BEAUTIFUL TOWNS IN SPAIN FOR A SUNNY SUMMER SCAPE
For decades, Spain has been one of Europe’s top destinations for summer travellers looking to to enjoy her beaches, cuisine, world-class museums, and laid-back lifestyle. Escape the crowds from the large cities and head to these beautiful villages and small towns for a laid down summer vacation.
From sleepy Asturian fishing towns to Andalucía’s stunning white villages, here’s a selection of Spain’s best villages for a sunny summer escape.
Frigiliana
Frigiliana is an Andalucian white village par excellence: a cluster of pristine white-washed homes and picturesque courtyards covered in geraniums and violets, cascading down the mountainside towards the sea in a backdrop of lemon, orange, and olive groves.
While Frigiliana has been spared the mass-tourism of neighbouring Nerja, making it ideal for a quiet retreat, locals also suggest visiting at the end of August when Frigiliana holds its popular Three Cultures Festival celebrating the village’s history.
Banyalbufar
Nestled in the Tramontana Mountains of western Mallorca, the sleepy village of Banyalbufar packs a touristic punch considerably larger than its size (only around 600 inhabitants). The surrounding countryside was declared a UNESCO World Heritage site, and the closet cove, Cala Banyalbufar, is a quiet, idyllic crescent of crystal blue water.
If you’re not feeling outdoorsy, you can also explore the town’s rambling streets and enjoy a glass of local Malvasia wine on one of the ocean view terraces.
Arcos de la Frontera
The reigning king of the Andalucía’s famous White Villages is defiantly Arcos de la Frontera, a charming cliff-top hamlet only an hour’s drive from Cadiz.
Widely considered one of Spain’s most beautiful villages, Arcos de la Frontera’s charm lies in its narrow streets and immaculate white walls decorated with flowering vines and colorful tilework. One of this village’s main draws its location: the beach, the spectacular Doñana National Park, the Grazalema Mountains, and the splendours of Seville all within slightly more than an hour’s drive.
Besalu
The moment visitors pass over Besalú‘s trademark 12th century bridge, it’s clear they’ve entered a different world entirely; the narrow alleyways of the Jewish district adorned with Romanesque engravings give way to seductive tapas bars offering some of the best regional cuisine in Cataluña.
However, Besalú’s reputation as the best-preserved medieval town in Cataluña is no secret, and it can get full in high summer, especially in August, so most travellers on minube suggest visiting in early summer or early autumn.
Casares
Only 45 minutes from the glitzy tourist hub of Marbella, the small white village of Casares is the perfect place to experience Andalucia’s more authentic charms without the crowds.
Locally, Casares is known for its steep winding, friendly people, and unpretentious, home-style cooking, but visitors should also make time to hike the surrounding Bermeja Mountains and head up to the 12th century castle which offers stunning views of the Strait of Gibraltar.
Ronda
Straddling a massive gorge, the stunning village of Ronda has famous both locally and internationally for its Goyesca bullfights and unbeatable scenery.
Long regarded as one of Spain’s most beautiful villages, Ronda recalls a regal era of knights and bandits complete with Moorish baths, archaeologicalmuseums, and centuries-old wineries. A good plan is to spend the morning exploring the squares, shopping on Espinel St., and then heading over to one of the terraces overlooking the impressive bridge and chasm for some tapas and a glass of local wine.
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