Cádiz, Mérida, Logroño, Cuenca And Estepona, Escape The Crowds And Discover Lesser-known Spanish Towns For A Serene Getaway : Know More

Published on August 9, 2025 |

If you are not a instrumentality of nan touristy destinations and want to flight each that madness, past you should astir apt sojourn Cádiz, Mérida, Logroño, Cuenca aliases Estepona for your quiet retreat from Spain. The towns you whitethorn not person moreover heard of will successful truth springiness heavy dive into culture, picturesque landscapes, and section experiences devoid connected accustomed tourer madness. Whether you are wandering done Cádiz’s humanities streets, touring nan Roman ruins of Mérida, sampling Logroño’s cuisine aliases exploring Cuenca’s medieval wonders aliases bathing successful Estepona’s mild waters, each municipality serves arsenic a quiet flight offering to genuinely unwind and soak up Spain’s civilization and earthy beauty.

Last year, Barcelona’s locals took to h2o guns to effort and deter unruly tourists, while Madrid witnessed protests complete rising rents, a business galore linked to overtourism. In consequence to nan increasing pressure, various cities successful Spain person implemented stricter tourism policies aimed astatine easing nan strain connected section communities. These caller measures see limiting nationalist drinking, curbing noisy celebrations, and regulating short-term rental services for illustration Airbnb.

Recently, Mallorca’s residents person written an unfastened missive urging visitors to enactment away, declaring that they are facing “the worst summertime successful nan history of Mallorca” arsenic overtourism continues to plague nan island.

For those looking to flight nan emblematic crowds and debar tensions pinch locals this summer, Metro has compiled a database of lesser-known Spanish destinations that connection a quieter and much authentic experience.

Cádiz: A Timeless Escape

Cádiz, 1 of nan oldest cities successful Europe, offers a serene retreat steeped successful maritime history. The town’s charming streets are lined pinch whitewashed buildings and sun-drenched plazas, reflecting its centuries-old relationship to nan sea. The city’s humanities value is visible astatine each turn, from ancient churches to colonial-era architecture.

Beyond its history, Cádiz is known for its aureate beaches, specified arsenic nan beautiful La Caleta Beach, and scenic views from Tavira Tower. Visitors tin rotation done nan aged town’s constrictive streets aliases relax by nan coast, enjoying nan tranquility that’s uncommon successful Spain’s much tourist-heavy destinations. Despite its galore attractions, Cádiz remains amazingly uncrowded compared to much celebrated cities for illustration Seville aliases Barcelona.

Cádiz complements nan adjacent Jerez de la Frontera perfectly, a municipality celebrated for its flamenco practice and world-class sherry production. Jerez is often described arsenic a quieter type of Málaga, making it an fantabulous complement for a two-city getaway. New formation routes from awesome UK airports to Jerez person made it much accessible than ever for world visitors.

Mérida: A Roman Haven

Nestled successful nan bosom of nan Extremadura region, Mérida stands arsenic a singular testament to Roman history. Founded successful nan 1st period BC, nan metropolis boasts immoderate of nan astir awesome Roman ruins successful Europe, including nan Roman Amphitheatre, nan Temple of Diana, and nan Roman Bridge, which spans nan Guadiana River. Mérida is often overlooked by mainstream tourism, but its well-preserved ancient landmarks connection a unsocial glimpse into Spain’s Roman past.

For those seeking an authentic humanities acquisition without nan crowds, Mérida is simply a cleanable destination. The metropolis is besides situated successful 1 of Spain’s least-visited regions, making it perfect for those looking for a serene retreat. Extremadura is moreover offering financial incentives for integer nomads, pinch up to £12.6k disposable per twelvemonth for distant workers who take to guidelines themselves there.

Logroño: A Culinary Journey

Logroño, nan superior of Spain’s La Rioja region, is simply a hidden gem for nutrient and vino lovers. Known for its vibrant tapas scene, nan metropolis is location to immoderate of nan champion pintxos bars successful nan country, wherever visitors tin sample section delicacies while hopping from 1 barroom to nan next. Logroño is besides nan gateway to La Rioja, Spain’s premier vino region, wherever visitors tin circuit vineyards and bask immoderate of nan world’s finest wines.

The city’s medieval streets are lined pinch beautiful landmarks for illustration nan Co-Cathedral of Santa Maria de la Redonda, which boasts stunning baroque architecture. Logroño offers an authentic acquisition of Spanish gastronomy and culture, without nan crowds typically recovered successful Spain’s awesome tourer hubs.

Cuenca: A Medieval Wonder

Cuenca, located conscionable 2 hours from Madrid, is celebrated for its “hanging houses” (Casas Colgadas), which look to defy gravity arsenic they bent complete a heavy gorge. This UNESCO World Heritage tract is often overlooked successful favour of larger cities, but Cuenca’s medieval charm and melodramatic landscapes make it an fantabulous destination for those seeking bid and solitude.

The hanging houses, making love backmost to nan 15th century, are a cardinal item of nan town. Many of these historical buildings person been converted into museums, allowing visitors to study astir nan region’s fascinating history. Cuenca’s winding alleys, scenic hiking paths, and nan adjacent Serranía de Cuenca Natural Park supply ample chances for escapade and outdoor discovery.

Estepona: A Quiet Coastal Retreat

Estepona, located on nan Costa del Sol, remains a hidden gem contempt its proximity to 1 of Spain’s astir visited regions. While millions of visitors flock to different parts of Andalusia, Estepona manages to enactment comparatively quiet. In 2023, only 253,376 world visitors visited Estepona, making up conscionable 2% of nan 12 cardinal who visited nan broader Andalusian region.

The town’s charming whitewashed buildings, draped successful bursts of colorful flowers, group nan shape for a serene locomotion done its enchanting streets. Estepona’s beaches, including nan celebrated Playa de la Rada, connection visitors a chance to relax by nan crystal-clear waters. For those seeking adventure, nan municipality besides offers hiking routes that lead to nan adjacent Sierra Bermeja mountains.

Escape nan crowds and observe Spain’s hidden gems successful Cádiz, Mérida, Logroño, Cuenca, and Estepona, wherever serene atmospheres, rich | history, and authentic experiences await. These lesser-known towns connection nan cleanable serene getaway from nan accustomed tourer hotspots.

With overtourism plaguing truthful galore of Spain’s apical cities, nan state is simply a wealth trove for hidden gems that connection each nan aforesaid allure without nan crowds aliases commercialization. From nan glorious historical charm of Cádiz (pictured) to Mérida’s Roman wonders, Logroño’s culinary delights and Cuenca’s medieval marvels, Spain’s hidden gems connection visitors unsocial ways to year-round sun — without nan high-season crowds. Fewer crowds, a consciousness of escapade and less costs mean these quieter destinations will supply you pinch an unforgettable retreat whether you are a history buff, foodie aliases person of nature.