The best cities to visit in Spain according to ‘The New York Times’
The New York Times made a list of 52 places to go in 2023. This article includes wonderful destinations from all over the world, and they have been selected considering all the elements that make them unique and special, as well as the events they will be hosting in 2023. It is no surprise that not one, but two different cities in Spain made it to this select list, and we will tell you why. These are the best cities to visit in Spain as suggested by The New York Times.
The Roman amphitheatre of Tarraco. | Shutterstock
Tarragona is a beautiful city in Catalonia that tends to be overshadowed by Barcelona, which is only an hour’s drive away. However, both cities have a distinct personality. Far from the capital’s hustle and bustle, Tarragona offers a peaceful alternative consisting of lovely alleys, local food and traditions, great architecture, Roman ruins and a bright blue Mediterranean frame. In fact, the New York Times described it as “An unsung artsy seaport rich in well-preserved Roman ruins, and delicious tapas”.
The streets of the city will make the visitor fall in love with its rich gastronomy and interesting Catalan traditions. However, the remains of the past in Tarragona are simply unparalleled. As a matter of fact, the former Tarraco is one of the best-preserved Roman settlements in Europe—and one of the oldest too. Hence, it makes perfect sense that the Roman ruins of Tarragona were declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2000.
The Gothic cathedral of Tarragona. | Envato
At the end of the day, Tarragona is the perfect place to walk through history. Its beautiful walls from the 2nd century B.C., the Roman amphitheatre by the Mediterranean Sea, the Paleochristian necropolis and the Gothic cathedral of Tarragona are some of the spots one should definitely visit in this ancient city that calmly rests on the Costa Dorada.
Madrid is full of colours and possibilities. | Shutterstock
The New York Times included Madrid on their list, among other reasons, because the capital of Spain will play a key role in the celebrations that will be held worldwide regarding the 50th anniversary of the death of Pablo Picasso. The renowned Spanish painter and co-founder of the Cubist art movement died on April 8, 1973, and several events and exhibitions will take place in different cities such as Madrid, Paris and New York City this year.
Some of the events we can attend in Madrid in 2023 are: “Lucien Clergue. Commemoration of Picasso’s Anniversary”, “Le Dernier Picasso 1963-1972”, “Picasso. The Sacred and the Profane”, and “Picasso 1906: The Turning Point”. Besides, we can always visit the Guernica, one of Picasso’s best-known paintings, at the Reina Sofía art museum.
The Reina Sofía hosts many exhibitions and one can visit Picasso’s Guernica there. | Shutterstock
Nevertheless, AnneLise Sorensen wrote for the New York Times that “the city’s artistry isn’t just within its museums, but outside as well: Madrid’s cultural core is an urban masterpiece of art, nature and light”. Indeed, most tourists agree that Madrid is one of the best cities to visit in Spain. Apart from all the museums and exhibitions we can enjoy there, Madrid shines bright with its lively streets, beautiful parks, diverse gastronomy, and rich architecture. Besides, according to a poll conducted in FITUR, the International Tourism Trade Fair, the city of Madrid has the best nightlife in the world.
