Spain

Spain’s cuisine is deeply regional, rooted in local ingredients and shaped by centuries of cultural exchange. From seafood stews along the northern coast to olive oil-rich dishes in the south, the country’s food culture balances tradition with innovation.

Meals often follow a shared format—multiple small plates served family-style, with an emphasis on social dining. Tapas bars, food markets, and rural taverns all play a role in daily life, offering everything from cured meats and cheeses to seasonal vegetables and slow-cooked meats.

To explore what to eat across the country, we break Spain’s culinary landscape into two parts: local food products and traditional dishes.

Spain’s culinary identity is shaped by a wide range of local products, many of which are protected under EU quality schemes like Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) and Protected Geographical Indication (PGI). These labels ensure authenticity and preserve regional food traditions.

Protected Products

• Jamón Ibérico – Dry-cured ham made from Iberian pigs, especially prized when acorn-fed (bellota). Key production areas include Jabugo and Guijuelo.
• Queso Manchego – Sheep’s milk cheese from La Mancha with a firm texture and nutty flavor.
• Pimentón de la Vera – Smoked paprika from Extremadura, essential in many traditional stews and sausages.
• Aceite de Oliva Virgen Extra (EVOO) – Spain is the world’s largest producer of olive oil, with standout varieties from Andalusia, Catalonia, and Castilla-La Mancha.
• Turrón de Alicante and Turrón de Jijona – Almond-based sweets typically eaten around Christmas, both with PGI status.

Other Notable Products

• Chorizo – A spiced pork sausage often flavored with smoked paprika.
• Anchovies from Cantabria – Salt-cured fillets often served with bread and olive oil.
• Txakoli – A lightly sparkling white wine from the Basque Country, often served with seafood.

Spanish cuisine is regionally diverse, with each area offering its own signature dishes rooted in local ingredients and cooking traditions. Meals are often designed for sharing and vary by region, but certain dishes have become staples across the country.

Tapas & Small Plates

• Tortilla Española – A thick potato and onion omelet, served hot or cold.
• Patatas Bravas – Fried potato cubes topped with spicy tomato sauce or aioli.
• Croquetas – Creamy, breaded fritters usually filled with ham, chicken, or cod.
• Pimientos de Padrón – Small green peppers, pan-fried and salted. Most are mild, but the occasional one is hot.

Main Dishes

• Paella – A rice dish from Valencia cooked with seafood, rabbit, chicken, or vegetables.
• Cocido Madrileño – A hearty chickpea stew from Madrid, served in multiple courses.
• Fabada Asturiana – A rich bean stew from Asturias, made with chorizo and morcilla (blood sausage).
• Pulpo a la Gallega – Octopus seasoned with paprika and olive oil, served on sliced potatoes.

Desserts

• Churros con Chocolate – Fried dough sticks served with thick hot chocolate for dipping.
• Crema Catalana – A custard dessert similar to crème brûlée, flavored with citrus and cinnamon.

Spain is one of the world’s largest wine producers, known for its diverse grape varieties and distinct regional styles. From full-bodied reds in Rioja to crisp whites from Galicia and sparkling Cava from Catalonia, Spanish wine offers something for every palate.

Wine is an essential part of daily life in many parts of Spain, served in bars, restaurants, and homes. Small glasses of local table wine are common at lunch, while more structured tastings are available at bodegas (wineries) across the country.

Spain’s wine regions are protected by Denominación de Origen (DO) status, which helps preserve traditional methods and local grape varieties. Whether you’re visiting a vineyard or sipping a glass in a neighborhood bar, Spain’s wine culture is as approachable as it is varied.

Spain has over 70 Denominaciones de Origen (DOs) spread across the country, each reflecting local grape varieties, climates, and winemaking traditions. These regions range from coastal hills to inland plateaus and high-altitude valleys.

Notable Wine Regions

• Rioja – Spain’s most iconic wine region, known for aging red wines made primarily from Tempranillo. Divided into Rioja Alta, Rioja Alavesa, and Rioja Oriental.
• Ribera del Duero – Produces bold, structured reds from Tempranillo grapes grown along the Duero River.
• Rueda – Specializes in fresh, aromatic white wines, especially Verdejo.
• Priorat – A rugged region in Catalonia known for powerful red blends with minerality and depth.
• Penedès – Located near Barcelona, this region is famous for Cava, Spain’s traditional-method sparkling wine.
• Albariño (Rías Baixas) – A coastal Galician DO producing crisp white wines with saline character.
• Jerez (Sherry) – In Andalusia, this region is dedicated to fortified wines, ranging from dry Fino to sweet Pedro Ximénez.

