Let me share my secret obsession with discovering lesser-known villages in Spain. Here are a few villages with stunning architecture and a traditional feel that you have most likely never heard of.

  • This post contains affiliate links from which I earn a commission (at no extra cost to you). For more info, please read my disclosure. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

Lesser-known Small Towns to Visit in Spain

Where is less touristy in Spain?

The most visited areas in Spain are the coastal regions of Catalonia, Valencia, Alicante, Southern Spain, and the Spanish islands. Additionally, the city of Madrid attracts a fair share of visitors as the country’s capital. The less touristy areas of Spain are the central and some northern regions, including Castile-La Mancha, Aragon, Extremadura, and Asturias. You can discover all of Spain’s hidden gems, away from the tourist crowds, in my blog section Undiscovered Spain.

Before becoming an expat in Spain 15 years ago, I went through all the phases of admiring the country’s most famous landmarks, such as Gaudí’s works in Barcelona, the imperial charm of Madrid, and the unique Mudejar decorations in Granada’s Alhambra. However, the more I travel across Spain, the more I realize that tourists flocking to popular destinations often miss the most authentic places the country has to offer. In fact, many of Spain’s most popular destinations today no longer feel truly Spanish, as locals tend to avoid them. Those who remain living there are often less friendly than the average Spaniard. For example, Barcelona is a unique city, but rising rental costs have pushed many locals out, not to mention the ongoing anti-tourism protests and significant pickpocketing issues. As a result, Barcelona feels more like one of the world’s popular capitals than a Spanish city. These days the best way to experience the authentic essence of Spain is by exploring its underrated cities and lesser-visited small towns.

If you’re new to the topic of small towns in Spain, I recommend checking out my posts on Spain’s top charming small towns and medieval villages first. In this post, I’ll cover hidden villages in Spain from different regions of the country that remain off the radar for most international travelers.

10+ secret villages in Spain you´ve never heard of

1. Alcala de Jucar / Albacete

Alcalá del Júcar is one of the most unique small towns in Albacete, Central Spain, considered one of the top places to visit in the Castile-La Mancha region. The most emblematic landmarks of Alcalá del Júcar are the Castle, the Roman Bridge, and the impressive caves where locals once lived. There are three main caves that you should visit in this small town to gain more cultural insights into the region: Cueva del Diablo, Cuevas de Masagó y Duende, and Cueva del Rey Garadén. Additionally, during Easter week, the little town of Alcalá del Júcar transforms into one of the coolest medieval fairs in Spain.

Panoramic views of Alcala de Jucar a beautiful village in the province of Albacete
Alcala de Jucar
Cave House under the Castle of Alcala de Jucar
Casa Cueva “El Castillo”

2. Medinaceli / Soria

The small town of Medinaceli in Castile-Leon was part of my recent road trip around Madrid, although many travelers visit this village on the road from Madrid to Barcelona. The Roman Arch of Medinaceli dates back to the 1st century A.D. and is considered one of the most unique Roman ruins in Spain. The site’s elevated setting offers truly magical panoramic views of the region. It is the only three-door arch remaining in Spain from Roman times. The village itself is full of ancient architecture and cobblestone streets, perfect for wandering around.

Medinaceli one of the most beautiful little towns near Soria in Spain
A secret Spanish village of Medinaceli
Medinacelli Roman Arch
. The Roman Arch of Medinaceli – one of the most unique Roman ruins in Spain

3. Villanueva de los Infantes / Castile-La Mancha

Villanueva de los Infantes, near Ciudad Real in Central Spain, is one of the unique hidden villages often associated with the famous Spanish novel Don Quixote. One of the most renowned Spaniards, Miguel de Cervantes, is believed to have made Villanueva de los Infantes the home of Don Quixote in his book (although it’s not directly mentioned and there is still debate around it). There is a unique monument to Don Quixote and Sancho Panza in the central Plaza Mayor. This small town is full of beautiful architecture and notable buildings like the Convento de Santo Domingo, El Hospital de Santiago, Casa del Arco, La Casa de los Estudios, the Tribunal de la Inquisición, Plaza de San Juan, and the Casa Palacio de Marqués de Entrambasaguas. You can read more about Don Quixote landmarks in this post.

