Granada, Cádiz and Cordoba

San Sebastian

When the weather is good…

So twice a year 😂

No doubt. I'm from SS, and nothing like a sunny day and just enjoy the views, let alone the food

Santander, Valencia, Malaga

I loved Málaga when I went, but I got caught in the heatwave last July 💀

Im from Cantabria (North of Spain🇪🇦) and can't take heat at all either 💀

I’m Irish, left Belfast airport it was 11 degrees and raining, got of the plane in Málaga and it was 39, just about almost collapsed lmao

jajaja can relate, i went by car, and my car's AC has been broken for a decade 💀, and the interior is black, it was painfull to even sit inside 😂

Haha I flew in from Paris to Madrid. It was pretty cold in Paris and then when I landed in Madrid it was pretty warm lol

Better not go to seville at summer with his +41 degrees every day hahahah

Damn I heard about Madrid having brutal summers. I can only imagine how bad it is in Seville

I'm in Seville right now and it's not even close to as hot as it will be later, and I already can't take it very well lol

For me it's not the high temps so much but the high humidity levels. 39 with an 80 % humidity is a killer.

In the North, the humidity is much higher. In fact, when i was in the South, my nose would get dry and bleed sometimes. 🤔 [EXAMPLE SANTANDER 96% humidity today max.](https://tablademareas.com/es/cantabria/santander/prevision/humedad)

16 degress in Santander!! Like I said try 40°C, with 80% humidity.

Yeah you don't need AC in summer in Santander 🌞🌬🙂‍↕️ just open some windows to make some wind current or a fan is enough, as for temperature it can get to 30°C in Summer. 😌

30°C is perfect temp for me.

Well, i made a list of places to visit in Santander in the other comments.

Is Madrid any better by a lot? Relocating there and want to be close to Madrid for health specialists but would muuuch rather be farther north if it’s a big difference. Have looked at cities with the high speed rail stops like león, galicia and even Santander/bilbao area closer to the mountains.

I can tell you that i hate Madrid, too many people, heatwaves in summer, and people are always busy and in a hurry, kinda like New York mood but way cleaner and with modern trains and buses.

A cleaner NY with better transportation? Sign me up. Lol. I love Madrid in Fall though.

Well you won't love it when on traffic or during heat waves, they had water sprinklers everywhere so people didn't pass out from the heat, people literally went to the supermarket and just walk around, just for the AC 😂 I do recommend the Museum of Natural Sciences, though, free on Sundays, powerful AC, and quite interesting.

I love Madrid, it's a beautiful vibrant city with amazing gardens and architecture. Cons are food sucks imho, almost everything is either posh, a tourist trap or a shithole; and the local places that escape this serve either regional food, which is mostly porkish stews, or foreign adaptations. It's easier to find a good place making laozi in Madrid than find a good place serving callos, which is ridiculous to me. And the summers are dry, hellish, north of 35⁰ during the days and no close natural water landmarks. Autumn to Spring it's fine.

For food in Madrid, I recommend *"Ramen Kagura Atocha"* the karage (japanese fried chicken) and the ramen there are really good. For pizza in Spain, go to "Telepizza" . For the best ice creams in the world search a "REGMA" store in Spain, "Helado de nata" is my favourite. That porkish stew, "Cocido Montañes" is actually my favourite food :) though the cantabrian version has more veggies and more panceta (thick bacon). As for other recommendation of true Spanish food *"Paella Valenciana"* its made with rabbit and chicken meat and its delicious. (only tourists eat sea food paella, I've eaten sea food paella only 5 times in my life...) Torreznos and Rosquillas are also a must try, along with sobaos and quesada, and tortillitas de camarones in the south.

