10 Beautiful Towns and Historic Cities to Visit in Spain
From whitewashed villages and fishing ports to World Heritage cities, these ten destinations reveal very different sides of Spain.
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1. Mijas2. Santiago de Compostela3. Santillana del Mar4. Luanco5. Córdoba6. Salamanca7. Cudillero8. Alquézar9. Albarracín10. PeñíscolaSpain’s best-known destinations are only part of the story. Beyond Madrid and Barcelona, you can explore hillside villages, Atlantic fishing ports, medieval streets and compact historic cities.
This list mixes genuine small towns with three larger historic cities: Santiago de Compostela, Córdoba and Salamanca. They are included because their old quarters are easy to explore on foot and offer a strong sense of place. Check official opening times and transport schedules before travelling, especially outside the summer season.
1. Mijas
Mijas is a municipality on the Costa del Sol in Málaga province. Its best-known inland settlement, Mijas Pueblo, sits on a hillside above the Mediterranean. The coastal part of the municipality includes La Cala de Mijas and roughly 12 kilometres of beaches; the coast does not line the hill village itself.
In Mijas Pueblo, walk through whitewashed streets, visit the Iglesia de la Inmaculada Concepción and the Ermita de la Virgen de la Peña, and stop at the viewpoints above the coast. The village is steep, so comfortable shoes are useful. Donkey taxis operate here, but travellers concerned about animal welfare may prefer to explore on foot or use local road transport.
Good for: Andalusian streets, viewpoints and a combined coast-and-hills itinerary.
Planning: Málaga is the main transport gateway. Consult the official Mijas destination guide for current visitor information.
2. Santiago de Compostela
Santiago de Compostela is the capital of Galicia and the traditional destination of the Camino de Santiago. According to tradition, the cathedral contains relics associated with Saint James the Apostle. The historic centre is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and its arcaded streets are lively with residents, students and pilgrims.
Start in Praza do Obradoiro, then visit the cathedral area, the Mercado de Abastos and the Museo do Pobo Galego. You will see and hear both Spanish and Galician. Galician, or galego, is a language closely related to Portuguese; it is not a dialect of Spanish.
Good for: pilgrimage history, Galician food, stone architecture and a lively university atmosphere.
Planning: The city has rail and bus connections as well as an airport outside the centre. See the official Santiago de Compostela guide.
3. Santillana del Mar
Santillana del Mar is a well-preserved medieval town in Cantabria, on the northern route of the Camino de Santiago. Its cobbled centre grew around the Romanesque Collegiate Church of Santa Juliana and contains stone mansions from several periods.
The nearby Altamira cave is famous for prehistoric art, but access to the original cave is extremely restricted for conservation. Most visitors experience the site through the National Museum and Research Centre of Altamira and its carefully made replica, known as the Neocave. Reserve ahead when required.
Good for: medieval architecture, northern Spanish history and an introduction to prehistoric art.
Planning: The historic centre is best explored on foot. Use official museum and regional transport information for current access arrangements.
4. Luanco
Luanco is a seaside town on the Asturian coast, west of Gijón. Its harbour, promenade and fishing tradition make it a relaxed base for exploring the Cabo de Peñas area. The local focus is the sea rather than grand monuments.
Visit the Maritime Museum of Asturias, walk around the harbour and see the Church of Santa María beside the water. Luanco Beach and nearby coastal viewpoints are easy additions when conditions are suitable. Gijón Aquarium, San Lorenzo Beach and Ferrera Park are in other Asturian towns and should not be presented as Luanco attractions.
Good for: maritime history, seafood and coastal walks.
Planning: Regional buses link towns along the coast, but frequency varies. Check current timetables before relying on public transport.
5. Córdoba
Córdoba is a city, not a small town, but its historic centre rewards slow exploration. The Mosque-Cathedral began as a mosque in the eighth century and was enlarged over several centuries. After the Christian conquest of 1236, it was consecrated as a cathedral; a Renaissance cathedral nave was later built within the complex. Describing it as two equal halves is inaccurate.
Other highlights include the Roman Bridge, the Alcázar de los Reyes Cristianos, the Jewish quarter and the archaeological site of Medina Azahara outside the centre. Córdoba’s famous patios are private homes as well as cultural spaces, so visit only those officially open to the public or included in an authorised event.
