From secret seaside escapes to inland foodie havens—here’s where the locals go and the tourists haven’t caught up (yet).
Spain’s major cities get all the love. Barcelona’s got the buzz. Madrid’s got the museums. Seville’s got the soul. But if you’re craving places where you can actually breathe (without elbowing through selfie sticks) and still get a full dose of history, food, and charm? Welcome to Spain’s lesser-known gems.
Because here’s the thing: Spain is way more than its blockbuster cities. Behind the flamenco curtain and the crowded Alhambra entrances are towns where the tortilla is still made fresh daily, where your bartender might also be your host, and where you’ll probably be invited to a local fiesta within hours of arriving. These are places that don’t appear on glossy magazine covers, but they’re where Spain shows its real face—weathered, warm, a little wild, and always welcoming.
We love slow travel in Spain. We love discovering a corner café where the abuela still makes the menu del día. And we really love the moment when you step into a place you’ve never heard of and think: “How is this not world-famous?” That’s the magic we’re chasing here.
From mountaintop hamlets to seaside villages where time drips as slowly as the local olive oil, we’ve found ten Spanish towns and small cities that are 100% worth the detour. They might not have bullet trains or TikTok fame (yet), but they have something better: authenticity, soul, and experiences you can’t Google.
In this CercaTravel blog, we’re going full-on local. We’ll tell you what to do, what to eat, and the can’t-miss moments that will stick with you long after you’ve gone home.
Ready to find the Spain you didn’t know you were missing? Let’s go.
1. Cazalla de la Sierra (Andalusia)
What to Do
In Spain Cazalla known as the rugged cousin of Seville, nestled in the Sierra Norte Natural Park. Here, it’s all about hiking pine-scented trails, visiting centuries-old hermitages hidden in the hills, and hearing zero honking horns for once.
What to Eat
Start with local venison stew if you’re feeling wild (literally), and finish it off with a glass of anisette—a sweet liqueur made right in town.
Experience to Have
End your hike with tapas at a rural bodega while locals play flamenco next to a roaring fireplace. The vibe? Pure unfiltered Andalusia.
2. Albarracín (Aragón)
What to Do
Winding pink-hued alleyways. Castles perched on cliff edges. Albarracín is the kind of place that looks like it got caught in a time warp—in the best way. Walk the fortress walls and pretend you’re in an old-school epic.
What to Eat
Try the local trucha (trout), cooked up with garlic and olive oil, and don’t miss out on Teruel ham, which rivals anything from the south.
Experience to Have
Come for the medieval town, stay for the stars. Albarracín has some of the darkest skies in Spain—perfect for stargazing and finding your chill.
3. Comillas (Cantabria)
What to Do
Gaudí lovers, listen up: before he got weird with La Sagrada Familia, he built El Capricho in Comillas—and it’s delightfully eccentric. Add in dramatic northern beaches and you’ve got yourself a solid mix of architecture and wild coast.
What to Eat
Cocido Montañés (hearty mountain stew), anchovies from nearby Santoña, and a cider to wash it all down. Because northern Spain doesn’t mess around with its food.
Experience to Have
Catch the sunset from the cliffs after a surf session, then head to a local cider bar where the only English you’ll hear is your own.
4. Osuna (Andalusia)
What to Do
Yes, this little town was a Game of Thrones filming location, but that’s honestly the least interesting thing about it. Roman ruins? Check. Baroque churches? Also check. Killer afternoon light? Bring your camera.
What to Eat
Order a flamenquín (a giant ham-and-cheese-stuffed pork roll) and balance it out with something sweet—tortas de aceite or yemas de Osuna if you want to go hyper local.
Experience to Have
Wander into a spontaneous religious procession in a narrow alley while the bells ring above you. It’s weirdly cinematic.
5. Valverde de los Arroyos (Castile-La Mancha)
What to Do
This tiny black-slate village (yes, the houses are all black stone) is your gateway to the Chorrera de Despeñalagua waterfall and some of the best hiking around Madrid. It’s like the Basque Country came for a sleepover.
