10 Most Charming Towns in Spain

Our love for Barcelona and Madrid is no secret, but we’d be lying if we said it’s not worth booking a train (or renting a car) bound for Spain’s smaller towns, where incredible food, old-world architecture, and family-run businesses tied to the land and the sea have defined local life for generations. From Lastres to Cadaques, our 10 favorite villages in Spain have charm to spare.

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1

Lastres

Spain’s smash-hit TV series “Doctor Mateo” put this once sleepy northeastern fishermen’s town on the traveler's map. Despite Lastres' newfound fame, you'll still find the same level of old-world charm that wooed location scouts. Namely, a clutch of red-roofed historic buildings (like the Hotel Palacio de los Vallados) tumbling down towards the sea, with the Sueve Mountains in the distance. Don’t miss the famous fish auction at the seaside market, the 15th-century Clock Tower, or the Jurassic Museum—home to fossils of dinosaurs that once roamed the region.

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2

Frigiliana

The traditional Andalusian architecture of this medieval mountain town—whitewashed buildings; a labyrinth of steep alleys linked by staircases—might remind you of the Grecian islands, but its Moorish city center (where every plaza has its own tiled plaque explaining its history) brings you right back to Spain. The 9th-century Lizar Castle, at the top of the hill, is a beautiful spot to take in views of the countryside and the sea—as is the sweeping balcony along Carretera Circunvalacion, a buzzy street where locals and visitors come to shop for produce and handicrafts.

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Jul 31, 2020 to Aug 03, 2020

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3

Cadaques

A little over two hours’ drive from Barcelona makes this whitewashed coastal village on the Costa Brava an easy weekend getaway. Salvador Dalí famously summered in Cadaques (his house is now a museum)—which might explain why Picasso, Miró, and Duchamp also spent time here. The town center even has a sculpture of Dalí, but even if you’re not that much of an art buff, there’s much to explore. Follow one of the cobblestone lanes down to the town's pretty beach, which is lined with local shops and seafood restaurants whose outdoor seats give you perfect views of the colorful boats bobbing in the bay.

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Jul 31, 2020 to Aug 03, 2020

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4

Cudillero

Overlooking the Bay of Biscay, this hillside fishing village is where Spainards come when they're seeking quality seafood and beach time but want to escape the crowds. Cudillero's pastel-hued houses are arranged in a kind of half-moon shape around the bay, where you can watch fishermen hoist in their catch on the small but buzzy dock. After a refreshing dip in the sea at Playa del Silencio, the rest of the afternoon is best spent feasting on fresh fish and a glass (or two) of caña at one of the taverns in the town center, then making the short drive outside town to take in stunning cliff views from the lighthouse at Cabo Vidio.

RELATED: 8 Beautiful Towns in the World You've Never Heard Of

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5

Soller, Mallorca

The one-hour train ride from Mallorca’s capital, Palma, to this picturesque port town—arguably the prettiest on the island—is worth the journey. The baroque-style church of Sant Bartomeu (with its massive rose window and arched tower façade) dominates the central square, from which café-lined streets fan out towards the mountains and the sea. You won’t be able to escape the smell of the surrounding orange groves, even on the beach (and that’s okay with us). Speaking of which, a freshly squeezed orange juice is the best antidote following long strolls around the Museu del Casal de Cultura—an 18th-century manor house filled with antiques—and the botanical garden on the outskirts of town.

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6

Ronda

For those familiar with Spain’s Andalusian region, once you’ve seen one whitewashed Moorish village, you’ve seen them all. The exception is Ronda, whose two sections—an old Moorish settlement and younger 15th-century town—were built on the edge of a 400-foot-deep canyon and linked via stone bridges. Fun fact: Orson Welles was so taken with this village that he was buried here. Together, the town possesses a rich and varied history, home to well-preserved ancient baths, palaces-turned-museums such as the Palacio de Mondragon (whose garden overlooks the valley gorge), and one of Spain’s oldest bullfight rings.

RELATED: The 10 Most Beautiful Cliffside Hotels in the World

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