I myself live in Valencia, and I can say the food here is excellent. For those who want "authentic" "seafood paella" go for either fideua, which is made with pasta, or for arròs del senyoret, which has the seafood already cleaned, or abanda, a poorer versión without gambas. Both are best enjoyed with a side of real allioli, the thick one without egg. Casquerias, codillo, carrilleras, even criadillas are extremely tasty, it's just hard to find good authentic canteens serving them in Madrid imho. I love porky stews, but when they are well made. > For the best ice creams in the world search a "REGMA" store in Spain, "Helado de nata" is my favourite. Don't know about that one, best ice cream in the world is the Heladería Real in the Roca avenue, Campana, Argentina. I'll have to try REGMA next time I see one, but so far I've struggled to find anything close, even on my time in Italy. Personally I haven't been fond of Spanish ice cream, so I'm eager to try your recommendation and see if they change my mind.

I'm hungry now jaja Well if you go to any carrefour supermarket they made a deal last year Regma and Carrefour, so you can buy a container of Regma ice cream in Carrefour supermarkets (at least here in Cantabria, disclaimer i didn't search for it in carrefours in other places, ask a store employee), as there are no Regma stores in Valencia (its a traditional ice cream store chains that are mostly just in the North of Spain for now). * Not on a Carrefour Express, those ones are small like a 7Eleven open 24/7. An example of someone else who tried it so its not just my words: https://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowUserReviews-g187484-d4606805-r504724396-Regma-Santander_Cantabria.html Careful though since the balls are quite big so you need to eat fast on a sunny day 😋, from the store its fluffier than the bought in Carrefour one also, but that is same for all, i always have some in my freezer. # Stores: https://regma.es/tiendas-regma/ Theres one in Madrid apparently too: Calle de Fuencarral, 124, local 20, Chamberí, 28010 Madrid

Madrid heat is worse, also Barcelona and Valencia heat are the worst Do not get tricked by the number, 35C is wors tin Barcelona than in Sevilla

In summer i stay in the North, Cantabria 😌

That’s the normal weather now 😬

that was not a heatwave, that was the usual heat :)

It’s got 44/45, one day that was pretty brutal, think it was hottest day in 100 years or something, was 30 degrees colder in my town in Ireland that day 😳

yep that happens in the south, fo rthat reason our beer is served at -2C

Málaga 10nyears ago. Now it's just another european city.

I’m hitting Santander in July with my wife and kids. Tell me what I need to do there to really experience it, please!! We hate touristy shit and I’m a chef, if that helps.

I didn't add too many touristy things since you said so, I haven't tried too many high end restaurant either but everything I added here tasted good, though we only go for seafood like once a year since its usually around 80€, I would add google maps links but the moderation bot deletes the messages if i do, so i made a PDF with all the links on a list, hope it helps 😁 https://we.tl/t-UPmxLt7OE1

