Choose from 459 Fun Things to Do in Spain
Playa Blanca
- Playa Blanca is a must-visit for beach lovers and families.
- Don’t forget to bring a towel, swimsuit, and sun protection.
- A day tour from Fuerteventura to Lanzarote that includes Playa Blanca can last upwards of eight hours.
Medina Azahara
- The Medina Azahara is a must-visit for history buffs and those interested in Spain’s Moorish past.
- Wear comfortable shoes suitable for walking over uneven surfaces.
- Don’t forget to bring sunscreen, sunglasses, and a hat; not all areas of the site are shaded.
- Give yourself two to three hours to explore the museum and archaeological site.
Plaza de Cibeles
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Plaza de la Villa
The centerpiece of the ancient square is the Casa de la Villa, used until recently as Madrid’s Town Hall and once housing a 17th-century prison. Built in 1664 by architects Juan Gumez de Mora and Teodoro Adremans, the real highlights are hidden in the interiors – a series of 17th century frescoes by Antonio Palomino, a dramatic Goya painting and exquisite stained glass ceilings, showcased on guided tours of the building.
Strolling the square and its surrounding cobblestone lanes unearths a number of other significant buildings. The Casa de Cisneros is a gothic castle built in 1537 for Cardinal Cisneros’ nephew, now used as the primary residence of the Mayor of Madrid and the red brick Mudejar-style Torre de los Lujanes, is the oldest building in the plaza, used to imprison King Francis I of France in 1525. In the center of the plaza stands a statue of Don Alvaro de Bazan, the Spanish Admiral who planned the Spanish Armada attempt on England, perched on a platform of white marble.
Plaza and Mirador de San Nicolás
The small public square is a lively place to be at all times of the day, with a handful of craftsmen setting up shop along the paving stones and a roster of street musicians and flamenco dancers on hand to entertain visitors. The most atmospheric time to arrive is at dusk, when crowds of locals and tourists turn out to watch the sunset over the palace grounds, before adjourning to the restaurants and teashops of nearby Elvira Street.
Masca Valley
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Plaza Ayuntamiento
The grand Plaza Ayuntamiento is one of Valencia’s three main squares.
The stunning plaza has a fountain and patch of grass at its heart, and is flanked by some of Valencia’s most important buildings.
The bell tower of the neoclassical town hall chimes on the hour, and inside the opulent decor features marble and richly carved wood.
The post office is more like a theater than an administrative building, with a leaded-glass dome. The plaza is a popular meeting spot for local Valencians, and is the focus for fireworks displays during the annual Fallas Festival.
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Plaza Ayuntamiento is the main square of Valencia’s old quarter, a few blocks south of the central market on Plaza del Mercado.
Placa Espanya
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Plaza de la Merced
This bourgeois, tree-fringed piazza was once site of Málaga’s main produce market and is today lined with smart, shuttered and balconied townhouses, cafés and top-end restaurants. It lies at the very heart of the city and each night locals gather here to promenade and chat in the tapas bars. The last Sunday of the month sees Málaga’s main craft market held in the square, where local delicacies such as Serrano ham and tortilla are also on sale.
Perhaps surprisingly there is only a rather low-key statue dedicated to the world’s most famous artist in one corner of the square, but Picasso’s house is given over to the Museo Casa Natal (Picasso Birthplace Museum), which has three rooms on the first floor given over to his ceramics and drawings. The five-story mansion is also headquarters to the Fundación Picasso, which holds thousands of paintings, sculptures and drawings by Picasso and his contemporaries.
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Plaça del Rei
- Plaça del Rei is a must-see for history buffs, architecture aficionados, and first-time visitors.
- Wear comfortable shoes when exploring the neighborhood on foot; the streets surrounding the plaza are often cobbled or uneven.
- Plaça del Rei and many of its buildings, including the Palau Reial Major, are wheelchair accessible.
Plaza de Las Tendillas
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Plaza de Oriente
Laid out by architect Narciso Pascual y Colomer, the plaza features a set of beautifully landscaped gardens, punctuated by a series of 44 statues depicting prominent Spanish monarchs. Most famous is the 17th-century bronze equestrian statue of Felipe IV, designed in 1640 by Italian sculptor Pedro Tacca. The iconic figure shows the King’s stallion rearing up on its hind legs – a striking sight which towers 12 meters high over the central walkway.
A popular location for state occasions and public addresses, the tranquil oasis makes a scenic location for a stroll, especially at night when the palace and gardens are dramatically lit up. A number of cafés also line the square, offering great views of the formal gardens, most famously the Café de Oriente, with its terrace viewing area proving a big hit with tourists.
Playa del Janubio
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Plaza de Colón
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Rio Guadalhorce Nature Reserve
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Plaza de Am erica
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Plaza de la Reina
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Plaça Sant Felip Neri
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Plaça Sant Jaume
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Plaza de Espana
Located at the end of one of Madrid's busiest streets, Plaza de España forms the western base of Gran Vía. Its borders are also delineated by two of the city's most famous and tallest skyscrapers: Torre de Madrid - Madrid Tower - and Edifico España - Spain Building.
Occupying the center of the plaza is a monument to Miguel de Cervantes Saavedra, the famous Spanish playwright, poet and novelist. Surrounding the base of the monument are statues of characters from the writer's most famous work, Don Quixote de la Mancha. The protagonist and his sidekick, Sancho Panza, are accompanied by figures of Don Quixote's love, represented on one side by the peasant woman Aldonza Lorenzo and on the other as the imaginary Dulcinea de Toboso.
Day and night, the Plaza de España is a popular meeting spot for locals and tourists often find themselves here to rest on the benches and snap a few photos.
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The plaza is accessible via the Plaza de España metro stop, which also serves the nearby Palacio Real - Royal Palace.