Whether you’re wandering through Andalusian olive groves or sitting in a Madrid café, these Spanish poets will help you see the country through its most expressive eyes.
Nomad Book Club
Spain is the Nomad Book Club pick for November 2025, where we explore a new country or region each month through books set in that place. Sign up to the newsletter to join the club and follow along on Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube for updates.
- 1. Miguel de Cervantes (1547–1616)
- 2. Lope de Vega (1562–1635)
- 3. José de Espronceda (1808–1842)
- 4. Gustavo Adolfo Bécquer (1836–1870)
- 5. Rosalía de Castro (1837–1885)
- 6. Miguel de Unamuno (1864–1936)
- 7. Antonio Machado (1875–1939)
- 8. Juan Ramón Jiménez (1881–1958)
- 9. Federico García Lorca (1898–1936)
- 10. Vicente Aleixandre (1898–1984)
- 11. Aurora de Albornoz (1926–1990)
- 12. Joaquín Sabina (born 1949)
- 13. Ana Merino (born 1971)
- 14. Eva Yárnoz (born 1980)
- 15. Sara Búho (born 1991)
- 16. Lola Tórtola (born 1997)
21 – 24 NOVEMBER 2025
Madrid Literary Retreat
From the legacy of Cervantes to the bookshop/cafés of the famed Barrio de las Letras, Madrid is a city steeped in literary history. Plus, churros. Lots of churros.
Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links and as an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. This means I earn a small commission if you choose to make a purchase using a link, but at no cost to you. I’ve included Amazon links to each recommended book as well as Everand, Spotify, and Bookshop.org where available.
1. Miguel de Cervantes (1547–1616)
Best known for Don Quixote, Cervantes also wrote poetry known for humour, melancholy and irony, which are strong themes in Spanish poetry in general.
“The truth may be stretched thin, but it never breaks, and it always surfaces above lies, as oil floats on water.”
― Miguel de Cervantes Saavedra, Don Quixote
Read Next: For more of what to read where in Spain, check out my guide to Spanish literature and where to read it.
2. Lope de Vega (1562–1635)
A contemporary of Cervantes and one of Spain’s most prolific writers, Lope de Vega was a master dramatist and poet.
His lyrical poetry, especially his sonnets, celebrate love, faith, and nature. They’re considered some of the best of Spain’s Golden Age.
“With a few flowers in my garden, half a dozen pictures and some books, I live without envy”
― Lope De Vega, Los Mejores Relatos De Los Siglos De Oro
3. José de Espronceda (1808–1842)
The quintessential Romantic rebel, Espronceda infused his poetry with a fiery spirit of freedom and individualism.
His most famous works, like Canción del Pirata, express a defiant yearning for adventure, perfect reading for those drawn to Spain’s wilder landscapes.
“My treasure is my gallant bark,
My only God is liberty;
My law is might, the wind my mark,
My country is the sea.”
― José de Espronceda, Canción del Pirata
4. Gustavo Adolfo Bécquer (1836–1870)
Bécquer’s Rimas are the heart of Spanish Romanticism.
His short, musical poems explore the mysteries of love, death and the supernatural, often inspired by Seville’s beauty and ancient legends.
“The soul that can speak through the eyes can also kiss with a gaze.” ― Gustavo Adolfo Becquer
5. Rosalía de Castro (1837–1885)
A trailblazer of Galician literature, Rosalía wrote both in Galician and Castilian Spanish, giving voice to the emotional depth and melancholy of her homeland.
Her poetry is intimate, deeply personal and infused with longing; a must-read before exploring Galicia’s misty coasts.
“I see my path, but I don’t know where it leads. Not knowing where I am going is what inspires me to travel it.” ― Rosalia de Castro
6. Miguel de Unamuno (1864–1936)
A philosopher, novelist and poet, Unamuno’s verse reflects his constant struggle with faith, identity, and mortality.
His existential reflections pair best with the rugged landscapes of Castile and the intellectual pulse of Salamanca, where he lived and taught.
“Only he who attempts the absurd is capable of achieving the impossible.” ― Miguel de Unamuno
7. Antonio Machado (1875–1939)
Machado’s poetry evokes the simplicity of rural Spain and the passage of time.
His masterpiece, Campos de Castilla, paints the Spanish countryside as both a mirror of the nation’s soul and a meditation on change, making it ideal reading for travellers exploring central Spain.