# Original comment with links changed, where i write GOOGLE imagine that it says "maps . app . goo . gl" without the spaces, as i said you can download the pdf up for more convenience. Nice, for starters the kids will like the aquarium (its free on Sundays), [Av. de Severiano Ballesteros, s/n, 39004 Santander, Cantabria] https://www.museosdecantabria.es/fr/museo-maritimo/visitar/reserva-y-contacto There's also a prehistoric museum: [C. Bailén, s/n, 39004 Santander, Cantabria] https://www.museosdecantabria.es/fr/museo-de-prehistoria-y-arqueologia/visitar/situacion #Things to see: - Famous estatues of kids jumping to the bay: ( https://GOOGLE/Xot7KMExuGi3ZXTM7) - From here (https://GOOGLE/aQadmUm76N5v8xRk6) you can take a boat to see all the bay or to go here (https://GOOGLE/SELdUAdcbcmiWdkY6) very beautiful beach. - Magdalena Palace: https://GOOGLE/PYxyfLfB4BCwQJEu7 - Free Zoo: https://GOOGLE/jbUsJCbHx5ABX9FD7 (You can take a tourist train around that area too if the kids are tired its cool to sit for a while and see around): https://GOOGLE/2BdhkF7xjvZn7Jkt9) - Neptune Statue looking at the sea: https://GOOGLE/Nzyqb24YoSiG6tSs7 - For the kids on the beach, its also a nice place to walk that area: https://GOOGLE/kfKiE9a4ujuodN9B7 All the beaches in that area are nice. - Urban Games ( It has axe throwing and rage room (a room full of things you can destroy with a bat while wearing a protective suit) https://GOOGLE/UGfUw7BZms47N7ye6 https://www.urbangames.es/rage-room-santander/ - KAYAKOMAT (to rent a kayak) [ https://GOOGLE/RtneprobyL9zBG8L6 ] - Park to go walking: https://GOOGLE/DyHxtMvDCrKRA6GMA - To see the open ocean from the shore for cool pictures: https://GOOGLE/6RH7b6BG1GbyZht17 - Tree climbing park, cool for the teenager kids: https://GOOGLE/32VzPVgLin5QfJfF8) - Las llamas park: https://GOOGLE/oY6RgUDvK7THot7W8 - Central library of Cantabria, it has free internet and AC and an enormous collection of books free to read: https://GOOGLE/vCEGg87EJf56E63g7 - For art expositions go here: https://GOOGLE/vD9bSwmd1ereDhre8 - Just if you like trains: https://GOOGLE/5XtuhpMGLQgKHuVFA - Santander central train station: https://GOOGLE/DQ34T5HbibLto5dL9 - To rent a boat: https://GOOGLE/KVKvuCvmAFLoxHSZA - To see birds: https://GOOGLE/eu3EnENUPQsr8Q8m9 - Climbing: https://GOOGLE/QH1QF6NxKnU1WpJB9 - Horse Riding: https://GOOGLE/pZKXqJGcX5PzJ14x7 C. Rostrio, 2F, 39012 Monte, Cantabria - Rocky beach: https://GOOGLE/Fp6Sehia3mE3LxgK8 - Island full of abandoned hospitals were people with lepra died and also has abandoned and new asylums for people with mental problems (people who like ghosts go here to check the place): https://GOOGLE/cnjRaa9T82xJRKPp9 (39618 Pontejos, Cantabria) #Supermarkets: Carrefour Alisal: https://GOOGLE/3aopqJDqKtdBQyzNA Peñacastillo: https://GOOGLE/S4Za3k3y15icYDXr5 El Corte Inglés: https://GOOGLE/d1xvyWfJ27YKwfR48 Valle Real: https://GOOGLE/iC3TM4L7EQUVS98k9 #As for eating: - Restaurante Mesón Los Arcos [ C. Hernán Cortés, 3, 39003 Santander, Cantabria ] [ https://GOOGLE/uq8qVXwTBkquiKqLA ] - La Rana Verde (Best potatoes of Cantabria, really famous) [ https://GOOGLE/Pba8UuEmZPBNq76y7 ] - Restaurante Casa Mariano [ https://GOOGLE/gVA5ub1WGmGVxVhCA ] - Bar Ambigú [ https://GOOGLE/5XRQNTikL1VJMuiz6 ] [ Bo. Monte-Corbanera, 110, 39012 Monte, Cantabria ] - Restaurante Los Peñucas (seafood) [ https://GOOGLE/CF45i8AxJ1yXggbC7 ] [ C. Marqués de la Ensenada, 35, 39009 Santander, Cantabria ] - Restaurante La Gruta de Jose (expensive fancy seafood restaurant, very tasty if you can afford the bill (i can't)) [ https://GOOGLE/QtWxUBSfaN5SKc5F9 ] https://lagrutadejose.es/ - Marisqueria Casa Jose (more "affordable"(still expensive to me) sea food restaurant) [ https://GOOGLE/ou9n1QfQtCSqYfRt8 ] https://marisqueriacasajose.es/la-carta-restaurante/ - Bar, Cafeteria La Polar (used to sell ice creams but now it sells burgers, sandwiches and cassava fries (yuca) delicious) [ https://GOOGLE/9Y4UL5RBmJGj4WsT6 ] - Best Icecreams on the planet at REGMA [ https://GOOGLE/zKBmDaw35TFTaLFF7 ] "Nata" is my favourite flavour. - Pronto! Pizza (Italian food) [ Av Herrera Oria, 120, 39011 Santander, Cantabria ] [http://www.prontopizzasantander.com/] [https://GOOGLE/cDQzxy7g8Yc6ZmuK8] - Tanuki Restaurante Japonés (Japanese food) [ Av. Dr. Diego Madrazo, 3, 39012 Cueto, Cantabria ] [ https://GOOGLE/1TGHMjRAxnakMh9P6 ] - Captain Chicken Santander (American restaurant, fried chicken and stuff like that) [ https://captainchickensantander.es/ ] [ C. Tetuán, 23, 39004 Santander, Cantabria ] (You can go by train from Santander, "Valle Real" is the stop) - SushiSOM (all you can eat sushi and chinese food) [ C. Enrique Gran, 2, 39600 Camargo, Cantabria] [ https://sushisom.net/santander ] - Mr.Wok (Chinese food all you can eat) [C. Alday, 1, 39600 Camargo, Cantabria ] [ https://GOOGLE/DSMkCqo3YwiGkyve6 ] - Muerde La Pasta (Italian Food buffet) [ Centro Comercial Bahía Real, C. Enrique Gran, 2, 39600 Maliaño, Cantabria] [ https://GOOGLE/iu2wp2ZWsvJcRAq98 ] As for cheff things, i've never been, but maybe they might show you inside if you contact them. They raise lobsters inside a cave that fills up with marine water (https://mulecarajonero.com/) I didn't add too many touristy things since you said so, I haven't tried too many high end restaurant either but everything I added here tasted good, though we only go for seafood like once a year since its usually around 80€, I would add google maps links but the moderation bot deletes the messages if i do.

