It’s true: Spain is a country every type of traveler can enjoy. And amid growing concerns of overtourism in Spain’s most-visited spots, now is a great time to look beyond the crowds of Madrid. I’ve experienced firsthand the beauty of going off the tourist trail, living for nine months in the wine region La Rioja.
Throughout the country, you will come across people from other areas who speak their own language, such as the Basques and the Catalonians, plus landscapes with centuries-old palaces, mountain peaks, and even spring valleys full of cherry blossoms.
So, yes, absolutely dig into that platter of paella in Valencia to experience Spanish culture. But think about visiting these lesser-known places, too. Because while many of the best places to visit in Spain are well-loved, some offer a side to the country that may surprise you.
Picos de Europa is one of Spain’s 16 national parks.
Photo by Florian Augustin/Shutterstock
1. Picos de Europa National Park
Asturias, Cantabria, Castile, and León
While lounge-worthy stretches of beach characterize Spain’s south, Picos de Europa National Park is a prime example of the green, dramatic landscapes that dominate the north. The 250-square-mile national park was the first park established by the Spanish government (in 1918) and includes alpine peaks, meadows, and lakes that feel similar to landscapes of the Pacific Northwest. Explore the jagged edges of the Cantabrian Mountains along the 7.5-mile long Ruta del Cares, or look for local wildlife like roe deer and Egyptian vultures.
Where to stay: Parador de Fuente Dé
- Book now: paradores.es/en/parador-de-fuente-de
For nearly a century, the Spanish government has turned the likes of neglected fortresses and palaces into boutique hotels. You’ll find these 100 or so paradores throughout the country. Parador de Fuente Dé is at the base of the mountains of Picos de Europa National Park. Book a room with mountain views beyond the balcony, and indulge in traditional Cantabrian cuisine at its on-site restaurant.
In the springtime, Valle del Jerte hosts festivities to celebrate cherry blossoms.
Photo by jessicahyde/Shutterstock
2. Valle del Jerte
Extremadura
Looking for a cherry blossom alternative to the crowds in Japan and Washington, D.C.? Head to Extremadura, the Spanish region that borders Portugal, between March and April (timing the cherry blossoming is a bit of a guessing game). During the season, Valle del Jerte bursts into a sea of white as 2 million cherry trees bloom. Flower enthusiasts can tour the 144-square-mile area by taking a road trip down Spain’s N-110 road, which winds through the Cáceres province and crisscrosses the region’s 11 pueblos (small villages). Come at the right time and you may be able to catch the flower festival when the villages celebrate the season with markets and exhibitions.
Where to stay: Glamping El Regajo Valle del Jerte
- Book now: glampingelregajo.com
Get the full-on glamping experience at Glamping El Regajo, a site on a private cherry farm. Each of its three huts includes fantastic views of the valley; there’s also a Jacuzzi and terrace.
Head to La Concha beach for a scenic walk on your trip to San Sebastián.
Photo by Bear Fotos/Shutterstock
3. San Sebastián
Basque Country
The origins of the Basque people are up for debate, but the ethnic group—spread throughout southern France and Spain’s eponymous autonomous community—has developed a culture unlike the rest of the country’s. San Sebastián is one of the cities found in Basque Country, where Euskara is spoken on the streets: Forgo the hola and greet people with kaixo. The city’s steep cliff sides resemble those in Ireland or Scotland. Indulge in small plates, known as pintxos, of prepared cod and local bounty, but make reservations too, because the food scene here is top notch: There are 12 Michelin-starred restaurants throughout San Sebastián and the surrounding area.
Where to stay: Hotel de Londres y de Inglaterra
- Book now: hlondres.com
A mere minute walk from La Concha Beach, Hotel de Londres y de Inglaterra has more than 150 years of history; it was built in 1865 and has lived as a casino, hospital, and even a palace. The 166 rooms evoke luxury from the Belle Époque era, with elements like decorative wall molding and art nouveau patterns adorning fabrics.
