Spain gets plenty of attention for its big-name cities, and for good reason. But once you get outside of Barcelona, Madrid and the rest of the well-known tourist hot spots, you’ll find something even better: small towns and villages that feel like well-kept secrets.
These small villages are full of cobblestone streets, stunning views, and zero crowds — and the fact that you might not have heard of them is exactly why they’re worth visiting. Here are a few worth discovering:
Frigiliana (Andalucía)
Just a 15-minute drive north from Nerja, Frigiliana is one of those rare places that actually lives up to its postcard reputation. The town is located on a hilltop and the streets are steep, which, once you get your luggage to where it needs to go, makes for great views. There are plenty of charming local restaurants, a small local market, art studios and cute shops. It’s an easy day trip from the Costa del Sol, but if you stay the night, you’ll have the place almost to yourself since many visitors only pass through for a few hours during the day.
Llanes (Asturias)
Llanes is on the north coast of Asturias, almost exactly between Gijón and Santander. It’s a proper town with a walkable center, a working fishing port, and more than a dozen beaches within driving distance . It’s a laid-back place, but there always seems to be something going on during the summer: festivals, canoe races, fireworks, concerts, you name it. This is a great home base for exploring Spain’s northern coast if you’re renting a car, want access to both the beach and mountains, and don’t want to switch hotels every two days.
Santillana del Mar (Cantabria)
Not far from Llanes is one of the best-preserved medieval towns in the country. Santillana del Mar is small and mostly pedestrian, with narrow streets and buildings that haven’t been touched in centuries. Everything worth seeing is within walking distance, including a former monastery-turned church, a handful of local museums, and plenty of small shops. The nearby Altamira cave site is also a short drive away if you want to spend your afternoon doing something different than just another tapas bar. Santillana del Mar is an easy stop that will deliver more history than other cities ten times its size.
Pals (Catalonia)
Pals is about an hour and a half north of Barcelona, not far from the Costa Brava. The old part of town is incredibly well preserved, with medieval towers and stone alleyways that look almost like movie sets. There are several good bakeries, a local flea market on Saturday mornings, and a lookout point that is perfect for sunset. It’s a small place, as you can see the historic center in under an hour. But it’s a solid spot to check out if you’re exploring Girona and want a break from the beach crowds.
Almagro (Castilla-La Mancha)
Located in the province of Ciudad Real, Almagro is a quiet town with a strong personality — and it has a special draw for theater lovers. It’s home to one of the oldest functioning open-air theaters in Spain, the Corral de Comedias, which still hosts shows during the annual classical theater festival every July. The main square has a unique look and is surrounded by just enough cafes and local pubs to feel lively but not overrun. It’s not a place to spend a full week, but if you’re passing through central Spain, it makes for a great quick detour.
Aínsa (Aragón)
Aínsa is a hilltop village in the foothills of the central Pyrenees, about 90 minutes north of Huesca. It’s a popular base for hiking and canyoning in the region, but it hasn’t yet gone the route of some of the other more popular Alpine towns. There are a few small hotels, mountain gear shops, and local restaurants, but nothing flashy. If you’re looking for nightlife or fancy hotel spas, this isn’t the place — but if you want solid access to Ordesa y Monte Perdido National Park without the crowds or the price tag, add Aínsa to your list.
Fornalutx (Balearic Islands)
Mallorca obviously gets a lot of attention as a beach destination, but Fornalutx offers something different. Set in the Tramuntana mountains, only about 15 minutes inland from Sóller, it’s a quiet hillside village with incredible views. It’s surrounded by orange groves and olive trees, and there’s not much to “do”, which is part of the draw — you can enjoy a slow breakfast, wander the alleyways, and browse the handful of shops around town. The village has won plenty of awards for its beauty, but somehow it still hasn’t become completely overrun with tourists or people trying to pawn off their gimmicks on you. It’s a great place to spend the day if you’re looking to break up the rest of your beach-oriented vacation without going too far.
Final Thoughts:
Some of the best parts of Spain are the small towns that don’t show up on most people’s itineraries. They’re easy to work into a road trip, walkable once you’re there, and offer a much quieter, authentic experience that you won’t experience in the big cities. You won’t find big attractions or nightlife — but you will find good food, a slower pace, and a welcome change of pace. In fact, you’ll probably wonder why more visitors don’t come to these towns, while also being very glad that they don’t.
<p>The post Spain’s Most Beautiful Villages You’ve Never Heard Of first appeared on Travelbinger.</p>