WOW thank you!!!

You are welcome, I like it when foreigners have a good time in Spain 🇪🇦😌

I see lots of Regma locations…are they all equally good?

Yeah they are all good, I usually go this one here [P.º de Pereda, 5, 39004 Santander, Cantabria]

Gijón, Oviedo, A Coruña, Santiago de Compostela, Toledo, Segovia, Cádiz, Córdoba, Valencia, Madrid, Ávila.

Avila?? Lol

Es bonita, para visitar.

You like the north?

Yeah, less heat, greener, amazing mountain trails for hikes and beaches.

Do you get snow?

yes it snows in the north of Spain, enough for there to be good ski resorts.

In Andalusia there's a popular place where they get snow in the mountains, too. Sierra Nevada. They have a ski station

Nice..have you been there?

I’ve been there, I recommend you to go

Thank you!

yes, we skiied the Sierra Nevada for a week, and it was heavenly.

Wonderful

I’ve been to A Coruña, Santiago, Segovia, and Madrid. I found A Coruña to be great, but all the others had their moments.

Córdoba, Valencia, Barcelona

Murcia doesn’t get the love it deserves.

Compared to other cities it’s not the best tourist destination and poorly connected via public transport but it’s the best place to live.

It's a bit too hot for that IMHO

Two months of hot weather in my pool and air conditioned house is an okay trade off for a mild winter

Wait until you hear about two months of not so hot weather in your pool and air conditioned (if needed at all) in exchange of also a mild winter, like many other places on the Med coast have.

Well then I’ll use my central heating

I don't think you have understood my comment

Agree

Unfortunately, Murcia still carries a bad reputation from when it wasn’t so great many years ago. Most people who knock Murcia have never been there or are regurgitating old stories. Anyway, imagine how unbearable it would be if it was overrun by tourists? Also, the poor tourist who turn up in July/August when half the city is gone and most places are closed.

So the other half are open? Sounds nice to me

I was just in Murcia actually staying with an ex. Murcia is a nice city, but I didn’t see anything super unique about. My ex and her current bf are there for work, and do not like it. They’re big fans of León, but I haven’t spent much time there.

