Spain Travel Guide

The Iglesia de San Andrés stands on Calle de San Andrés in the western part of Toledo’s historic centre, blending Mudéjar and Gothic elements. Begun in the late 12th–13th century, it retains a fine Mudéjar front and horseshoe-arch motifs; the interior nave mixes Gothic and Renaissance features and preserves a historic altarpiece. Toledo was once a meeting point of Christian, Islamic and Jewish civilisations, and San Andrés is a living witness to the city’s multi-cultural religious heritage.

The Iglesia de El Salvador stands at the eastern end of Plaza Vázquez de Molina in the old town of Úbeda, a pinnacle of Andalusian Renaissance art. Around 1536 the architect Andrés de Vandelvira, commissioned by Francisco de los Cobos (secretary to Emperor Charles V), raised here a domed sanctuary lit from above: its Plateresque façade is richly carved, and shafts of light fall onto the mortuary chapel that holds the tomb of de los Cobos. Facing de los Cobos Palace across the square, and inscribed with Baeza on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2003, it bathes the little town of Úbeda in Renaissance light.

Casa Batlló is a brilliantly fantastical building on Barcelona's Passeig de Gràcia—a mansion remodeled by the genius architect Gaudí and famed for its dreamlike, unique form like a sea creature or a fairy-tale castle. It is another masterpiece of Gaudí's architectural art, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a dreamlike building in Barcelona not to be missed. Casa Batlló was remodeled by Gaudí in the early 20th century for the textile magnate Batlló (a thorough, genius transformation of the original building). Gaudí pushed his boundless imagination and his worship of nature and color to the extreme, turning the mansion into a dreamlike architectural artwork. Its facade is brilliant and fantastical, covered with colorful, shimmering mosaic tiles and stained glass (like a rippling sea surface or an Impressionist painting), dotted with balconies like bones or masks, and a colorful roof undulating like dragon scales (said to draw its inspiration from the legend of Saint George, patron of Catalonia, slaying the dragon; the roof's dragon spine and the spire cross seemingly piercing the dragon's body are full of symbolism), full of a fantastical, lively beauty—so the building is often called the 'House of Bones' or the 'House of the Dragon'. Its interior is likewise full of Gaudí's unique, ocean- or nature-like fantastical design—flowing curves, a blue mosaic light well (like the deep sea), windows and doors like shells or water ripples, and clever lighting and ventilation, all full of imagination and beauty. Visiting Barcelona's Casa Batlló, marvelling at Gaudí's brilliant, fantastical creativity and dreamlike beauty, is a uniquely imaginative Barcelona experience.

Casa Milà (La Pedrera) is one of Gaudí's finest civil buildings. Built 1906-1912, it features wave-like stone facade, organic interiors and iconic rooftop chimneys — UNESCO World Heritage — essential Gaudí tour stop. Built 1906-1912; Gaudí's last civil building. Wave-like stone facade — no straight lines. Organic interiors — underwater feel. Rooftop chimneys like warriors — popular photo spot. UNESCO.

The Royal Palace of Madrid is among the largest royal palaces in Europe by floor area, built in the 18th-century Bourbon era on the site of a former Muslim alcázar. Nearly 3,000 rooms glitter with gilt, tapestries and master paintings, still used for state ceremonies. Wandering here reveals the splendour of the Spanish monarchy and two centuries of power.

The Picasso Museum stands in the artist's birthplace, Málaga, housed in a 16th-century Renaissance palace with over 200 of his works — from the Blue Period to late experiments. Courtyards, cloisters and white walls keep Andalusian calm, letting visitors grasp the source and evolution of the modern master in his native setting.