12 Best Towns to Visit in Spain

The best towns in Spain offer a rich blend of gastronomy, culture, and in some cases, shimmering golden beaches, too. From the Basque Country in the North to the sun-drenched Andalucian hills, the best towns to visit in Spain are found all over the country and its dazzling islands.

Towns in Spain are steeped in history, too, with Moorish palaces, medieval churches, and palm-flanked squares. There are higgledy-piggledy old towns with characterful architecture, not to mention some excellent shopping opportunities.

From glorious Ronda, clinging to a gorge near Málaga, to Mallorca’s citrus-scented mountain towns, discover the best towns to visit in Spain.

Ronda, Andalucia

Clinging to the top of a deep gorge, the El Tajo de Ronda, high above the ribbon-like Guadalevín River, Ronda is one of the most dramatic towns to visit in Spain.

Ronda’s landscape fascinates geologists, with its origins dating back 5,000 years, the result of seismic movement that separated the rock to form the deep chasm that visitors so admire. The gorge is almost 500 feet deep, with the old town on one side, the newer part of town on the other, with several bridges linking the two.

Ronda’s most famous bridge is the 18th-century Puente Nuevo, spanning the 390-foot-wide gap. The two outer arches of the bridge are built into the sides of the gorge, while the central and tallest arch features a chamber above it. This room was once used as a prison, including during the Spanish Civil War, from 1936-1939, when opponents on both sides were held captive and are said to have been tortured and thrown from the bridge.

Visit the chamber, now a museum, which reveals the history of this eye-watering bridge and its construction. Wander the labyrinthine cobbled streets of the old town, lined with whitewashed buildings. There’s a mosque-turned-church and a Nasrid-period house featuring original Islamic architecture. At the 14th-century Mondragon Palace, take a walk in the palm-filled gardens for spectacular views of the surrounding landscape.

Getxo, Near Bilbao

Just 20 minutes from the center of Bilbao at the mouth of the River Nervión, Getxo is a wonderful old port town on Spain’s north coast.

The golden Arrigunaga Beach, next to a tall, white cliff is a lovely spot to bathe and swim, or tap the Bay of Biscay’s waves on a surfboard. Canoeing and jet–skiing are also available during the summer months.

There’s a lovely waterfront walk south from Ereaga Beach and the Galerias de Punta Begoña building, leading past the grand riverside mansions river for a glimpse of the UNESCO-listed Vizcaya Bridge, which straddles the Nervión. Completed in 1893, Vizcaya is a soaring red-iron suspension bridge that was the first of its kind in the world to carry both people and traffic.

Once you’ve soaked up the salty sea air, opt for a stroll to Plaza San Nicolás in the old port area in the Algorta neighborhood, where the laneways are fizzing with shops and lively pintxos bars.

Deià, Mallorca

Located in Mallorca’s rugged Serra de Tramuntana on the northwest of the island, Deià is among the most seductive towns to visit in Spain.

This pretty town lies at the foot of Teix mountain, close to the famous Son Marroig estate that was once home to Archduke Ludwig Salvator of Austria. Today, the estate is an opulent Spanish museum, housing art and antiques collected by the duke, with a luscious Mediterranean garden featuring a Carrara marble pavilion and views of the sapphire-blue sea.

It’s well worth the trek to Deià’s hilltop San Juan Bautista church for the majestic views of the mountain terraces and olive groves, too. On the town’s main strip, you could browse the small cluster of chic boutiques and galleries.

When you start to feel peckish, there are plenty of tasty lunch options. Down by the sea, in Deià’s gorgeous cove, Ca’s Patró March is a rustic restaurant that serves divine plates of red shrimp, lobster, squid, and other fresh-off-the-boat seafood.

Arcos de la Frontera, Andalucia

A short distance north of Cádiz in Southern Spain, Arcos de la Frontera is one of the most breathtaking white towns—known as pueblos blancos—in Andalucia.

Arcos de la Frontera sits on the summit of a sheer limestone cliff with the Guadalete river winding below. Thanks to its elevated position, the town has been inhabited during the Neolithic, Bronze Age, Tartessian, Phoenician, and Roman periods.

