Originally published 28 December 2025

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In 2026 Spain will remain a popular travel destination. Sagrada Familia in Barcelona is scheduled to be completed, and a good portion of the country will have a full solar eclipse in August. Plus the Tour de France starts in Spain next year. The most sought after cities and regions are already booking up. Basically, 2026 in Spain is going to be hot. And that is not only the summer weather.

Therefore Spain Less Traveled’s founder Karen wanted to share her personal top 10 places in Spain to visit in 2026. Sure some of the “heavy hitters” are on here, but you will also find recommendations for places that aren’t as touristic, to inspire you to really explore Spain!

This list includes regions, cities, small towns, and natural areas... and more! There are names you may be familiar with, others perhaps not so much. Some of these places are accessible by public transport. But for many of them you will need your own transportation. And some may inspire you to center your whole trip around them. But you may want to sprinkle some of these places into your Spain travel itinerary to spice it up a little.

No matter which of these you find alluring, it is our hope that you will find the perfect part of Spain to start your 2026 Spain trip planning. (And we’d love to help with that, be sure to check out the professional Spain travel planning services we offer.)

So read on for Karen’s list of top places in Spain to visit in 2026!

Top 10 places for where to go in Spain in 2026… some inspiration, by the founder of Spain Less Traveled

Jaén

Jaén is one of the least visited provinces in Spain’s Andalucía region. But it is a shame, because this landlocked province packs a true punch!

Perhaps Jáen is most known for producing the best olive oil in the world. And if you are a lover of Spain’s liquid gold, you simply must check this part of the country out. You can even visit an olive grove and do an olive oil tasting! Trust me, there is so much to learn about the different olive oil varieties.

Olive oil aside, Jaén province has so much to offer. For one, the province is home to the most castles in all of Spain. You can visit some of them, and admire some of them from afar. And its small capital, Jaén city, has one of the best castles in the province (and so much more).

If you love nature, there are so many places to get outside in Jaén province! The Sierra de Segura, for example, has some top notch hiking and outdoor activities. Or if you want to see some of Spain’s best Renaissance architecture, the UNESCO-noted twin towns of Úbeda and Baeza need to be on your list.

Jaén province is one of those hidden gems that has something for everyone. And it is still one of Spain’s better kept secrets, making it one of my top places in Spain to visit in 2026!

La Coruña

On Spain’s northern Atlantic coast, in the Galicia region, you will find the port city of La Coruña (or A Coruña in Galician). La Coruña is personally my favorite city in Galicia.

La Coruña’s shinning star is the Torre de Hércules, the oldest Roman lighthouse in the world. Originally constructed in the first or second century, this beacon guided ships in arriving in the western part of the Roman Empire. You can climb up to the top of the lighthouse for amazing views of the sea and the city.

Close by, La Coruña offers several hiking trails, making the city one of the best spots for urban hiking in Spain. And if that is not enough, La Coruña’s seafront promenaded is the longest in Europe. Spanning 13 kilometers (8 miles), you can enjoy it in full or in parts.

La Coruña’s nickname, “the city of glass” comes from its iconic glazed glassed in balconies, which you will see all along the harbor, close to the city’s main plaza, Plaza de María Pita. And the most historic area of La Coruña, La Ciudad Vieja, is worth a visit to explore its cobblestoned streets.

With high-speed trains directly from Madrid, it is easier than ever to get to La Coruña. If there’s one Galician city you should visit in 2026, La Coruña is it!

Burgos

Burgos cathedral is one of the most impressive Gothic cathedrals in Spain, and the main attraction of Burgos. That alone gives it a spot on my top 10 places to visit in Spain in 2026!

But there’s much more to see in the city.

The beautiful Monasterio de las Huelgas Reales, a monastery that is an architectural history lesson, the Charterhouse of Miraflores, or the amazing Arch of Santa María, marking the entrance to the old town. The castle on top of the mountain offers some impressive views of the city and the surrounding plains.

Since the 1960’s, some of the oldest human remains ever found, almost one million years old, have been uncovered in Atapuerca, close to Burgos. You can learn about that in the modern Museum of Human Evolution.

