8 Of The Best Towns And Villages You Must Visit In Spain

Updated January 14th, 2021 | Original: February 27th, 2018, Posted by travelwith2ofus

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Spain is an amazing country with many breathtaking cities. Barcelona, Madrid, Seville, Granada, Valencia and Malaga are really popular and have so much to offer. But, what if you've been to those cities and still want a little more of Spain?

What if you want to have a new and different experience? You want to visit small villages with beautiful architecture, trees and mountains. You want to try the traditional local food and wines. Well, check out these eight beautiful villages. Find out where to go, what to see, eat and do.

Frigiliana
Frigiliana is often described as ‘the most beautiful village" in Andalusía and is one of the many villages that make up what is referred to as the Pueblos Blancos or “White Villages.” It is located east of Málaga and about six kilometers from the town of Nerja. Buses leave regularly from Nerja to Frigiliana and the journey takes around 15 – 20 minutes.

The cobblestone streets and white houses are among the many charm of this village. You should note that Frigiliana is on a mountainside so the streets are steep, very steep in some places. That, however, should not stop you from visiting this beautiful village.

Things to do
There are many interesting things you can do in and around Frigiliana, including visiting Plaza de las Tres Culturas (entrance to the village/square), Plaza El Ingenio (square in the village) and the Manor House of the Counts (Casa Solariega de los Condes - Renaissance style building).

If you like nature, hiking and the outdoors then, you should definitely check out the Sierras of Tejeda, Almijara and Almara Natural Park and the lost village of Acebuchal, which is located within the park. You should also explore the Rio Higueron river as well.

If you're visiting Frigiliana at the end of August you can check out the Festival of the Three Cultures (Festival de las Tres Culturas), which celebrates the different cultural heritage of the region.

Food
Dishes you should try are Pescaito frito (fried fresh fish), Berenjenas con miel de caña (fried eggplant drizzled with cane honey), Molletes (traditional bread), Potaje de hinojos (fennel stew), Choto al estilo de Frigiliana (Frigiliana-style kid stewed in oil), and local Tapas (snack plate).

If you can't resist having a glass of wine then check out the Vino de Frigiliana. Also try the Molino Real and Don Salvador Trasañejo Moscatel. Frigiliana is definitely worth visiting while you're on holiday in Spain.

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Toledo
The Spanish city of Toledo has many monuments as well as historic palaces, fortresses, churches, mosques and synagogues. Located in central Spain it is referred to as the “city of the three cultures” because Jews, Arabs and Christian co-existed there for centuries.

Things to do
Toledo was designated a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1986 and some of the places of interest include the Toledo Cathedral, Monastery of San Juan de los Reyes, Synagogue of El Transito, the Iglesia de Santo Tomé (historic church), Puente de San Martín (14th century pedestrian bridge, which offers breathtaking views of the Tagus river) and the El Greco Museum (paying tribute to painter El Greco).

The Museum of Santa Cruz (also featuring works by El Greco and Roman archaeology), Castle of San Servando (medieval monastery and castle), Army Museum of Toledo (exhibition of weapons, armors, painting and Spanish military history exhibits) and the Castillo de San Servando (Castle of San Servando - medieval castle which was originally a monastery. It is now a national monument) should be visited as well.

Other sites of interest include the Santa María la Blanca (considered one of the oldest synagogue building in Europe), the Juderia district (neighborhood in which Jews lived in the Middle Ages. Beautiful well-preserved building), Alcázar (fortress located at the highest point in the city. It currently houses the military museum. Provides breathtaking views of the city).

Food

Once you're in Toledo you should definitely try some of the local dishes. After all, the city was selected as Spain's Capital of Gastronomy for 2016.

Some of the local favorites include Ciervo en salsa (venison stew), Perdiz a la Toledana (partridge cooked with onions, white wine and garlic. Served with potatoes.), Carcamusas (stew with pork, tomatoes, peas and served in clay dish). Oh! For dessert try Marzipan (a confection made of sugar and ground almond).

