Updated May 2025
As temperature peaks and the freedom of summer stirs the breeze, it’s time to board a new flight of fancy—destination España, but we’re not taking you to the scenes and sights everyone claims to know so well.
This summer, let us steer you beyond the traffic lights and tourist crowds toward the soft glow of rural charm, where untouched villages await to become part of your travel story. Walk through forgotten hamlets, let winding roads lead you to centuries-old monuments, and slow down in bucolic corners that feel magical.
Prepare for an idyllic vacation sparked by Spain’s undiscovered gems.
Spain under the radar
There are more than a hundred beautiful villages in Spain that will allow you to take deep breaths of fresh air while simultaneously taking your breath away with their rare beauty.
Cíes Island
This summer, follow the call of the Galician Caribbean or Cíes Island, part of the Atlantic Islands of Galicia National Park (Parque Nacional Marítimo-Terrestre das Illas Atlánticas de Galicia).
Let the murmur of the waves and the soft sea breeze guide you to the island’s lighthouse, perched like a giant telescope overlooking the Ría de Vigo estuary. On the way up, pause at Pedra da Campá for a glimpse of Galicia’s wild, untamed coastline.
Spend time at the bird observatory, where yellow-legged gulls and cormorants nest in peace. From this elevated perch, take in the stillness of Rodas Beach and the lake it embraces—one of Europe’s most untouched beachscapes.
Asturias
In Asturias, let lush greenery ground you as soft daylight and mountain breeze guide your steps down roads less traveled—like the Real Sitio de Covadonga in Cangas de Onís.
Hidden among the peaks lie the Lakes of Covadonga, where still waters mirror the surrounding majestic scenery. Make a wish by the lake, rest among wildflower-dotted meadows beside grazing mountain cows, and take in the spiritual calm of the Covadonga Shrine and its Holy Cave, nestled in the mountainside.
Castilla y León
If the walls of Castilla y León could speak, every corner would whisper its rich history.
In Arévalo, one of the finest showcases of Mudéjar architecture, stroll the streets and sun-drenched squares lined with medieval churches and palatial houses that have stood the test of time.
Then, step into another world at the Royal Palace of La Granja de San Ildefonso, near Segovia, a UNESCO World Heritage site echoing the splendor of Versailles. The palace is also adorned with marble courtyards and gardens with fountains for pleasant walks.
For a breath of tranquility, retreat into the Monte de Valsaín, deep in the Sierra de Guadarrama National Park. Follow pine-scented trails to the majestic El Escorial Monastery, a gleaming symbol of Spain’s Golden Age.
Basque Country
Cradled between the sand and the sea, the Basque Country, or Euskal Herria, is a treasure trove for those seeking hidden marvels.
Stroll around the Ibai Eder Reservoir, where wooden benches invite deep contemplation beside the calm waters of the lake and the Itaun fountain by the bridge.
For panoramic views, head to the Armañón Natural Park Interpretation Centre. From here, winding trails lead past the caves of Pozalagua and Torca del Carlista, where the valley of Karrantza stretches out in grandeur.
If the mist and stillness make you feel as though you’ve stepped inside a portal to an ancient folklore, chances are you’ve reached Urdaibai—part of UNESCO’s World Network of Biosphere Reserves. Drift through its mist-veiled wetlands to San Juan de Gaztelugatxe, a rocky islet where centuries of seafaring legends still echo.
La Puebla de Montalbán
Let the charm of La Puebla de Montalbán draw you in, where time pauses in sunlit plazas and whispers through ancient rocks.
Amidst the quiet squares, the Church and Convent of San Francisco stands partially in ruins, its remnants standing beneath the Towers of San Miguel, still resplendent in their Baroque-Renaissance elegance.
Inside Nuestra Señora de la Soledad, frescoes are painted across the choir, dome, and main chapel—each brushstroke inspiring you to create art when you are back home.
Before leaving town, visit the eleven-arched Montalbán Bridge spanning the River Tagus, where nature and the human brilliance of the 15th century unite in timeless harmony.
Frigiliana
In the heart of Andalusia, Frigiliana welcomes you with sunlit cobblestone streets and whitewashed houses that shimmer in the summer light, perfect for strolling in your most colorful outfit as sunlight warms your soul.
With roots tracing back to the Roman era, this serene village offers the most stunning views of the Costa del Sol—a peaceful contrast to the region’s lively beach towns.
