Things to do in Mengibar

Granada · 90.5 km from Mengibar

1.2k reviews

Perched on a hill in Granada in southern Spain, the Alhambra was first built in the 13th century and is a palace and fortress complex that survives to this day from the Nasrid dynasty on the Iberian Peninsula. The complex consists mainly of the Alcazaba fortress, the Nasrid Palaces, and the Generalife, surrounded by towering stone walls, and its interior blends two distinctly different styles: Islamic architecture and Renaissance architecture. The Generalife was the summer palace of its time, known for its terraced gardens and water channels, and is connected to the main palace by a tree-lined promenade. The Nasrid Palaces are the core of the entire architectural complex. The Court of the Lions is centered on a fountain supported by twelve stone lions, with four water channels extending in four directions, making it a classic work of Islamic courtyard architecture. The Court of the Myrtles reflects the Comares Palace in a pool of clear water, serene and elegant. The stalactite-like decoration on the dome of the Hall of the Two Sisters is one of the finer parts of the palace, and the walls are covered with Arabic inscriptions, including both Quranic verses and the poems of court poets, reflecting the aesthetic sensibilities of the Nasrid dynasty throughout. Climbing the tower at the western end of the Alcazaba fortress offers a panoramic view of Granada centered on the cathedral. The Palace of Charles V is a Renaissance-style palace built after the Christian reconquest of Granada. Its exterior is square, yet a unique circular courtyard is embedded within, surrounded by a two-story colonnade—Doric on the lower level and Ionic on the upper. The ground floor houses the Alhambra Museum, displaying large tin-glazed ceramic vases from the Nasrid period, among which the 14th-century "Gazelle Vase" is particularly exquisite in craftsmanship. The upper floor is the Museum of Fine Arts of Granada, housing Spanish paintings from the 16th century onward, with numerous religious-themed works.

2026 Global 100 - Best Things to Do

Royal Palace of Madrid

10

2k reviews

• Witness the history and royal anecdotes of Spain • Approx. 2 million travelers visit annually • Combining traditional Spanish royal architectural style with Baroque style, it covers a total area of approx. 130,000 m² with over 3,000 rooms △In the 9th century, this was once the castle of Arab rulers. After being recaptured by Christians, it became the residence of successive kings. A fire in 1734 destroyed the castle, and the royal palace seen today was rebuilt in 1764. △The Royal Palace of Madrid is an exquisitely crafted architectural marvel and one of the best-preserved palaces in the world. The entire palace is magnificent, with over 3,000 rooms in total, though only around fifty are open for travelers to visit. Particularly noteworthy is the palace's preserved set of five Stradivarius string instruments—two violins, one viola, and two cellos. △Adorned with golden ornaments, royal red velvet floors and walls, and chandeliers as magnificent as the room itself, while admiring the ceiling painted by Tiepolo. Marvel at the grand staircase designed by Sabatini, with over 70 steps in total.

2026 Global 100 - Best Things to Do

Royal Alcázar of Seville

10

760 reviews

•Step into the Royal Alcázar of Seville, a UNESCO World Heritage site with a history dating back to the Moorish era •Admire the prototype of Mudejar architecture perfectly blending Gothic and Renaissance styles, and check in at the filming location of Game of Thrones •Admire the 16th-century altarpiece "Virgin of the Navigators" and stroll through the grand hall of Holy Roman Emperor Charles V △ As a filming location for the famous TV series Game of Thrones, it attracts many historical drama fans to visit, allowing them to travel between history and film while reliving memorable moments from the show in the real world. △As one of the ancient palaces in Europe, this building combines Gothic architectural elements with Islamic clay construction styles, making it a prime example of Mudéjar architecture. △An architectural marvel shaped by centuries of history and culture, radiating breathtaking beauty. From enchanting gardens to magnificent courtyards, every corner holds fascinating surprises.

