Top 10 Biggest Cities in Spain (2025) | Aerial Tour with Narration

Top 10 Biggest Cities in Spain (2025) | Aerial Tour with Narration

From the Mediterranean coast 
to the plains of Castile, these cities reflect the history, 
scale, and spirit of a nation. Join us as we count down the 
ten biggest cities in Spain. Number Ten — Alicante.
Located on Spain’s southeastern coast, Alicante is home to around 360 thousand people. Overlooking the Mediterranean Sea, it’s known for 
the Santa Bárbara Castle, perched high on Mount Benacantil, and the palm-lined Explanada 
promenade that runs along its seafront. The city’s port has long been one of Spain’s 
most active — a gateway for trade, ferries, and cruise ships linking the Iberian Peninsula 
to North Africa and the Balearic Islands. Alicante is also home to the University of 
Alicante and a growing technology sector, giving new life to a region 
once dependent on tourism alone. The city’s old quarter, El Barrio, comes 
alive at night with music and tapas bars that spill onto narrow streets, while every June, the Bonfires of San Juan fill the 
skyline with fire and celebration. With its warm climate, open spirit, 
and deep connection to the sea, Alicante captures the modern 
rhythm of Mediterranean Spain. Number Nine — Las Palmas de Gran Canaria.
This Atlantic city, home to around 380 thousand people, is the capital and 
largest urban center of the Canary Islands. Lying just off the coast of northwestern 
Africa, Las Palmas enjoys one of the best climates in the world — warm, sunny, 
and springlike throughout the year. Founded in 1478, it became a vital stop for ships 
sailing between Europe and the Americas, a legacy still visible in its old quarter, Vegueta, 
with its colonial houses and stone streets. Today, the city’s economy 
thrives on tourism, shipping, and a growing digital sector that has made 
it a magnet for remote workers and startups. Locals enjoy life outdoors — from 
markets and cafés to Las Canteras Beach, a long crescent of golden 
sand within the city itself. Las Palmas is where continents meet and the 
rhythm of the ocean shapes everyday life. At Number Eight — Palma de Mallorca.
With nearly 440 thousand residents, it’s the capital and heartbeat of the Balearic 
Islands, set in a wide bay on the Mediterranean. The city’s skyline is defined by La 
Seu, its magnificent Gothic cathedral, rising beside the harbor and 
glowing golden in the island sun. Palma’s history stretches back to Roman times 
and was shaped by centuries of Moorish and Catalan influence — traces of which can still be 
seen in its narrow lanes and stone courtyards. Tourism has long been its economic backbone, 
but Palma has also become a center for luxury yachting, gastronomy, and 
sustainable island living. Life here moves at a slower pace — mornings at 
local markets, afternoons by the waterfront, and evenings carried by the scent of the sea. Coming in at Number Seven — Murcia.
A southern Spanish city of around 470 thousand people, set in the 
fertile valley of the Segura River. The surrounding countryside 
has earned it the nickname “the orchard of Europe,” producing much of 
Spain’s fruit and vegetables for export. Murcia was founded by the 
Moors in the 9th century, and traces of their irrigation systems and 
urban planning still shape the region today. In later centuries, the city became known for its Baroque architecture, centered around 
the impressive Cathedral of Murcia. Modern Murcia remains defined by agriculture, but its large university population and relaxed 
pace give it a youthful and welcoming character. It’s a city that continues to 
thrive quietly on tradition, sunlight, and the land that sustains it. Claiming the Sixth Spot — Málaga.
The capital of Spain’s Costa del Sol, with a population of just over 590 thousand. Facing the Mediterranean and surrounded 
by low coastal hills, Málaga is one of Europe’s oldest cities, founded by the 
Phoenicians almost three thousand years ago. Over time it passed through Roman, 
Moorish, and Christian hands, each leaving layers of history still visible 
in its streets and architecture. Landmarks like the Alcazaba fortress and the 
Roman Theatre stand near the modern port, linking past and present within a few city blocks. In recent decades, Málaga has transformed 
into a cultural and technological center. It’s the birthplace of Pablo 
Picasso, and its thriving art museums and start-up scene have earned 
it the nickname “Spain’s Silicon Valley.” Warm, busy, and forward-looking, Málaga shows how 
an ancient port city can keep reinventing itself. At Number Five — Seville.
The capital of Andalusia, with a population of around 686 thousand. Set along the Guadalquivir 
River in southern Spain, Seville has been a vital trading 
city for more than two millennia. It flourished in the 16th century when it 
held a monopoly on commerce with the Americas, becoming one of Europe’s wealthiest ports. That golden age left its mark in grand monuments 
such as the Seville Cathedral, the largest Gothic church in the world, and the Alcázar 
Palace, a masterpiece of Mudéjar architecture. Modern Seville blends this heritage 
with innovation — it’s a leader in renewable energy, smart urban 
planning, and cultural tourism. The city is also known for flamenco, 
tapas, and its vibrant festivals, from Semana Santa’s solemn processions 
to the colorful Feria de Abril. Few cities express Spain’s southern character as completely as Seville 
— elegant, warm, and full of rhythm. Number Four — Zaragoza. A city of just over 690 thousand 
people in northeastern Spain. It stands on the Ebro River and serves 
as the capital of Aragón — a region once at the center of Spain’s medieval kingdom. The city was founded by the Romans 
as Caesaraugusta and later became a key stronghold of Moorish culture before 
returning to Christian rule in the 12th century. Zaragoza is known for the Basilica del Pilar, one 
of Spain’s most important pilgrimage sites, and for the Aljafería Palace, a UNESCO-listed landmark 
that inspired parts of Verdi’s opera Il Trovatore. Today, its central location 
between Madrid, Barcelona, and Bilbao makes it a major 
industrial and logistics hub, with a strong presence in automotive 
manufacturing, renewable energy, and research. Zaragoza combines centuries of heritage 
with a practical modern spirit, standing as one of Spain’s most 
connected and forward-moving cities. At Number Three — Valencia.
With a population of around 824 thousand. Located on Spain’s eastern coast, it sits where 
the Turia River meets the Mediterranean Sea. Founded by the Romans more than two thousand 
years ago, Valencia grew into one of Spain’s great medieval trading powers and later 
became known for its silk industry. After the catastrophic floods of 1957, the 
city diverted the Turia River and transformed the old riverbed into a nine-kilometer green 
park — one of Europe’s largest urban gardens. Along its southern edge stands the City 
of Arts and Sciences, a futuristic complex designed by Santiago Calatrava that 
symbolizes Valencia’s modern identity. Today, the city thrives on manufacturing, tourism, 
and one of the busiest ports in the Mediterranean. It’s also the birthplace of paella and home 
to Las Fallas, the spectacular March festival where giant sculptures are paraded 
and burned in celebration of spring. Barcelona takes the Second Spot.
With a population of about 1.7 million. Located on Spain’s northeastern 
Mediterranean coast, it’s the capital of Catalonia and one 
of Europe’s most forward-looking cities. Its distinctive grid layout was designed in the 
19th century by Ildefons Serdà, an urban plan that prioritized light, air, and equality in 
public access — ideas far ahead of its time. The city’s skyline is defined by Antoni Gaudí’s 
architecture, including the Sagrada Família, Park Güell, and Casa Batlló — all UNESCO World Heritage 
Sites and key symbols of Catalan modernism. The 1992 Olympic Games transformed the 
city’s waterfront, turning industrial docks into beaches and parks that 
reconnected Barcelona with the sea. Today, it stands as a major 
European hub for design, technology, and sustainable living, 
hosting the Mobile World Congress and driving innovation through 
its “superblock” urban projects. Barcelona’s blend of planning, creativity, and coastal energy has made it one of the 
most influential cities in modern Europe. And finally, at Number One — Madrid.
With a population of around 3.4 million. Located in the center of the Iberian 
Peninsula, Madrid became Spain’s capital in 1561 when King Philip II moved his court 
here for its strategic and central position. The city expanded rapidly under the Habsburg 
and Bourbon dynasties, which left behind grand boulevards, royal palaces, and elegant 
squares like Plaza Mayor and Puerta del Sol. Today, Madrid serves as Spain’s political and 
financial heart, home to the national government, the Bank of Spain, and the headquarters 
of major companies and media outlets. Cultural life defines the city as much as 
business does — the Prado, Reina Sofía, and Thyssen-Bornemisza museums form a world-class 
art corridor known as the Golden Triangle. Beyond its institutions, Madrid’s neighborhoods 
reveal its character — the style of Salamanca, the history of Austrias, and the 
energy of Malasaña and La Latina. It’s a capital that balances royal 
heritage with modern ambition — confident, connected, and always at Spain’s center.