These regions reflect the range of climates and landscapes that make Spanish wine so varied and distinctive.

Spain cultivates over 400 grape varieties, though a smaller number dominate commercial production. These grapes vary by region and climate, contributing to Spain’s diverse wine profiles—from crisp whites to robust reds and fortified wines.

Red Grapes

• Tempranillo – Spain’s flagship red grape, producing wines with red fruit, spice, and aging potential. Grown widely in Rioja, Ribera del Duero, and La Mancha.
• Garnacha (Grenache) – Known for ripe fruit and soft tannins; often blended in regions like Priorat and Campo de Borja.
• Monastrell – A bold, sun-loving grape primarily grown in southeastern Spain, especially in Jumilla and Yecla.
• Mencía – Found in northwestern regions like Bierzo and Ribeira Sacra; known for its floral, mineral reds.
• Bobal – Native to eastern Spain, used for both fresh reds and rosés.

White Grapes

• Albariño – Aromatic and citrusy, dominant in Galicia’s Rías Baixas DO.
• Verdejo – A native grape of Rueda, producing fresh, herbal whites with good acidity.
• Macabeo (Viura) – Common in Rioja whites and as a Cava blending grape.
• Xarel·lo – A structured, aromatic grape key to Cava production.
• Parellada – Adds freshness and finesse to sparkling wine blends.
• Godello – Grown in Galicia; produces rich, complex whites with aging potential.

Spain’s architecture is layered with over two millennia of cultural and political history. Roman roads and aqueducts, Islamic palaces, Gothic cathedrals, and modernist landmarks all coexist in Spanish cities and towns. Each region has its own architectural identity, shaped by geography and historic rule.

In Andalusia, Islamic architecture flourished during the Al-Andalus period, producing masterpieces like the Alhambra in Granada and the Great Mosque of Córdoba. In Catalonia, the early 20th century brought a burst of creativity through Modernisme, led by Antoni Gaudí’s Sagrada Família and Casa Batlló in Barcelona.

Across the country, visitors will find Romanesque churches, Gothic cloisters, Renaissance palaces, and bold contemporary structures like the Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao.

Spain’s architectural styles reflect centuries of conquest, innovation, and regional distinction. The result is a diverse landscape of structures—from ancient ruins to avant-garde design.

Roman – Remnants of Roman engineering remain across Spain, including bridges, theaters, and aqueducts. Notable sites include the Aqueduct of Segovia and the Amphitheater of Mérida.

Moorish (Islamic) – Developed under Muslim rule (8th–15th centuries), this style is known for horseshoe arches, geometric decoration, and intricate tilework. Key examples include the Alhambra in Granada and the Mezquita-Catedral in Córdoba.

Romanesque – Characterized by thick walls and semicircular arches, Romanesque churches and monasteries appeared in northern Spain during the 10th–12th centuries. The Church of San Martín in Frómista is a prime example.

Gothic – Soaring cathedrals with pointed arches and elaborate façades dominated from the 13th to 15th centuries. Notable examples include Barcelona Cathedral and Burgos Cathedral.

Renaissance – Emerging in the 15th century, Renaissance buildings emphasized symmetry and classical proportions. The El Escorial Monastery near Madrid reflects this shift.

Baroque – Lavish ornamentation and dramatic contrasts define Spanish Baroque, seen in churches like La Clerecía in Salamanca and Granada Cathedral.

Modernisme (Catalan Art Nouveau) – Originating in late 19th-century Catalonia, this movement combined organic shapes with bold color and detail. Gaudí’s works, including Casa Milà and Park Güell, are its most famous expressions.

Contemporary – Modern Spanish architecture includes celebrated works like Frank Gehry’s Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao and Santiago Calatrava’s City of Arts and Sciences in Valencia.

Spain has over 45 cultural sites inscribed by UNESCO, one of the highest counts in the world. These sites reflect the country’s architectural and historical diversity—from ancient cities to religious complexes and innovative modern design.

