Top 7 Food and Wine Things to Do in Spain

Off the northwest coast, hugging the eastern shores or settled in the sunny south, wine tasting and seafood fine dining around the corner from Valencia’s beaches or near Cadiz’s medieval promenades is spectacular.

Enjoy the mild weather for which the Mediterranean is famous in Andalucia and enjoy outdoor wine tasting in classic Spanish courtyards and cool private cellars. Discover quaint tasting rooms in humble wineries that produce popular Albariño in the province of Galicia.

As you explore the Spanish coast, you can find a variety of charming wineries a stone’s throw from sun-kissed shores, where some of Spain’s best seafood is caught and prepared for gourmet dining by the sea.

Best Places for Wine and Seafood: Valencia • Cadiz • Murcia • Tarragona • Alicante • Malaga • Jerez

The festivals in Spain embrace the diverse connections different communities have made with wine over millennia. Celebrate in the capital of the rich wine region of La Rioja with a fun and vibrant ambiance sweeping through the streets. Stomp grapes and indulge in the merriment like a local.

Head south to Andalucia and enjoy the end of the warmer weather as fall descends, partaking in festivities that bring the essence of sherry and the harvest of the grapes to the forefront.

Jump the gun and race into a medieval corner of a vibrant city for a celebration inspired by the historic wine harvest.

Best Places for Wine Festivals: Logroño • Jerez de la Frontera • Valencia • Haro • Zaragoza

From hands-on culinary experiences to simply sitting in a sidewalk cafe and enjoying tapas while sampling a glass, combining food and wine in any part of Spain is an unforgettable experience that embraces the country’s charismatic culture.

Spend a few days partaking in a paella project, where cooking classes and wine tastings follow a visit to the local market to gather ingredients.

Embrace the northern ambiance of Spain in San Sebastian, one of the 7 Best Places for Food and Wine in Spain, that couples culinary mastery with a seaside haven to create a perfect getaway for exploring the vineyards of La Rioja and experiencing the wonderful food culture of Michelin-starred restaurants, in addition to local pintxos bars.

Best Food and Wine Cities in Spain: Valencia • San Sebastian • Granada • Monforte de Lemos • Galicia • Vilafranca del Penedès • Castilla y León

Wine making in Spain is a huge part of the country’s history, with each civilization further perfecting the art of viticulture.

Visit the home of the origins of classic Spanish wines as you uncover the traditions that have helped shape contemporary wine culture across the country, one noted as the third-largest wine-producing nation in the world. Spain’s rich culture comes through in the striking architecture used to create wineries, tasting rooms, and cellars.

Whether finding inspiration in the artistic grandeur of the wine-making tradition in La Rioja, one of the 6 Best Wine Regions in Spain, or breathtaking designs of historic and modern wineries, Spain offers a remarkable view of the wine-making world.

Best Places for Wine Culture: Bullas • Haro • Vivanco • La Rioja • Reus

Between a coastal mountain range and the Mediterranean Sea, the Penedes in Catalonia paints the perfect picture for a bike ride through exceptional vineyards, while the coastal comforts of Andalucia provide a different perspective of vines and sea.

Sip and cycle as you move from one boutique winery to another, taking in the breathtaking landscape and enjoying local whites and reds, such as a sparkling macabeo or tantalizing tempranillo.

Take your time as you combine a popular outdoor activity with a favorite pastime of locals and visitors to this rich wine-producing area.

Best Places for Wine Cycling Tours: Catalonia • Jerez de la Frontera • Alicante • Basque Country • Mallorca • Castilla y León • La Rioja

Spanish sparkling wine, cava, is an interesting example of the country’s distinct wine-making traditions, taking inspiration from global cultures, while infusing tradition and Spanish spirit. Cider, or sidra, is also popular in Spain and you can enjoy the two types of classic beverages as you tour the country.

You can find the best cava in the Penedes region of Catalonia, just around the corner from Barcelona, and tour the cellars that store thousands of barrels of the iconic Spanish bubbly. Meanwhile, in northern Spain, you can explore sidra houses that have a long history of production in the area just beyond the shores of San Sebastian.

Discovering the Spanish cider houses is one of the Top 7 Things to Do in San Sebastian, so be sure to join your guide on a flavorful journey through the country’s local beverages.

Best Places for Sparkling Wine and Cider: Penedes • San Sebastián • Asturias • Cantabria

The best Spanish food and wine tours reveal the distinct differences between the country’s northern and southern regional dishes. For example, you can tuck into tapas in southern Spain’s cities and then try pintxos along the northern Spanish Basque Country coast.

Tapas and pintxos are essentially different names for the same thing, but there are differences in preparation, regional ingredients, and culinary styles that do express distinctions between them. Delving deeper into the regional flavors of Spain, you will find paella a tradition in Valencia, while stews are warm and hearty in the northern regions.

Savor the wonderful flavors of regional Spanish delicacies, from patatas bravas to gazpacho, on Northern Spain Tours & Vacations or Tours & Vacations of Southern Spain.

Best Regional Cuisine in Spain: Paella, Valencia • Gazpacho, Andalucia • Patatas Bravas, Madrid • Jamón de Guijuelo, Salamanca • Pimientos de Padrón, Galicia

Wine experiences in Spain are some of the best in the world and can be found from the far north to the south, all ready to indulge you in tastes of history, art, and all things wine. No matter your preferred flavor profile or desired experience, Spain can satisfy novices and enthusiasts alike.

Take a look at our Food & Wine Tours in Spain for inspiration on how you can experience culinary delights and delicious wines across the Iberian Peninsula during the Best Time to Visit Spain for a Wine Tour. You can also explore more ideas in our Spain Travel Guide or options beyond Spain with our Europe Food & Wine Tours & Vacations.