An important stop on the Camino de Santiago, Burgos, in Castilla y León, should be on your 2026 list! And as a bonus, Burgos province will be one of the best places to witness the eclipse in August.

Cantabria

The area of Cantabria is the first full region on my list of places in Spain to visit in 2026!

Tucked between Asturias and Basque Country, many simply pass through Cantabria en route between these more popular regions. But that is such a shame. Cantabria is well worth a stop.

For starters, Cantabria’s thriving capital, Santander, is one of Spain’s most unique cities. In the 1940s a fire destroyed most of the city’s historic center. Instead of recreating the medieval feel, Santander went the opposite direction: opulent and stately. Therefore, architecturally, the city is so unique. With lovely urban beaches, a royal palace, and a happening art scene, Santander has so many possibilities.

Outside of the capital, Cantabria continues to shine. Part of the Picos de Europa can be found in this region, perfect for hiking and outdoor activities. And Cantabria has some of the most beautiful fishing and coastal villages in Spain such as Castro Urdiales and San Vicente de la Barquera. You can even find a Gaudí building in Comillas!

For all of these reasons and more, the region of Cantabria is on my top 10 places in Spain to visit in 2026 list.

Sierra de Tramuntana

The island of Mallorca, in the Mediterranean Sea off Spain’s east coast is pretty internationally known. But many don’t get away from the packaged resorts and the beaches to see the beauty of the island. And that is a shame.

The Sierra de Tramuntana mountain range, that runs along the northwestern side of the island is renowned for its stunning natural beauty. But not only that, you can see evidence of the traditional agricultural practices carried down from the Muslim times.

According to UNESCO, “an environment with scarce resources has transformed the terrain and displays an articulated network of devices for the management of water revolving around farming units of feudal origins.” Basically, they were able to make the land farmable and habitable for humans.

These days, visitors can explore quaint villages nestled among terraced landscapes and hike along ancient paths.

The Sierra de Tramuntana’s scenery is stunning and is one of those places in Spain that I recommend you visit in 2026.

Teruel

Ask many Spaniards and they might question Teruel’s existence. It is a corner of Spain that most Spaniards have not even visited, as it is not very accessible by public transportation.

But Teruel, the regional capital of Teruel province in Aragón is worth the hassle it takes to get there. A splendid combination of modernista and mudéjar architecture welcomes visitors to the city. Home to Spain’s own Romeo and Juliet, Juan and Isabel, also known as los amantes (the lovers) de Teruel, you can visit a museum dedicated to them.

Make sure to save some time to explore the towns near Teruel as they are some of the most beautiful pueblos in Spain. Albarracín and Rubielos de Mora are some of our team’s personal favorites. In the cooler months, bring warm clothes. Teruel is one of the coldest cities in Spain!

Add Teruel to your list of places to Spain to visit in 2026 and trust me, you will even impress your Spaniard friends!

The Alpujarra

On the down slope of the Sierra Nevada mountains, south of the city of Granada, you will find the Alpujarra region. This region spans both Granada and Almería provinces.

The Alpujarra is famous for its natural water, textiles, architectural characteristics (including the tinaos, or passageways), hiking, beautiful villages, gastronomy, and more!

The Granada side is greener and lusher, while the Almería side is more dry and arid. But both sides offer beautiful towns, hiking opportunities, and more.

If you are in the market for a rug made in Spain, the Alpujarra is a must. This region is famous for its colorful jarapas, or rugs, and they make great souvenirs from Spain!

During the colder months, you can often see snow on the top of the Sierra Nevada from the Alpujarra, and some of the towns can get snowfall too.

With easy access from Granada (best with your own car), the Alpujarra is one of my recommended places in Spain to visit in 2026!

Extremadura

You may remember that Extremadura made our 2025 list. And it’s back again in 2026 for a reason: Extremadura is such a gem and so many travelers skip over it completely.

In the extreme west Spain, next to Portugal, Extremadura truly encompasses Spain’s “wild west.” If you are looking to step back in time, to a Spain of the past, sparsely populated Extremadura, with signature Spanish big blue skies is the Spanish destination for you. And one of our top picks for places to visit in Spain again in 2026!