What to Eat
Wild mushrooms in autumn, roast lamb in winter, and local honey year-round. This is the kind of town where food is still grown, not flown in.
Experience to Have
Join a village fiesta where it seems like everyone is related and by the end of the night, so are you.
6. Frías (Castile and León)
What to Do
Frías is what you’d get if you dropped a fairy tale on a cliffside. With hanging houses and a dramatic castle, this place is small but mighty.
What to Eat
Think simple: grilled meats, sheep cheese, and a bottle of red from the nearby Rioja region. Rustic and perfect.
Experience to Have
Book a night in a castle tower B&B. Wake up and realize you’re basically royalty now.
7. Olite (Navarra)
What to Do
The Olite Castle is a straight-up Disney dream, minus the crowds. Wander through its turrets and ramparts, then hit up the wine museum (yes, that’s a thing).
What to Eat
Navarran white asparagus, local reds, and cheese so good it should be illegal.
Experience to Have
Time your visit for the medieval fair when locals go all-in with costumes, music, and market stalls. It’s the 1300s with better hygiene.
8. Luarca (Asturias)
What to Do
Whitewashed fishing village? Check. Winding harbor walks? Check. Epic cliffs for hiking? Also check. This is Asturias in its purest form.
What to Eat
Caldereta de marisco (seafood stew), grilled octopus, and as much Asturian cider as your liver can politely handle.
Experience to Have
Sip cider while watching the boats come in, then stumble upon a bagpipe-led procession because, well, it’s Asturias.
9. Baeza (Andalusia)
What to Do
This Renaissance gem is overlooked in favor of nearby Übeda, but Baeza has just as many Instagrammable streets and fewer people blocking your shot.
What to Eat
Everything is cooked with glorious local olive oil. Don’t miss ochíos—sweet rolls with a hint of anise.
Experience to Have
Book a night walking tour led by lantern light and local legends. Spooky? Maybe. Memorable? Absolutely.
10. Morella (Valencia)
What to Do
Walled cities don’t get much more epic than Morella. Wander its cobbled streets, duck into artisan cheese shops, and soak in the views.
What to Eat
Truffled cheeses, cured meats, and flaons—little pastries filled with sweetened cheese and almonds. Don’t ask, just eat.
Experience to Have
Visit during the Sexenni Festival (held every six years) when the town transforms into a full-on cultural wonderland. Drums, dancers, and color explosions.
So, there you have it—ten towns and cities across Spain that most travelers miss entirely, but that just might end up being your favorite stops of the whole trip. They’re not loud about it. There are no massive ad campaigns or shiny tourism boards pushing them to the top of your feed. But they’ve got everything that makes Spain unforgettable: rich history, incredible food, warm people, and a pace of life that invites you to actually slow down and soak it all in.
Traveling to these off-the-radar places isn’t just about getting away from the crowds (though that’s a massive perk). It’s about tapping into a more authentic rhythm. Meeting locals who have the time to chat. Eating meals that are made with love, not efficiency. Stumbling into moments—like an unplanned fiesta or an old man telling you the story of his village—that you couldn’t have planned even if you tried.
At Cerca, we believe that the best travel happens when you go beyond the obvious. These destinations give you that opportunity. They’re full of surprises, stories, and soul. So the next time you’re planning a trip to Spain, skip just hopping between the usual suspects and add in one or two of these gems.
Trust us—your tastebuds, your travel journal, and your spirit of adventure will thank you.
And when you do go, let us know what you discover. We’ll be over here, trippin’ through tapas towns and chasing that next perfect plaza.
Hasta pronto.
Final Spain Tips from the Cerca Crew:
- Most of these places are best reached by car or slow train. Pack snacks. Embrace the detour.
- Shoulder seasons (spring and fall) are your best friend.
- Stay in a family-run guesthouse. If you’re lucky, you’ll get stories with your breakfast.