Spain · Seville

2026 Europe 50 - Best Things to Do

Prado Museum

9.8

1.3k reviews

The building that today houses the Museo Nacional del Prado was designed by architect Juan de Villanueva in 1785. It was constructed to house the Natural History Cabinet, by orders of King Charles III. However, the building's final purpose - as the new Royal Museum of Paintings and Sculptures - was the decision of the monarch's grandson, King Ferdinand VII, encouraged by his wife Queen Maria Isabel de Braganza. The Royal Museum, soon quickly renamed the National Museum of Paintings and Sculptures and subsequently the Museo Nacional del Prado, opened to the public for the first time in November 1819. Since it was founded in 1819 and over its multi-century history, the Museo Nacional del Prado has performed the important task of conserving, exhibiting and enriching a set of collections and works of art which, due to their close ties with Spanish history, are recognized as one of the most valuable compendiums of artistic expression known to humanity. Loans to temporary exhibitions are the Museum's most direct means of communication with society. They offer the opportunity of reinterpreting the collections while linking them to currentl issues. At the same time, they also provide an especially attractive scope for museography allowing for experimentation on new styles and technologies. They contribute to projecingt a new identity of the Museum by encouraging innovation, research and the public interest in its collections. With this intention in mind, the Museo Nacional del Prado offers its visitors a wide exhibition program while contributing to the promotion of its collections through the loan of works from its collection to exhibition projects organised by other cultural institutions, both national and international.

2026 Global 100 - Night Attractions

Seville Cathedral

9.6

4.7/5

795 reviews

Seville Cathedral is one of the larger Gothic cathedrals in the world. Its site was originally occupied by a great mosque built during the Moorish rule. In the early 15th century, it was demolished and rebuilt on the mosque's foundation as a Gothic Catholic cathedral, taking more than a century to complete. The cathedral's main altar features a giant golden carved wooden altarpiece, a masterpiece of Gothic woodcarving art, presenting the life of Jesus and the deeds of the Virgin Mary through dozens of reliefs. The cathedral also houses the tomb of the navigator Columbus, whose coffin is held aloft by four statues of kings symbolizing Castile, León, Aragon, and Navarre respectively, making it a must-see iconic view for visitors. The church houses religious paintings such as Murillo's "The Apparition of Saint Anthony" and Goya's "Saints Justa and Rufina," displayed respectively in the Chapel of Saint Anthony and the sacristy. The Giralda Tower is another major highlight of the church. This bell tower, originally the minaret of a mosque, retains the Moorish architectural style and stands about 100 m tall. Following the gentle ramp inside, visitors can climb to the top and enjoy a panoramic view of Seville's old town. Although reaching the top requires some physical effort, the view is expansive, and on a clear day the cityscape of Andalusia can be taken in at a glance.

Spain · Seville

No. 3 of Best Things to Do in Metropolitan Area and Henares Corridor

Las Ventas Bullring

8.8

4.2/5

306 reviews

Designed by architect José Espelius and built in the Neo-Mudéjar style, Las Ventas Bullring features red brick walls adorned with Arabesque carvings and arched windows, while its exterior walls are inlaid with ceramics depicting the coats of arms of Spanish provinces. Construction was completed in 1929, and the bullring officially opened in 1931. It has four tiers of circular stands and can accommodate approx. 23,000 spectators. Shaped like a Roman amphitheater, the bullring is covered with fine sand and surrounded by tiered iron fences that separate the spectator stands from the arena, with separate passageways for bullfighters, medical staff, and bulls to enter and exit. This is an important symbol of Spanish bullfighting culture. The San Isidro Bullfighting Festival held every May is a major bullfighting event of the year, when renowned bullfighters from all over gather here. The main entrance of the bullring is known as the "Puerta Grande" (Big Gate), and only victorious bullfighters are eligible to exit through this gate and receive the cheers of the audience. The venue has a total of 18 entrances and exits, and the ceramic decorations of provincial coats of arms on the brick walls make the main entrance area particularly striking. During your visit, you can overlook the entire venue layout from the upper spectator stands, then enter the bullring to experience the atmosphere firsthand. A bullfighting museum is located at the exit, divided into five exhibition areas that showcase the history and art of Spanish bullfighting, where you can admire prints by the painter Goya depicting bullfighting scenes.

Jaen · 23.1 km from Mengibar

Jaén Cathedral

4.1

4.0/5

1 reviews

Jaén Cathedral features a blend of Gothic and Renaissance architectural styles, with a solemn and majestic exterior and an ornate interior. Inside, Jaén Cathedral houses three massive altars, with the main altar decorated with many exquisite carvings and paintings. In addition, Jaén Cathedral contains many precious artworks and artifacts, including paintings, sculptures, and metalwork.

No. 4 of Best Things to Do in Metropolitan Area and Henares Corridor

Museo Nacional Centro de Arte Reina Sofía

Museo Nacional Centro de Arte Reina Sofía

8.5

445 reviews

•It saves one of the world's most representative modern art masterpieces—Picasso's Guernica—along with other related works from the late 19th century to the present •Explore dedicated to showcasing Spanish expressionist and impressionist artNational Museum of China • ShockMarvel at the masterpieces of Spain's three great 20th-century masters: Pablo Picasso, Salvador Dalí, and Joan Miró △This is the Museo Nacional Centro de Arte Reina Sofía, one of the world's most significant contemporary art museums, showcasing works by Spanish and international artists. It is a pioneer in the art world and part of the beloved "art corridor" of Madrid.

