Here are 22 of the most spectacular hidden gems in Spain that you’ve most likely never heard of. While the list of Spanish landmarks is endless, with architectural marvels like the Alhambra, Sagrada Familia, or Madrid’s Royal Palace, there are many more impressive places hidden across the Iberian Peninsula that travelers tend to overlook.
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Epic Spanish Hidden Gems
Exploring Spain Off the Beaten Path
While Spain grows in popularity as a holiday destination every year, travelers often tend to head to well-known spots like Barcelona, Madrid, and Costa Brava. However, as someone who has been traveling across Spain for over 15 years, I can assure you that the Iberian Peninsula is filled with hidden gems around every corner. For this article, I’ve selected 22 of my favorite hidden gems in Spain that travelers often overlook in their Spain bucket lists, but each has truly impressed me.
That said, it’s impossible to feature all of Spain’s hidden gems in one post, so if you want to discover more, I recommend checking out all the posts on the blog under the hashtag #UndiscoveredSpain. Additionally, you can explore separate guides on secret hikes here, villages here, museums here, and hidden gems of my home region of Valencia here.
22 Hidden Gems in Spain You’ve Never Heard Of
1. Gaztelugatxe
Gaztelugatxe is one of the most unique places to visit in Northern Spain. Located in the Basque Country, this small island off the coast is connected to the mainland by a narrow stone bridge, creating a fairytale-like setting. At its peak, you’ll find the hermitage of San Juan de Gaztelugatxe, offering breathtaking views of the Atlantic Ocean. When I first visited Gaztelugatxe almost 10 years ago, it was an absolute hidden gem. However, over the years, it has attracted filmmakers and became a Game of Thrones filming location, bringing it a lot of international attention.
2. The Holy Cave of Covadonga
The Holy Cave of Covadonga (or Cueva Santa de Covadonga), located in the lesser-known region of Asturias, is a sacred cave and pilgrimage site that is part of the Sanctuary of Covadonga. It holds great symbolic significance for Spaniards, as this is where the Reconquista, the Christian fight to reclaim the country from the Moors, began (you can learn more about this through my list of Spanish documentaries).
Near the cave, you can explore the stunning lakes of Covadonga in the Picos de Europa National Park, one of Spain’s most impressive natural treasures. You can read more about Asturias and its hidden gems in this post.
3. The Secret Village of Alarcon
Alarcon is a hidden village in the province of Cuenca, easily visited on the road from Madrid to Valencia. This medieval town is perched on a cliff above the Jucar River and feels completely frozen in time. It’s surrounded by ancient walls and features a 13th-century castle, but the highlight is the luxury hotel Parador de Alarcon, where you can channel your inner royalty and spend a night inside the medieval castle. The village’s quiet streets, historic church, and stunning views make it one of the most unique secret villages in Spain.
4. The Castle of Peracense
The Castle of Peracense is one of the best-kept secrets in the Spanish region of Aragon. I fell in love with this striking fortress on a recent road trip. Built into the red sandstone cliffs, it boasts a well-preserved medieval structure. While many international travelers tend to overlook it, in my opinion, the Castle of Peracense is one of the top 10 most stunning castles in all of Spain.
5. The Town of Alquezar
Alquezar is one of the most beautiful medieval towns in Spain, set against the stunning backdrop of the Sierra de Guara Natural Park in the Pre-Pyrenees of Spain. Known for its charming cobblestone streets and ancient architecture, Alquezar is also home to one of the most iconic Spanish hikes – Ruta de las Pasarelas del Vero.
6. Castle of Xavier
The Castle of Xavier is an absolute hidden gem of the Navarra region in northern Spain. This stunning fortress, with its Gothic and Romanesque architecture, was such a discovery during my recent Navarra road trip. Its well-preserved state and the artworks inside were truly impressive.
7. Mudejar Architecture in Teruel
Teruel is renowned for its distinctive Mudejar architecture, a unique artistic style that blends Islamic and Christian design influences, reflecting the rich cultural heritage and history of Spain. Recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage site, Teruel is also home to one of Spain’s most famous legends, the Lovers of Teruel. You can read more about my visit in this post.
8. The Ceramic Town of Manises
The small town of Manises is one of the biggest hubs of ceramic tradition in Spain. Located near Valencia, it can easily be visited on a day trip, and its temporary exhibitions, museums, and workshops will surprise any art lover. In fact, during my recent trip to Paris, I spotted Manises ceramics at the Cluny Museum. Apparently, during the medieval ages, European nobles would purchase crafted pieces from Manises. You can read more about Manises in this post.
9. Xativa and the Borgias
Xativa is known for its stunning castle and was the birthplace of two future popes of Rome, both descending from the scandalous Borgia family. This town can easily be visited on a day trip from Valencia or along the road from Valencia to Alicante. Perched on a hill, it offers breathtaking views of the town and surrounding valleys. You can read more about Xativa here, and to learn more about the Borgia family in Spain, head to this post.
10. Fanzara and Spanish Graffiti Villages
Fanzara, a small hidden village in the province of Castellon, is known for its transformation into a living open-air art gallery. It was on the verge of being added to the list of Spain’s dying villages when younger generations of locals decided to invite graffiti artists to cover the city walls with unique street art creations. You can read more about Fanzara in this post and learn about other graffiti villages in Spain here.