In a 2018 survey from the national El País newspaper, Spaniards voted Cudillero the second-most-beautiful village in Spain.
Photo by Alfonso de Tomas/Shutterstock
4. Cudillero
Asturias
Many of Spain’s big cities attract tourists from around the world, which means that its beautiful small villages can be overlooked. Cudillero is one of the nearly 20,000 pueblos found throughout Spain, and a lovely one at that. Located by the Bay of Biscay, this fishing village of around 5,000 people is a masterclass of slow living by the sea. Colorful, orange-roofed houses dot the hillsides, which are also vantage points for panoramas of both town and ocean.
Where to stay: Hotel Casa Prendes
- Book now: hotelcasaprendes.com/hotel
Hotel Casa Prendes is conveniently located in the center of town and less than a five-minute walk from the Mirador de la Garita viewpoint that overlooks the port. The rooms showcase the integrity of the old structure, from the exposed stone walls to the wood floors.
The Rioja wine region is mostly known for its red wine.
Photo by Victor7891/Shutterstock
5. Rioja wine region
La Rioja, Basque Country, and Navarre
Spread across three different autonomous communities, the Rioja wine region is known for its tempranillo grapes, which produce the tannic, full-bodied red wines of the same name. The region’s ideal grape-growing conditions are thanks to the Ebro River, which snakes its way through the area’s rolling hills. Admire the scenery with a glass in hand, and learn about winemaking at a winery, known locally as a bodega. Some of the most attractive, including López de Heredia, are in pueblos like Laguardia and Haro; the latter hosts an annual wine festival in the summer.
Where to stay: Hotel Viura
- Book now: hotelviura.com
On first glance, Hotel Viura seems more like sculpture than accommodation. Its avant-garde building comprises overlapping, stacked cubes that house 35 rooms. The design merges elements like concrete, wood, and large windows to create an airy, contemporary feel. Hotel Viura’s location will also delight oenophiles: It’s surrounded by more than 40 wineries.
Bardenas Reales’s abstract landscape is the result of centuries of erosion to the soil’s clay, chalk, and sandstone.
Photo by Noradoa/Shutterstock
6. Bardenas Reales
Navarre
If you’re big on set-jetting, Spain’s landscapes have been the background to plenty of movies and television shows. Game of Thrones fans may recognize the badlands of Bardenas Reales in Navarre, about a four-hour drive northeast of Madrid. The 100,000-acre area was where Daenerys Targaryen was held captive during GOT’s sixth season (and called the Dothraki Sea on the show). Explore the Mars-like plateaus and desert—which turn green in the springtime—on foot, bike, or car. There are nine routes along farming tracks in the park for mountain bikers to enjoy.
Where to stay: Hotel Aire de Bardenas
- Book now: airebardenas.com
Hotel Aire de Bardenas has a prime location at the entrance of Bardenas Reales Natural Park. The accommodation spreads out in a single-story design and is a treat for outdoors-y types. The giant windows are the most eye-catching feature of the otherwise minimalist cubic room structures, emphasizing the desert landscape beyond.
7. Costa Brava
Catalonia
While Barcelona residents have made tourists second-guess a visit to Catalonia’s capital, take the opportunity to escape the crowds and head to Costa Brava. This coastal region in northeastern Spain includes small towns like the fortified Tossa de Mar and Calella de Palafrugell, a former fishing village with crystalline waters for swimming. The best way to explore this region is by taking a 143-mile road trip—it’s one of the best on the continent.
Where to stay: Hotel Sant Roc
- Book now: santroc.com
This year, 2025, marks the 70th anniversary of this Calella de Palafrugell–based hotel, which overlooks the bay. Brightly colored room accents and beach-themed murals highlight the atmosphere of a fishing village, and a five-minute walk from the property takes you to the area’s tranquil shores.
This article was originally published in January 2024 and was updated on January 30, 2025.