Villanueva de los Infantes a home of Don Quixote
Villanueva de los Infantes – a home of Don Quixote

4. Culla / Castellon

The Spanish village of Culla is a lesser-known gem in the region of the Valencian Community and a popular stop on any road trip across the Castellon province. It is a picture-perfect location, full of cobblestone streets, the ruins of an ancient Arab castle, and breathtaking views – all of which make Culla a must-stop in the province of Castellon. While located far from the major Spanish cities, Culla is a great village to combine with a visit to Morella and the nearby villages of Teruel.

Culla secret Spanish village
Culla is a lesser-known gem in the region of the Valencian Community
Culla Castellon road trip
Culla is a popular stop on any road trip across the Castellon province
Culla Castellon Spain village church
The ancient architecture in Culla

5. Valderrobres / Teruel

Valderrobres is one of the biggest gems of the Matarranya region in Teruel, often called the secret Spanish Tuscany in the national media. If Valderrobres were more conveniently located near either of Spain’s biggest cities, it would be one of the top medieval towns in Spain. However, for now, it remains a hidden gem for fans of Undiscovered Spain. With its Gothic castle and church, Renaissance town hall, and charming cobblestone streets, Valderrobres is definitely one of the must-see villages in Teruel!

Puente de Piedra and Gate of San Roque in Valderrobres
Valderrobres – one of the top secret villages in Spain

6. Ares del Maestre / Castellon

Ares del Maestre immediately captures your attention on the road with its unique landforms and panoramic location by the Muela de Ares mountain. This small town overlooks the entire province of Castellon from 1,195 meters above sea level. Top things to see in Ares del Maestre include the ruins of an ancient castle, the Santa Elena Chapel, La Cova Remigia with its rock paintings (declared a UNESCO World Heritage site), and the Antigua Lonja (Medieval Market) with its Gothic-Mudejar arches. You can also combine your visit to Ares del Maestre with a trip to nearby Morella, one of Spain’s top fairytale destinations, and the haunted sanctuary of Zorita del Maestrazgo.

The mountain of Ares del Maestre in Castellon Spain
Ares del Maestre
small towns in castellon Ares
Exploring Ares del Maestre during my Castellon road trip

7. Mirambel / Teruel

Mirambel is one of the smallest hidden villages in Teruel. With only 130 inhabitants, it feels like an open-air museum. Reconquered from the Arabs in 1169, the town has been connected for centuries to military orders, such as the Orden del Temple. Amidst the old, sophisticated decorations, ancient murals, coats of arms on the walls, wooden balconies, and ornamental arches, one piece of artwork stands out in particular – Portal de las Monjas. According to the local website, this peculiar structure was part of the local convent, Convento Monjas Agustinas. Behind these curious geometric ornaments, made of clay, is a cell or room. It most likely belonged to the founder of the convent, Sister Violante DeCastellvi, and the lattices prevented her from being seen as she looked out at the lively atmosphere of the main street.

The streets of Mirambel in Teruel Spain
Mirambel is one of the smallest hidden villages in Teruel
Mirambel Spain
Portal de las Monjas in Mirambel

8. Alquezar / Huesca

While I can’t include all of the beautiful villages in the Spanish Pyrenees in this post, Alquezar is one of my absolute favorites. This charming medieval town was a complete discovery during my first trip to the Pyrenees mountain range on the Spain-France border. Although the town gains popularity every year thanks to housing one of the most unique hikes in Spain, Pasarelas del Vero, I always recommend making a stop in Alquezar on any pre-Pyrenees itinerary.

Pyrenees secret Spanish village
Alquezar was a complete discovery during my first trip to the Pyrenees
alquezar medieval village spain
The streets of Alquezar

9. Maderuelo / Segovia

Maderuelo is one of the hidden villages in Spain with a rather special atmosphere. It’s not on my list of Spanish haunted places simply because there’s no official data to support it. But honestly, there’s something strange about this place… Maderuelo is located near Segovia and Burgos, but you won’t find it between the popular travel destinations of the region. This village is full of eerie, abandoned buildings, and there’s little information available about its history.

