13 Great UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Spain

The stunning Moorish-Christian palace of Alhambra and its rose-coloured fortress walls are set on a hilltop overlooking the cityscape of Granada. Just a short stroll north outside the palace walls is the splendid ornamental water gardens of Generalife. 

For the most dramatic views of Alhambra, you can head north, to the adjacent hilltop district of Albaicín. The town itself features narrow medieval streets lined with traditional houses. 

You can enjoy pleasant walks down interconnecting narrow alleys through the Old Town of Córdoba and discover the stunning Mezquita Cathedral at its centre. This landmark is considered the pinnacle of Moorish architecture, uniquely referred to as a mosque-cathedral, featuring Roman columns and an intricately gilded mihrab inside. 

A Catholic Basilica is said to have stood on the site, with a grand mosque built over it by Muslim rulers. It was then converted back to Roman Catholic in the 16th century.

Before Madrid, there was Toledo. As Spain’s old capital, this former Roman municipality is rich in history and offers so much to see – well-deserving of its inclusion among the UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Spain. 

Impressive landmarks in the city include the gothic Chapel of San Bartolomé and the military museum of Alcázar that’s housed in an actual grand fortress, as well as ancient medieval stone bridges like the Puerta de Alfonso. Much of the city’s historical treasures blend different religious architectural styles: Judaism, Christianity, and Islam.

This Catholic pilgrimage site harks back to Spain’s tumultuous past, during the Moorish invasion of Spain. It was conquered by Muslim rulers at the end of the 10th century, but rebuilt in a style that blends Romanesque, Gothic and Baroque architectural styles. 

You’ll find most of the grand monuments around the Cathedral of St. James, with its heavily-sculpted Romanesque main gate known as the “portico of glory”. 

Ibiza may have a reputation for its rave beach parties and having one of the world’s best clubbing scenes. But there’s more to discover beyond the modern glitz. Ibiza Town is fortified with sandstone walls and dotted with 16th-century Phoenician ruins, including the necropolis of Puig des Molins. 

Below the blue waves, there’s a marine ecosystem that’s notable for its dense Posidonia (an endemic species of seagrass), and natural habitat for hundreds of marine species, including the endangered monk seal. 

The Old Town of Segovia is home to a cathedral that is said to have inspired Walt Disney's own castle icon. However, the most notable feature of Segovia is its immense ancient Roman aqueduct, which resembles a giant colonnade stretching over a part of the town with over a hundred arches. In the past, the aqueduct channelled water from the Rio Frío, some 15 km uphill. You can take in the panoramic view of the aqueduct from the town’s spacious Plaza Oriental.

This historical city north of Madrid is spread over several hills by the River Tormes. The Salamanca Cathedral serves as its focal point, surrounded by historical buildings in Romanesque, Gothic, Moorish, Renaissance and Baroque architecture. 

You can enjoy a pleasant stroll through the galleries and arcades of Plaza Mayor, and head south towards the cathedral with plenty of the towering old buildings along the way.

This fortified town is cradled by the Serranía de Cuenca mountain range and overlooks the Huécar River. You can walk down the town’s cobblestoned streets to a series of Moorish castle ruins and significant landmarks. These include the towering Catedral de Santa María y San Julián de Cuenca, which is also considered Spain's first Gothic cathedral. 

The most striking sights are perhaps of the casas colgadas (hanging houses), literally built on cliff edges over the Huécar.

Only 15 minutes’ drive apart, the small Moorish towns of Úbeda and Baeza in southern Spain are recognized for its noble Italian Renaissance architecture, which is believed to have later greatly influenced the architecture of Latin America. 

Start at Plaza Vázquez de Molina in Úbeda, surrounded by 16th-century buildings such as the Vázquez de Molina Palace. However, the town has strong Moorish roots, which you can find in its stone works.

This 11th-century city in the hilly countryside northwest of Madrid features well-preserved medieval city walls. These were built to defend the city from invaders and feature semi-circular stone fortress towers with 9 gates into the city. 

On the eastern side, you can find the arched El Alcázar gate that’s flanked by twin towers. The walls are lit after dark, providing a memorable sight, and you can even walk along some sections on top of the walls.

The University of Alcalá de Henares in Madrid is the focal landmark of this historical precinct of the same name. The university is housed in a 16th-century building. It’s considered the world's first planned university city. 

Start your walk at the university and traverse the historical old town. You’ll then easily walk through the Paraninfo hall with its intricately impressive Mudéjar (elaborate Moorish style patterns) ceilings. You can also drop by the Cervantes Birthplace Museum, home of the author of the famous classical Spanish novel, Don Quixote.

This town brims with historical architecture that blends Roman, Islamic, Gothic and Italian Renaissance styles. The combination reflects the influences between the Moors and Christians, which successively ruled the region throughout different points in history. 

Cobblestoned medieval streets lead you to one palace or fortified structure to another. Check out the impressive stone tower of Torre del Bujaco in Plaza Mayor, which is one of the most famous among its many other towers (the town has around 30 in total).

The famous caves of Altamira span around 3km, filled with rich Palaeolithic paintings that are believed to date tens of thousands of years. Consider yourself lucky if you get to visit the original caves, as only a small number of visitors are permitted into the site each month. 

In any case, you can visit the replication museum on Avenida Marcelino Sanz de Sautola, which includes a collection of informative historical exhibits. Another cave site, El Castillo, half an hour’s drive southeast, similarly features impressive rock art and is more accessible to visitors.