There is a maze-like old town surrounding the sandstone Castillo de los Arcos, which offers a magnificent vantage point of the Sierra de Cádiz mountains. Plaza del Cabildo has sensational views, too, and is the location of the 17th-century cloistered Convent of the Barefoot Mercedarias.

Wander the narrow Calle Maldonaldo and Calle Cuna, lined with 18th-century palacios, and admire the beautiful Basílica de Santa María de la Asunción with its soaring bell tower. On Calle Dean Espinosa, to the rear of the basílica, tiny tapas bars and charming restaurants line the narrow street, such as Restaurante El Convento, where cured Jamón ibérico hangs from the ceiling.

Arucas, Gran Canaria

Laid-back Arucas is a closely guarded secret by those in the know. Just a few miles from Las Palmas, the buzzy capital of Gran Canaria, the town lies almost 2,000 feet above sea level, where houses are the color of confetti and there’s a palm-filled municipal park.

Arucas spreads around the gothic-style Church of San Juan Bautista on Plaza de San Juan. This early 20th-century stone church was built by local stonemasons and art by Canarian painter Cristóbal Hernández de Quintana features inside.

View the works of Canarian artists, including Arucas native Guillermo Sureda, at the Municipal Museum. After, sip on silky drinks at Arucas’s Ron de Arehucas Rum Factory and Museum. The distillery’s delicious spirit has been produced on the island since 1884.

San Vicente de la Barquera, Cantabria

A 90-minute car journey west of Bilbao will lead you to San Vicente de la Barquera, a gorgeous Spanish town that’s wedged between the Cantabrian Sea and the snow-capped Picos de Europa.

San Vicente de la Barquera has the best of both worlds: unspoiled shores, and a medieval old town filled with interesting monuments, including the 16th-century Santa María de los Ángeles Church.

The crenelated tower of a 13th-century castle pokes above the harbor town, while the 16th-century Maza bridge links the old town to the unspoiled Playa de La Maza. On the waterfront, there’s a neat row of palm trees and a selection of restaurants serving authentic Spanish food. What more could you want?

Garachico, Tenerife

The tiny town of Garachico in the north of Tenerife was built in the 15th century, making it one of the oldest villages in the Canary Islands. Back then, it was the island’s main port, although when the nearby Trevejo volcano erupted in 1706, much of the prominent old port was destroyed.

On Garachico’s picturesque waterfront, gaze out to the rock of Garachico, which rises almost vertically from the sea. Garachico Natural Pools, next to the 16th-century San Miguel Castle, are a big draw. Formed following the volcanic eruption from lava flowing into the sea, these large rock pools are accessed via steps built into the rocks.

Plaza de la Libertad is a beautiful, wide-open square home to two Spanish churches. Wander Garachico’s handsome streets and you’ll find some lovely restaurants, too, including El Rebojo, which serves a divine Canarian crab rice dish, with white crab served over white rice in a rich pepper and saffron sauce.

Betanzos, Galicia

The Mandeo River wraps around Betanzos, a former fortified town near the mouth of the Betanzos estuary in Galicia. Betanzos retains a lovely, under-the-radar feel. It’s not far from Santiago de Compostela and the pilgrim’s route of St. James’s Way, making it one of the best towns to visit in Spain.

Stroll across the arched Ponte Vella bridge for picturesque views of the boat-lined river. Restaurants, wine bars, and shops line the streets around Constitution Square in the old town.

There are three gothic churches to admire, too, San Francisco, Santiago, and Santa María do Azogue, in the characterful old town. Step inside San Francisco church to see an eye-popping sarcophagus of Pérez de Andrade, a 14th-century Galician knight, resting on a stone wild boar and a bear, said to represent his lineage.

Once you’ve explored the old quarter, relax with a glass of refreshing Albariño, Galicia’s outstanding variety of white wine.

Albarracín, Near Valencia

Albarracín is a hilly, terracotta-hued old town, a two-hour drive north of the beautiful city of Valencia, with a blend of Islamic and medieval architecture.