Take a visual journey across Spain’s ten largest cities, ranked by population using the most recent data from the Spanish Statistical Institute (INE, 2024).
From the heart of Madrid to the beaches of Alicante, each city reveals a different side of Spain — shaped by centuries of history, culture, and innovation.
This narrated aerial tour offers a smooth, cinematic look at how Spain’s biggest urban centers connect past and present, with breathtaking views and calm, informative storytelling.

If you enjoy narrated aerial journeys like this, don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe to explore more cities around the world!

🇪🇸 Español:
Descubre las diez ciudades más grandes de España, clasificadas por población según los datos más recientes del Instituto Nacional de Estadística (INE, 2024).
Desde el corazón de Madrid hasta las playas de Alicante, cada ciudad muestra una cara distinta del país — una mezcla de historia, cultura e innovación.
Este recorrido aéreo narrado ofrece una mirada cinematográfica y fluida sobre cómo los grandes centros urbanos de España conectan su pasado y su presente, con vistas impresionantes y una narración informativa y relajada.

Si disfrutas de este tipo de viajes aéreos narrados, no olvides darle me gusta, comentar y suscribirte para descubrir más ciudades del mundo.

🏙️ Spain’s 10 Largest Cities (2025 Ranking by Population)

🔟 Alicante — 358,608
9️⃣ Las Palmas de Gran Canaria — 383,516
8️⃣ Palma (de Mallorca) — 438,234
7️⃣ Murcia — 471,982
6️⃣ Málaga — 592,346
5️⃣ Seville — 686,741
4️⃣ Zaragoza — 691,037
3️⃣ Valencia — 824,340
2️⃣ Barcelona — 1,686,208
1️⃣ Madrid — 3,422,416

📊 Population source: Instituto Nacional de Estadística (INE), Padrón Municipal — data as of 1 January 2024 (Official Register, BOE-A-2024-25973)

Subtitles / Subtítulos:
This video includes subtitles in English and Spanish (España).
Activate them from the “CC” button to follow the narration in your language.

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Timestamps:
00:00 Intro
00:12 Alicante
01:15 Las Palmas de Gran Canaria
02:14 Palma de Mallorca
03:14 Murcia
04:14 Málaga
05:14 Seville
06:14 Zaragoza
07:15 Valencia
08:20 Barcelona
09:35 Madrid