A country’s heritage is revealed through its most celebrated monuments, and some extraordinary landmarks in Spain offer more than a snapshot of the nation’s history and culture.
From the astonishing grandeur of Alhambra to the Gothic majesty of the Sagrada Familia in Barcelona, these epic structures are more than just stone and mortar – they bring Spain’s past and present into focus.
A tour of ‘must-see’ historical landmarks in Spain is not full of surprises; nearly all are UNESCO World Heritage sites. Spain has 49 them, the fourth highest in the world. Visiting them all might be a dream, but if you had to narrow down a bucket list, these are the first 8 wonders on any ‘must-see’ list.
The Roman Aqueduct of Segovia – An Engineering Marvel
Where better to start a tour of the leading historical landmarks in Spain than one of its oldest, The Roman Aqueduct of Segovia.
Ancient Rome left such an incredible engineering legacy, that some of their aqueducts are still hydrating towns today. The Segovia aqueduct was built when the Roman empire was at its zenith in the first century CE.
The aqueduct was constructed like a high-stakes game of Jenga using massive granite blocks without any mortar or cement. The water was channelled from springs 11 miles (17 km) away to fountains and springs in Segovia, a city stacked with historic jewels.
The centrepiece is an aqueduct-bridge soaring above the city. Stretching over 167 arches on two tiers reaching 28.5 metres in height, it’s a 2,000-year-old testament to Roman engineering brilliance.
The Old City of Segovia gained UNESCO World Heritage status in 1985, a claim boosted by a magnificent Alcazar, towering cathedral, and myriad archaeological relics. The aqueduct is the star of the show. It kept the water flowing until 1973 and has dazzled visitors for even longer.
Acueducto de Segovia – Castile and Leon
The Great Mosque of Cordoba – A Symbol of Islamic Spain
Ancient Rome built the first major landmarks in Spain. However several of the country’s architectural riches emerged from the next golden period of Spanish history, Al-Andalus, or Islamic Spain.
Al-Andalus encompasses 700 years of history on the Iberian Peninsula, shaping early Spain and the Spanish language. The Mosque-Cathedral of Cordoba, or Mezquita (“mosque” in Spanish – pick up more of the lingo with free lessons from Language Atlas), is one of the most striking and visible legacies.
Originally built as a mosque in 785, it later underwent renovations and additions, resulting in a singular blend of Islamic, Christian, and Gothic architecture.
One of the most striking features of the Great Mosque is the vast prayer hall, supported by a forest of intricately designed columns. Various building materials chart the mosque’s evolution over the centuries.
At the heart of the mosque lies the Cathedral of Cordoba, a Christian sanctuary built after the Reconquista. The cathedral’s stunning Renaissance dome and ornate chapels contrast starkly with the simplicity of the mosque’s prayer hall.
Cordoba was once home to hundreds of mosques, but this one was built to impress and to last. UNESCO World Heritage status was awarded in 1984, confirming success on both counts.
Mezquita-Catedral de Córdoba – Andalusia
Alhambra – Granada’s Moorish Masterpiece
You can’t write about the leading landmarks in Spain without Alhambra, possibly the most iconic and historically significant building in the country.
Nestled on a hilltop in Granada, the palace-fortress is a stunning architectural treasure from Moorish Spain or Al-Andalus. Raised as a fortress in the 9th century and transformed into a royal palace in the 13th century, the sprawling complex is stacked with wonders.
Among them, the opulent Nasrid Palaces (six of them, no less) and orange-scented gardens that transport visitors back through time. Layered over this are intricate carvings, delicate arches, and ornate ceilings that showcase the craftsmanship of the Nasrid dynasty.
The Palace of the Lions, famed for its beautiful marble fountain supported by 12 lions, is a particular highlight – look out for the commemorative €2 coins bearing the image.
Following the Reconquista, King Ferdinand II of Aragon and Queen Isabella I of Castile set up the royal residence there. Christopher Columbus pitched an idea here to cross the Atlantic in 1492, an epochal moment. Unsurprisingly, Alhambra is frequently named the most important of all the landmarks in Spain, and is its second most visited attraction (we’ll get to the first – la Sagrada Familia – in a moment).
