Whether you are visiting or moving, get familiar with each of the 17 regions of Spain referred to as “Comunidades Autónomas”. Each region is made up of one or more of the 50 provinces or “provincias” throughout the country with their own unique history, culture, food and amazing sites to explore. Below is a small glimpse into each “comunidad” including the provinces that compose it. No matter what region you go to, you’ll never be too far from a “fiesta”.
In this Article
Andalucia
Although Andalucia is home to the Costa del Sol’s large-scale tourism developments, it is also the region that, to an outsider, most closely resembles Spain because of its passion for flamenco and bullfighting. If you leave the coast, you’ll find a historic region with magnificent cities like Seville, Granada, and Cordoba with strong Moorish influence across their architecture, food, and culture. Of all the regions of spain, Andalucia is probably one of the most typical images that come to mind when you think of Spain.
Provinces: Almeria, Cádiz, Cordoba, Granada, Huelva, Jaén, Malaga, Sevilla.
Aragon
The interesting northern Spanish area of Aragon is sometimes disregarded by tourists. The Aragonese Pyrenees and its medieval towns should not be overlooked, even though the region’s main city of Zaragoza is well worth a trip. One of the most beautiful places you’ll ever see is the Ordesa National Park.
Provinces: Huesca, Teruel, Zaragoza.
Asturias
Perhaps the most stunning of Spain’s 17 autonomous entities is Asturias. It is located on Spain’s north coast, bordered by Cantabria to the east and Galicia to the west. It is fortunate to have a rocky coastline that runs around the Bay of Biscay and is home to numerous stunning beaches. The magnificent Picos de Europa mountains make its interior even more breathtaking. High yearly rainfall rates are the price to pay for the lush, green scenery, but if you appreciate traveling to beautiful natural places and aren’t too bothered about the weather, you really must go.
Provinces: Single Province Region.
Balearic Islands
The Balearic Islands of Majorca, Menorca, Ibiza, and Formentera are well known for their tourism, yet its natural beauty does not receive the recognition it merits. The Balearic Islands have some fantastic resorts, but they also have a ton of other attractions for visitors. A few kilometers inland in a rented automobile will take you to some delightfully unexpected small communities.
Provinces: Single Province Region.
Basque Country
The Basque Country or “Pais Vasco” is a unique area. This fiercely independent province bordering France, is situated on the Bay of Biscay and has a lot to offer tourists. The cities of San Sebastian and Bilbao are wonderful locations to spend a few days, while the interior offers stunning, almost Alpine, scenery.
Provinces: Álava, Guipúzcua, Vizcaya.
Canary Islands
One of Europe’s best beach vacation spots is the Canary Islands, which are located off the northwest coast of Africa. Over 12 million people visit the islands each year because of the year-round sunshine. Tenerife, Gran Canaria, Lanzarote, and Fuerteventura are the most popular tourist attractions, whereas El Hierro, La Palma, and La Gomera are smaller islands that are more tranquil.
Provinces: Las Palmas, Santa Cruz de Tenerife.
Cantabria
The Altamira cave paintings provide definitive evidence that Cantabria was inhabited 15,000 years ago. The wonderful city of Santander, where many ships from the UK arrive, serves as the region’s hub. This little area, which is part of the Bay of Biscay, is home to numerous charming communities both on the shore and inland.
Provinces: Single Province Region.
Castilla La Mancha
Between Madrid and Andalucia is the dry and thinly populated region of Castilla La Mancha. Apart from being the location of Toledo, Spain’s Imperial City, Consuegra is best renowned for the Don Quijote windmills there and for its top-notch cheeses.
Provinces: Albacete, Cuenca, Ciudad Real, Guadalajara, Toledo.
Castilla y Léon
The largest autonomous community in Spain with borders to 10 other areas as well as Portugal is historically Castilla y León. One of its numerous features is the Roman city of Segovia, along with Salamanca, a city known for its universities. It is the birthplace of Saint Teresa de Avila and is home to some of the finest cathedrals in the nation in Segovia, Burgos, and León.
Provinces: Avila, Burgos, Léon, Palencia, Salamanca, Segovia, Soria, Valladolid, Zamora.
Catalunya
Catalunya is most known for its wonderful capital city, Barcelona, which is home to one of the top football clubs in the world, FC Barcelona, as well as stunning Antoni Gaudi architecture. But Catalonia is much more than just its capital. The medieval cities of Tarragona and Girona are both well worth seeing, while the Costa Brava shoreline is home to numerous picturesque locations. The Catalan Pyrenees are an area of outstanding beauty for nature lovers.
Provinces: Barcelona, Girona, Lleida, Tarragona.
Extremadura
West of Spain, on the border with Portugal, is Extremadura. In terms of tourism, it is presumably the best-kept secret in the nation. One of the region’s highlights is the Roman city of Merida, which is also home to the Moorish city of Caceres. The historic towns of Trujillo and Guadalupe together with the national park of Monfrague are just a few more attractions that this fascinating ‘comunidad’ has to offer.
Provinces: Badajoz, Caceres.
Galicia
The best seafood in Spain can be found in Galicia, a Celtic region in the country’s far northwest and my home region. Here, you’ll find a warm welcome and learn about this stunning and ancient region. Most tourists consider Santiago de Compostela to be the region’s top attraction, but you should also travel interior to see the secret valleys and take a journey to Cabo Finisterre along the untamed coast.
Provinces: A Coruña, Lugo, Orense, Pontevedra.
La Rioja
In the La Rioja region, there are more than 500 wineries, or “bodegas,” many of which provide guided tours and tastings. If you intend to stay in the area, visit the charming town of Haro, which is well-equipped for wine tourism. The only town of any size with one of the best “tapas crawls” in the nation is Logroo. In other places, the area is well prepared for rural tourism and offers some fantastic walking options.
Provinces: Single Province Region.
Madrid
Madrid is both Spain’s capital and one of the country’s autonomous regions. The majority of the northern half of the area is occupied by the stunning Sierra de Guadarrama mountains and its numerous isolated communities. Alcala de Henares, Aranjuez, and El Escorial are the principal tourist attractions outside of the city.
Provinces: Single Province Region.
Murcia
A large number of devoted sunbathers visit the Costa Calida coast of Murcia in southeast Spain all year long, and La Manga continues to hold its position as the principal tourist attraction in the area. World-class golf courses and fantastic scuba diving opportunities can be found nearby. The Parque Natural de Sierra Espua in the interior is becoming more and more well-liked for walking vacations.
Provinces: Single Province Region.
Navarra
The sole well-known location in the Navarra region is Pamplona, which is a city worth visiting even when there aren’t any bulls charging down the street. The “Green Spain” that so many tourists come to see can also be discovered by driving through the various communities that make up this rural region. As you travel towards the Navarran Pyrenees mountains, outdoor activities abound.
Provinces: Single Province Region.
Valencia
Valencia is the capital of its own “comunidad,” which spans along the Mediterranean coast from Catalunya to Murcia, and it is also the third-largest city in Spain. Even just to see the amazing City of Arts and Sciences, the recently redeveloped city itself is worth a trip. Although Valencia has hosted the Americas Cup sailing and the Formula One Grand Prix in recent years, most tourists to the area hardly ever venture outside of the well-known vacation destinations along the Costa Blanca to the south.
Provinces: Alicante, Castellon, Valencia.
I’m so looking forward to exploring the other regions of Spain once we make the move this summer. Which of these regions of Spain is your favorite? What are your must see places.