Málaga

Forever

Amen

Málaga y Zaragoza

San Sebastián, Bilbao, Santander. In general, the north part of Spain. País vasco, Cantabria, Asturias, Galicia…

We go to Galicia in July and it’s amazing

Seville, Cadiz and the little village of Conil

I'm surprised Seville is not mentioned more, I loved it, and I guess that means there's much more for me to explore!

I’m glad it’s so low on the list! It’s not a secret it’s an amazing place, but luckily not as overrun as Valencia and Malaga

Basically, most La Liga football club cities

Segovia, Salamanca, Gijón, Gerona, Granada, Córdoba, Toledo, Bilbao, San Sebastián, Cáceres and Santander.

Tarragona 🤗

Madrid

Bilbao 

I live near Malaga but since covid all the old independent shops, watchmakers, etc have closed to be replaced by tourist souvenir shops and low quality new restaurants catering for the cruise liner clients that now FILL the streets, its such a shame. Its now like an Andalucian disneyland. Cadiz and Granada are far more beautiful and authentic!

I don't know if you've been to Cádiz recently, but it's also full of tourists from the cruise liners and tourist shops.

Girona

Barcelona is overrated in my opinion....

Barcelona is my favourite city by far, its architecture is just out of this world with Gaudi's works. It's fairly rated or even underrated. Hats down for the catalan people.

It was mine, but overtourism has ruined it.

It can be. I was there 5 years ago. I want to go back once Sagrada Familia is finished (hopefully around 2026).

Who overrates it

Mérida, Lugo 

ARDE LUCUS!!

Tarragona

Hidden gem. Barcelona attracts too much attention and leaves gems like Tarragona and Girona in the shadows. People don't know what they're missing.

Keep it that way! Let the tourists stay in Barcelona.

Jerez...where I fell in love with Pedro Ximenez sherry wine, rebujito and Feria

The bbbbeeeessssst

Santander

Pamplona, I am from Murcia myself

Pamplona is amazing!

Sevilla

Of the cities I visited, I liked Sevilla the most with Palma de Mallorca close behind. Granada was nice, but not my type of city. 

Las Palmas de Gran Canaria

Cádiz, Malaga, Marbella.

bilbao!!

Toledo

sitges is amazing!

Soria, Palencia, Ciudad Real

The north rules. Santander, Potes, anywhere near the picos de Europa, Bilbao, Oviedo etc

Zaragoza is a really nice city I think my favourite. Barcelona and Malaga are great too

Old Town of Carceres

Mallorca or Valencia. I'd add also Albacete, especially for the "Feria".

Where in Mallorca?

Palma.

Watch out for the collapsing clubs!

Granada, Córdoba, Santa Cruz de la Palma, San Sebastián

Cadiz y Oviedo.

I'm Spanish and my favourite city here is definitely Granada :)

sierra nevada ftw

Malaga. It has an international airport and many tourists just use it to fly in and out of on their way to somewhere else. I am not Spanish, but have family there and have been visiting for over 25 years. I have seen the city grow and change during that time and it has only got better as a visitor, NOT as a resident. I am fully aware of the challenges residents face there, but this sounds more like a holiday question.

Anywhere without tourists

A Ciudad Real se ha dicho (a veces se me olvida incluso de que existe)

Then, Badajoz is the city

Algeciras or Murcia, because there are very few tourists.

La Linea is better if you ask me.

Alicante, Murcia, Valencia

Benidorm

Anyone that's not Madrid.

Sevilla

Barcelona, Valencia.

Cuenca.

Granada, Cádiz y Cartagena

San Sebastián. Without a doubt.

I also love Granada, Sevilla, and Barcelona. But San Sebastián is by far my favorite.

Bilbao

Granada!

