Seven Spanish Towns That Are Hidden Gems Worth a Visit, According to National Geographic

Beyond the Tourist Hotspots

Nearly 100 million tourists visited Spain last year, making it the world's second-most-visited country. But beyond Barcelona, Mallorca and the Costa del Sol, National Geographic has picked seven lesser-known towns that are well worth the trip.

1. Priego de Córdoba — Andalucía

A quintessential Andalusian village with whitewashed homes and hilltop views. What makes it different? Its olive oil — awarded the title of Best Olive Oil in the World for 14 consecutive years. Many mills offer tours of 1,000-year-old groves, tastings and olive oil-focused meals.

2. Combarro — Galicia

A quaint fishing village on the lesser-trodden Spiritual Variant of the Camino de Santiago. Famed for its hórreos — traditional Galician stone grain stores — best viewed from the shore at low tide.

3. Aínsa — Aragón

In the Aragonese Pyrenees, nine miles from Ordesa y Monte Perdido National Park. Perfect for mountain biking (250km of trails), hiking and birdwatching at the Pyrenees Bird Center, where conservation efforts protect birds of prey.

4. Beget — Catalonia

A remote Catalan village in the Pyrenees that remained inaccessible by car until the 1960s and only got 5G in 2023. A 12th-century Romanesque church, two restaurants and ancient oak forests. The ultimate place to slow down.

5. Trujillo — Extremadura

Home town of conquistador Francisco Pizarro, with Moorish architecture including a 10th-century alcazaba — also a filming location for Game of Thrones. Equidistant from Madrid and Lisbon.

6. San Martín del Castañar — Salamanca

Medieval stone houses, Roman roads and bridges, Spain's second-oldest bullring, and a 15th-century castle watchtower. Chestnut trees line popular hiking routes in the Sierra de Francia.

7. Zumaia — Basque Country

An hour east of Bilbao, home to the Basque coast's UNESCO World Heritage Geopark. 13km of cliffs with flysch rock formations holding 60 million years of geological history. Explore on foot or by boat.

This article is based on reporting from The Olive Press and National Geographic, published April 6, 2026. This article is for informational purposes only.