With flights to Europe cheaper than last year, a trip to Spain should be on your radar. But if you’re someone looking to avoid the typical tourist spots, these 10 places to visit in Spain offer unique experiences in relatively unknown places.
1. The empty beaches – Cedeira, Galicia
Galicia is peppered with pockets of undiscovered Spain if you know where to look. The small town of Cedeira offers an authentic peek into traditional life. Located in the Rías Altas region, you can wander through Galician architecture, take in its fjord-like landscapes, and then relax on the beach. Here in the North, you’ll have the place almost entirely to yourself.
2. Strangely familiar film-sets – Bardenas Reales, Navarra
The Bardenas Reales Nature Reserve, found between Zaragoza and Pamplona, doesn’t fit with the picture most Americans have of Spain. A semi-desert, or badlands, with steep slopes bordered by steppe-like landscapes. The unique terrain not only attracts hikers but also serves as a backdrop for various film and television productions like Game of … – well, you know.
3. Journey to the Center of the Earth – Lago Azul, Burgos
This lake, with unbelievably turquoise waters in the Rudrón Valley north of Burgos, may seem small at first glance but is actually attached to the biggest underwater cave in Spain. The cave is nicknamed “Everest” as parts of it are still unmapped or even undiscovered. Naturally, you need a diving license to explore its depths, but swimming the cool topwaters alone or with a friend (buddy system!) is still an incredible experience.
4. Battlements and books – Urueña, Valladolid
Urueña is a small village of approximately 200 people that most visitors bypass without even knowing it exists. Surrounded by a preserved city wall from the Middle Ages, walking the streets of this castle complex is like stepping back in time. For literary travelers, Urueña is the first “Book Town” in Spain; a concept that combines bookstores with historic villages or towns, helping to create a unique form of tourism. While the majority of the books here are in Spanish, you can still wander, glass of wine in hand, feeling like you know a secret that only a few others share.
5. Spanish history at your fingertips – Castillo de Alcalá la Real
Above the city of Alcalá la Real — in Southern Spain — is the Castillo de Alcalá la Real. Here, you can still see the remains of the former Moorish city layered underneath the 14th-century Spanish architecture. It’s history up close, and it’s likely you’ll be among the only visitors there.
6. Beach without the hustle – Islas Columbretes, Castellón
A cluster of islands, located off of the coast of Castellón de la Plana (north of Valencia), is known as Columbretes. An uninhabited volcanic archipelago, it’s a protected area serving as a wildlife reserve. Day trips are offered, either diving the surrounding waters or touring the island, perfect for an escape from the bustle of the Costa del Azahar.
7. At peace afloat in the Atlantic – El Hierro (Canary Islands)
In the north of the smallest of the Canary Islands – El Hierro – lies the village of Pozo de las Calcosas. The houses here are built from volcanic stone, architecture that is typical of the island. Meander through narrow streets, bathe in the natural water basin and relax, right in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean.
8. A fairytale found off the beaten path – Lanuza
The small village of Lanuza looks like it comes straight from a childhood dream. In the middle of the Pyrenees, Lanuza sat uninhabited for decades until intrepid Spaniards decided to resettle the town. Located at the edge of a reservoir with fairytale stone buildings, it’s a quiet, secluded destination perfect for avoiding the crowds.
9. A pirate’s hideout – Masca, Tenerife
High in the mountains of Tenerife, is the village of Masca, the once-popular refuge for pirates. Today, it’s tamed a bit and serves as a starting point for hikers of the island’s volcanic landscape. If hiking isn’t your thing, consider a rental car for a no-stress visit.
10. Garrotxa Volcano Natural Park – Gorg del Molí dels Murris, Catalonia
Just a two-hour drive north of Barcelona, you’re met with lush greenery and blue water. Here in the middle of the Garrotxa Volcano Natural Park, you can spend the day hiking through craters then recharge in a crystal-blue pool, free from tourists snapping selfies.
So, take the path less traveled. Explore the unknown. Find those hidden spots that make traveling something sorta magical. And to be sure you’re planning your best trip, we got you.
