How to Spend 15 Days in Spain

Spain is one of those countries that I’ve always liked visiting because it has everything you may need. It’s visually stunning, and it impresses you with the tremendous places to explore and the rich history. Whether you are interested in culture, history, wines or great activities, you’re definitely going to find something good here. Ideally, you want to go on Spain tours for experiential travel. That means you shouldn’t rush; instead, you soak it in and enjoy the experience in a creative and rewarding manner.

Which is the best time to visit Spain?

Ideally, you want to visit Spain in Late Spring or Early autumn. This is when you get to have the ideal weather and perform cool activities. If you’re looking to visit Spain's Northern side, you should visit that during the summer months. You want to stay away from Spain during the winter season, as it’s not really the most appealing place to check out. Go to Spain only during the late Spring and Summer, maybe even during the beginning of Autumn, but not after that.

Best places to visit in Spain for an experiential 15-day travel experience

Alicante

One of the first places that come to mind when it comes to having fun and experiencing a relaxing time Is Alicante. It’s a trendy destination, but the great thing here, aside from the great beach and resorts, is that you have a rocky peak named Mount Benacantil that you can climb if you want. Alicante is also known for its delicious Tapas.

Barcelona

When I think about Barcelona, I always think about the cool architecture developed by Antoni Gaudi. You want to check out some other things, like the Barri Gotic neighbourhood that’s from the Roman Empire Times. I would also recommend you to visit Casa Batllo, which is known for its amazing art and architecture. Since our trip is all about experiences, you have to make the trip to Mount Tibidabo to view the city’s landscape from up above. I would also recommend the Tibidabo Amusement park while you are there since you hike there as well.

La Rioja

Not a lot of foreigners go to La Rioja, and that’s a shame. This is a hidden gem that is home to many different vineyards. Enjoying the local wine is amazing, and you do have a variety of tapas in the region, most of which are centred around Calle Laurel. This is a great destination because it allows you to immerse into the local culture, talk with people and see their life. This is a great place to live like a local; people take care of their daily tasks, unwind, enjoy their tapas, have fun connecting with each other or talking about the latest news.

Ronda

Ronda is another hidden gem in Spain. It’s right near Malaga, and it’s a mountaintop village. You rarely see these in the world, and this one, in particular, is quite spectacular. It’s very famous mostly due to the Puente Nuevo, a beautiful stone bridge covering the El Tajo Gorge. This is where you can find one of the oldest bullrings in the region too. It’s a breathtaking place, so if you want to visit Spain in 15 days and experience something you rarely see anywhere, this is the best place to do it.

Almeria

Almeria is a place where you don’t just go in a rush. You visit it for the experience of exploring a desert region, rocky outcrops, and dry expanses. Almeria is one of the few places in Europe where it feels like the Wild West. That’s why you will not be shocked to hear many westerns were shot here. There are some fishing villages nearby, and that alone is a great way to experience local seafood. Locals also have some salt flat tours that you can check out.

The Pyrenees

I would also recommend the Spanish Pyrenees. These are great for skiing and hiking, but it’s also a nice place to enjoy the fresh air. There are ski resorts here, but hiking and exploring the region is what you really want to focus on the most. It’s amazing, and it certainly pushes the boundaries in a rewarding manner. You can rent a timbered house, enjoy some of the great local food and unwind.

San Sebastian

San Sebastian is a wonderful destination for those that love food. It’s bringing you pintxo, which is a basque tapas version. They also have a great beach in the shape of a shell. This is one of the nicest places you can check out, and the truth is that it will impress you with how different and rewarding it is.

Galicia

Within the 15 day trip, I would also check out Galicia. This is a region that looks more like Ireland rather than Spain. There are green and lush landscapes, and you also have a lot of legends here. The Cape Finisterre Cliffs were seen as the edge of the world at one point. You can also visit the Cies Islands. I like this one because it gives you the experience of exploring an archipelago nature reserve. It’s something you rarely get to see and experience.

Seville

Seville is another good point for your trip, and the main reason it’s so nice is that it’s in the midst of the flamenco culture. It’s a place where you can find lots of dance schools and learn authentic flamenco art. You can also check the local history by visiting the Real Alcazar, an excellent example of Mudejar architecture. They also have the Metropol Parasol, which is a huge wooden structure with an extraordinary legacy.

Cordoba

Cordoba was an important city during the Moorish rule of Spain during the middle ages. Nowadays you can check the Grand Mosque of Cordoba and the Roman bridge. Not a lot of stuff remains from medieval times, but these 2 things alone make Cordoba worth it. There are some great wineries in the region, and there are cobbled streets that bring you back to medieval times.

