SPAIN: Spain, the second-most visited country in the world as per the United Nations World Tourism Organisation, offers 48 UNESCO World Heritage Sites, thousands of castles, and too many beaches to count. The nation bags many tourist hotspots, such as the capital Madrid, Barcelona, and Basque Country, for beautiful, memorable experiences.
But the major hitters are always crowded and suffer from tourism saturation. And if you are someone who has a tourist phobia or wants to enjoy a trip with fewer crowds while hearing the breeze, visiting beaches, and losing yourself in nature, Spain has some hidden gems for you.
From north to south, Spain has an abundance of hidden spots that are not tourist traps, are less crowded, and some of which have beaten the tourist track. Here we have handpicked a list of fabulous places that are off the radar and waiting to be explored. Dive into the list and fill your bucket list with hidden gems that deserve your visit!
Albarracín
One of the most stunning spots to visit in Spain is Albarracín, a peach-coloured, fairytale-like village situated in the centre of a rugged, rocky landscape on a bend of the Guadalaviar River. It has received numerous votes as Spain’s most picturesque tiny town.
Albarracín, which is in the Province of Teruel and roughly three hours east of Madrid, truly makes you feel like you’ve travelled back in time. Even though it’s little, it’s worth taking at least a half day to explore.
As you meander along the cobbled alleys, be sure to halt at Casa de la Calle Azagra and Casa de la Julianeta, two of the finest-preserved structures in the village. Other noteworthy sites include the plaza mayor, the Cathedral of El Salvador, and the Torre del Andador, which offer breathtaking views of the town and surroundings.
Cadiz
Cadiz is undoubtedly the undiscovered jewel of Andalusia. Not as famous as the Andalusian cities of Granada and Seville, this is the ideal town for a day trip or a weekend stay if you’re in the south of Spain.
Cadiz is a beautiful city on the coast that is known for its beautiful beaches, historic sites, and lively culture. If you enjoy history, this is the city for you too, because it is among the oldest in Western Europe. The historic centre of Cadiz is a labyrinth of curvy alleyways, vivid structures, and endearing plazas bordered with trees.
You can lose hours just wandering and finding obscure nooks, old sites, and little stores. Visit Mercado Central, a humming indoor market that’s a perfect spot to taste regional seafood and soak up the ambience. Make sure to sample some of the regional delicacies, including fried fish, squid, and prawns.
This city, though, is much more than history. Candiz is enveloped by miles of stunning sandy beaches, perfect for sunbathing, swimming, and water sports. The city has all the charms of Andalusia but with fewer tourists.
Calella de Palafrugell
Calella de Palafrugell is among the most picturesque towns on the Costa Brava because of its whitewashed homes, winding cobbled alleyways, wooden fishing boats lining the harbour and an abundance of tiny coves and bays. It is one of three coastal towns that make up the municipality of Palafrugell, together with Llafranc and Tamariu, and is situated in the Girona Province about 125 kilometres north of Barcelona.
The area is known for its stunning sandy coves and bays, with Port Bo and En Calau beaches being just south of the town centre. The botanical garden at Cap Roig, where the lovely El Golfet beach is nearby, is another attraction worth visiting.
Mijas
This tiny village is one of Andalusia’s best-undiscovered gems and is only 30 minutes from Malaga. In the southern part of Spain, on the heights of Torremolinos, is the municipality of Mijas, which is neither little nor particularly huge.
This undiscovered gem’s old Mijas, or “Mijas cidade velha,” is its most stunning feature. Thousands of geraniums are hung on the white facades of Mijas homes, which make the town distinctive. Instagrammers will love this location.
Portocolom
Portocolom is among the most stunning seaside towns in all of Europe and one of the finest hidden jewels of the Balearic Island. Portocolom is the perfect vacation spot for people who want to find the most beautiful hidden places. It is in the wild southeast of the island of Mallorca, where nature has been preserved. ‘Cala Marsal’ beach and its turquoise-blue waters are barely 800 metres away from Portocolom.
Ronda
Ronda is one of Spain’s most beautiful places that not many people know about. Tourists from all over the world praise it as one of Europe’s best-kept secrets.
Ronda is one of the hidden treasures of Spanish tourism and attracts tourists looking for off-the-beaten-track destinations every year.
Ronda is the ideal starting point for a day excursion to the most picturesque locations in Andalusia because it is only one and a half hours from Malaga’s city core.
Cala Figuera
Cala Figuera, which is tranquil and unspoiled by mass tourism, is a tiny corner of heaven located about 60 kilometres from Palma de Mallorca’s metropolis. Due to the lack of expansive beaches, this small fishing hamlet is among the most tranquil on the island of Mallorca throughout the summer.
Also Read: Women’s Day Special: 5 Best Travel Destinations for Women
