Spain
In Spain, beauty comes from its layers: deep history, lived-in traditions, and everyday rituals.
Spain is a country best experienced slowly—late dinners that stretch into the night, quiet mornings in sunlit plazas, and streets that feel layered with history and everyday life. From tiled details and worn stone to the rhythm of local neighborhoods, light, texture, and scenes that capture how it actually feels to be there. For me this country is less about landmarks, and more about atmosphere.
Spain: A story from a road trip.
Lisbon—>Sevilla—>Granada—>Alicante—>València—>Barcelona—>Sitges
Back in 2022, my family and I took a road trip across the coast of Spain. We actually started in Lisbon and then flew over to Sevilla. (Sevilla is probably one of my most favorite cities of all time!!)
From there we took a train from Sevilla to Granada. Granada is all about the Alhambra and is worth the visit for sure.
Then we rambled down the stunning coastline via car rental. We had friends living in a very small village called Tàrbena nestled above the seaside town of Alicante. It was great to see such a small village with absolutely no tourists. Our friends lead us about and we got to see a functioning olive oil production business, ate incredible food, and took gorgeous hikes.
From there we turned our car in and proceeded to València by way of a very nice bus. I really enjoy the many modes of transportation and the variety they allow. València is a bigger city with tons of rich culture, beautiful parks, street art, and very tasty food.
Our second to last stop on that trip was Barcelona and we flew there from València. Flights a very inexpensive and obviously time saving. Our daughter went to University in the quaint seaside town of Sitges. She lived there for 3 years and Barcelona is the way arrive in this stunning mediterranean village.
This road trip was 2.5 weeks overall. We also included a few days in Paris as this is a great place in general and there are good flights back to the US from there.
Hope I can inspire anyone to indulge a trip like this as it really gives you a lot to see, explore and experience. Happy Trails!!
Sevilla
Like I mentioned above, Sevilla is one of my all time favorite places! Sevilla is a city you feel before you fully understand it with a slow rhythm of life that makes you stop rushing without realizing it. We rented bikes which is a great way to really take it all in. You find yourself among orange trees, hidden plazas, and streets that open suddenly into something beautiful. The Alcázar is all intricate details and quiet surprises, while Plaza de España feels grand and cinematic, especially at golden hour. Sevilla rewards lingering: long lunches, late nights, and walks that don’t need a destination. It’s bold, romantic, and unapologetically itself.
Sevilla really comes alive from above and after dark. Rooftop bars are part of the rhythm here, where cold drinks and cathedral views stretch late into the night. Also not to be missed in the early evening is the Setas (Las Setas de Sevilla), where the massive wooden structure rises unexpectedly from the old quarter. Walking the winding paths on top gives you a different perspective on the city, with rooftops, church towers, and the sprawl of Sevilla unfolding in every direction.
Granada
Granada feels layered—history stacked on top of itself, with the Sierra Nevada always looming in the background. The Alhambra is the obvious draw, and it lives up to it: quiet courtyards, intricate details, and views that stop you mid-walk. The gardens are calm and expansive, with shaded paths, fountains, and views that stretch out over the city and surrounding hills. Wandering through with a private guide, (which I highly recommend), added a layer of depth—stories, context, and small details you’d never catch on your own—turning the experience from impressive to deeply immersive.
But the city really opens up once you wander the Albaicín, where steep, winding streets lead to lookout points like Mirador de San Nicolás, especially at sunset. There’s a lived-in, slightly scrappy energy here, helped along by tapas that still come free with a drink and nights that stretch late into the plazas. Granada isn’t polished or showy—it’s atmospheric, textured, and deeply memorable once you slow down and let it unfold.
València
València reveals itself in small, colorful moments. Street art pops up unexpectedly on quiet blocks, adding personality to neighborhoods that feel creative and lived-in rather than polished. From lookout points around the city, you get wide, open views that show how close everything is—the old town, the park, the sea. The former riverbed, now a long green park, is València at its best: locals biking, walking, and lingering under palm trees, exotic looking flowers, and orange trees heavy with fruit.
The infamous València oranges seem to be everywhere here. Bright and fragrant, woven into daily life. Inside the Central Market, that energy peaks—stalls overflowing with produce, seafood, and local specialties, all under a beautiful historic roof. A visit to the indoor market is a must where you can get fresh squeezed OJ at almost every stall.
And then there’s the paella—unrushed, deeply local, and best enjoyed where it originated. Valencia feels relaxed and authentic, a city that rewards wandering, looking up, and slowing down long enough to notice the details.
Barcelona
Barcelona is easy to navigate and easy to explore, thanks to a public transportation system that makes moving around the city simple and efficient.
Las Ramblas is busy and chaotic but still worth walking, connecting the heart of the city to the waterfront. The Gothic Quarter is a favorite—narrow streets, hidden plazas, and layers of history that feel immersive without being overdone.
Gaudí’s architecture is everywhere—playful, surreal, and impossible to ignore. Casa Vicens is a must, offering a quieter, more intimate look at Gaudí’s work away from the crowds.
Getting up above the city is essential, and the views from Mirador del Palau Nacional stretch across Barcelona all the way to the sea. Add in tapas—best enjoyed slowly and late—and Barcelona feels lively, approachable, and endlessly rewarding to wander.
Sitges
Sitges is an easy day trip from Barcelona, quickly reached by bus or train, and easy to explore on foot. The town is compact and walkable, with great shopping woven through the center and beautiful beaches lining the waterfront.
Fresh seafood is a highlight, with plenty of restaurants focused on simple, well-prepared dishes. As the day winds down, sunsets over the water are a standout, best enjoyed from the beach or along the promenade. Sitges feels relaxed and well-balanced, combining beach time, shopping, good food, and easy access from the city.
San Sebastián
Although it’s not along Spain’s southern coast, San Sebastián is a destination in its own right. The city is defined by its sweeping bay, walkable shoreline, and beaches that feel built into daily life.
Food is a major draw here—from pintxos bars packed into the old town to sit-down meals that take their time and reward patience. I was given very good advice from a friend who told me to look for tapas places that were off the beaten trail. He said, “if you see a bunch of older people, that's the place to go.” He was not wrong. While the places along the more touristy streets are fun and lively, I always love myself a good local spot.
Walking the promenade or heading up to one of the surrounding viewpoints gives you a clear sense of how compact and beautifully situated the city is. While walking up the main vista, my friend and I came upon a very simple outdoor bar where we enjoyed a glass of delicious wine while taking in the spectacular view of the bay.
San Sebastián feels slightly polished but approachable, a place where scenery, food, and an easy pace come together naturally.
Madrid
And then there’s Madrid. A place not to miss if you’re heading to Spain.
Madrid is a city I come back to again and again, largely because of the art. The Prado and the Reina Sofía are two of my all-time favorite museums in the world, the kind of places you can visit repeatedly and never see the same thing twice.
Between museum stops, the Royal Botanic Garden is an easy reset—quiet, green, and perfectly placed. It’s is one of my favorite pauses in the city, especially after museum time, with shaded paths and a calm that feels worlds away from the surrounding streets.
I like staying near Sol for the energy, shopping, and walk-everywhere convenience, then drifting into Cortes (Barrio de las Letras) for historic streets, great boutiques, and long tapas breaks. Madrid balances culture, shopping, and everyday life in a way that feels effortless—and that’s what keeps pulling me back.
