12 Stunning Places in Spain That Deserve Way More Attention

Spain is full of incredible places that don’t get nearly as much attention as popular destinations like Barcelona, Madrid, and Seville.

From beautiful coastal towns and medieval villages to impressive natural landscapes, there are so many lesser-known destinations worth exploring.

Here are 12 stunning places in Spain that deserve way more attention and might just inspire you to venture beyond the usual tourist spots.

Just north of Barcelona, Costa Brava is one of the most beautiful coastal regions in Spain, yet it doesn’t get nearly as much international attention as it deserves.

The coastline is filled with dramatic cliffs, turquoise water, hidden coves (known as calas), and beautiful fishing villages that are worth exploring.

Some of my favorite towns include Tossa de Mar, Cadaqués, and Calella de Palafrugell, each with its own beautiful beaches and incredible coastal scenery.

You can spend your days swimming in secluded coves, walking along the coastal paths, or enjoying fresh seafood and paella at a waterfront restaurant.

The colorful beach town of Villajoyosa sits just north of Alicante, making it the perfect day trip. 

The candy-colored houses along the seafront are instantly recognizable, but it’s the relaxed pace and authentic charm that keep people coming back. 

Known for its chocolate-making tradition, you can still visit the Valor chocolate factory, which is one of most well-known in Spain.

Plus, there’s beaches and seafront promenades that are perfect for an afternoon stroll.  It’s beautiful and quaint without trying too hard.

Nerja is a beautiful coastal town in southern Spain that deserves a lot more attention, especially for its incredible beaches and mountain scenery.

Located along the Costa del Sol, the town is filled with whitewashed buildings, narrow streets, and beautiful viewpoints overlooking the Mediterranean Sea.

One of the biggest highlights is the Balcón de Europa, a scenic viewpoint built on a rocky headland with amazing views of the coastline.

Nerja is also famous for its enormous underground caves, where you can see impressive stalactites and stalagmites that have formed over thousands of years.

It’s a great place to spend a few days relaxing by the beach, and you can even visit on a day trip from Málaga.

Lekeitio is a beautiful coastal town in Spain’s Basque Country that deserves a lot more attention.

With its colorful fishing harbor, sandy beaches, and green hills overlooking the sea, it’s one of the prettiest spots along the northern coast.

One of the coolest things about Lekeitio is San Nicolás Island, a small island just offshore that you can actually walk to when the tide is low!

Despite its incredible scenery, Lekeitio doesn’t get nearly as much attention as other destinations in the Basque Country, which makes it even more worth visiting.

Mallorca, Ibiza, and even Menorca get all the spotlight, but there’s another island in the Balearics that feels completely different. 

Formentera is the smallest of the main islands, made up of just five villages and surrounded by unbelievably clear water. 

It’s much less touristy and has a peaceful, laid-back vibe that’s hard to find elsewhere in the region. 

Rent a bike to explore quiet beaches, stop for lunch at a beach shack, or swim in turquoise coves with barely anyone around.

Ronda is one of the most spectacular towns in Andalusia, yet it often gets overlooked in favor of bigger destinations like Seville and Granada.

Built on the edge of a massive gorge, the town is famous for its Puente Nuevo bridge, which connects two sides of the town high above the valley below.

The views are absolutely incredible, especially from the viewpoints overlooking the bridge and surrounding countryside.

You can also explore the historic Old Town, walk down into the gorge for a different perspective of the bridge, or visit one of the local wineries nearby.

While many people visit on a day trip to Ronda from Seville, it’s worth spending more time here if your itinerary allows.

Cudillero is a small fishing village in Asturias that’s easily one of the most picturesque places in northern Spain.

The village is famous for its colorful houses stacked along the steep hillsides surrounding a tiny fishing harbor, creating an incredible view from almost every angle.

You can wander through the narrow streets, climb up to the viewpoints overlooking the village, or enjoy some traditional Asturian food at one of the waterfront restaurants.

Despite being such a beautiful place, Cudillero is still relatively unknown to international tourists, especially compared to Spain’s more famous coastal towns.

Cuenca is one of the most underrated cities in central Spain, with a dramatic location between two deep river gorges.

The city’s most famous attraction is its Casas Colgadas, or Hanging Houses, which are built right along the edge of a cliff with wooden balconies extending over the gorge below.

The historic Old Town is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site, filled with colorful buildings, narrow cobblestone streets, and incredible viewpoints overlooking the surrounding landscape.

And the best part? Cuenca is just about an hour from Madrid by high-speed train, yet it receives far fewer international visitors than Spain’s major cities.

Mojácar is a beautiful whitewashed village in Almería that sits high on a hillside overlooking the Mediterranean Sea.

With its maze of narrow streets, white buildings covered in colorful flowers, and incredible views of the coastline, it’s hard to believe this place doesn’t get more attention!

You can spend a few hours wandering through the historic village, browsing little shops, and stopping for a drink at one of the terraces overlooking the sea.

And if you want some beach time, Mojácar Playa is just a short drive downhill, with long sandy beaches and waterfront restaurants.

It’s a great destination if you want to experience a traditional Andalusian village while still being close to the coast.

Laguardia is a beautiful medieval village in Spain’s famous Rioja Alavesa wine region, surrounded by rolling vineyards and some of the best wineries in the country.

The entire village is enclosed by medieval stone walls, with narrow pedestrian-only streets, historic buildings, and incredible views of the surrounding countryside.

But what’s really interesting is what’s underneath! Laguardia has a network of underground wine cellars, many of which are centuries old and still used today.

You can tour a traditional cellar right in the village or visit one of the nearby wineries for a tasting of the region’s famous Rioja wines.

It’s an amazing destination for wine lovers and a great alternative to Spain’s more popular tourist towns.

Alquézar is a beautiful medieval village in Aragón that’s surrounded by the dramatic mountains and deep canyons of Sierra de Guara Natural Park.

The village itself is filled with narrow cobblestone streets, centuries-old stone houses, and an impressive castle and collegiate church overlooking the surrounding landscape.

But what really makes Alquézar special is its incredible natural setting, with rocky cliffs, turquoise rivers, and some of the most beautiful scenery in the region.

It’s also a popular destination for canyoning and hiking, especially the famous Pasarelas de Alquézar, a series of wooden walkways suspended above the Vero River gorge.

Córdoba is one of the best cities to visit in Spain, but it often gets overlooked in favor of nearby Seville and Granada.

The city’s biggest attraction is the incredible Mezquita, a former mosque with hundreds of red-and-white striped arches and a Renaissance cathedral built right in the middle.

But there’s so much more to Córdoba than its famous mosque-cathedral.

The historic Jewish Quarter is filled with narrow cobblestone streets, whitewashed buildings, and beautiful patios decorated with colorful flowers.

It’s a great place to spend a day or two exploring, especially if you want to experience Andalusia beyond its most popular destinations.

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