Spain off the beaten path: 20 hidden gems in Spain to discover

Here, the culture and landscapes are as delicious and varied as the dishes served across the country’s seventeen regions. While most travelers 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. 

One of the greatest pleasures about living in Portugal has been popping over the border to discover more of my Iberian neighbor. 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 favorite Spanish destinations I’ve been lucky enough to visit over the last few years. 

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. 

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. 

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. 

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. 

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. 

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. 

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. 

Combine this with the unique accommodations options at affordable prices, such as staying in castles, vineyards, or even windmills in orchards, and you have a region of Spain that deserves far more attention. 

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.

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.

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. 

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. 

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. 

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.

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. 

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. 

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. 

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.

Beyond stuffing your face, the Rioja Museum, ancient church and impressive Cathedral will fill your time between the lunch and evening Pincho crawls!

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 Roman Amphitheatre, now bizarrely sandwiched in between graffiti stained walls and tapas restaurants, is, of course, the star of the city. However, the vast collection of museums and Roman ruins that can be visited, fantastic gastronomy and wine scene, and the almost criminally low prices when compared to, say, Barcelona, make this a city I just feel into the rhythm of.

Make time to visit the National Museum of Underwater Archaeology, where you can admire shipwrecked artefacts. Step inside the now roofless ruins of the Old Cathedral of Cartagena, and explore any of the countless historical museums and sights dotted around the city. 

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.

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. 

La Lonja de la Seda, the silk exchange of Valencia, is a fascinating and intricately designed building, so much so it has been listed with UNESCO status. Here, you can learn about the history of silk trading and later production in the third-largest city in Spain.

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. 

Head towards Las Arenas, and here you’ll find the Cueva del Queso de Cabrales museum. You’ll be walked through the production method and taken inside the caves for a tasting of this award-winning blue cheese, still produced by rural farmers until this day. Not only is the setting a nature-lovers dream, here it is all about slow travel, regional produce, and great hiking trails and is best included as part of a trip to the Picos de Europa mountain range. 

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.

Of course, you wouldn’t be doing Laguardia justice if you didn’t indulge in a bit of wine tasting. To do this, you’ll get the chance to see some of those underground tunnels up close, where wine is still produced and stored. Head into Bodega El Fabulista to learn about the traditional methods and for a tasting of their fabulous wines. Then, enjoy a fantastic lunch set amongst a vineyard just out of the walls, at Villa Lucía Espacio Gastronómico.

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?

In the city itself, admire the impressive Plaza de María Pita or dip into the fascinating Domus Museum, focused on the human body. Later, head out to the coast for rugged, windswept trails and the oldest lighthouse known, the Tower of Hercules.

Distinctively Catalan, the second city of the Autonomous Region, sprawls out from the old town, where colourful houses and bridges cross the Güell River. Allow yourself to get lost in the labyrinth of streets in the Jewish Quarter, one of the best-preserved in Europe. Indulge your Game of Thrones superfan status at the Arab Baths or the stairs of Girona Cathedral, and be sure to walk the city walls for some of the best views on offer. 

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.

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. 

The nearby National Museum of Roman Art hosts a vast collection of mosaics and artefacts. At the same time, aqueducts, the impressive Temple of Diana, and various other architectural gems around the city will transport you back in time. 

Uncarbonated, the taste is different from your mainstream ciders. The serve – expertly poured by an escanciador – is delivered from up high, so once it hits the glass, air bubbles have made it into the drink, ready for immediate consumption.

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.

Credit: Spain off the beaten path: 20 hidden gems in Spain to discover (danflyingsolo.com)