Extremadura has just about everything culturally and historically minded visitors to Spain are looking for. Cacéres is a gorgeous medieval city. Plasencia, pictured above, has one of our favorite cathedrals in Spain And if you like Roman Ruins, Mérida is a must. It’s like seeing the colosseum in Rome without the crowds!

There are gorgeous and untouched whitewashed villages in the region such as Jerez de los Caballeros. And other towns with so much history, such as Hervás (noted for its Jewish history and heritage), Guadalupe, and Trujillo.

Nature lovers will lust after Extremadura’s national parks and open spaces such as Monfragüe National Park and Valle del Jerte, noted for its cherry blossoms in the spring.

Plus Extremadura is a major food and wine production region, providing Spain with some of its best “jamón” (many say its absolute best), cherries (and other produce) and more!

Planning an Extremadura road trip should be on everyone’s Spain travel bucket list, so why not plan it for 2026?

Costa Brava

The Costa Brava is the name of the rugged coastline north of Barcelona in Girona province. It can get quite crowded during the summer, so I recommend visiting during the off season.

With the Tour de France starting in Barcelona, and the completion of Sagrada Familia, the city is going to be buzzing. A well planned breakaway Costa Brava may be just what your travel plans call for.

The first town to note is Tossa de Mar. Tossa de Mar’s historic center, Vila Vella, sits higher in elevation and has a gorgeous view of the Mediterranean coast. The walls and the towers of the center have been well-preserved and inside you’ll discover plenty of bars restaurants and shops to explore. It’s a great combination of modern mixing with old.

The Tossa de Mar castle is one of the most photogenic spots in this coastal town as it also sits next to the popular Platja Gran beach. There are several facilities and bars to use and enjoy along this beach and you can book boat tours.

Further north are Pals, Begur, and Palafrugell.

Smaller Pals has a quaint medieval village. But you can find sandy beaches just a few kilometers away. Begur is larger and hillier. In fact, at the top of the hill of the Medieval part of town, you can find a castle. Be sure to check out the fantastic views from the castle. Just like Pals, you can find sandy beaches and calas just a few kilometers away from Begur’s medieval village. And Palafrugell is just a gorgeous coastal village.

If you are a Salvador Dalí fan, head further north to Cadaqués. The famous Catalan painter lived and worked here from 1930 to 1982.

No matter where on the Costa Brava you go, you are in for a treat. And if you want a taste of it from Barcelona, you can join a day trip that takes you hiking and snorkeling on this beautiful coast.

Málaga

The city of Málaga rounds out my list of top places to visit in Spain in 2026. Call it personal bias, because yes, I live in Málaga. But this city is so misunderstood by many and is a wonderful place to visit, especially in the spring, autumn, and winter.

There are a lot of misconceptions about Málaga such as that it is full of “expat enclaves” like a lot of the Costa del Sol (not true! read on!) and that there is nothing to do in Málaga (again, totally false! read on!), and many more incorrect stereotypes about this city.

Those false notions about the city coupled with the fact that Málaga has always been somewhat of a diamond in the rough has made it less popular than many of its neighboring cities in Andalucía.

But within the past 10-15 years, Málaga city has changed and undergone a renaissance in many senses. For example, did you know that Málaga has the most museums per capita in Spain outside of Madrid? And it’s not only art museums. There’s a wine museum, a glass museum, and a museum that combines automobiles and fashion (yes, it works together!) just to name a few.

Plus Málaga has a Roman theater, a Muslim-period Alcazaba, a castle with great views - talk about history. And the city has lots of opportunities to get outside, tucked between beaches and mountains, you can swim in the Mediterranean and go hiking in the hills in a single day!

Come see why I fell in love with Málaga and add this fun city to your list of places in Spain to visit in 2026!

Inspired by my top places to visit in Spain in 2026?

So there you have it, my (Karen’s) top 10 places to visit in Spain in 2026!

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Spain Less Traveled’s guide to the top 10 places to visit in Spain in 2026