The capital of the Rioja wine region, the atmosphere of Logroño is sure to captivate you under its charm – especially after your first pincho crawl.
One of my favourite places in the city is the Art Nouveau museum, Casa Lis, which houses an exciting array of Art Deco work. Still, the main draw is undoubtedly the magical stained glass windows and ceiling, which are sublime.
Plasencia, for the grand Cathedral and natural wonders
Here, the culture and landscapes are as delicious and varied as the dishes served across the country’s seventeen regions. While most travellers make a beeline to Barcelona, pack their party outfits for Ibizia, or settle in for some flamenco in Seville, there is a seemingly never-ending list of magical destinations to explore when you scratch below the surface.
Dishes are either passed through the window or enjoyed at cute little bars oozing with character – the only difference being the focus is on the food and atmosphere as much as the drinking. You’ll be in outstanding company, as this is a favourite past-time of the locals too – for the best bite in each place, simply ask what the signature dish is, as each establishment will have its own famed option.
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Plasencia Parador -
Plasencia Cathedral
Picos De Europa, for epic hikes
The amphitheatre still stands proud in excellent condition, and while you can tour it in the day if you have a chance to see a concert here during your visit, you simply must take it – especially in July and August when the Classical Theatre Festival takes place.
Be sure to hit up the market in the square, where stallholders will shower you in samplings of local cheeses and cured meats, perfect for crafting a picnic in the nearby mountains. Then, stroll through the ancient streets marvelling at how some of the old wooden framed houses are still standing.
The Hidden Gems of the Balearics
Your tastebuds will also be rewarded when you venture to Extremadura. Whether you are sipping the local Cherry beer, digging into the finest Jamon Iberico, or devouring the creamy Torta del Casar cheese coated in the local smoked paprika. Likewise, Plasencia is a great base to explore the surrounding wilderness of the Monfragüe National Park, a biosphere reserve of tranquil nature.
Beyond the famous apple brew, the city is a delightful place to spend a couple of days soaking up the laid back atmosphere of the medieval old town or as a base to explore the local countryside. The free Museo de Bellas Artes de Asturias is well worth a visit to admire, both for the collections and the buildings it occupies.
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Murcia wine cellar -
Monastrell
Murcia, for a magical wine route
Home to one of the oldest universities globally, Salamanca is a place that just feels good. The red calligraphy that decorates the buildings, the sandstone coloured architecture that rises from the narrow streets, the greenery and parks along the river – it’s somewhere I am desperate to go back to, as my weekend visit just didn’t seem long enough.
One of my favourite lesser-visited parts of Spain, both the region of Murcia and the capital city of the same name don’t draw in too many foreign visitors, which more than adds to their charm.
Cuenca, full of charming historical streets
The most famous sights, like the Grand Plaza Mayor, which truly comes alive after dark, and the two cathedrals, will have you taking far too many photos. The Casa de las Conchas, uniquely decorated with shell shapes, and the numerous churches around the city all add to the grandeur.
Ibiza, for example, long known for its hedonistic nightlife, is enjoying a moment in the spotlight. As islanders try to reimagine the destination as a year-round luxury offering, the island’s more untouched and nature-filled side is becoming more popular. High-end dining options and serene Ibiza villas are luring in a different type of traveller to the island more and more often. Whether you head to the quieter beach resorts of Santa Eulalia and Portinatx or to the peaceful interior, you’ll find a side of Ibiza a far cry from late-night parties.
Salamanca, a dreamy University city
However, I adored this place, and thanks to the medieval fortress of Vila Vella, which rises above the sandy bays on either side, it has something a little more special to it than the modern high-rises beach resorts that we often associate with the southern Spain coast.
One of the greatest pleasures about living in Portugal has been popping over the border to discover more of my Iberian neighbour. While for many Spaniards this list of Spanish hidden gems might seem rather obvious, for my fellow friends in the UK & USA, I hope you’ll find somewhere a little more off the beaten path in Europe from some of my favourite Spanish destinations I’ve been lucky enough to visit over the last few years.
San Sebastián’s underground food scene
Sadly, Girona became one of those budget airline airports as a gateway to Barcelona for many Brits, who rarely visited. But, in part thanks to Game of Thrones, the city is starting to become a popular weekend break of its own, and it’s easy to see why.
For me, Picos de Europa should be up there with the Dolomites when it comes to epic mountains and hiking locations in Europe.