Toledo Tours

If you're visiting Toledo, you may also want to check out these tours.

The most active spot at nights is at the many bars and restaurants around Plaza Mayor Square. Some of the local dishes that you should try are Zorongollo Extremeña (roasted pepper salad), Caldereta (sheep or goat meat stew), Torta del Casar (cheese made from sheep's milk), Pata Negra (local ham) and Migas (breadcrumbs, cured fat and chorizo fried). If you're a wine lover then check out the Ribera del Guadiana wines.

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Segovia
Segovia is a delight for lovers of architecture. The historic city is about a 30-minute train ride from Madrid and has a lot to offer visitors including structures and building with Romanesque and Gothic styling.

Things to do
Segovia is also a World Heritage City and some of the monuments and places worth visiting include the impressive Roman aqueduct, which serves as the entrance to Segovia. The impressive structure, which was built around the 1st century AD distributed water to the city from as far as nine miles away.

The 163-arch structure was built with stones from the Sierra de Guadarrama mountains and does not use mortar or plaster. The aqueduct is located in Plaza del Azoguejo.

Other interesting buildings include the San Martín church, Alcazar of Segovia, (royal palace), the Segovia Cathedral (supposedly the last Gothic cathedral built in Spain. Considered a Basque-Castilian Gothic architecture masterpiece), the Walls of Segovia (built around the 11th century and which encircled the city. Three gates are currently still standing including San Andrés gate and those of San Cebrián and Santiago).

Medina del Campo square and the Caballeros neighborhood (where you will find the Zuloaga Musuem and the Municipal Theatre Workshop) are also worth visiting.

Food

When it comes to food, Segovia is renowned for its Cochinillo Asado (roasted suckling pig), Judiones de la Granja (large white bean stew with chorizo and bacon) and Ponche Segoviano (layer cake covered in marzipan).

Segovia Tours

If you're visiting Segovia, you may also want to check out these tours.

Xativa
If you're visiting Xativa then you definitely need to check out the Xativa Castle, one of its gems. Located in eastern Spain, the town is full of history and the fortress, which lie on the Sierra del Castell hill, has seen many battles.

You can enter the compound using the Porta Ferrissa (iron gate), which is the main entrance to the castle. You can check out the central courtyard, the Plaza De Armas Square, Castell Menor and the Castell Major, which is located on the Sierra de Vernissa hill.

Things to do
Other sites of interest include La Colegiata (Collegiate Basilica of Santa María – declared a Cultural Heritage Site. Both the castle and church are the most outstanding buildings in Xativa), Hospital Reial, (considered one of the most impressive and iconic 16th century Valencian architectural works of art) and the Plaça de la Trinitat square (square with amazing buildings including Alarcón Palace and Trinitat Convent).

If you are interested in historical facts about art and other aspects of Xativa, then you should check out the museum located at the Collegiate Basilica of Santa María, the Museum of Fine Arts and the Almodí Municipal Museum.

There are several routes for those wishing to take a leisurely stroll or go on a hike. Those include Ancient Xativa (walk through the city's origins) and Cova Negra Caves (declared a Municipal Nature Park in 2006 and also a Cultural Heritage Site).

A Thousand Fountains (walk the Water Route and visit some of the city's most interesting landmarks) and The City Of The Borgias (view buildings and places that were linked to the Borgias family) are the other options.

Food

The Mediterranean cuisine of Xativa will excite your palate. The main dishes in Xativa use rice and include such favorites like Arròs En Fesols I Naps (beans, and turnips with rice), Arròs Al Forn (oven baked rice), Arròs Caldós (rice stew) and Arròs Blanquet (rice with onion sausage).

Paella done the Xativa way with lots of meat and vegetables is also worth a taste. To wash your meal down check out the La Costera wines with the Denominación de Origen Valencia labels.

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There are several beautiful beaches that you can visit including Burriana Beach, which some will say is the most popular beach in Nerja, Carabeillo Beach, El Chucho Beach, Calahonda Beach, La Caletilla Beach and El Salon Beach are some of the others.

