Sometimes the best way to get to know Spain is to skip the big names and see where everyday life unfolds. Beyond Barcelona and Granada, a different Spain waits—one with sleepy plazas, family-run tapas bars, and neighbourhoods where visitors quickly feel part of the scene.
Scattered from the wild north down to the sun-soaked south, these underrated cities and unspoiled coastal towns reveal what makes the country truly special. These places are a great option for anyone in search of relaxed travel, genuine flavour, and a fresh view on Spanish culture.
Logroño, La Rioja
Set amid Spain’s best wine country, Logroño glides under the radar for most international travellers. Its old town bursts to life each evening as locals spill into tapas bars along Calle Laurel, and nearby vineyards promise some of the best day trips in the region. The annual San Mateo wine festival is packed with music and parades, yet rarely mobbed by non-Spanish tourists.
With excellent walkability and an easy-going lifestyle, Logroño charms visitors looking for European cities with authentic character. For art lovers, the Museo de la Rioja offers fascinating insights into the region’s past. Green parks like Parque del Ebro follow the winding riverbanks and are a favourite spot for sunset strolls or relaxing weekends.
Girona, Catalonia
Tucked just inland from the Costa Brava, Girona is a splash of pastel façades, riverside walkways, and medieval ramparts. Despite inspiring film sets and day-trippers, the city draws fewer long-term expats or tourists than Catalonia’s capital. Stroll its ancient Jewish quarter, sample market-fresh local delicacies, or bike along the Via Verde.
Major annual events like Temps de Flors transform the city with flower displays each spring. The Arab Baths and the panoramic city walls are must-sees for visitors who love history and sweeping views. Girona's proximity to both mountains and sea makes it one of Spain’s nicest areas, often cited as the prettiest city in the region.
Badajoz, Extremadura
Badajoz sits on the less-trodden path near the Portuguese border, offering a blend of Moorish history, wide boulevards, and buzzing plaza culture. The Alcazaba fortress looms over the city, while gardens and riverside parks make it perfect for quiet afternoons or picnics with friends. The riverside promenade is popular on sunny days, great for cycling or people-watching.
Despite its impressive architectural and culinary heritage, Badajoz remains a well-kept secret, ideal for those seeking the most underrated places to visit without the bustle of southern Spain’s better-known cities. Don’t miss the Carnival of Badajoz, one of the liveliest in Spain, with colourful parades and street music.
Huelva, Andalusia
Huelva is one of Spain’s best-kept secrets—an unspoilt Spanish coastal town that has managed to hold onto its authentic, laid-back rhythm. Set by the mouth of the Odiel and Tinto rivers, this southern city offers broad, quiet beaches like Punta Umbría and Isla Canela, where endless sands are fringed by dunes and pinewoods rather than resorts.
The city itself blends maritime heritage with a relaxed local feel. Tapas bars cluster around squares where you’re more likely to hear Andalusian accents than foreign voices. Nearby, the protected landscapes of Doñana National Park attract birdwatchers, and La Rábida monastery tells the story of Huelva’s role as a launching point for Columbus’s colonising missions.
Oviedo, Asturias
Known for its storybook old town and backdrop of green mountains, Oviedo is a true northern gem among European cities. The city’s sidrerías (cider bars) and food markets brim with Asturian flavour, while its tidy, arcaded streets feel refreshingly low-key. The local pace is gentle, yet culture runs deep. Statues, elegant squares, and regular festivals keep city life lively all year round.
Oviedo is ideal for those seeking beautiful surroundings, clean air, and easy access to hiking. The historic cathedral, which houses the Cámara Santa, the holy chamber, is a pilgrimage highlight and a UNESCO World Heritage site.
Lugo, Galicia
Ringed by perfectly preserved Roman walls, Lugo is a beautiful Galician secret. Locals walk atop the walls for views over red-tiled rooftops, and the city’s bars serve complimentary tapas with every drink. Annual festivals fill the medieval lanes with dancers and music, yet mass tourism feels a world away here.
Lugo’s food markets highlight the best of Galicia’s seafood and cheeses, and the nearby Ribeira Sacra region offers riverside vineyards and dramatic canyons. The Roman heritage extends to the thermal baths, still in use today for a unique spa experience. Plus, Parque de Rosalía de Castro is a favourite local green space full of sculptures and shaded avenues.
Zamora, Castile and León
Surrounded by Duero valley scenery, Zamora is a mosaic of Romanesque churches, tranquil river walks, and candle-lit tapas bars. Despite its fairytale skyline and medieval ramparts, Zamora stays off the main tourist trail—and rewards explorers with intimate festivals and quiet museums.
Easter week in Zamora is famous throughout Spain for its moving processions and religious art, attracting those in the know. The city’s modernist Mercado de Abastos is a great spot to taste local produce and mingle with residents. For wine lovers or lovers of Spanish heritage, this is one of the understated jewels for northern city travel in Spain.
Cuenca, Castilla-La Mancha
Dramatically set between steep river gorges, Cuenca enchants with its famous “hanging houses” (casas colgadas) teetering over the cliffs. Far from the major tourist crowds, the old town is a labyrinth of pastel alleyways, stone bridges, and lively squares, with contemporary art museums hidden in medieval mansions.
Cuenca’s outskirts are a gateway to the enchanted “Ciudad Encantada” rock formations and pine forests. The area is a major hotspot for rock climbers, thanks to its dramatic limestone cliffs in the nearby gorges. The Huécar and Júcar river valleys around the city are famous across Europe for their hundreds of bolted routes.
Jaén, Andalusia
In the heart of Spain’s olive oil country, Jaén is a city of ancient baths, baroque cathedrals, and almost endless mountain views. It stays well outside the southern Spain tourist rush, with a local scene built on simple pleasures. Picture al fresco coffee, free tapas, and a weekly rhythm led by the olive harvest. The Moorish castle on Santa Catalina hill and the cathedral are must-sees.
Olive oil museums and tasting tours are a highlight, giving visitors the chance to sample some of the world’s best oils. Just outside the city, Sierra de Cazorla Natural Park offers dramatic hiking and nature-watching. Jaén is a true answer to those searching for unique places to visit in Spain and a quieter base for discovering Andalusia.
Teruel, Aragón
Teruel is a true hidden gem perched in the rugged hills of Aragón, long celebrated for its distinct blend of Mudejar architecture, which is recognised by UNESCO. Wandering through Teruel’s peaceful plazas reveals a city where ornate brick towers rise over faded sandstone streets, and where the scent of roasted lamb drifts from market stalls each morning.
Though often overlooked due to its remote setting, Teruel’s authenticity shines in quiet cafés, lively fiestas, and the city’s fabled tales of romance. Beyond its striking architecture, Teruel boasts easy access to the dramatic landscapes of the Sierra de Albarracín and ancient dinosaur sites. Life here moves to its own steady rhythm, offering opportunities for real immersion and connection.
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