Segovia, for an architectural feast
A visit to Segovia will reward you with a whole host of architectural gems, so be sure to pack the camera. The almost Disney-like Alcázar de Segovia, dating from the 12th-century, has been lovingly restored and used over the years as a fortress, castle and even a prison. Now, inside, you’ll find an interesting museum. However, for the best view, scramble up the hill across the other side of the road to the Mirador del Alcázar.
It’s fair to say that Valencia isn’t really a hidden gem of Spain, but on my last visit to this modern city, especially having just returned from the Silk Road in Uzbekistan, I was surprised to learn about the Silk Road history right here in Valencia.
Tossa de Mar, for a beach escape
While the nightclubs of Ibiza, or Magaluf, might be the first thing that comes to mind when considering the Balearic islands, between the four main islands, and many smaller ones, there are plenty of Spanish hidden gems to be found.
Extremadura is perhaps one of the most off the beaten path Spain destinations for Brits, and Merida, the region’s capital, is a genuine Roman gem.
Logroño, for a Pinchos bar crawl
The Costa Brava has long been a popular destination for visitors seeking sunshine, fun and a cold beer – so including somewhere from this stretch of coast on a list of Spain, hidden gems is a bit of a stretch.
Ringed by Moorish walls, the medieval city of Caceres, capital of the region with the same name, is postcard-perfect from every angle. Extremadura is such an underrated Spanish province, and I’m sure, like me, once you discover it, you’ll want to keep unearthing all its treasures.
A fantastic stand-alone city break, you are spoilt for choice in Valencia come rain or shine. The Ciudad de las Artes y las Ciencias, just outside the centre, hosts various museums and a cinema focused on the arts and science. The 13th-century Cathedral is fascinating in the old town thanks to the vast array of historical architectural styles, which gives it a unique look. Round all that sightseeing off with a mouth-watering paella, for it is here in Valencia that the dish was conceived.
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A Rioja Wine Cellar -
Wooden homes in Potes
Potes, for a medieval mountain escape
Other notable sights are the vast and impressive Roman aqueduct, the Cathedral, which towers above the rest of the city. The perfectly presented Royal Palace of La Granja of San Ildefonso sits just outside the city proper.
The addictive echo of feet stamping to a flamenco rhythm, those first rays of daylight breaking over jagged peaks, bar counters drowning in Pintxos, waves gently lapping against tranquil islands, and a plethora of architectural styles from centuries gone by – welcome to Spain, a nation full of world-famous monuments and countless hidden gems.
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Best AirBnB view ever -
The Roman Theatre of Catagena
Cartagena, a coastal city of history
Caceres, the Moorish walled city of towers
The Murcia wine route, which takes in the towns of Bullas, Jumilla, and Yecla, will see you enjoying the scrumptious local grape Monastrell. A mix of modern and funky, through to traditional and heritage vineyards and tasting rooms, awaits. Great tasting menus paired with wine are as low as €40, making this a relatively affordable wine region to sample.
Beyond stuffing your face, the Rioja Museum, ancient church and impressive Cathedral will fill your time between the lunch and evening Pincho crawls!
Valencia, and her Silk Road history
One of Cantabria’s most dreamy villages, Potes invites you to slow down and step back in time. Set against a backdrop of verdant mountains, with the soundtrack of the river running through, you get a real mix of nature and civilisation.
Likewise, even on the ever-popular island of Mallorca, there are pockets of calm to be found, whether it’s hiking in the Tramuntana mountains or taking a city-break in the capital of Palma, where refined cocktail bars and creative culinary restaurants off a totally different side of island life to the Magaluf strip.
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Home to the cheese museum -
Cheese inside the cave
Cabrales, and the hidden cheese caves
Compact and easy to explore on foot, Plasencia boasts some fantastic architectural attractions from its rich Roman and Arabic history. With a unique design from the 13th-century, the Old Cathedral is attached to the New Cathedral, where Gothic and Romanesque styles blend, just moments from the Episcopal Palace, a delight of Renaissance design. The Parador de Turismo, an old convent turned hotel, is a gorgeous building (the wooden decorated ceilings especially), and non-guests can visit to enjoy a drink in the courtyard.
These bite-sized skewers of food, often served on top of bread, are delicious mixes of meat, cheese, seafood and local flavours – all perfectly washed back with a glass of vino tinto. Head to Calle Laurel, pick a starting point and hop from one hole in the wall spot to another like your typical bar crawl.
