In Spain, there are very touristic cities, mainly along the Mediterranean coast. As a result, tourists often overlook inland cities. Of course, going on vacation where there are beautiful beaches is great, but you are missing out on gorgeous places! Numerous less-known cities have a lot to offer. In addition, most of the time, staying there is a lot cheaper than staying in a seaside town. Read on to find out about 6 underrated destinations in Spain!
#1 Underrated destinations in Spain: Segovia
This city is located in the autonomous community of Castile and León, in the center of Spain. It is extremely underrated as a tourist destination. Historically, Segovia was first a Celtic city before becoming Roman. The city thrived at the end of the Middle Ages. Later on, Segovia struggled to attract people but it recovered and now around 50,000 people live there. Some of Segovia’s monuments are relatively well known. However, the number of tourists is pretty low when you compare it to the beauty of the city. This is mainly due to the inland location of the city. Indeed, tourists usually favor coastal cities. This is to the detriment of inland cities that are equally if not more interesting to stay at.
But if you overlook the lack of beaches and the absence of the Sea, you will discover wonderful things. The three must-sees of Segovia are the Alcázar, the Aqueduct, and the Cathedral. Alcázar means castle in Spanish. The Alcázar of Segovia has a long history, and it served as a model for Disney’s Cinderella Castle. Other interesting sights are the Royal Palace, multiple churches, and museums.
#2: Toledo
Toledo is right in the middle of Spain, in the autonomous community of Castilla-La Mancha. The city has nearly 90,000 inhabitants and benefits from a very rich past. Indeed, like most of Spain, Toledo was part of the Roman Empire. The city also has strong Visigothic and Moorish heritage. In terms of weather, Toledo has a cold semi-arid climate. It means that the temperatures are pretty cold in the winter. However, it gets very hot in the summer with an average high of 34.6°C in July. So, if you are planning on visiting Toledo, you should choose to go in June or September for example. In this way, you will still be warm, but not too hot that you cannot do anything in the sun.
Toledo has such a rich historic past, you will find many things to visit, or you can simply go sight-seeing. You should absolutely see the Toledo Cathedral, it dates back to the 13th century and is of High Gothic style. Otherwise, the Monastery of San Juan de Los Reyes is also very impressive. If you are an art lover, here is some good news for you! You will find a museum dedicated to the painter El Greco in Toledo.
#3: Zaragoza
The city of Zaragoza comprises 666,880 inhabitants. It is in the autonomous community of Aragon, in the NorthEast of Spain. Zaragoza was a Roman town, composed of traditional Roman elements such as a forum, thermal baths, and a theatre. The city later expanded during its Muslim era and was greatly modified over the centuries. Zaragoza is an interesting location. Indeed, it is at the center of a sort of hexagon formed by Bilbao, Madrid, Valencia, Barcelona, Bordeaux, and Toulouse. This allows you to travel to or from any of these cities in a few hours. That is why Zaragoza is rather easy to include in your trip around North Spain.
Regarding the things to visit, first of all, there is the Monasterio de Piedra. This site offers to visit a 13th-century monastery, as well as a beautiful historic garden. You will be able to admire waterfalls, caves, and breathtaking landscapes. Another major monument is the Basilica de Nuestra Señora del Pilar. It is an enormous building from the 17th century and placed on the banks of the Ebro river. A great place to eat would be El Tubo. This is a neighborhood in the old town where you will be able to enjoy delicious tapas.
#4: Jerez de la Frontera
This city is in the autonomous community of Andalusia. It is in the Southernmost part of the country, around half an hour from the coast. Jerez de la Frontera or simply Jerez has more than 200,000 inhabitants. The subtropical-Mediterranean climate allows enjoyable temperatures all year round. Even if you visit the city in the winter, you won’t be too cold. However, going to Jerez in the summer would be a good idea. Especially so if you are planning on taking a day trip to the beach.
Jerez contains a lot of religious sites that are all very impressive. You will also find multiple palaces as well as museums. If you feel like admiring nature, you can go to the Zoo and botanical garden. You should also take a stroll to see the Old City Hall of Jerez de la Frontera. It has a lot of history, as it was built back in 1575. You also have to go to a winery and taste some sherry wine. Indeed, Jerez is the world capital of this type of wine.
#5 Underrated destinations in Spain: Ronda
Ronda is also in Andalusia, in the extreme South of the country. Around 40,000 people live there and the city is in the Sierra de las Nieves Natural Park. Ronda is in a mountainous area, in the middle of a beautiful landscape. The Guadalevín River divides the city in two and runs in the El Tajo canyon above which the city perches. Three colossal bridges span the Guadalevín.
These bridges are Puente Romano, Puente Viejo, and Puente Nuevo. These massive constructions are what make Ronda such a unique and picturesque place. In this city, you will also find the oldest bullfighting ring in Spain. Several other sites are worth visiting or seeing, such as the Arab baths or la Casa del Rey Moro. Ronda certainly has a magical feeling to it due to its location, perched in the mountains.
#6 Underrated destinations in Spain: Mérida
Mérida is in the autonomous community of Extremadura, a region that tourists do not visit much. It is in the SouthWest of the country. Mérida only has 60,000 inhabitants, which is very enjoyable to visit without feeling crowded. The daily mean of the temperatures during the summer months is 26°C. Mérida obviously has Roman heritage. One that you will be able to admire all around the city with different beautiful monuments that survived through time.
The most impressive of those Roman monuments is certainly the Amphitheater. Its construction ended in 8 BC. It is around this time that Mérida became the capital of the Roman province of Lusitania. This province was in modern Portugal and part of western Spain. Other must-sees are the National Museum of Roman Art, the Roman Forum, and the Aqueduct of Miracles. One thing is for sure; you will be amazed by this city and its majestic evidence from the past.
Are you looking for more inspiration for your trips? Click here to find out which Italian cities to visit on a budget. And check this article out to know about must-see museums in the world.