Key UNESCO Sites

• Alhambra, Generalife and Albayzín, Granada – A Moorish palace and gardens complex, with nearby neighborhoods reflecting Islamic urban planning.
• Works of Antoni Gaudí, Barcelona – Includes Sagrada Família, Park Güell, Casa Milà, and other landmarks of Catalan Modernisme.
• Historic Centre of Cordoba – Home to the Mezquita-Catedral and remnants of the Caliphate period.
• Old Town of Segovia and its Aqueduct – A Roman aqueduct and a medieval hilltop city center.
• Santiago de Compostela (Old Town) – A major pilgrimage site with a Romanesque cathedral marking the end of the Camino de Santiago.
• Burgos Cathedral – A masterpiece of Gothic architecture.
• Historic City of Toledo – A multi-layered city reflecting Christian, Jewish, and Islamic heritage.
• Vizcaya Bridge – A 19th-century transporter bridge near Bilbao, showcasing industrial innovation.

These sites are spread across the country and provide focal points for exploring Spain’s cultural legacy.

Spain is located in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula, which it shares with Portugal. It is bordered by France and Andorra to the northeast, Portugal to the west, and the Mediterranean Sea to the south and east. To the north, the Pyrenees mountains form a natural border with France.

Spain also includes the Balearic Islands in the Mediterranean, the Canary Islands in the Atlantic off the northwest coast of Africa, and two autonomous cities—Ceuta and Melilla—on the northern coast of Morocco.

Its position at the crossroads of Europe and North Africa has influenced Spain’s climate, cuisine, and architectural styles for centuries.

Spain’s geography is as varied as its culture, with distinct regions shaped by climate, language, and history. From green coastal hills to sun-drenched plains and mountainous interiors, each area offers different experiences for food, wine, and architecture travelers.

• Northern Spain – The Basque Country (home to San Sebastián) and Galicia offer cooler climates, Atlantic seafood, and modern architectural contrasts alongside Romanesque churches.
• Northeastern Spain – Catalonia combines urban innovation in Barcelona with coastal escapes and vineyard-covered interiors. Known for Gaudí architecture, Cava, and seafood.
• Central Spain – Madrid and surrounding Castile-La Mancha are rich in Baroque palaces, Renaissance monasteries, and Manchego-producing plains.
• Southern Spain (Andalusia) – A crossroads of Islamic and Christian traditions, with cities like Seville, Granada, and Córdoba showcasing Moorish architecture, flamenco, olive groves, and whitewashed hill towns.
• Eastern Spain – Valencia and the Levante coast mix Mediterranean flavors, paella origins, and avant-garde design. Inland areas offer historic towns and wine routes.
• Northwest (Castile and León) – Known for Gothic cathedrals, Romanesque monasteries, and hearty stews—plus the pilgrimage route of the Camino de Santiago.

Whether you’re crossing mountain passes or lingering in coastal towns, Spain’s regions reward slow, curiosity-driven travel.

Spain’s climate varies by region, but most of the country enjoys a Mediterranean pattern with hot summers and mild winters. Your ideal travel time depends on what you want to see and do.

Spring (March–May)

A great season for city travel and countryside exploration. Seville’s Holy Week (Semana Santa) and Feria de Abril are major cultural events, while coastal areas begin to warm up.

Summer (June–August)

Peak season for beach destinations like Costa Brava, San Sebastián, and the Balearic Islands. Inland cities such as Madrid and Seville can be extremely hot—often exceeding 100°F (38°C).

Autumn (September–November)

A popular time for wine tourism and cultural travel. Harvest season brings vineyard visits, while temperatures remain comfortable across much of the country.

Winter (December–February)

Best for off-season city travel, food-focused visits, or skiing in the Pyrenees and Sierra Nevada. Southern regions like Andalusia are still mild and sunny.

For balanced weather and manageable crowds, May–June and September–October are generally the best months to visit Spain.

Spain has a well-developed transportation network that makes it easy to travel between cities, regions, and rural areas. Options range from high-speed trains to affordable buses and local transit systems.

Renfe operates a national rail system, including AVE high-speed trains connecting major cities like Madrid, Barcelona, Seville, and Valencia. Trains are fast, comfortable, and ideal for long-distance travel.

Long-distance buses run by ALSA and other carriers serve towns and regions not connected by train. They’re generally affordable, though slower than trains.

Renting a car is useful for exploring wine regions, mountain villages, or smaller towns not served by public transport. Spanish roads are well-maintained, though parking can be limited in historic centers.

Spain has numerous domestic airports. Flying may save time on longer routes (e.g., Barcelona to Seville), though train travel is often more efficient when factoring in airport logistics.

Cities like Madrid, Barcelona, and Seville have extensive metro, tram, and bus networks. Contactless cards and mobile apps make it easy to navigate urban transport.

Spain is easy to explore without a car, but rural travel and wine tourism often benefit from having one.