No. 20 of Best Things to Do in Spain

Mosque-Cathedral of Córdoba

8

4.8/5

262 reviews

The Mosque-Cathedral of Córdoba is located in the heart of Cordoba, adjacent toGuadalquivir riverside, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site in Spain and an important symbol of Cordoba, a city in southern Spain. The mosque covers an area of 4,000 square meters, making it truly magnificent. Three architectural styles blend in harmony The mosque was initially built around 785 AD under the order of Moorish ruler Abd al-Rahman I, with subsequent expansions over generations. After the Christian kingdom reclaimed Cordoba in 1236, it was converted into a Catholic church. Starting in the 16th century, a cruciform cathedral was constructed at the center of the mosque, layering Gothic, Renaissance, and Baroque elements. A church rising from the heart of the mosque's forest of columns is an exceptionally rare sight among similar structures, setting it apart from Europe's numerous churches and mosques. Orange tree courtyard The temple is rectangular in shape. Passing through the Gate of Pardon (Puerta de Perdón) at the entrance leads to the Orange Tree Courtyard (Patio de Naranjas), where orange trees and palm trees are planted, showcasing the charm of southern Spain. The central fountain murmurs with the sound of water, surrounded by lush greenery, making it delightful to stroll through. Main worship hall The main structure of the mosque—the grand prayer hall—is exceptionally majestic, measuring 100 m in both length and width. Its dazzling corridor, composed of 850 horseshoe-shaped arches, is extraordinarily ornate, with the vibrant red-and-white striped vaults exuding an exotic Arabic charm. The pillars forming the arches stand 3 m tall, each crowned with two overlapping horseshoe-shaped volutes alternately built with red bricks and white dolomite. The semi-translucent design imbues the hall with a mystical and sacred aura, while the dense forest of stone pillars creates an immersive experience akin to walking through a columnar labyrinth. Above the mihrab in the hall lies exquisitely layered petal carvings, a space once reserved for the king's prayers. Cathedral The cathedral (Catedral) at the heart of the monastery is particularly striking, primarily composed of the chapel and choir stalls, with its altar exquisitely carved from red marble. Small church The Willaweskisa Chapel is also distinctive, with its vault and hall adorned with exquisite floral patterns, and its colorful dome is uniquely crafted. At the center of the chapel lies an ornately decorated niche. Gilded prayer niche The temple houses numerous gilded prayer niches, among which the famous new prayer niche (Mihrab Nuevo) stands out. The towering hall that houses the niche is made of white marble, carved with scriptures and verses. Ascend the bell tower to overlook the city scenery In addition, you can climb the approx. 93 m high bell tower minaret for a panoramic view of the temple and the cityscape of Cordoba.

Cordoba · 86.5 km from Mengibar

No. 19 of Best Things to Do in Spain

Teatro Flamenco Sevilla

8.1

92 reviews

Teatro Flamenco Sevilla is located in the heart of Seville's old town and is a theater dedicated to live flamenco performances. The building has a rich history: it was originally the Pathé cinema opened in the 1920s, then served as a television studio and variety theater for decades, and now welcomes guests again as a specialized flamenco venue. The theater's flagship resident show is "Pasión" (meaning "passion" in Spanish), with a duration of about one hour. Multiple dancers, singers, and guitarists perform together, with song, dance, and guitar alternately taking the spotlight: rapid footwork, crisp handclaps, and sweeping guitar strums intertwine, while the singer's voice ranges from low murmurs to soaring highs. The venue retains an intimate atmosphere for close-up viewing, allowing audiences to clearly see the dancers' expressions and intricate rhythmic footwork. Both first-time flamenco travelers and seasoned enthusiasts will find something to appreciate. Seville is widely regarded as one of the birthplaces of flamenco, and this art form listed as UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage is best experienced live here. A few practical tips: The performance lineup rotates by date, so it's advisable to check which dancers and singers will be performing on the day before you set out. Seats are arranged on a first-come, first-served basis, so arriving early is recommended if you want to be closer to the stage. With a duration of around one hour, it's perfect for wrapping up your day's itinerary after exploring the old town.

Spain · Seville