Madrid

You can’t visit Spain without going to Madrid for at least a day. I would recommend you check the El Retiro Park because it has a vast array of 19th-century fountains. I would also see Puerta Del; Sol which is a massive square with a huge clock. They also have the Temple of Debod, which is a reconstructed ancient Egyptian temple. When you visit a place like Madrid, you always want to focus on experiences, and this one is definitely one of a kind. That’s the same with the Museo Nacional Centro De Arte Reina Sofia; it’s unique and different.

What’s the daily life of someone in Spain?

Many people will notice right away that the daily life of Spanish natives is very different when compared to other people in the West. Lunch is taken between 2 and 3 PM, which is rather late by modern standards. It’s usually followed by a nap named Siesta. In fact, businesses, school hours and shopping tend to respect that. You will have a 2-3 hour break when shops are closed, and the streets are not that busy. While modern life diminished the importance of Siesta and the overall habit, you still have it followed religiously in many regions of Spain.

Work resumes at 4-5 PM, and then shops tend to close at 8 PM. The supper, which is a lighter meal, is served between 9 and 10 PM. It’s easy to see that people from Spain have a thing for late meals, and it’s exciting and rewarding, to say the least.

There are still international elements coming to the local culture. Some places in Spain and, more particularly, Ibiza has become a hub for music, not to mention a huge rock culture. On top of that, you will find a variety of American fast-food chains coming here.

Spanish people love festivals. They have many different fiestas like the Feast of Saint James, Fiesta de San Fermin, Fallas in Valencia, the Sevilla Fair, etc. There’s also a festival called La Tomatina where people battle it out with tomatoes.

Overall, my impression after visiting Spain a few times is that Spanish people are outgoing, they love to have a great time, and they are particular when it comes to their schedule and the foods they eat.

Local dishes you don’t want to miss

When you think about the best of Spain, you have to include food as well. Paella is a prevalent food in Valencia and all over Spain. It comes in 2 varieties, the seafood one and the chicken and rabbit paella. Then you have tapas, which are light, small meals that usually include a little bit of food on a piece of bread. Patatas bravas can be a great example.

You may also want to try out the Pimientos de Padron, which are green peppers that can be combined with a variety of different dishes. The Gazpacho soup also stands out; it’s prevalent in Andalusia. Unlike other soups, this one is best served cold.

Jamon is cured ham, and it’s very well preserved. It lasts for a very long time based on how it’s prepared, and people love it because it’s delicious. Another great dish you want to try in Spain is Tortilla; this is a Spanish Omelet that includes onions, chorizo, peppers, potatoes and eggs.

When it comes to snacks, Churros will be very interesting for you. They are great for street parties and fiestas, you can eat them in Madrid, but nowadays they are expanded all over the countries. Some of the other things to try would be the Albondigas from Granada, which are meatballs cooked in tomato sauce. It’s a very healthy dish and a really tasty one too. I would also recommend Pisto, which is a vegetable dish with some meat here and there. It’s similar to ratatouille, and it comes from the La Mancha region. It can be the main course, side dish or even an appetizer.

Local handicrafts that you should check out and support

There are a variety of different things you can buy when you visit Spain. For example, there are many luxury craft workshops in Seville and all over the country that specialized in creating outstanding ceramic art and ornaments. Lladro, on the other hand, has a ton of porcelain figures, which are also widely regarded as a great gift in Spain.

Spain manufacturers are also known for their leatherwork and craftwork. Andalucian leather, in particular, is known for its great quality and great designs. Alicante and the Balearic Islands are known for their shoemaking art, too, since they create ornate and visually impressive shoes. Then you have Iron crafts that are specifically popular around Castile. There’s also wooden furniture, with Valencia, Granada, Murcia, and Caceres being a prime example in this regard.

Why should you check out Spain tours?

After going to Spain several times, I became mesmerized by the hospitality these people have and the fact that you can have great travel experiences, exceeding your expectations. It’s one of the nicest ways for you to explore a country, and Spain has a ton of great experiences waiting to be explored. It has hiking trails and lots of places for extreme sports, but it also has peaceful places and stellar wineries where you can try out some local wines.

Then there’s the Spanish food, which is amazing and a lot of people love it just because it’s so unique and different. To make things even better, the craftsmen in Spain are very talented, and many businesses maintained their craft for decades and even centuries. Spain is one of the coolest places to visit; it has so much stuff for you to see and experience. It’s a good idea to pick the best places to visit in Spain from our list and don’t hesitate to try out all the aforementioned experience. There’s definitely a good time to be had here, and you will want to come back very often.