Spain is packed full of beautiful towns and villages, ranging from the Arab white washed hamlets of the south to slate “pizarra” villages of the north to sandstone pueblos in the Balearic islands and tropical architecture of the Canary islands. It is near impossible to pick ten, but here is a good start: our selection of the ten most darling villages in Spain, in our most humble opinion.
Feel free to tell us your favorites, too as there are dozens more gorgeous towns!
TOP TEN MOST BEAUTIFUL VILLAGES IN SPAIN
1. Cadaqués
2. Cudillero
3. Hondarribia
4. Besalù
5. Trujillo
6. Pedraza
7. Ronda
8. La Orotava
La Orotava- Canarybird 2009
9. Úbeda
10. Deià
Incredible Towns, I would love to visit all of them
I would have to say Vejer de la Frontera is missing, such a great little town, great food, great hotels, very beautiful and simple and close to the beach, small ones like Zahara de los Atunes.
Also Sepulveda outside Pedraza is very cute I hear, but Pedraza I loved!!! No McDonalds, no H&M, no supermarket, just small, quaint and charming.
Nice list! I would add Frigiliana (Malaga)–a perfectly preserved Andalucian white village with lots of rooftop terraces to enjoy a class of vino Malaga, olives and an ocean view…
Wonderful photos. I can live vicariously through you. My wife and I have travelled in the Mediterranean many times, but with teenagers at home now it is difficult to recapture the romance of the smaller villages. Thank you.
Other gorgeous Spanish villages include Laguardia in La Rioja, Abarracín in Teruel, Fornalutx in Mallorca, Santillana de Mar in Cantabria (although very touristy), Nerja in Málaga, Grazalema in the south, and Peralada & Peratallada both in Girona
I agree with Maria – Vejer de la Frontera is missing from your list. Vejer has incredible charm and history. Spectacular views too. In Vejer you can sit enjoying lunch in one continent whilst looking towards another! Fantastic restaurants, several boutique hotels and bars – as well as proximity to the wonderful beach of El Palmar, historic Cabo de Trafalgar, vibrant Cadiz and Sherry coated Jerez. I would recommend visiting Vejer rather than Ronda – Ronda is hardly a village. Ronda boasts a Michelin stared restaurant (although I think it may have lost it’s status) as well as a Macdonalds and a fabulous Parador – all next door to eachother – makes a great photo!! However – Ronda wines are great and well worth going out of your way to find. Great vineyards to visit.
Wonderful comments, thanks Annie and all of you who have shared your suggestions. I think we all agree Spain has some wonderful villages and towns to seek out!
All these are spectacular, but I would not classify Cadaques, Hondarribia, Ronda, Trujillo or Ubeda as “villages.” Under the heading of villages, Setenil, Grazalema, Olvera, Ubrique and Zahara de la Sierra in Cadiz are very special, but several of them are even edging out of the “village” size. I think Getaria is as pretty and spectacular as Hondarribia.
Getaria gets my vote, best little village in Pais Vasco
I’m going to Madrid in less that 3 weeks and can’t wait. Your site is feeding the frenzy!
I would have to agree with Maria about Vejer de la Frontera. It should be added to the list. It’s particularly wonderful during feria. Grazalema in Andalusia is another gem.
Caceres should DEFINITELY be on the list.
Another quaint village with a striking setting is Montefrio
Hola Gen!
We met in Madrid, ex manager of Scott´s hotel in Galilea. I would like to add Esporles, Mallorca to your list of most charming villages. My husband and I live here and are in heaven. We even have Mallorca´s only certified organic olive oil and wine producer here; ES VERGER, wonderful place to send your clients, and the owner, Miguel Fullana, is my English studentKym