10 Hidden Gems In Spain Worth Visiting

Unique places for your next vacation in Spain. Please keep it secret!

After four years of living in Spain, I discovered many places that no one talks about.

I know, most North Americans and visitors from all around the world flock to Spain to see its well-known locations, such as Madrid and Barcelona. They are indeed incredible cities, but that just represents a fraction of Spain’s overall beauty.

There are a lot more incredible locations here than the most well-known ones. So, if you are looking for a change from the usual spots and want to discover hidden gems in Spain, keep on reading.

Galera

The home of the first settlers in Europe. It’s only an example of the stunning places in Spain. These people are known today as the Argaric people and their culture is called the Argar culture. About 1900 BC, the Argaric people built a fortified settlement near Galera in Granada province.

You may visit the archeological sites, and notice that their burial rituals differ from those of previous civilizations. The tholos tomb was replaced by individual burials in cysts, which were frequently placed beneath the occupied homes.

Another strange occurrence is that the entire village is constructed inside cave systems. You won’t believe how modern caves they have. While I was there, I still felt like it transported me to another era.

La Islas Cies

A set of islands off the coast of Spain near the town of Vilanova de Arousa, in Galicia. The two main islands are “Isla Grande” and “Isla Chica”.

You can get here by ferry from the town of Vilanova de Arousa, which is about 50 minutes’ drive from Santiago de Compostela. Over 500,000 people visit every year.

These mini islands are nominated as the most beautiful beaches in Europe by Guardian.

I haven’t visited this place yet, but planning it this year.

But my friend visits there every year and says it’s the Caribbean feeling she gets. The sand is soft and white and the sea is turquoise blue. What else do you need?

Here is a blog about the unbelievably beautiful beaches, you can find there.

Psst!

Take photographs and send them. I’m sure they’ll assume you’re in the Bahamas instead of Spain.

Cabo de Gata

Do you know where Indiana Jones was filmed? Right here. A beautiful cape is in Almería, Spain. The cliffs are sheer and the coast rises to about 87 meters at its highest point. It is the only desert in Europe.

Cabo de Gata Natural Park is a nature reserve in Almeria. It features cliffs, beaches, and excellent hiking trails. The best months for visiting this place are from October to May.

The area is a heaven for birdwatchers, as the location features many species in their natural habitat.

The cape is now a protected natural park because of its ecological importance. There are four important lagoons here, one of them being an ornithological reserve that is home to many birds, including the Bonelli’s eagle and the Flamenco.

Cabo de Gato is one of the most beautiful spots in Spain to camp, as it provides all facilities- showers, toilets, electricity. There are also a few restaurants with excellent seafood specialties.

Taberna

This is the real Hollywood where the movies are made. From Game of Thrones to Indiana Jones. This province in southeastern Spain (close to Almeria) is one of the most beautiful areas in the world, and it has excellent attractions for tourism. You can visit the movie sets, or play a role in the western set. Your choice.

Taberna is a tiny village where you can taste delicious fish dishes. Sometimes there are local festivities like parties or fishing competitions. Taberna has beautiful beaches 45 minutes away with fine sand surrounded by cliffs.

Peratallada

My favorite place of all time is Peratallada. Again, you will be transported back in time. This is a medieval village in the middle of Catalonia, surrounded by pine forest and very close to Llafranc. The architecture of the houses here is impressive because they are made without mortar with stones interlocked perfectly.

You can see these beautiful figures on the roofs of the houses here. The name of this place is “the place where you can touch the history.”

The houses were built using a technique called “encofrado” which means bricklaying. This village was abandoned for 120 years after residents left to find work in Barcelona and France, but it has been recently restored. Despite this, the village has only 155 people now, an 80% increase since 1975.

Los Picos de Europa

This spectacular place is not talked about enough. It’s in the North of Spain, in Cantabria and Asturias. Its coast is dotted with beaches and its land is full of trees. The landscapes range from lakes and mountains to rivers and grasslands. There are also various species of animals such as deer, wild boar, or roe deer. These lands were declared a National Park in 1918 when it was established: Monte San Lorenzo was the core zone.

Pradollano

The only ski resort in Southern Spain with the highest peak Mulhacen (3478m). Sierra Nevada ski resort in Spain is one of the most visited in Europe. The ski season begins around November and lasts until April.

The resort is very close to Granada, about a 45-minute drive from the city center near my village Guejar Sierra. It has 2 gondola cable cars and 17 chair lifts, plus 8 areas of downhill ski slopes with different difficulty levels. Most of the snow is manufactured artificially because the temperatures are higher than they should be for a decent snowfall.

However, my ski instructor once told me that if I learned how to ski here, I could ski in any country. Not only that, but it is also less expensive than the ski resorts in the Alps.

Las Alpujarras

In the heart of Andalusia, lay these beautiful terracing mountains called the Alpujarras. Made of three villages: Capileira, Pampaneira and Bubión.

This place is a veritable paradise for lovers of nature and hiking. You can take great photos from the refuge hut that is only open in summer-autumn. You will find green forests, endless views from ancient trails, beautiful villages with narrow streets and stone houses and local cuisine. This place is called the “Switzerland of Andalusia.”

Frigiliana

My favorite holiday destination is a small town in the South called Frigiliana. It’s a bit off the beaten track so it doesn’t get many tourists, but this has allowed for its charm to remain intact.

The town itself is built on top of cliffs overlooking the Mediterranean Sea. I love how fresh the air is here and overall it’s a very romantic place.

This village is near Nerja, a beautiful cave town.

One of the best parts about Frigiliana is its food — it’s very local and authentic, but also delicious. You can get the famous sugar cane syrup right from the factory, or one of the best beers made in Spain.

Cádiz

I opted for Cádiz because their beaches are the most beautiful in the world, according to National Geographic. There are 10 of them and the list is here.

Their cuisine is also great. There’s nothing like eating fish caught that same day at one of the many seaside restaurants overlooking the ocean after spending all day on the beach.

This place may not be as popular as Barcelona or Madrid, but it’s just as beautiful in its way.

I hope you enjoy all these hidden gems and next time when you plan your vacation; you know where to go.