On an adjacent hilltop is Albayzín, the old town. Nearby is the magnificent Generalife Palace, the summer palace of the Nasrid dynasty. Collectively, they were among the first landmarks in Spain to win UNESCO World Heritage status. And perhaps the best-known.
The Sagrada Familia – Antoni Gaudí’s Unfinished Masterpiece
The leading contender for the crown of the most celebrated Spanish landmark is Barcelona’s Sagrada Familia, the nation’s most-visited attraction. And the building isn’t even finished yet!
This iconic basilica was the vision of acclaimed architect and Catalan native Antoni Gaudi. Gaudi took charge of the nascent cathedral in 1883. He died in 1926 when his passion project was a fraction of what we see today.
Gaudí’s vision for the Sagrada Familia was initially incomprehensible, exemplifying his mantra that, “There are no straight lines or sharp corners in nature. Therefore, buildings must have no straight lines or sharp corners.”
The result is a church like no other that brings together gothic and art nouveau styles to convey a sense of awe while reinventing the European gothic cathedral. Every detail, from the intricate facades to the towering spires, was painstakingly planned, contributing to the delays as no (sharp) corners were cut.
The aesthetic banquet on the exterior extends to the basilica’s equally breathtaking interior, a sensory overload of columns, stained-glass windows, and an intricately carved ceiling brimming with Christian symbolism.
The Sagrada Familia is not just a building – it represents human creativity and perseverance. And a sizeable dollop of Gaudi’s brilliance. Pope Benedict XVI was a fan, consecrating Sagrada Familia in 2010.
One of the most dazzling landmarks in Spain, nay Europe, was due to be completed in 2026, a century after Gaudi’s death. The COVID-19 pandemic was the latest interruption to delay completion. But whisper it, soon the scaffolding might disappear, making us the lucky ones to see Gaudi’s vision fully realised. And what a vision it was.
Basílica i Temple Expiatori de la Sagrada Família – Barcelona, Catalonia
The Santiago de Compostela Cathedral – The Final Destination of the Camino de Santiago Pilgrimage
Impressive cathedrals are the headline attraction in many European cities and a good chunk of the most compelling landmarks in Spain. The Santiago de Compostela Cathedral in Galicia stands out from most Spanish churches. Dripping in history and the kind of design details that’ll occupy your eyes for hours, it is one of the most important churches in Catholicism.
Located in the historic city of Santiago de Compostela, it is the final destination of the fabled Camino de Santiago pilgrimage route. The church is said to house the remains of Saint James, one of the apostles of Jesus.
The church and its famous tomb have drawn pilgrims from across Europe since completed in 1075. In short, one of the most important landmarks in Spain for centuries and the original tourist destination.
Even today, the cathedral is the end goal for hikers on one of Europe’s great trails. You don’t need faith to draw breath at the cathedral’s facade, with its intricately carved stone sculptures and majestic Portico de la Gloria, a masterpiece of Romanesque sculpture.
Step inside to be greeted by an ostentatious golden altar and the illustrious crypt of Saint James the Apostle. At midday, Pilgrim’s Mass pays homage to those who made the arduous yet rewarding pilgrimage. And more than a few tourists arrive by other means to marvel at this UNESCO World Heritage site, which stands as one of the most significant landmarks in Spain and the Catholic church.
Catedral Basilica de Santiago de Compostela – Galicia
Royal Monastery of San Lorenzo de El Escorial
The Royal Site of San Lorenzo de El Escorial is one of the most iconic landmarks in Spain, and for good reason. Situated just 28 miles northwest of Madrid, this magnificent complex reflects the grandeur and power of the Spanish monarchy in the 16th century.
King Philip II ordered the construction of a royal residence, monastery, and burial place for Spanish kings and queens.