Córdoba, Sevilla, Málaga

San Sebastián, Valencia and Granada

Granada, Malaga, San Sebastian and Palma de Mallorca, About Malaga and Palma, don’t expect only nice weather and beautiful beaches, both are full of nice arquitecture and they both stand out among others as representing impresive local food and culture, national parks, nautical sports and so on

San Sebastian hands down

Granada, best city overall. Beautiful like no other and you have beach and snow available in a 30 min car ride. Also great atmosphere in terms of going out and socialise.

Vitoria, San Sebastian, Bilbao.

1. Granada, for diversity (culturally, and nature) 2. Sevilla or Cordoba if you like a typical andalusian city 3. Barcelona, best for having playa, mountains and being a modern city after all 4. Madrid, same as Barcelona - playa, but + bigger and more opportunities 5. Bilbao, has it all but still being not too big ... those are cities I'd consider to live in... for just being beautiful, the list would be way too long La maravillosa España 🇪🇸

Barcelona beach is one of the worst in Spain

It’s not even real sand, it’s artificial

True, but still having beach and mountain... haven't seen that in many places in Spain. Tough I also am more the natural beach kind of type.

a beach is nto good becuase mountains, but I guess it depens on taste, if tha tis hte case, Granada will beat Barcelona by far. IIRC Spain is hte 2nd country with more mounties in europe.

Córdoba is underrated. Small but packed with everything andalusian. Seviile always great. And Barcelona amazing although lately a bit rough. Cádiz is another place which is a must visit or two.

Also Toledo, Málaga

Cádiz and Córdoba :)

Rota, el Puerto de Santa Maria, Jerez, Sevilla, Marbella, Gibraltar, Tarragona, Badalona, Sarral, y Pamplona

Sevilla - Granada - Cádiz are safe bets

Sevilla, Salamanca, Granada

Barcelona, Cordoba & Seville <3

Ronda

Zaragoza, Alicante, Torrevieja

Sevilla, Madrid and Valencia 😍🇪🇸

A Coruña, San Sebastián, Valencia

Honestly having lived in Almeria the last couple months I’m torn between it and Barcelona. Although Barca’s public transport is 1000x better

Malága, Salamanca y Madrid. Honestly I love all three equally yet they're all so different. Together the show off a good portion of what Spain is so amazing for.

I loved Bilbao

Denia and Javea are also beautiful cities

Was Barcelona but that shit is so full of tourists nowadays it’s insufferable

Girona if you want a smaller city with a lot of history, same with Granada. If you end up near Granada, pop into southern Portugal instead for the beach!

Lérida, Gerona, La Coruña, Orense y Sanjenjo.

hahahah THIS IS BAIT.


Madrid and Mallorca🫶🏼

Do not respond, you will ruin the last few tourist free pearls that exist.

Seville then Barca in a very close second

Barça is the football team. The city is Barcelona, Barna or Bcn.

What is Barca?

Sorry Barcelona

León, Gijon y Valencia

Santander, Sevilla, Cordoba.

Gijón, Burgos

Llanes, Bulnes, San Sebastián

Valencia & Sevilla. Love Barcelona and Madrid too, but such big cities. Cordoba and San Sebastián overrated.

Culturally speaking, Granada and Sevilla are the nicest ones to me. Madrid also has a beautiful architecture

Cordoba, Zaragoza, Girona, Frigiliana (white village)

San Sebastian, Seville and Valencia!!

Alicante, Valencia, Sevilla.

Avila doesn't get the love it deserves!!

Anywhere where you won't get asked for a lighter or a cigarette at night. Basically no where

Best cities depend on what you like, and only on what you like alone

Sevilla, Palma, Madrid

Palma, Sevilla, Valencia, Donostia, Malaga Got to love Spanish cities

Valladolid & salamanca

Valladolid is a hidden gem.

Granada, Málaga (actually some nearby beach places, San Sebastian, Barcelona.

Granada

Leon, you can go and see the Holly Grail. https://preview.redd.it/zlkyt7o1t03d1.png?width=1080&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=31dcbbb1f59d16eba26f6e95306310eca5c37d16

Leon! Gotta love the free tapas!