Good for: layered Roman, Islamic, Jewish and Christian history.
Planning: Spring is popular, especially during the patio festivities. Check the official Córdoba guide for tickets and opening times.
6. Salamanca
Salamanca is another historic city rather than a village. Its university was founded in 1218 and is one of the oldest universities in Europe. The city was a European Capital of Culture in 2002, and its old city is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Begin at the Plaza Mayor, then walk to the university’s Plateresque façade, the Old and New Cathedrals, Casa de las Conchas and the Roman Bridge. Salamanca is a respected place to study Spanish, but claims that any one city speaks the world’s “purest” Spanish are linguistic myths.
Good for: university history, golden sandstone architecture and a compact walking route.
Planning: Trains and buses connect Salamanca with Madrid and other cities. Check the official Salamanca guide for current journeys.
7. Cudillero
Cudillero is a fishing village in Asturias, built around a small harbour below a steep amphitheatre of colourful houses. Its viewpoint route offers changing perspectives over the roofs and the Cantabrian Sea.
In the village, look for the sixteenth-century Church of San Pedro and the older Chapel of El Humilladero. Elsewhere in the municipality, Cabo Vidio, Silencio Beach and La Quinta de Selgas can extend a visit. Stories of a Viking foundation are local legend rather than established history.
Good for: harbour views, photography, fish restaurants and a scenic coastal stop.
Planning: Some nearby sights are easier to reach by car. The official Cudillero guide distinguishes village sights from places elsewhere in the municipality.
8. Alquézar
Alquézar lies in Huesca province, Aragón, within the Sierra y Cañones de Guara Natural Park. Its name comes from the Arabic al-qaṣr, meaning “the fortress.” The hilltop collegiate church of Santa María la Mayor and the medieval street plan dominate the village.
The surrounding Vero River area is known for canyon scenery and prehistoric rock art. The popular Pasarelas del Vero walkway includes exposed sections and steps, so check access conditions and buy any required ticket before setting out. Canyoning and other technical activities should be undertaken with suitable equipment and qualified guidance.
Good for: medieval architecture, hiking and dramatic limestone landscapes.
Planning: Wild camping and access can be regulated within protected areas. See the official Alquézar guide and park information before your visit.
9. Albarracín
Albarracín is a hill town in Teruel province, Aragón. Its steep lanes, reddish buildings and fortified skyline preserve layers of Islamic and medieval history. The surviving walls were built and expanded in several phases rather than as one continuous ring around the modern town.
Visit Plaza Mayor, the sixteenth-century Cathedral of El Salvador and the Diocesan Museum, which displays a collection of Flemish tapestries. The surrounding Albarracín Cultural Park contains post-Palaeolithic rock art; follow marked routes and local access guidance.
Good for: medieval streets, defensive architecture and nearby rock-art landscapes.
Planning: Public transport can be limited. Confirm connections before travel and consult the official Albarracín guide.
10. Peñíscola
Peñíscola is a fortified coastal town in Castellón province, in the Valencian Community. Its old town rises on a rocky headland above the Mediterranean, with beaches stretching along the lower coast.
The castle was built by the Knights Templar in the late thirteenth and early fourteenth centuries. It later became the residence of Benedict XIII, the disputed Avignon pope commonly known as Papa Luna, during the Western Schism. Walk the walls and lanes, visit the castle and Sea Museum, and enjoy the coastal views. Do not assume the lighthouse is open for public ascent; access rules can change.
Good for: a walled old town, Mediterranean beaches and medieval history.
Planning: Check current rail, bus and local transfer options rather than relying on old journey estimates. Spain’s official tourism guide includes an overview of Peñíscola.
Planning your route
These destinations are spread across Spain, so they work better as separate regional trips than as one short itinerary. Group Mijas and Córdoba in Andalusia; Luanco and Cudillero in Asturias; and Alquézar and Albarracín in Aragón. Santiago de Compostela, Santillana del Mar, Salamanca and Peñíscola each fit naturally into wider regional routes.
For every stop, confirm opening times, accessibility, reservations and transport on official websites shortly before you go. A few useful Spanish questions are ¿Está abierto hoy? (Is it open today?), ¿Hay que reservar? (Do we need to book?) and ¿Cómo se llega? (How do you get there?).
