Spain has much more to offer than Barcelona’s busy boulevards or Madrid’s grand museums. As travelers look for better value and quieter experiences, many cheap Spain holidays can take you towards smaller towns where local life still shapes your day.
Rather than spending your whole trip following familiar routes, you can add one of these places to your itinerary and discover a different side of Spain.
1. Ronda, Andalusia
Ronda sits high above the El Tajo gorge, creating one of Andalusia’s most striking settings. Walk across the 18th-century Puente Nuevo to see the cliffs and countryside from above, then explore the old town on foot.
You can reach Ronda by train from Málaga, making it practical for an overnight stay rather than a rushed excursion.
2. Cadaqués, Catalonia
Whitewashed houses and rocky coves give Cadaqués a distinctly Mediterranean character. Salvador Dalí spent many years nearby, and you can visit his former home in Portlligat after booking ahead.
Base yourself in Cadaqués for a night so you can enjoy the waterfront after day visitors leave, then explore the coastal paths around Cap de Creus.
3. Cáceres, Extremadura
Cáceres rewards you with remarkably atmospheric medieval streets, Renaissance palaces and stone squares. Its historic center works particularly well for slow exploration because you can cover most sights on foot.
Arrive in the afternoon, stay overnight and walk through the old quarter again after dinner, when its illuminated buildings create a completely different mood.
4. Peñíscola, Valencia
Peñíscola combines a sandy Mediterranean beach with a fortified old town that rises above the sea. Its hilltop castle once housed Pope Benedict XIII and gives you wide coastal views.
Allow time to wander down through the narrow lanes afterwards, stopping at a seafood restaurant before spending the afternoon beside the water.
5. Cudillero, Asturias
Colorful houses climb the steep slopes around Cudillero’s small harbor, giving this Asturian fishing village its distinctive appearance.
You can follow marked viewpoints above the center for better views across its rooftops and coastline. Stay nearby if you want time to sample local fish and cider without squeezing the village into a longer driving day.
6. Albarracín, Aragon
Albarracín’s pink-toned houses and winding lanes make the hill town feel unusually well preserved. You can explore its compact historic center in a few hours, but the surrounding landscape justifies a longer stop.
Wear comfortable shoes and follow the paths towards the medieval walls, where higher ground opens up views across the town.
7. Comillas, Cantabria
Comillas mixes northern Spain’s green coastal scenery with surprisingly bold architecture. Antoni Gaudí designed El Capricho here, a colorful building covered with decorative details that contrast sharply with the town’s traditional streets.
Book an early visit to El Capricho, then use the rest of your day to explore Comillas on foot and finish beside its broad beach.
