The Most Beautiful Villages to Visit in Spain

Spain is a magical treasure chest filled with charming villages and towns. From the gentle hills of Andalusia to the rugged coastline of the Costa Brava, the entire peninsula is dotted with enchanting spots waiting to be discovered.

Not only are these places often as lively and picturesque as their larger city counterparts, but they also serve as gateways to Spain's sacred traditions, offering visitors an introduction to the relaxed and pleasure-filled lifestyle of the country.

There's a mosaic of cultures, cuisines, landscapes, and even languages to explore by venturing off the beaten path.

Some of the most fascinating villages to explore in Spain include Rupit, a stunning town in Catalonia; Ronda, with breathtaking views of the Serranía de Ronda; Guadalest on the Costa Blanca; and Masca in Tenerife, known for its spectacular scenery, lush vegetation, and deep ravines, among many others.

This picturesque white village in Andalusia located in the province of Malaga is characterized by traditional white Andalusian houses, narrow and steep streets, stunning sea views, and a winding labyrinth of steep cobblestone alleys adorned with handmade ceramic mosaics, as well as an exquisite tradition of Andalusian cuisine.

This small mountain town is dominated by "El Fuerte," the 9th-century Castillo de Lizar, a prime spot to admire the surrounding landscape and the old Moorish quarter known as Barribarto, which offers numerous local craft shops.

Every year, during the last weekend of August, the small town celebrates its blend of Christian, Muslim, and Jewish traditions with the Festival of the Three Cultures.

During the three days, restaurants create special tasting menus for the event and food stalls serve delicacies such as traditional Arabic sweets.

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The fishing village of Cudillero is perched on the slopes of a hill overlooking the sea along the northern Asturian coast of Spain.

This small seaside town is recognized for its colorful houses that give it a picturesque and tranquil atmosphere.

Near the village, Playa del Silencio can be reached, one of the best beaches in Spain for a day of relaxation by the sea, to stroll along the promenade around Puerto Pesquero, and to admire the spectacular coastline and the cliffs of Cabo Vidio, a short drive from the town.

Cudillero is a unique village also due to its rich cultural heritage, uniting the Mariñana (fishermen and farmers), the Xalda (inhabitants of the inland valleys), and the Vaqueira (pastors of the highlands).

This small town on the edge of the Parque Natural de la Serranía de Cuenca, surrounded by cliffs and sandstone, is a highly popular destination among mountain lovers.

The pink stone from nearby Pinares de Rodeno, a UNESCO World Heritage site, is used in many of the buildings in Albarracín, giving the Moorish and medieval town its tones of pink, orange, and red.

In the historic district, you'll find the Murallas de Albarracín (medieval walls), the Torre Andador, Plaza Mayor, the ruins of the Moorish castle, and the 16th-century Cathedral of Salvador.

The local museum catalogues the medieval history of the village, while Albarracín can also serve as an excellent base to explore the beautiful villages of Aragon in the surrounding area.

Cadaqués is the easternmost town on the Iberian Peninsula, located on the Costa Brava, a quiet fishing village within the Parc Natural del Cap de Creus, a site of great geological importance traversed by a dense network of hiking trails.

Walking through the narrow and steep streets of the old town, you can see the traditional fishing houses, many of which are still painted blue and white, and visit the Casa-Museum of Salvador Dalí to discover where he lived and worked from 1930 to 1982. Many other famous artists spent time in this beautiful place, including Pablo Picasso and Joan Miró.

In the shadow of the Pyrenees, on the edge of the Ordesa National Park, lies the medieval village of Aínsa, the birthplace of the Kingdom of Aragon.

The charming cobblestone square leads to the bell tower of the Romanesque Iglesia de Santa Maria, from which you can enjoy stunning views of the village. The symbol of the town is the Aínsa Castle, located at one end of Plaza de San Salvador.

Two of the towers of the castle have been transformed into museums: the Ecomuseum, where you can learn more about the Pyrenees, and the Espacio del Geoparque de Sobrarbe.

Besalú in the province of Girona in Catalonia is a village rich in historical attractions, starting with the magnificent and beautifully preserved Romanesque bridge that crosses the Fluvià River and features a gate at its center.

Its pedestrianized historic center looks like a real open-air museum dotted with ancient buildings of value such as historic Jewish synagogues, the 11th-century church of Sant Pere, and porticoed squares.

Still in Catalonia, we stop at the stunning village of Rupit, among the most beautiful in Spain, yet still off the main tourist paths.

The historic stone center, dating back to the 12th century, remains intact, capturing the suspended atmosphere of an ancient center that grew outside the fortified gates of a castle atop a hill, with old houses, winding cobbled streets, and even secret passages.

A stream divides the village in half, and to reach the historic center, one must cross a wooden suspension bridge on foot.

Rupit fits perfectly into a mountainous landscape surrounded by rugged surroundings and rock formations, up to the crystal-clear Sallent waterfall nearby.

Morella is an ancient walled city in the province of Castellon in eastern Spain. Its most notable features are the architecture and historical sites such as the Morella Castle, the Gothic church of Santa Maria la Mayor with its incredibly decorated interiors, and the ancient city walls.

Inside its walls opens a labyrinth of streets lined with charming houses featuring their characteristic balconies and splendid buildings in a multitude of styles, from Romanesque to Gothic. Of particular interest in Morella is also a dinosaur museum full of prehistoric fossils and other archaeological finds from the area.

Morella can also serve as a base to explore the surrounding Maestrazgo Mountains.

Ronda is one of the most beautiful and ancient cities in Spain, with prehistoric origins and some of the most spectacular views in the country thanks to the Tajo gorge, which is 124 meters deep, that runs through it, connected by the Puente Nuevo, linking the old Moorish city with newer parts of the town.

Throughout the city, there are remnants of prehistoric settlements dating back to the Neolithic, including the rock paintings of the Cueva de la Pileta. Ronda is also the birthplace of the modern bullfight, with its famous Maestranza arena, one of the oldest and most picturesque in Spain, while its 13th-century Arab baths, located in the old Arab quarter, are considered the best preserved in the country.

Here you can still see in good condition the large cauldron used to heat water and the star-shaped vents on the roof modeled after the ceiling of the most famous bathhouse of the Alhambra in Granada. Other attractions include El Mercadillo, as well as the church of Santa Maria and the La Cantine Sangre de Ronda.

On the island of Mallorca, in the heart of the Serra de Tramuntana mountain range, we find the charming village of Deià, one of the most scenic spots on the island.

Nestled in a steep valley at the foot of Mount Teix, 40 minutes by car northwest of Palma, Deià boasts the small pebble beach of Cala Deià, accessible only by foot, steep cliffs overlooking the Mediterranean Sea, and countless olive groves.

The best attractions to visit in Deià are Son Marroig, Iglesia de San Juan Bautista, Monestir de Miramar, and Mirador Sa Foradada.

The village is also home to the house museum of English author Robert Graves, whose residence is now open to the public for guided tours.

Lastres is included in the list of the most beautiful villages in the Principality of Asturias.

Situated atop a hill with stunning sea views, this Asturian town features endless narrow and steep streets and an architectural ensemble of imposing monuments, palaces, and stately residences, which is why it has been recognized as a Place of Artistic Historical Heritage.

In the Basque Country, you cannot miss a stop in Hondarribia (also known as Fuenterrabía) to enjoy the charm and delicious Basque cuisine of this coastal town.

The colorful stone houses and excellent cuisine are just two of the attractions of this location, located only 20 km from San Sebastian. Even on rainy days, the town never loses its charm.