Food

There are many bars, tapas bars and restaurants in Nerja. If you want to get a good sampling of the food delights of the city you can check out the “Tapas Run”, which is a tour of local bars where emphasis is on the local cuisine.

Local dishes you may want to give a try include Ajo Blanco Malagueño con uvas (garlic soup with grapes) and Cabrito a la Nerjeña (Kid (young goat), Nerja style).

Make sure and try some of the wines from Frigiliana, Competa and Vélez-Málaga. Some bars have Frigiliana wine in barrels and you can walk with your container and have it filled.

Nerja Tours

If you're visiting Nerja, you may also want to check out these tours.

Zuheros
Zuheros is small, but it is one of the most breathtaking villages in the Andalusia region. It has maintained its historic charm, which makes it an interesting place to visit.

Things to do
The imposing Zuheros Castle (is one of the places you have to visit when you're in Zuheros. The other location is the Murciélagos Cave (Cueva de los Murciélagos). If you're scared of bats, then you should probably stay outside because the cave has one of the largest bat colonies in Andalusia.

The Museo Arqueológico de Zuheros (museum) is also the home of the tourist office, so you can check it out and get information about the best places to visit. While there check out the history of Zuheros as well as the items found in Cueva de los Murciélagos.

The two other museums are the Museum of Customs and Popular Arts (Museo de Costumbres y Artes Populares), which features the history of the town and its inhabitants and the Francisco Poyato Museum (Museo Estudio Francisco Poyato), which feature works of the painter, poet and author).

Food

You can have a feast of local favorites in Zuheros including some of these dishes: Queso de cerdo (pig's cheese), Relleno (cured sausage made from ham, fresh shoulder of ham and boiled egg), Morcilla blanca (white blood sausage) and Morcilla de pan (black pudding with bread).

Other dishes include Sopas cachorreñas (soup made with cod, dried red peppers, croutons, baked garlic and vinegar), Cazuela de patatas (potato stew) and Potajes de habichuelas con bacalao (kidney bean and cod stew). For dessert try the Melechón cakes.

Gijon
Gijon is the largest city in Asturias Spain. If you love architecture, museums and sculptures then, Gijon is perfect for you. From the popular Museo del Ferrocarril (Gijón Railway museum) to the Museum of the Asturian People (Muséu del Pueblu d'Asturies) and the Museo Nicanor Piñole, which feature the work of painter Nicanor Piñole, there is a museum that will surely pique your interest.

Things to do
Some of the other museums of interest are Jovellanos Birthplace Museum, Revillagigedo Palace Cultural Centre, LABoral Art and Industrial Design Centre and the Barjola Museum for art. If you are interested in history, then check out the Roman Villa of Veranes, Campa Torres Archaeological and Nature Park and the Campo Valdés Roman Baths.

Other places of interest include Gijon's Aquarium/Acuario de Gijón (aquarium with over 400 marine species), Atlantico Botanical Garden (botanical gardens with over 2000 species of plants), Santa Catalina Headland/Cerro de Santa Catalina (park with breathtaking view of the sea, mountains and the town).

Beaches
If you love the beach, then there are several of them in Gijon that you can enjoy including Arbeyal beach, Poniente beach, San Lorenzo beach, Peñarrubia (nudist beach, surfers enjoy it as well.), Cagonera y Serín beach, Estaño and Cervigón/El Rinconín beach.

Food

Food is another highlight of Gijon. Seafood is plentiful so make sure and try some of the local dishes.

Other dishes you should give a try include Fabada asturiana (bean stew with pork and sausages), Pote Asturiano (bean, potato, greens and pork meats stew), Pulpín con Patatines (Octopus and potato stew), Cachopos (Veal Cordon Bleu) and Cabrales blue cheese (made from unpasteurized cow, or mixed with goat or sheep's milk).

Desserts include Charlota, Tarta Gijonesa and rice pudding. Wine and cider are must have beverages in Gijon.

Have you ever visited any of these cities, towns or villages? If you did we would love to hear about your experience.

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