Madrid
| Place | Why go | Before you go |
|---|---|---|
| The Royal Palace | One of the largest royal palaces in Europe, with grand halls and wide gardens. | Central Madrid |
| The Prado Museum | One of the world's greatest art museums, with masterpieces by Velázquez and Goya. | Paseo del Prado |
| Retiro Park | A large park in the heart of the city with a boating lake, on the World Heritage list with the Paseo del Prado. | Near the Prado |
| The Santiago Bernabéu stadium | Real Madrid's stadium, with its tour and trophy museum. | North of central Madrid |
Barcelona
| Place | Why go | Before you go |
|---|---|---|
| Park Güell | Gaudí's colourful hilltop park with city views, on the World Heritage list. | Ticket needed for the monumental zone |
| Casa Batlló | One of Gaudí's best-known buildings, with its rippling façade and dreamlike design. | Passeig de Gràcia |
| La Rambla and La Boqueria | Barcelona's best-known walking street, and a lively market of fruit and food. | Central Barcelona |
| PortAventura and Ferrari Land | One of Europe's largest theme park resorts, with Ferrari Land beside it. | Salou, about 1.5 hours from Barcelona |
Andalusia and the south
| Place | Why go | Before you go |
|---|---|---|
| The Alhambra | The masterpiece of Andalusian architecture in Granada, with the Generalife gardens, on the World Heritage list. | Tickets are limited and sell out, so book early |
| The Great Mosque of Córdoba | One of the greatest monuments of Islamic civilisation in Andalusia, with its famous arches. | Córdoba |
| Plaza de España and the Alcázar of Seville | A grand square with fountains and bridges, and the Alcázar palace with its Andalusian gardens. | Seville |
| Marbella and the Costa del Sol | Beaches, the luxury Puerto Banús marina and seafront restaurants. | Southern Spain |
| Ronda and its bridge | A town on the edge of a deep gorge, with a towering stone bridge across it. | Between Marbella and Seville |
Nature and waterfalls
| Place | Why go | Before you go |
|---|---|---|
| Monasterio de Piedra Natural Park | Waterfalls, lakes and caves in a green forest. | Zaragoza, about 2.5 hours from Madrid |
| The Sierra Nevada | Snow-capped peaks for winter skiing, close to Granada. | About an hour from Granada |
Tips before you go
- Book Alhambra tickets well before your trip: they are limited and sell out in the busy seasons.
- You need a Schengen visa for Spain, so apply early.
- Watch your belongings in crowded places such as La Rambla.
Hotels in Spain
Flights to Madrid
Visa
Frequently asked questions
What are the top things to do in Spain?
The Royal Palace and the Prado in Madrid, Park Güell in Barcelona, the Alhambra in Granada, the Great Mosque of Córdoba and the beaches of Marbella.
What are the best sights in Andalusia?
The Alhambra in Granada, the Great Mosque of Córdoba, and the Alcázar and Plaza de España in Seville.
Do Saudis need a visa for Spain?
Yes, a Schengen visa.
Planning your trip to Spain? Read Travel to Spain from Saudi Arabia.
Last updated: October 2026. The information is for guidance only; ticket prices and opening hours are set by each attraction and may change, so check them on the official website before you go.