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Things to do in Spain, Spain: The Best Churches & Cathedrals
Coordinates: 40°N 4°W / 40°N 4°W / 40; -4
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1. Basilica of the Sagrada Familia
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 163,734 reviews
The Basilica of the Sagrada Familia is a monumental church devoted to the Holy Family: Jesus, Mary and Joseph. Construction began in 1882, based on plans drawn up by the architect Francisco de Paula del Villar, and Antoni Gaudi was commissioned to continue the project in 1883. The Temple has always been an expiatory church, built only from donations. As Gaudi said: "The Expiatory Church of the Sagrada Familia is made by the people and is mirrored in them. It is a work that is in the hands of God and the will of the people." In 2010, Pope Benedict XVI consecrated the site as a minor basilica
Reviewed By Lifetoexplore59 - Denmead, United Kingdom
What a fantastic beautiful interesting work of art, I was in awe of the many many details, the amazing colours coming through from the stained glass windows just takes your breath away, a must absolutely visit.
2. Catedral de Sevilla
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 26,003 reviews
This majestic Cathedral dates back to the 15th century and claims to be the third largest building of its kind in the world.
Reviewed By WineEng - Green Valley, United States
This is THE site to visit when in Sevilla. Absolutely enormous, the largest gothic cathedral in the world consists of the main cathedral, many chapels, a small treasury and many memorials plus the converted bell tower. When busy, it’s much better to have purchased tickets in advance or be prepared to wait in long lines to hope to buy a ticket. It takes 2 1/2 - 3 hours to visit everything while stopping to enjoy the varied architecture. A Columbus is buried here so some come to see that. The organ has four banks with over 7000 pipes and can be heard at specific times during the week. Fantastic piece of history. Cheers!
3. Malaga Cathedral
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 7,733 reviews
Reviewed By Irishgirlabroad - Malaga, Spain
A visit to Málaga Cathedral should be on everyone’s list of things to do and see in Málaga! The cost of entry varies according to age and the option you choose but all include headphones with a multilingual guide handset. It is simple to operate and you can follow the planned numbered route around the Cathedral (including the main steps outside) at your own pace. I would suggest you allow at least 90 minutes to wander around and sit to take in the sheer scale of the building and to appreciate the artwork and architecture. A little known option is that there are a couple of tours a day that take you up onto the roof of the cathedral ( you will need to check at the reception desk for the times and plan accordingly .. you then buy a ticket which includes the roof tour). For me this was the highlight of our visit. There are approx 200 stone steps to climb so flat, comfortable shoes are a must but the spectacle 360 degree views over the city of Malaga were well worth it.
4. Catedral de Mallorca
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 15,453 reviews
Palma's Gothic Cathedral.
Reviewed By postman1311 - Douglas, United Kingdom
This is one impressive building and well worth the 8 Euros entry lovely ornate windows Rose window in particular and very impressive look about the whole thing on exit walk around the walls and enter the maze of little streets and bars all around the old town
5. Santa Maria de Leon Cathedral
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 5,243 reviews
Gothic-era cathedral of golden sandstone with soaring stained glass windows and richly decorated West portals.
Reviewed By Geraldin523 - Darlington, United Kingdom
A magnificent feat of engineering and well worth a visit inside. Enjoyed Pilgrim Mass in this wonderful cathedral
6. Catedral de Pamplona
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,588 reviews
Reviewed By VeiledDancer
The Cathedral itself is worth the visit, but most people bypass the museum, which won awards for its design and curation. Truly worth a visit. Once a day (115am, in the winter), visitors are brought up the bell towers and it is worth the short climb for the spectacular view. It is also an interesting way to begin your tour of the museum, which includes the cloisters and the cathedral.
7. Catedral Basilica Metropolitana Primada de Tarragona
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,605 reviews
The cathedral is dedicated to St Thecla and is erected at the top of the acropolis or hill of the ancient city. Its construction began in the year 1171 and it was consecrated on 4 July 1331. Its foundations and later architectural development are located on the remains of an ancient Roman construction begun in the second quarter of the 1st century bc. and completed at the beginning of the Vespasian Empire (69-79 AD). The Cathedral is gothic in style. Its floor plan is in the form of a Latin cross, with three naves each with their own apses and transept. The head is of Romanesque tradition with half-point arches supporting the extension of the stone wall and pilasters following the new constructive techniques of the Gothic movement.
