Madrid- Madrid is the capital city of Spain and home to 6.6 million inhabitants, of which almost half a million are foreign. What many people don’t know is that Madrid isn’t just a city, but also a region in central Spain, called ‘Comunidad de Madrid’ and spanning across over 8,000km².
Barcelona- As the second largest city in Spain, Barcelona is a seaside city on the Mediterranean coast that welcomes over 9 million tourists each year and is home to almost 6 million inhabitants.
Valencia- Valencia is the 3rd largest city in Spain, located on the east coast of Spain and meeting the Mediterranean Sea. It has a population of almost 800,000 people, and its ‘Mislata’ neighbourhood is the most densely populated area in Spain. In addition, its port is the busiest cargo port in the whole of Spain, generating 51% of Spain’s GDP.
Seville- Seville (known as Sevilla in Spanish – pronounced ‘seh-bee-ya’) is the capital of the region of Andalucía in the south of Spain. With a population of around 700,000 in the metropolitan area, it is the 4th largest city in the country.
Bilbao- Located in northern Spain, Bilbao is the largest city in the Basque country. Formerly an industrial city that was a commercial hub with a high level of port activity, Bilbao has recently transformed itself into a centre for tourism, whilst simultaneously incorporating its past.
Málaga- Málaga is a port city located on the south coast of Spain, in the region of Andalucía. It is home to 570,000 inhabitants, of which almost 50,000 are foreigners. Many Britons will recognise Malaga as a holiday destination, boasting 16 beaches as well as many other inviting attractions.
Toledo- Toledo is a city located in the region of Castilla-La Mancha, just 70km south-west of Madrid. Due to this proximity, it is very popular for day trips. The ‘city of three cultures’, Toledo is known to be where Jews, Muslims (also known as the Moors) and Christians co-existed peacefully for centuries, which is reflected in the architecture of the city.
Cádiz- Cádiz is a port city in the south of Spain that is rich in history, being one of the oldest continually inhabited cities in Europe, with archaeological findings dating back to 1100 BC. Originally named ‘Gadir’, Cádiz has a current population of around 120,000, who are referred to as ‘gaditanos’.