Beautiful villages inland and on the coast

Are your body and mind screaming out for you to get away from it all? If you have been thinking for some time that you would like to travel to Spain and are looking for a plan that steers clear of the big cities, any one of the 100 locations that form part of the Association of the Most Beautiful Villages in Spain could be your dream destination. No matter whether you prefer the beach or the mountains, there are options to suit all tastes.

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Inland

Looking to find out more about inland Spain and enjoy the peace and quiet of small villages home to typical houses and packed with history? If you were to choose Castilla-La Mancha, for example, you could visit Pastrana (Guadalajara), a Ducal village that will surprise you on account of its beauty, its Carmelite convents and its literary tradition, with Camilo José Cela, a Literature Nobel Prize winner, portrayed the village in “Journey to the Alcarria”.Or in Castile and Leon, one option would be the unique village of La Alberca (Salamanca), home to its renowned wooden and stone houses nestled in a labyrinth of narrow streets. Be sure to take a snapshot in its stunning Plaza Mayor square with its flower-adorned balconies and do not miss out on the opportunity to take in the landscapes of the Batuecas-Sierra de Francia Nature Reserve.

Street in the medieval village of La Alberca, Salamanca

If you travel to Aragon, one village that will not disappoint is Aínsa. In its old quarter, time seems to have been frozen in the Middle Ages. It is home to beautiful settings such as the Romanesque church of Santa María or the remains of its old castle, which, in addition to being the site of an ecomuseum on Pyrenean wildlife, plays host each summer to the Castillo de Aínsa International Music Festival.La Rioja is another inland destination that is always worth a visit, especially in autumn, during the grape harvest. There, Briones sits atop an 80-metre high hill. Its buildings, made of ashlar stone, and the remains of the village's walls and the castle give the place a special atmosphere. Did you know that here they hold spectacular Medieval Festivals?

Aerial view taken from a drone over Aínsa, a town in Huesca, Aragon

If you choose to visit Navarre, we suggest you discover El Roncal. Nestled in the heart of the Roncal valley, in the Navarrese Pyrenees, its landscapes are simply incredible. Make sure not to leave without trying its delicious cheese or without discovering curiosities such as the fact famous tenor Julián Gayarre is buried there in a mausoleum made by the sculptor Benlliure.In the centre of Spain and less than an hour from Madrid is Nuevo Baztán. This village has an interesting history: founded in the 18th century by Juan de Goyeneche, it served as an agricultural and manufacturing hub for products that were valued at the time, such as glass and fabrics. The artistically impressive Palace-Church of Goyeneche has stood the test of time.To bring our examples of inland villages to a close, we head south to Extremadura. Specifically, Robledillo de Gata, a stunning setting in the Sierra de Gata home to less than 100 residents. One particular feature is its farmhouse, which adapts to the slope of the hill on which it is located. Make sure not to miss out on its 16th century church or the natural surroundings, home to waterfalls and viewpoints overlooking the river, or original museums such as the Oil Museum.

Romanesque bridge in Isaba, Valle de Roncal, Navarre

On the coast

Although many of the Most Beautiful Villages in Spain are located inland, there are also some magnificent examples by the sea. We have two suggestions for you.Starting in the south: in Mojácar (Almeria). Its popular architecture of white houses and the colourful flowers perched on their balconies are sure to enamour you. Take in every last corner of its narrow streets looking for traces of the village's Arab past. Make sure not miss Plaza del Parterre or the almost 20 kilometres of beaches with crystal clear waters.Heading north, to Asturias, you will find Cudillero. This mountainside village is a constant presence in the lists of Spain's most beautiful villages. Its colourful fishermen's houses form a kind of natural amphitheater that looks out over the sea, as if it had been lifted straight out of a story book. The area is home to different beaches, with the dizzying cliffs of Playa del Silencio worth particular mention. Sunsets viewed from here are unforgettable.

Fishing nets and houses in Cudillero, Asturias

On the islands

Spain's two archipelagos could not be missing from our list. Both are home to different Beautiful Villages that will take you by surprise.If you are visiting the Canary Islands, you could discover Agulo, one of the smallest villages on the island of La Gomera, chosen by British newspaper “The Times” as the most beautiful village in Spain. Here, you will see that the town is an immense natural viewpoint tinged green by the rows of crops overlooking the Atlantic Ocean. The views out over the island of Tenerife and its imposing Teide volcano add special value to this village.And bringing our tour to an end, Alcúdia, in the northwest of the Balearic island of Mallorca. This impressive setting is home to a beautiful historic quarter, surrounded by an imposing medieval wall, the beautiful church of Sant Jaume or the ruins of the ancient Roman city of Pollentia. Also, make sure to take a break to go for a stroll along the beach or take a dip in the area's turquoise waters.

Mirador de Abrante building with its glass observation balcony overlooking the village of Agulo on the island of La Gomera

Inland, on the coast and on the islands… Find your perfect Beautiful Village

Inland

On the coast

On the islands