Reviewed By VadimM67 - Murmansk, Russia
The Cathedral of Tarragona faces the visitors with its facade. You can't get around it and photograph it from different angles like Sagrada Familia or Notre-Dame de Paris. Adjacent houses and walls prevent you from seeing the result of a century and a half of construction. The best way to see the entire Cathedral is to go to Torrellas de Llobregat in the Park Catalunya in miniature. The fact that the Cathedral is located in urban development suggests that it was not built on an empty place. Harshly denouncing paganism, the Christians nevertheless quietly parasitized on his achievements. Originally there was a Roman temple dedicated to Octavian Augustus. Converted to Christianity, the Visigoths built the first Church here in the IV century AD. the Arabs also didn`t invent anything and placed a mosque here. By the way, the Moorish set ceilings were preserved in the Cathedral. It is not known exactly when the Cathedral appeared in its current form. The first mention dates back to the XII century. The facade of the Cathedral is Romano-Gothic. The most interesting thing on the facade, in addition to the traditional Gothic rose, is the figures of the apostles (XIV century). By the way, the rose appeared later, because the Cathedral was originally built as a fortress, so the Windows resembled loopholes and were located high. There was little hope for the power of the word of Christ; the thick walls and powerful buttresses were much more significant. I`ve seen similar fortress churches in Montpellier and Toulouse, which once again speaks of the cultural and historical community of Catalonia and French Languedoc. The Cathedral was completed in 1350. However, this doesn`t mean that the interior is Gothic. Renaissance and Baroque chapels were added to the Cathedral in the XIV-XVIII centuries. The main masterpiece inside is a 15th-century altar by Pere Johan, whose bas-reliefs depict the life of Saint Thecla, patroness of Tarragona. In addition to the altar of 5 € (ticket price) , you can see the sarcophagus of Juan of Aragon, wooden pews of the choir of the XIV century, Baroque chapels with intricate stucco, a small Museum and a cloister. However, I passed until 10 am for free, but the Museum and cloister didn`t get there. The Cathedral was definitely worth a visit. The modest size of the facade is disorienting for tourists. The Cathedral is similar to the houses in Amsterdam (there because of taxes): the narrow facade doesn`t suggest how long the house is in reality. So it is here.
8. Catedral Primada
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 9,539 reviews
One of the most imposing cathedrals in Spain, and a superb example of Gothic architecture.
Reviewed By Illiterati - St. George, United States
This may have been the most mind-blowing edifice I have ever been in. We stepped through the front entrance and were immediately overwhelmed with awe (even though this was the list day of several days of awe inspiring sites), and then we realized that all we were seeing was still only seeing one portion of all it entailed. The audio tour was very interesting, just the right amount of detail.
9. Catedral De Cuenca
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,944 reviews
Reviewed By 588phis - Bangkok, Thailand
This is a very interesting cathedral to visit. The external architecture is of Medieval style and has intricate carvings. The highlights inside include the choir and organs, the main chapel, the Main Sacristy, the Deep Chapel and the Jamete Arch. The admission staff provided us a map with the highlights of the cathedral and free audio guide, which were helpful for us to understand the history behind the different parts of the Cathedral. There was also a tower, which you can go up, near the exit of the cathedral. It is about a four storey climb and you can see the surrounding area at the top.
10. Real Sitio de San Lorenzo de El Escorial
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 3,275 reviews
Reviewed By tizS_11 - Rome, Italy
I took the bus 661from Moncloa Bus Terminal, and then walked 3’ to El Escorial, and entered at 10am when it opened. The place got VERY crowded so I was glad I came early. I rented the audio guide, clicked the option “3-hour audio guide extended tour” with the most perfect itinerary and excellent description of everything. You will visit: -the amazing library -the impressive church (Renaissance artists from Italy such as Federico Zuccari and Pellegrino Tibaldi were hired to decorate its interior, and there is even a marble crucifix by Cellini!) -the main cloister with the famous paining on the ceiling by Luca Giordano with the “Triumph of the Habsburgs,” the collection of paintings in the “capitular chamber” (Titian, El Greco, etc.) -the royal apartments (where the famous Garden of Earthly Delights by Bosch used to hang together with some other 20 paintings by Bosch) -the mausolea with the royal tombs (including the tomb of Philip II and Charles V) -the hall of battles -the Bourbon apartments with an amazing collection of tapestries (the products of Royal Tapestry Factory in Madrid that you must visit!), -and the gardens. I took beautiful photos of the exterior of the Escorial. No photos allowed inside! You will explore the history of Spain’s Golden Age under the powerful Philip II, also known as “the Prudent.” He has great artistic taste and was the most influential ruler of the world during the Counter-Reformation. After or before the visit do not forget to have some Spanish food in the nearby “Tan Ricamente” as the ladies there cook themselves and it seems like eating at home.
