– This post was written by Lauren Voges –
The results are in! Tiqets’ 5th annual Remarkable Venue Awards ceremony has revealed the best attractions and museums in Spain in 2021 (and five other countries!). This annual tourism awards series shines a spotlight on museums and attractions that are moving the industry forward and providing incredible visitor experiences. The selection of the winners is based on 850,000 customer reviews on Tiqets.com and a panel of tourism experts. This year’s judges for Spain are Sabine Schwanz, Director Travel Trade & Connectivity at Madrid Destino, and Javier Zori, Web Director at Viajes National Geographic.
Read on to find out more about this year’s winners across seven different categories, and what makes these venues truly remarkable.
Most Remarkable Venue: Dalí Theatre-Museum
“Excellent. The museum is totally unique. It reflects the spirit of Salvador Dali, and provides a good sample of his works. Also, he is buried there.”
– Peter, France
The Most Remarkable Venue award goes to the venue that is the most popular and best-rated among visitors, based on customer reviews on Tiqets.com.
It’s no surprise that the Dalí Theatre-Museum took home the title of Most Remarkable Venue. This eye-popping visual testament to arguably the world’s most famous surrealist painter is one of the most surreal and theatrical experiences in the world. Decorated with giant eggs and other-worldly figures, it features the largest collection of works by Salvador Dalí, including exclusive items from his personal collection.
Whether you’re a fan of the moustachioed artist or not, you can’t help but be impressed by the creativity – and the sheer size – of Dalí’s creations.
Best Museum: Chillida Leku
“Stupendous. Unique environment and sculptures! A pleasure.”
– Javier, Spain
The Best Museum award recognises the best museum or art gallery in the country, based on customer reviews on Tiqets.com.
There’s something very special about the symbiosis of art and nature at Chillida Leku Museum. And that’s probably why it won Best Museum in Spain in 2021! It all started in the 1980s when legendary Basque sculptor Eduardo Chillida bought and restored a traditional Basque country house. Fast-forward to the year 2000, and the picturesque country house surrounded by Chillida’s sculptures was being inaugurated as a museum.
Visit this creative, tranquil haven to see stunning steel and granite sculptures blended into calm natural surroundings of beech, oak, and magnolia trees.
Best Attraction: Benalmadena Butterfly Park
“Such a lovely thing to do with the kids, it leaves you feeling very calm and tranquil. Well worth a visit.“
– Liza, UK
The Best Attraction award honours the best attraction, from theme parks and zoos to guided visits of cultural locations. It recognises venues that stand out for their appeal to all types of visitors.
This tropical paradise is food for the souls of those young and old. Stroll through the tranquil park and get up close to more than 1,500 exotic butterflies from around the world – some might even dare to stop on your shoulder, so be ready with your camera! With the sound of waterfalls in the background and an abundance of tropical foliage, the park is a truly soothing place to visit. It’s an educational place to spend an afternoon too, with plenty of signs describing and explaining the secret lives of butterflies.
Best Landmark: Casa Batlló
“It was magical and amazing. I’ve never seen a house such as this. What fun it would have been to live here.“
– Jennie, Spain
The Best Landmark category recognises venues such as cathedrals, churches (or any place of worship), castles, natural landmarks, historical or iconic buildings, and observation decks.
Undoubtedly one of the most popular of Gaudí’s many creations in Barcelona, Casa Batlló’s colourful, quirky facade never fails to impress. And you haven’t even gone inside yet! Once you’ve managed to tear your eyes away from the building’s whimsical exterior, step inside for an immersive experience that’s second to none. The Casa Batlló 10D Experience combines artificial intelligence, augmented reality and machine learning to allow visitors to see the history of this magical house come to life. Psst, don’t miss the Gaudí Dome, an innovative space with over 1,000 screens that depicts the moment that Gaudí surrendered to nature – you can thank us later!
Best Onsite Experience: The Wax Museum Barcelona
“Amazing! I would recommend it. They did a good job – 10/10.”
– Joy, Ireland
This award category is focused on recognising the venue that offers the best onsite experience for visitors. The selection for this award is based on customer reviews on Tiqets.com relating to the onsite experience, including staff interaction and information available at the venue.
From complimenting the cool ambience to praising the realistic figures and impressive performers, visitors couldn’t get enough of the Wax Museum Barcelona’s smooth onsite experience. With more than 200 waxworks showing everything from historical scenes (famous couples like Antony and Cleopatra as well as John Lennon and Yoko Ono) to stars of popular culture (think Billie Eilish and the cast of La Casa de Papel), you never know who you’ll spot next at the Wax Museum Barcelona!
Best Hidden Gem: Velázquez Tech Museum
“Super!! Loved the museum and the app is great.”
– Marjorie, Spain
As one of two application-based awards, this year’s Best Hidden Gem was chosen by a panel of industry experts, including global judging partner Douglas Quinby from Arival.
If you’re a fan of immersive experiences and Spanish artist Diego Velázquez’s work, this is the museum you didn’t know you needed to see. And that’s what this Remarkable Venue Awards category is all about: helping travel and culture lovers find unique, off-the-beaten-track museums and attractions.
This immersive 360° experience allows visitors to experience Velázquez’s famous Las Meninas artwork like never before. With a fusion of Baroque and contemporary tunes colouring the airwaves, and rainbow projections and video mapping lighting up the physical space, this isn’t just an art museum, it’s an unforgettable experience.
Most Innovative Venue: Puy du Fou España
“Phenomenal, impressive, spectacular, unexpected, a great day. Due to lack of time we could not stay at the Toledo dream show, we will have to repeat seeing how incredible the other shows were…”
– Amparo, Spain
The second and final application-based award is Most Innovative Venue. This award spotlights museums and attractions that found new and original ways to appeal to customers.
When it comes to finding the best museums and attractions in Spain in 2021, innovation is a key element. At this historical interactive venue, visitors can go back in time in several period villages depicting life in the Middle Ages and see local tradesmen hard at work on their crafts. This year, the park added four unique new shows to its already impressive offering. Each of these shows takes the visitor into the origins of Spain’s history. The rich sceneries, the lights, the sound effects, the animations, the special effects and the 300 performers all work beautifully together to bring the past back to life.
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