colonies overhead.

Many cyclists ride sections of the Camino Francés on gravel/mountain bikes, following the same route as walkers but usually completing it in 1-2 weeks.

Spain has over 2,600km of disused railway lines converted into flat, well-surfaced greenways for cycling, found throughout regions like Andalusia, Valencia and Castilla y León - good for family touring.

Coastal cycling route along the northern Atlantic coast through the Basque Country, Cantabria, Asturias and Galicia, hilly but rewarded with sea views.

A clifftop Andalusian town split by the deep El Tajo gorge, spanned by the 18th-century Puente Nuevo bridge.

A well-preserved medieval village in Cantabria near the Altamira caves, known for cobbled streets and stone manor houses.

A whitewashed Costa Brava fishing town on the Cap de Creus peninsula, long associated with Salvador Dalí, who lived nearby in Portlligat.

A pink-hued hilltop town in Aragón with a near-intact medieval townscape, often cited as one of Spain's most beautiful villages.

A mountain village cluster in Cádiz province with whitewashed pueblos blancos, karst scenery and Spain's rainiest recorded spot.

You don't need to do the whole route - many campers walk or cycle a week-long stretch through Galicia or La Rioja.

String together the whitewashed hill towns of Cádiz and Málaga provinces - Ronda, Grazalema, Zahara de la Sierra - for dramatic scenery and manageable driving distances.

Spain has some of Europe's darkest skies; areas like the Sierra Nevada and Extremadura's Starlight-certified reserves are popular for astro-camping.

A flat wetland landscape in Catalonia known for rice paddies, flamingos and quiet birdwatching trails.

Rioja's vineyard country is easy to explore by car or bike, with small towns like Haro offering tastings and harvest-season festivals.

A Moorish palace and fortress complex overlooking Granada, alongside the historic Albayzín quarter.

Centred on the Mezquita, a former mosque-cathedral blending Islamic and Christian architecture.

A remarkably intact Roman aqueduct alongside a walled medieval town and Alcázar.

Several pilgrimage routes across northern Spain are inscribed together, along with the old town of Santiago de Compostela itself.

Includes the Sagrada Família, Park Güell and Casa Batlló, among other Gaudí buildings.

Dramatic limestone mountains straddling Asturias, Cantabria and Castilla y León, popular for hiking, via ferrata and wildlife including chamois and vultures.

Mainland Spain's highest range, near Granada, with high-altitude trails and one of Europe's southernmost ski resorts.

A major wetland reserve in Andalusia known for migratory birds, marshes and dunes, best explored on guided 4x4 or walking routes.

Pyrenean park in Aragón with deep glacial canyons, waterfalls and access to Monte Perdido, one of the Pyrenees' highest peaks.

Volcanic park on Tenerife (Canary Islands) surrounding Spain's highest peak, Mount Teide, with lunar-like lava landscapes.

Girona Cathedral's grand steps stood in for the Great Sept of Baelor in King's Landing, and the old town doubled as both King's Landing and the city of Braavos across Season 6.

Europe's only true desert, this barren Almería landscape became the American Old West and North Africa for hundreds of Spaghetti Westerns, most famously Sergio Leone's Dollars trilogy, and later Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade, Conan the Barbarian, and Patton.

A giant tomato-throwing festival in Buñol, Valencia, held on the last Wednesday of August.

Seville's week-long spring fair with flamenco dress, horses and marquees, held two weeks after Easter.

Pamplona's bull-running festival, held annually from 6-14 July.

Valencia's mid-March festival featuring huge satirical sculptures that are ceremonially burned, alongside fireworks and street parties.

Holy Week processions held across Spain in the week before Easter, with particularly elaborate events in Seville and Málaga.