“Wanderer, there is no road, the road is made by walking.”― Antonio Machado
8. Juan Ramón Jiménez (1881–1958)
Winner of the 1956 Nobel Prize in Literature, Jiménez’s Platero y yo and his lyrical poetry celebrate beauty, nature and the purity of poetic expression.
His elegant verses are best appreciated in Andalusia, his native region.
“I unpetalled you, like a rose,
to see your soul,
and I didn’t see it.”
― Juan Ramón Jiménez
9. Federico García Lorca (1898–1936)
Perhaps Spain’s most beloved poet, Lorca’s works pulse with emotion, folklore and tragedy.
His Romancero Gitano and Poeta en Nueva York blend surrealism with social commentary, combining the Andalusian spirit with the pain of modern alienation.
“I’ve often lost myself,
in order to find the burn that keeps everything awake”
― Federico García-Lorca
10. Vicente Aleixandre (1898–1984)
Another Nobel laureate, Aleixandre’s poetry explores cosmic love, human connection and the unity of nature.
As part of the Generation of ’27, his work bridges surrealism and mysticism.
“Did I know who I was, or did I just learn to forget myself?” ― Vicente Aleixandre, A Longing for the Light: Selected Poems
11. Aurora de Albornoz (1926–1990)
Born in Asturias, Albornoz’s poetry combines intellectual precision with political and emotional intensity.
Exiled during the Franco era, she wrote about identity, memory and exile; all themes that resonate deeply with Spain’s 20th-century history.
“Girl paper dolls
over the world of sheets.
There were twenty dreams
of a girl
incapable of living twenty lives.”
― Aurora de Albornoz, Paper Dolls (To Mommy)
12. Joaquín Sabina (born 1949)
Although best known as a singer-songwriter, Sabina is also a poet at heart. His lyrics (witty, bittersweet and deeply urban) paint a portrait of Madrid’s streets and Spain’s modern soul.
Reading his poems (or listening to his songs) is like sharing a glass of wine with Spain itself.
“Love is the same as a safety pin unsafe in the lapel of chance.” ― Joaquín Sabina
Read Next: Discover more recommended reads for the capital in my books about Madrid list.
13. Ana Merino (born 1971)
A versatile modern poet and novelist, Merino’s work balances playfulness and introspection.
Her poems often explore the boundaries between imagination and reality.
14. Eva Yárnoz (born 1980)
One of the most distinctive modern Spanish poets, Yárnoz crafts minimalist, evocative poems that explore silence, nature, and the female experience.
15. Sara Búho (born 1991)
A leading voice in Spain’s new generation of poets, Búho rose to fame through social media but has earned literary acclaim for her raw and lyrical exploration of love, vulnerability and emotional resilience.
Her work captures the voice of modern Spain: reflective, open and deeply human.
Read More: Wondering where to get a copy of these poetry collections? Check out this list of the best bookstores in Madrid.
16. Lola Tórtola (born 1997)
Another poetess of the social media age, Tórtola’s poetry is characterised by sensuality and fierce honesty.
Her verses often examine love, identity and self-discovery with a distinctly contemporary voice, resonating with readers who appreciate intimate and emotional writing.
A Journey Through Spanish Verse
From Cervantes’s classic wit to Instagrammable verse, these poets tell the story of Spain through centuries of rhythm, rebellion and reflection.
Whether you read these Spanish poets on a train between Madrid and Seville or by the sea in Cádiz, their words are sure to enrich your journey and offer insights into Spain at a deeper level.
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Fantastic Books & Where to Find Them
For more of what to read where, check out my full Travel Books Guide, filled with book recommendations for different destinations, the most beautiful bookstores around the world, tips on how to get the best deals on audiobooks and e-books, as well as more literary travel.
Travel Essentials
Here are the websites and services I personally use and recommend.
FLIGHTS: The best deals can be found on Skyscanner, Google Flights and Kiwi (learn more about Kiwi travel hacking here).
TRAVEL INSURANCE: I recommend World Nomads for travel insurance because you can purchase once you’re already overseas and you can easily extend your policy. For digital nomads, I recommend and personally use Genki (learn more about Genki digital nomad health insurance here).
E-SIM: For travel in Europe, I use an e-sim with GoMobile, which is a provider based in Malta, but you need to be there to set it up.
ACCOMMODATION: I use Booking.com for hotels and Airbnb for apartments. For Colivings, I usually book privately, but Coliving.com is a good place to start.
THINGS TO DO: I use Viator or Get Your Guide for booking day trips, city tours and other activities, though I often check reviews on TripAdvisor too.