You’ll see a 10th- and 11th-century fortified wall built by the Taifa kings of Albarracín that dramatically weaves along the hilltop, with new sections added in the centuries that followed.

The 16th-century Catedral del Salvador is a beautiful church with a bell tower and vaulted ceiling that was built on the remains of a Romanesque temple.

Marvel at the medieval buildings with wooden balconies in the cobblestone Plaza Mayor. You can see the Guadalaviar River from the town hall in the square and there’s a small bar serving tapas and cold beers.  Albarracín’s streets are steep, often with steps, and are not suitable for travelers with mobility issues.

Lekeitio, Near Bilbao

Lekeitio is a traditional fishing town on the north coast of Spain with a pretty harbor and traditional balconied townhouses winding off the waterfront.

The River Lea runs through Lekeitio, separating two honey-colored beaches, Isuntza and Karraspio, at its mouth. The sandy Spanish beaches face the green-covered San Nicolás, a small island that can be reached via a timber path at low tide. Dip your toes in the Cantabrian Sea and enjoy the feel of the powdery sand.

There’s a late 15th-century church, the Basilica of Santa María de la Asunción, featuring a gothic portico and flying buttresses.

Stop at the crossroads of Gamarra Plaza to sample sublime Basque Country cuisine. Stop at Santi Gozotegia, too; this divine bakery serves an array of buns, pastries, and cakes, laden with cream, custard, and meringue.

Nerja, Andalucia

This former fishing village, just 30 miles east of Malaga, is a sizzling seaside town on the Costa del Sol, close to the Sierra Almijara mountain range.

Though the Spanish beach town of Nerja has become more built up in recent decades, it retains a small-town charm, dotted with palm trees and beaches along its sparkling coastline. There are several sandy shores, in fact, including Playa El Chorrillo, Playa Carabeillo, and Playa de Burriana, with sun loungers, beach bars, and watersports.

Walk to Balcón de Europa, a lookout point between Playa El Chorrillo and Playa el Salón, which juts out into the sea.

Plaza Balcon De Europa is a tree-lined square with bars, restaurants, and a swan-white church, while Nerja Museum reveals the town’s backstory from the Upper Palaeolithic era—around 24,000 years ago—and the discovery of Nerja Caves in 1959.

The caves, just outside of the town, feature breathtaking rock formations, ancient rock-art paintings, and stalactites.

Mijas, Andalucia

This elegant “white town” is home to a jigsaw of whitewashed houses, perched 1,300 feet above the sea on a verdant mountainside.

It’s easy to see why Mijas is one of the best towns to visit in Spain, its traditional Andalucian buildings bright with blue plant pots, plus ceramics, art, jewelry, and handicraft boutiques lining the streets.

There are plenty of places in Mijas where you could drink in the far-reaching views, including in leafy Parque La Muralla, next to Iglesia Inmaculada Concepción church. Find a spot on a sun-dappled terrace to savor a long lunch.

Whether you’re a fan of plump shrimp, paella, and squid cooked in its own ink, or prefer to keep it simple with salad and pizza, there is a restaurant to suit every taste. If your priority is seeing the hazy blue view, however, Restaurante El Mirador has some of the best seats in Mijas.

Read: Most Beautiful Places in Spain

Valldemossa, Mallorca

Perched in the rugged Tramuntana mountains, Valldemossa is one of the best towns to visit in Spain.

This picture-book Mallorcan town is a scenic 25-30-minute drive from Palma. Travelers are greeted by winding roads that reveal traditional houses with olive-green shutters.

Visiting Valldemossa is one of the best things to do in Mallorca, and a highlight is the Royal Carthusian Monastery. Polish composer Frédéric Chopin and his lover, the French writer George Sand, spent time here during the winter of 1838-1839. There’s a library, an old pharmacy, and a modern art museum with pieces by Juli Ramis, Joan Miró, and Pablo Picasso.

Once you’ve roamed the cobbled squares and browsed chic shops, Valldemossa also happens to be a great spot for a Mallorcan feast. Head to S´Hort de Cartoixa, a rustic spot that’s part organic grocery store, part café.

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