Frigiliana also serves as a gateway to the Sierras de Tejeda, Almijara y Alhama Natural Park, where a network of trails reveals both natural beauty and Andalusian heritage.
Setenil de las Bodegas
Nestled in the cliffs of Cádiz, Setenil de las Bodegas offers a stunning glimpse of balance between nature and architecture. Here, cafés and houses are quite literally embedded in the canyon of the Guadalporcún River.
Wander through Cuevas del Sol and Cuevas de la Sombra, where sunlight and shadow play across quintessential streets and canyon roofs, creating the perfect balance of warmth and cool.
For a glimpse of Arab architecture from the Almohad period, make your way to the remains of the Setenil de las Bodegas Castle—the Torreón and the cistern that was once described by the poets as something “only eagles could carry in their claws”.
Toledo
Before venturing down lesser-known roads, begin in the historic heart of Toledo—a city where Gothic grandeur and ancient wonders intertwine.
Step inside the Alcázar, its baroque interiors offering a glimpse of Spain’s imperial might. You can also visit the Monastery of San Juan de los Reyes, where soaring arches and delicate stonework reveal Gothic elegance at its peak.
Then descend into Subterranean Toledo, where the present city rests atop layers of history. Marvel at the stone walls of the Cave of Hercules, explore hidden dungeons and long-forgotten Roman thermal springs, and walk through the shadowed remnants of Baños del Ángel and the Arab Baths, each steeped in Roman, Arabic, and Judaic heritage.
For one final step into the past, visit the Circo Romano de Toledo in Vega Baja. Built in the 1st century during the reign of Emperor Augustus, this former Roman Empire circus now offers a tranquil escape among sun-dappled ruins
Alcalá del Júcar
Perched on a hill by the banks of the Júcar River, Alcalá del Júcar can be a soulful escape for those craving a slower rhythm of life.
Spend your day on trails scented with wild thyme, rosemary, and lavender, with sweeping views of the surrounding cliffs and valleys. At night, the town’s soft glow becomes a perfect backdrop for night photography—its twinkling lights like scattered stars across the rockface.
Climb the winding road lined with cave houses, each curve revealing peaceful glimpses of the town below. At the summit, the castle ruins crown the hilltop, where the sky feels within reach.
Tossa de Mar
Tossa de Mar is a blue paradise on the Costa Brava with cliffs, coves, pinewoods, and medieval castles. At its heart, the Tossa Lighthouse watches over the town like a quiet sentinel.
Take a walk through green parks like Terrassans or Sa Riera, perfect for a delightful picnic beneath Mediterranean oaks, pines, and hackberry trees.
If you’re feeling adventurous, follow the sea-facing coastal paths of Cala Pola or Es Codolar, where each bend opens to vistas that feel surreal.
At Mar Menuda Beach, translucent waters shimmer with color, while nearby, winding lanes lead to the timeless towers of Codolar, Hores, and Joanàs—each with a tale of their own.
Hidden gems as uncovered by UN Tourism
Since 2021, the United Nations World Tourism Organization has spotlighted Spanish villages where tourism supports cultural preservation, community growth, and biodiversity. Among them are some truly unforgettable escapes.
Alquézar
In the Huesca province of Aragón, Alquézar is a seamless fusion of nature, art, and time.
Wander through the Vero River Cultural Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, where prehistoric cave art spans centuries. Olive-lined walkways trace the cliffs and lead to the ravines of the River Vero—a place that feels both ancient and eternal.
Rupit
Tucked in the folds of Catalonia, just a day trip from Barcelona, Rupit is a village of rustic stone houses with carved windows, wooden balconies, engraved shields, cobbled streets and serene plazas—like a naturalist painting come to life.
Step inside the 18th-century Church of Santa Magdalena or be inspired by the 11th-century Romanesque Church of Sant Joan de Fàbregues, where Baroque and Neoclassical styles merge.
For a different perspective, cross the Suspension Bridge over the River Rupit for a unique vantage point of the Medieval village. Later, enjoy a peaceful picnic along the path to Sant Joan de Fàbregues.
Guadalupe
In Cáceres province, Guadalupe is a gateway to centuries of history and sacred architecture.
Meander along cobblestone streets, letting the curves and corners lead you to the majestic Royal Monastery of Santa María de Guadalupe—a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a striking blend of Gothic, Mudéjar, and Renaissance designs.
Step through bronze doors and admire the twin clusters—one Gothic and the other Mudejar, before being hypnotized by the monastery’s eleven Zurbarán paintings, each a masterpiece of Spanish sacred art.