11. Matarranya
The Matarranya region is a hidden gem often referred to as the “Tuscany of Spain” due to its rolling hills, olive groves, and picturesque medieval villages. It is home to medieval treasures like Valderrobres and Calaceite, with stone buildings, narrow streets, and historic charm. Hiking enthusiasts will also enjoy the Parrizal de Beceite trail. You can read more about Matarranya here.
In my opinion, this region has remained under the radar for so long because it’s quite far from the major Spanish cities. However, you can easily combine a visit to Matarranya with a Tarragona or Castellon road trip.
12. Thermal Waters in Montanejos
Montanejos is a natural gem in the region of Castellon, known for its natural thermal springs. Its crystal-clear waters have temperatures around 25°C/77°F, offering a relaxing experience amid stunning natural scenery. Visitors can bathe in the thermal pools surrounded by mountains or explore nearby hiking trails in Castellon.
The only downside is that Montanejos gets really busy during the summer months with locals from nearby villages. However, in the photo below, you can see that I visited in November and literally had the whole place to myself.
13. The Village of Alcala del Jucar and its Cave Houses
Alcala del Jucar, in the province of Albacete, is a secret village perched on steep cliffs. Its unique setting, with houses built into the rock, and its medieval castle make it a must-visit place in central Spain. Some of the most interesting landmarks in Alcala del Jucar are its numerous cave houses, where you can visit the interiors and see how locals once lived inside.
14. Laguna Negra in Soria
Laguna Negra is located in the province of Soria (Castile-Leon), one of Spain’s big unknowns. Although Soria can be visited on a day trip from Madrid, it’s a destination often overlooked by international travelers. Laguna Negra is a mysterious glacial lake surrounded by pine forests, known for its dark, deep waters and secluded setting. I was absolutely mesmerized by this place during my last trip to Soria and hope to visit again in winter to see it covered in snow.
15. The Palace in Guadalajara
The Palacio del Infantado in Guadalajara, a small town near Marid, is a striking example of late Gothic architecture with Renaissance influences. This landmark is a great stop on any road trip around Madrid. This Guadalajara palace is currently a museum, but it is probably one of the most peculiar buildings I’ve ever seen in Spain.
16. The Enchanted City of Cuenca
The Enchanted City, or Ciudad Encantada, is located near the town of Cuenca and is one of the most fairytale-like spots in Spain due to its surreal limestone rock formations shaped by erosion over millennia. This landscape, resembling animals and objects, is a fantastic place to visit in Spain with kids and ignite their imagination. You can read more about our visit in this post.
17. The Roman Ruins in Cartagena
Cartagena, located in the Murcia region, is home to some of Spain’s most impressive Roman ruins. Visitors can explore Roman baths, a theatre, walls, and museums filled with stunning artifacts and decorations. It is an absolute must-stop for all history lovers in Spain, and you can check out my detailed Cartagena itinerary in this post.
18. Spanish Wild West in Almeria
The Tabernas Desert in Almeria (Southern Spain) is known as Spain’s Wild West, thanks to its rugged landscapes and history as a filming location for numerous westerns (like The Good, the Bad and the Ugly with Clint Eastwood). Visitors can explore the desert’s scenic beauty and visit theme parks that recreate the atmosphere of classic Western movies. You can read more about my experience in this article.
19. The Medieval Town of Morella
Morella, in the province of Castellon, is one of the most charming small towns in all of Spain. It is known for its narrow medieval streets, historic buildings, and impressive fortress overlooking the region. In addition, Morella hosts one of the most unique Spanish festivals, which takes place every 6 years since 1678. Locals prepare all the handcrafted decorations a year in advance. You can read more details in this post.
20. The Fishing Village of Cudillero
The fishing village of Cudillero is one of the most colorful places in Spain and a must-visit in the northern region of Asturias. It is one of my favorite villages in Asturias and one of the most unique places to visit in Northern Spain.
21. Setenil de las Bodegas
Setenil de las Bodegas is one of the most unique villages in Southern Spain, famous for its houses built directly into the cliffs, with rock overhangs sheltering the village’s streets and homes. While I should admit that I personally prefer Mojácar when it comes to the famous pueblos blancos, the natural setting of Setenil de las Bodegas makes it an absolute gem to visit.
22. Juzcar
Juzcar is a small, charming village located in the province of Malaga, in Southern Spain. Known as the “Smurf Village,” it is one of the most colorful towns in Spain. You can read more about this hidden gem of Southern Spain here.
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Some amazing hidden gems! We always focus on the popular cities but Spain has a lot more to offer.
We’ve really only spent time in the larger cities in Spain (and the islands). Hoping to spend more time exploring these lesser known sites.
The gateway to the village of Alarcon is stunning. I love to find these hidden gems. The big cities are cool to say you’ve been there, done that, but these smaller towns and villages are so much more fun to explore.
Having walked the El Camino de Santiago, I can certainly appreciate the less visited locations that are steeped in history, architecture and local experiences. This is a great read to learn about other lesser visited locations across Spain.
You are right. I haven’t heard or been to most of these and I was in Spain for 6 weeks. Well done on finding these hidden gems.
This is an amazing list that makes me think my upcoming second trip to Spain is still no where near enough! Do you find that these small towns require more Spanish for visiting?
Knowing basic Spanish helps, as, in general, besides Barcelona and Madrid, Spaniards speak English worse than most other European countries. However, while traveling across Spain, I keep meeting travelers with zero Spanish searching for hidden gems (and having a blast). So, you basically just need a Google Translate app and no shame lol