6 Beautiful Towns in Spain Everyone Should Visit
Spain is famous all around the world for its beaches and cosmopolitan cities. However, this gorgeous country also offers something else: fantastic small towns. They are the perfect blend of nature and architecture, and a great way to escape the crowds.
Most of these charming towns are off the beaten path. That means there are far more locals than tourists, so you’ll get to experience Spanish culture first-hand.
As always, we wholeheartedly suggest spending at least a night or two in each town. During the day, there are day-trippers, and things can get a bit crowded. At night, you’ll have these places to yourself, and you may never want to leave!
AlbarracÃn
Aragon
AlbarracÃn is in southern Aragon, close to the national road connecting Valencia and Zaragoza. We discovered it several years ago during a 10-day trip around Aragon, and immediately fell in love!
AlbarracÃn used to be the most important city in the region. At one point, it was the capital of a Berber taifa kingdom and later an independent Christian lordship. Today it’s a quiet town where time seems to have stopped.
The town sits on top of a rocky hill, surrounded by a river. Its old town features pastel-colored houses, an imposing Alcázar, and impressive city walls. There are even four interesting museums, so you’ll need at least a couple of days to explore it.
In AlbarracÃn, we recommend the Hotel Arabia. This historic hotel was originally a 16th-century convent, but today it offers all the amenities of a first-class stay. Ask for a room on the top floor for the best views.
Besalú
Catalonia
Besalú is in northern Catalonia, just a step away from France. We visited it as a day trip from Girona. It was late summer, and the town was quite crowded.
Like all towns on this list, Besalú’s importance diminished over time. In the Middle Ages, however, it was an important city and county capital. Its count, Wilfred the Hairy, united Catalonia in the 9th century.
The town’s highlight is its stunning 12th-century bridge. The old town that grew around it still retains its medieval character. Another must-see is the 11th-century Monastery of Sant Pere.
In Besalú we stayed at the stunning Els Jardins de la Martana. This 150-year-old mansion has beautiful rooms, an outdoor hot tub, and breathtaking views of the bridge.
Valldemossa
Balearic Islands
We visited Valldemossa as part of a larger trip around Mallorca. Since we went in winter, instead of going to the beach we explored the UNESCO-listed Serra de Tramuntana mountains.
Valldemossa was once home to the summer residence of the King of Aragon. In the 14th century, he donated his residence to the Carthusian Order. Many famous artists spent time here, including Frédéric Chopin, George Sand, Rubén DarÃo, and Jorge Luis Borges.
Today, it’s a small town of stone houses surrounded by green hills. Its main highlight is the royal residence, known as the Charterhouse. Some of Spain’s best hiking trails also begin here.
In Valldemossa, we stayed at the cozy Ca’s Papà , a boutique hotel right next to the palace. We loved our spacious room with mountain views and the warm living room with a fireplace.
PeñÃscola
Valencian Community
PeñÃscola is located halfway between Valencia and Barcelona. With its long sandy beaches and location on the main rail line between the two cities, it’s a popular tourist destination. However, if you visit in winter, as we did, you’ll practically have it to yourself.
PeñÃscola is the most famous town on this list. Over the centuries, it has been home to Romans, Phoenicians, Greeks, and Carthaginians, and later belonged to the Knights Templar and the Crown of Aragon. For eight years, it was even the seat of the Avignon antipope.
The old town sits on a hill between two long beaches. It’s a labyrinth of narrow streets and whitewashed houses, with spectacular views at every turn. Its main highlight is the 14th-century castle built by the Knights Templar.
We spent two nights at the lovely Hotel Barra Alta, located right at the entrance to the old town. It was the perfect base to explore PeñÃscola. Our room was spacious and comfortable, with a balcony offering a nice view.
Arcos de la Frontera
Andalusia
Arcos de la Frontera lies in southern Andalusia, between Cádiz and Seville. It’s one of the most prominent stops on the iconic ‘White Towns of Andalusia’ route. We visited in December as a day trip from Cádiz.
Arcos was an important town during the Moorish era, under different dynasties. After the Spanish kings took control, the town often sat at the frontier, hence its name, La Frontera.
Of all the towns on this list, Arcos has the most dramatic landscape. Its whitewashed old town is perched high on a cliff, overlooking the Andalusian plains. Highlights include two beautiful churches and the castle.
We didn’t spend the night in Arcos, which was probably one of our biggest travel mistakes. The Parador de Arcos is a historic 15th-century building with spectacular views. All of its rooms come with vistas, some even with balconies.
Tembleque
Castille – La Mancha
We discovered Tembleque while looking for a stopover on our road trip from Madrid to Granada. The town lies in the heart of the Castile-La Mancha plains, right next to the national road.
Compared to the other towns on our list, Tembleque was never particularly important. Still, it was mentioned in Noah Gordon’s 1999 novel ‘The Last Jew’, and today it’s part of the famous Don Quixote Route.
What sets this town apart is its monumental late 16th-century Plaza Mayor. It’s one of the most notable examples of arcaded squares in Castile. There are also a couple of charming churches, a palace, and two windmills just outside town.
There are only two hotels in Tembleque. We stayed at the charming Hotel A Posada. Our room was spacious and comfortable, and the hosts were warm and welcoming.