Finished in 1584, it is considered the largest Renaissance building in the world. The immense dome-topped structure houses a monastery and palace; both considered vital historical landmarks in Spain. The centrepiece is the domed basilica San Lorenzo el Real.
Made of granite blocks and lacking the ornamentation of other royal landmarks in Spain, the El Escorial is plain yet imposing, exuding a seriousness that reveals itself within the building.
The Pantheon of the Kings houses sepulchres 26 with the remains of nearly all the monarchs who came after Philip II. The Pantheon of the Princes more poignantly houses those who died tragically young. The Royal Library with stunning frescoes (AKA the Hall of Frescoes) houses over 40,000 volumes, including priceless manuscripts and ancient texts.
You can visit the palaces and see the royal chambers, including the bed where Philip II passed away. Few landmarks in Spain reveal more about the nation’s regal history. No sorpresa, the Royal Monastery of San Lorenzo de El Escorial is another of Spain’s dizzying array of UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
Royal Monastery of San Lorenzo de El Escorial – Madrid Province
Royal Alcázar of Seville – A timeless oasis
The Royal Alcázar of Seville is a magnificent palace blending original Moorish styles with Gothic and Renaissance styles of later eras. An Islamic-era citadel, successive rulers expanded and embellished the palace and gifted the country some of its prettiest gardens.
Elegant ceilings and beautifully tiled walls exude elegance and grandeur, while the gorgeously maintained gardens lined with fragrant fruit trees and bubbling fountains are simply jaw-dropping. The gardens once fed the palace and have barely changed since the Middle Ages, creating an oasis that no amount of tourists can spoil. Just about.
Another eye-catcher is the palace built for Pedro I in the 1360s, which is filled with the intricate details of the Mudéjar style, a hotchpotch of Gothic, Romanesque, and Renaissance architectural styles unique to the Iberian Peninsula. It even caught the eye of Hollywood, featuring in Game of Thrones and the multi-Oscar-winning Lawrence of Arabia.
There is a lot for the eyes to process in one of the oldest and most ornate landmarks in Spain. It is yet another reason why Seville is such a beguiling destination, with its cathedral (housing the tomb of Christopher Columbus) and Alcazar collectively awarded UNESCO World Heritage status in 1987.
Real Alcázar of Seville – Andalusia
Park Güell – A park of inimitable style
Barcelona is a city rich in tourist charm. Beautiful beaches, buzzing tapas bars, and fantastic architecture. We’ve already mentioned the Sagrada Familia, but you can view the basilica from another of the most recognisable landmarks in Spain, Park Güell on Carmel Hill.
Filling 17 acres of green space, Park Güell is another colourful masterpiece from busy architect Antoni Gaudí. A vibrant clash of nature and kaleidoscopic mosaics in the Gaudi style, it’s a whimsical wonderland tuned to the Barcelona vibe.
A highlight of Park Güell is the Dragon Stairway rising over grottos to the “Hypostyle Room,” a grand space supported by 86 Doric columns and guarded by a magnificent mosaic dragon.
In addition to its architectural wonders, Park Güell also hides ample green spaces dotted with palm trees and terraces with the best views in the city. Opened to the public in 1926, UNESCO status was awarded to Park Güell and 6 other works by Gaudi in 1984, including crypts and houses he built across the city. They were among the earliest landmarks in Spain to achieve the honour.
More than a green lung for the city, Park Güell is an immersive experience showcasing the fevered imagination of Gaudi, the architect responsible for several of the most iconic landmarks in Spain.
Parc Güell/Parque Güell – Barcelona, Catalonia
Adios to the most famous Landmarks in Spain
Exploring the history of Spain like a local is one of the immeasurable benefits of learning Spanish. These 8 spellbinding landmarks could be the focal point of many unforgettable Castilian odysseys.
But they barely lift the lid on Spanish culture. There are 41 other UNESCO World Heritage Sites and hundreds more landmarks in Spain tell a story that ensures Spain will remain one of the most visited countries in the world.
Buen viaje!
And bon viatge for those Gaudi masterpieces in Catalonia!
