Spanish gem-cities that many tourists overlook.
Madrid and Barcelona may hold the top spots among travelers favorites, yet Spain has many wonderful places and hidden treasures to discover on your travels. If you want to step off the tourist trail and visit a destination you hadnt considered until now, then its worth checking out the list of Spains most underrated cities presented by the well-known magazine Time Out.
Girona
Just an hour from Barcelona, Girona, the largest city in northern Catalonia, is filled with museums, galleries, and Gothic churches worth discovering. Encircled by medieval walls you can still walk along, Gironas old town offers visitors a journey through time. Within its walls lies El Call, one of Spains best-preserved Jewish quarters, full of narrow alleyways and stone arches. If the city looks familiar, its because much of it was used as a filming location for the TV series Game of Thrones.
Córdoba
Seville, Málaga, and Granada may be Andalusias best-known cities, but Córdoba is a true little gem you shouldnt miss. With a dominant Arab influence in its architecture (the city flourished under Moorish rule), it is one of the most beautiful cities in southern Spain. The citys historic center was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1984. Here, travelersenjoy strolls along ancient cobbled streets, sneaking peeks into houses adorned with colorful flowers and beautiful fountains.
Oviedo
Asturias, a small region in northern Spain washed by the Bay of Biscay, has lush green landscapes and is famed for its rich cuisine. Here they drink cider more than wine and play bagpipes instead of guitars. Its capital, Oviedo, was awarded the title of Spains Gastronomic Capital for 2024. The citys beautiful historic center is an excellent place to sample the local cuisine.
Logroño
Many have heard of La Rioja for its famous wine, but the regions capital, Logroño, is less known to tourists. This small city is one of the main stops along the Camino de Santiago, the famed pilgrimage route in northern Spain to the city of Santiago de Compostela. One of the best things you can do here is spend a leisurely afternoon sampling as many bites as you can in the tapas bars.
Vitoria-Gasteiz
Vitoria-Gasteiz, the capital of the Basque Country, is often overshadowed by San Sebastián and Bilbao. Like its neighbors, the city is full of pintxo bars and gourmet restaurants, but without the tourist crowds. Its also one of the greenest and most sustainable cities in Spain, with the highest amount of green space per resident in the country. The city has more than 150 kilometers of bike lanes, as well as a beautifully preserved medieval quarter and a fantastic contemporary art museum.
Mérida
Mérida is the capital and second most populous city of the autonomous community of Extremadura in southwestern Spain. Founded by the Romans in the 1st century BC, today it is home to some of Spains finest Roman monuments. Visitors can attend a performance at the 2,000-year-old Roman Theatre, enjoy a stroll across the ancient Roman Bridge, and admire the old aqueduct and the Temple of Diana with its Doric columns.
Murcia
Those traveling in the region of Murcia, located between Andalusia and Valencia, mainly head for the sea. However, a walk in the regional capital has much to offer. Surrounded by olive groves and orchards, Murcia has a wonderful old town worth exploring on foot, with stops at tapas bars and on beautiful squares. At its heart stands the imposing Gothic cathedral, but its also worth visiting the former grand casino, which first opened in 1847 and has been fully restored to its old glory.
Valladolid
Valladolid is located in the region of Castilla y Léon, northwest of Madrid, and is a bustling university city divided in two by the Pisuerga River. Renaissance architecture abounds and there are many palaces and churches to discover. See the exhibits at the National Museum of Sculpture and then visit one of the tapas bars along the river, which even has its own sandy beach.
Cuenca
In the region of Castilla-La Mancha, about halfway between Madrid and Valencia, this UNESCO World Heritage city stands out thanks to its striking setting and buildings perched atop a hill overlooking a deep gorge. Lose yourself in the citys narrow, winding streets, visit some of the excellent contemporary art galleries, and explore the beauties of the surrounding area by hiking.