Maderuelo was settled by Christians in the 10th century and was frequently attacked by the forces of the Arab general Al-Mansur. It was one of the border regions between the Arabs and the Christians, and people were often afraid to settle here. However, during the Spanish Reconquista in the 11th century (you can learn more about this event in my list of Spanish documentaries), Maderuelo proudly stood as part of the front line of Spanish defense. This tumultuous past led to the construction of medieval walls and castles. Yet, as you walk around, you can’t shake the feeling that history is hiding something from you here. The Romanesque churches of San Miguel and Santa Maria clearly indicate that Mederuelo held great importance during the Middle Ages, yet the historical narrative of this place remains elusive.

Maderuelo Spain hidden gems
Maderuelo
Maderuelo spanish lesser-known villages
Maderuelo – one of the secret small towns in Spain

10. Vilafames / Castellon

Vilafamés is another picture-perfect place that could be visited on a day trip from Valencia, Peñíscola, Benicassim, or even as a stop on the road between Barcelona and Valencia. Its old town is extremely charming, full of ancient buildings, winding streets, and colorful flower pots. Vilafamés, set on top of a mountain, offers some beautiful views of the region. In addition, the village houses a Contemporary Art Museum, one of the secret museums in Spain, with 39 rooms showcasing the evolution of Spanish avant-garde, visual poetry, abstract, and contemporary art.

secret villages in spain Vilafames Castellon
Vilafames
benicassim day trips vilafames
The streets of Vilafames
Benicassim Day Trips  Castellon Vilafames village
Visiting Vilafames on a day trip from Benicassim

11. Alarcon/Cuenca

Alarcon is such a picture-perfect village in Central Spain, often called one of the top hidden gems of the province of Cuenca. It can be visited on the road from Valencia to Madrid, yet many travelers miss out since many don’t know of its existence. Alarcon is an absolute storybook location in Spain, known for some of the best-preserved medieval walls in the country. Its castle houses the Parador de Alarcon hotel, where you can even stay overnight. Also, you can check my IG Reels on Alarcon for more inspiration.

Alarcon Cuenca spain
Alarcon

Map of secret Spanish villages

Pin it:

Ancient doors in Maderuelo, a secret off the beaten track village in Spain

For more Spain travel tips check out my Pinterest board Spain Travel Collection and Flipboard Travel to Spain.

at lifestyle crossroads travel blog resources
  • Accommodation: For short stays, I usually book via Agoda, Booking, and Hotellook
  • Tours&excursions: My favorites for guided tours are GetYourGuide and Viator
  • Museums&attractions: Get mobile tickets for attractions via Tiqets (use ATC5 code for a 5% discount via this link)
  • Semi-private & private tours: LivTours is my favorite place for unique & crafted experiences in Europe
  • For Foodies: Eatwith is a unique platform for finding culinary experiences with locals around the world
  • Audio guides: Book audio excursions & tours in 35+ countries via WeGoTrip
  • Flights: Find the best deals with Skyscanner, WayAway, and Kiwi
  • Driving in a new country? – Check out Tripiamo guides (do not miss Tripiamo Driving in Spain Guide)
  • Train&bus tickets: Currently, I book via Trainline, Busbud, and Omio
  • Car rental: To find the best deals, I use Rental Cars and Discover Cars
  • Top E-Sim: GigSky helps me to avoid roaming fees and provides connectivity everywhere (even on a cruise ship)
  • Internet Security on the road: Connect safely to public Wi-Fi and bypass censorship with NordVPN
  • Transfers: For individual transfer services, I like GetTransfer and Kiwitaxi
  • Suitcases&Luggage: Discover where to store your luggage on the go with Radical Storage
  • Travel Insurance: Find the best trip insurance plans via VisitorsCoverage and EKTA
  • Compensation for delayed/canceled flights: Check out AirHelp and Compensair
  • Renting Bikes: To find motorcycles, scooters, quads, and bicycles, I use BikesBooking
  • Package Tours: Head to CheapOair and Expedia
  • For Bloggers: To monetize my blog, I work with Travelpayouts and Stay22