Laguardia, one of Spain’s most beautiful villages
This seriously underrated hidden gem in Spain was my final trip of 2018, and what a place it was to discover. While most online discussion around this medieval city is on the Casa Colgados, the hanging houses which seem to dangle off the side of the rock, the whole old city is magical and deserving of its UNESCO world heritage status.
Here you’ll find some of the best-preserved Roman sights in the whole country and even the world. It’s well worth investing in the multi-attraction ticket so you can explore them all, and at least allow yourself an overnight stay, so you have two days to visit everything on offer.
Spanning across three different regions (Asturias, Cantabria and León) in the north of Spain, this natural playground is perfect for both epic multi-day hikes, Caminos, or simply village hoping to admire the views by car. While Torre de Cerrado, the highest peak of the range, only reaches the elevation of 2650 metres, even experienced mountain hikers can’t deny the beauty of this protected park.
A Coruna, for a seafood degustation
While you need to be invited by a member to enter one of these societies, some tour options, like I did, will get you privileged access to enjoy a home-cooked feast in these spaces.
Oviedo, the capital of the Asturias region, is also known as the capital of cider, or sidra in Spanish. This region is famous for its apple orchards. Although much of the production takes place outside of the city (well worth taking a trip out to one of the traditional pressing houses), you’ll find plenty of Chigre (cider houses in Asturias or Sidrerias in the rest of Spain) around the city to enjoy this delicious tipple.
Girona, Catalonia’s second city
An easy day trip from Madrid, although you may want to spend longer in Segovia, one of my most recent lesser-visited Spanish destinations.
Luckily, the relatively compact old town is straightforward to explore on foot; however, on arrival to the modern and slightly busy new town, you might be wondering if you have even arrived in the right place. Once surrounded by the historic buildings and narrow streets, though, you’ll instantly forget the modern world outside and understand why it has been declared a World Heritage City.
Merida, to step back to Roman times
You are spoilt with an array of architectural styles inside the old town. Roman, Moorish, Gothic blend together, from the famous towers dating back to the Islamic periods to the Roman artefacts on display and magnificent Cathedral. With barely any residents in the old town itself, a solitary walk at sunrise or late at night will have you feeling like you are the royalty of this historic land.
There are, in fact, around 150 Gastronomic societies (txoko in Basque) in San Sebastian. Due to the small houses and apartments in the city, these communal member-only cooking spaces flourished as a perfect place to host large family get togethers over a delicious feast. You could say gastronomy runs in the blood of the residents of San Sebastián, and these spaces are testament to that. Each member has their own key and 24/7 access. Different families will often be cooking simultaneously, sharing recipes and dishes over laughter.
Perched upon a rock and with a history that can be traced back around 1300-years, the colourful houses, castle ruins, and Cathedral packed with architecture spanning various time periods come together to provide another world like feel. Stepping into Cuenca is like stepping back in time. The surrounding nature of the karst mountains, coupled with the crystal blue river, provides an incredible adventure playground alongside your city break.
Pick a hike, breath in the fresh air, and soak up a completely different side of Spain. There are plenty of dreamy villages, with stone houses and epic vistas, such as Cosgaya, to make a day-hike base, while camping parks and Camino routes make for a great multi-day trip.
Oviedo, for cider and museums
This walled town, albeit with slightly less intact walls since the last war, really is one of those fairytale destinations. The five imposing entrance gates will bring you into a maze of tiny streets, now home to only a few thousand people. Due to the nearly 250 tunnels underneath these streets, vehicles are essentially banned to stop them from collapsing.
Famed for the daily fresh catch and passion for Seafood, your taste buds are guaranteed a treat in A Coruna. The Galician culture and language are on full show here too, and one of the greatest joys for me about travelling through Spain is learning the differences between the regions. Did you know, for example, the traditional instrument of here and northern Portugal is the gaita, a type of bagpipe?
Plasencia will always hold a special piece of my heart. I have very fond memories of this small historic walled city in the lesser-visited Extremadura region. Whether it was strolling along the Jerte river before lunch on La Isla or wandering through the Parque de los Pinos surrounded by curious peacocks, it’s a place that firmly put a smile on my face. It might not have millions of attractions, but it will undoubtedly feel like a place you could stop, recharge, and enjoy for a while.