Tourist industries today, with 95% of us looking for a gastronomic activity while on vacation. Northern Spain is also a great destination for hungry travellers.
Catalonia and Basque Country, both known for having some of the best cuisine in the country, have been at the forefront of world gastronomy for decades, with each area and province giving up its own unique local specialties.

According to a recent Mintel analysis on global food tourism, culinary travel is one of the world's largest and fastest expanding

From paella to pintxos, tapas to tortilla, keep reading for top gourmet recommendations on how to make the most of your trip to Spain — and where to eat, stay, and play.
BARCELONA

World-class institutions, a wonderful climate, and some of Europe's greatest dining and drinking. Check, check, and check again! Barcelona is not only a fantastic location in its own right, but it is also easily accessible by air.

The city's unique combination of varied barrios (neighbourhoods) and small-town charm ensures that there is something for everyone.

EAT:

Begin your culinary adventure in Barcelona by learning about the city's most famous snack: tapas. EatWith's Barcelona cuisine and tapas sampling tour (eatwith.com) is centred on the El Born neighbourhood, which is known for its tapas.
While exploring the area's old, tiny lanes, you'll learn about the dish's history while sampling typical Catalan tapas favourites like pan con tomate (bread with crushed tomato and olive oil) and patatas bravas (fried potatoes).

You may have built up an appetite while exploring, and your mind may be drifting to lunch, but don't even consider eating before 2 p.m. Enoteca is a fine-dining establishment that serves a luxurious late lunch (enotecapacoperez.com).

This two-Michelin-starred restaurant serves traditional-meets-modern Mediterranean food with sea views. Diners can enjoy seasonal, locally-sourced produce in a spectacular white tablecloth-clad dining room, inspired by the freshness of the sea and the farm-to-form mentality.
While fine dining is wonderful, nothing beats dining with a local in their own home when it comes to gastronomic travel. Eat With (eatwith.com) connects tourists with local chefs, allowing you to take a seat at a genuine Catalonian dining table and sample home-cooked meals while learning about the region.

Chef and owner Joe takes visitors on a gastronomic journey via a wonderful seven-course supper that reflects the seasons, his Catalan roots, and his global travels at Joe's Table

GIRONA

This beautiful-walled mediaeval city on the meandering River Onyar may be little, but it offers more than enough to occupy a few days of touring (and eating).

Girona, one of Catalonia's four provincial capitals, is noted for its postcard-perfect multi-colored riverfront buildings and gorgeous, cobbled mediaeval passageways.

Despite being only a short train journey from Barcelona, there are few tourists and the pace of life is sluggish.
EAT:

Book a Girona Food Tours (gironafoodtours.com) trip to gain an expert overview of Girona's gastronomic landscape.

The experience takes travellers on an eating and drinking excursion packed with tales and historical information, all presented through the eyes of a local. It is the most highly-rated walking tour in town.

You'll discover hidden treasures, sample distinctive recipes, and explore indoor food markets, busy bakeries, and traditional family-run local cafes.

PITSTOP ZARAGOZA

Whether you're driving or taking the train, it's worth stopping along the way from Catalonia to Basque Country.

Despite being one of Spain's five largest towns, the capital city of the Spanish region of Aragon is also one of the least known abroad. However, while Zaragoza is sometimes disregarded as a tourist destination, it should not be.

It's definitely worth the detour due to the abundance of above and below ground Roman relics, museums, historical landmarks, and a thriving nightlife.
EAT:

El Tubo, a neighbourhood that comes alive at night with its small lanes packed with hole-in-the-wall tapas shops and street seating, attracts hordes of people for their nightly tapas fix. Come hungry and prepared to move - you should try to visit three to four places in one night.