Tips On the Best Places to Get Off the Beaten Path
Spain is undoubtedly one of the most popular destinations in Western Europe. And with such good weather, one-of-a-kind gastronomy and rich culture, how could it not be?
But the truth is that once you start becoming an experienced traveler, popular, touristy destinations tend to lose some of their charm. What you then start to look for are places that most people don’t visit, to have completely new and different experiences, surrounded by the real people that inhabit them.
Here is the good news: it’s possible to do that even in the trendiest countries. If you’ve been dreaming of tapas, beaches and flamenco bars, but not of hordes of tourists, keep reading and discover how to travel off-the-beaten-path in Spain.
Plan Your Off-the-Beaten-Path Holiday in Spain
Islas Cíes
Our first off-the-beaten-path destination in Spain is an archipelago composed of three islands where pirates used to hide their treasures, eventually inspiring some parts of Jule Verne’s Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea.
If you can’t wait to swim in the ocean but don’t want to go to a beach where you can barely see the sand among all the tourists, then you definitely need to visit the Islas Cíes.
These islands are a part of Galícia, located in northwestern Spain, yet not many people seem to know that they exist. But that doesn’t make it any less of an exciting stop. There are nine beaches in the archipelago. Praia das Rodas is the most popular one; however, it’s considered to be one of the most beautiful in the world, so it’s worth at least a quick visit. There’s also a nudist beach in the archipelago: Playa de los Alemanes.
When you get tired of the beach, you can visit the Lago dos Nenos (the inner lake) or go hiking on one of the four nature trails in Cíes.
And if you’re feeling lucky, it’s said that the treasure hidden by the pirates is still there… hey, you never know!
Oñati
If you’re more of a forest person, then you’ll probably like Oñati, a town located in the Basque Country of Northern Spain. The name of the town means “place with plenty of hills”, so you can imagine the type of landscapes that await you there. Besides the breathtaking nature you’ll see all around, you’ll get the chance to visit one of the oldest universities in the country, the Universidad de Sancti Spiritus.
In this town, you can also do some religious tourism and visit centuries-old buildings, like the Monastery of Bidaurreta (which dates back to the 16th century), the San Miguel Church, the Arantzazu Sanctuary and more.
And of course, among the mountains and forests, you’ll find plenty of hiking trails to explore.
Estepona
Anyone who’s been to Málaga has fallen in love with the city. But there’s one hidden gem in Málaga that has a perfect mix between amazing beaches and historical buildings, called Estepona. The main town square is called Plaza de las Flores and there you’ll find all the restaurants and stores you need, as well as the Casa de las Tejerinas. If you want to go for tapas and a drink, the Estepona Marina is the place to be.
If you’re looking for a completely unique experience, you definitely have to visit the Orquidario Botanical Park. Can you imagine the beauty of being surrounded by 4000 different species of orchids?
Estepona is such an amazing spot that it has been starting to gain some popularity recently. So, if you want to visit Estepona before it becomes another highly touristy spot, your best bet is to get there as soon as you can!
Altea Old Town
Altea Old Town is located on the east coast of Spain near Alicante (which is one of the most touristy spots in the country). Even so, this town has managed to keep its traditional vibe, which makes it a must-visit destination for those looking to experience Spain in its purest form.
Our suggestion is that you get there in the morning and start your journey by going up the Costera del Mestre de la Música, a staircase between all the traditional houses. You’ll get to see a lot of the town and once you get to the top, you’ll reach a viewpoint in the Plaza de la Iglesia.
When you start getting hungry, you can simply go down to the Calle Mayor and choose one of the many restaurants there. This is a great opportunity for you to sample traditional paella — after all, as much as you want an off-the-beaten-path holiday, going to Spain without eating paella is almost a crime. The Hotel San Miguel restaurant is a great option and even has vegetarian paella!
Carmona
This one’s for all the architecture and traditional art lovers out there. Carmona is half an hour from Seville and is actually one of the oldest towns in the whole of Europe, with over 5,000 years of history. It doesn’t get much more authentic than that!
As you explore Carmona, you’ll get to visit San Bartolome, a church located in the historic center where you’ll see amazing artwork from the 15th century; a farmer’s market that used to be a Dominican convent where you can have an olive oil tasting experience; and the Alcatraz de Puerta de Seville, which was built by the Moors in the 14th century.
There’s also the Parador viewpoint, which we recommend you visit when you start getting hungry. The ham sandwiches you’ll get to eat there are to die for!
Santillana del Mar
Santillana del Mar is a town located in Cantabria, an autonomous community found in the north of Spain. If you know a bit of Spanish, you might think you’ll get to see the ocean (mar) in this destination, but that’s not exactly what awaits you in Santillana del Mar. Rather, you’ll visit a medieval town and find history and art galore. One thing that sets this town apart from many others is that cars aren’t allowed there. Everyone just walks around, which will make your visit there particularly pleasing, especially if you’re looking to escape from the city for a while.
The Museo del Altamira, Cabárceno Nature Park, and El Castillo are three places you definitely want to check out while you’re in Santillana del Mar.
If you’re into dark tourism, you’ll be pleased to know that there’s a torture museum in this town as well. It’s called Museo de la Tortura — Inquisicion and it holds many torture devices used during the Spanish Inquisition, which dates back to 1478, as well as pictures of this time.
Antequera
Located in the center of Andalusia, Antequera is home to one of the most amazing landscapes you can find in the country: El Torcal de Antequera. This is a natural reserve, where you can choose between two hiking trails that’ll take you through all the greenery and huge karst rock formations.
Another unique experience to have in Antequera is to go see the wolves at Lobo Park. If you go between May and October, our suggestion is that you visit the park on one of the Wolf Howl Nights. This event happens on every full moon evening between those months, and allows you to see the wolves in a way you probably haven’t ever before. As the sun sets, the beautiful creatures start getting more energetic and you’ll get to hear them howl like you’ve always heard them in movies. If you’re doing a family trip, this is a great place to take the little ones!
CHECK OUT MORE OF OUR FAVORITE DESTINATIONS IN SPAIN
As you can see, even a destination as popular as Spain has amazing hidden gems and is bursting with places to visit, landscapes to see, and the purest of traditions to experience.
Looking to plan your trip to Spain? Jubel will craft you a personalized experience matching your style, your budget — anywhere. Easily get started here.
