8 Prettiest Towns In Spain You Must See

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Would you believe me if I told you that the prettiest towns in Spain are often more memorable than the big cities?

Spain is one of the most popular destinations in Europe, and it’s no surprise why. The country has beautiful beaches along its southern coast, great food, world-class art museums, and so much more.

But, many forsake the beautiful white-washed villages nestled in mountain ranges in favour of popular Spanish cities like Barcelona. But, it’s not just their big cities and gorgeous islands that are worth visiting. Spain also has some hidden treasures waiting for you in its smaller towns.

The Prettiest Spanish Towns

Spain has a rich culture that has been around for centuries. There are so many diverse regions, each with its unique flavour, from the beaches of Andalusia to the snow-capped mountains of Asturias.

From the fiestas to the food and of course the wine, it’s safe to say that Spain will be on many people’s travel lists. But, if you’re looking to get off the beaten path, the most beautiful Spanish towns are all well worth a visit.

1. Setenil de las Bodegas

One of the most beautiful white villages in Andalucia is Setenil de las Bodegas. Despite many of the white villages being built on top of hills or the side of mountains, to be able to defend themselves from potential invaders, Setenil de las Bodegas was built inside a canyon.

Visiting Setenil de las Bodegas is a unique experience and it’s one of the most beautiful villages in Spain. The streets of the village are covered by massive boulders, whilst the houses are built inside caves.

Getting to Setenil de las Bodegas is quite easy, the village is located very close to Ronda. The public transport is not exactly reliable so if you want to be independent and not time constricted, it’s best to either rent a car or get there by taxi, from Ronda.

One of the best things to do in Setenil de las Bodegas is to enjoy a local meal at one of the restaurants along Calle Cuevas del Sol. All the restaurants are located inside caves, and their terraces are just below the boulders.

Another great thing to do in the village is to visit the remains of the Arab castle, which used to have 40 towers. Today only one remains.

✅ Discover the best places to stay in Setenil de las Bodegas

2. Besalu

Besalu is easily one of the prettiest towns in Spain. Often visited on day trips from Barcelona or Girona, this small town is located at the heart of the Garrotxa Volcanic Region, part of Costa Brava (Catalonia). It will steal your heart with its beautiful vistas and relaxed atmosphere. 

The main sight in Besalu is Pont Vell – the Old Bridge, which was built in the 12th century in Romanesque style, to connect the two sides of the River Fluvia. The view of the bridge from various places in town and the view of the town from the bridge are simply iconic.

A walk around Besalu will take you to its lovely plazas where you’ll find historical buildings galore, as well as the many churches. One of the must-sees is the Monastery of St. Pere, with the nearby square. 

Make sure to also pop by the Jewish Baths, the testimony of the presence of a very influential Jewish community in the region.

Another fun place to visit is the Miniature Museum, where you can spot perfect tiny reproductions of actual places in town. Finally, take some time for a walk along the banks of the river and around town for the many souvenir shops.

Besalu can be easily visited from either Barcelona or Girona. The easiest way to get there is on a guided tour across the Garrotxa region.

✅ Discover the best places to stay in Besalu

3. Lloret de Mar

Lloret de Mar is a Mediterranean coastal town in Catalonia and one of the most beautiful towns in Spain. Close to Gerona and Barcelona, Lloret de Mar is easy to get to and popular all year round.

If you don’t want to book a transfer or hire a car, you can travel to Lloret de Mar by bus or train. This is an affordable way to travel but will take up to 2 hours, depending on where you’re departing from.

If you’re looking for somewhere to relax on the beach and soak up the rays, Lloret de Mar is perfect for you. Lloret de Mar also has a lively nightlife, with bars and clubs stretching from Lloret beach to the old town.

Marlés Vilarrodona is the main strip you’ll want to head to or steer clear of, depending on what type of holiday you’re looking for.

A short walk away is Sa Caleta which is a beautiful cove overlooked by Castell d’en Plaja. Perfect for breaking up a day sunbathing with a walk around the stunning castle.

No trip to the Lloret de Mar would be complete without water activities. Take to the waves by jet skiing or on a catamaran trip to complete your holiday.

✅ Discover the best places to stay in Lloret de Mar

4. Sitges

If you’re packing your bags for Spain, Sitges is definitely worth considering. It’s one of the best small towns in Spain and a real gem on the Costa Dorada.

You can easily combine Sitges with a city trip to Barcelona. In less than an hour, you can be in the small coastal town by train from Barcelona. From Barcelona airport, it’s only 25km.

The best time to visit is in summer or autumn.

When it comes to things to do in Sitges, there are so many to choose from. Firstly, Sitges is a wonderful place for shopping in Spain. In the small town, the old cute streets will absorb you and the small boutiques invite you in.

Secondly, tapas! On every trip to Spain, you should eat tapas at least once. Whether aioli, patatas bravas, chopitos, or the Pa amb tomaquet (toasted peasant bread with grated garlic, tomato and olive oil), you’re bound to love Catalan cuisine. There are countless options and Sitges also has an annual tapas festival.

Lastly, make sure to visit the Iglesia de San Bartolomé y Santa Tecla. After you’ve tasted the delicious Spanish tapas, take a walk on the beach in Sitges.

At the end of the beach, you’ll discover the picturesque, warm terracotta church perched on a rock and silhouetted beautifully against the ocean.

✅ Discover the best places to stay in Sitges

5. Villajoyosa

Villajoyosa is a real travel highlight and an insider tip for exploring the prettiest towns in Spain. This colourful city is located in the middle of the Costa Blanca, on the so-called White Coast of Spain. 

This means it’s not far from the main tourist hot spots Benidorm, Alicante and Calpe. Especially the colourful townhouses, the lovely old town but also the many beaches around, make this place so unique along the Spanish coast.

The colourful old town of Villajoyosa is located directly on the turquoise blue sea, which gives this place an extra portion of charm. Directly in front of the old town is the main beach Playa la Villajoyosa, a beautiful sandy beach, perfect for swimming and relaxing.

If you want to swim then this is the best spot for you. Just behind there is the picturesque seafront promenade. You can find many colourful little houses, countless cosy restaurants, and cafes.

During a stroll through the alleyways, you will also pass some chocolate stores. The delicious chocolate of Villajoyosa is world-famous and another attraction that shouldn´t be missed.

The best places for a tasting, which can actually be quite romantic, are in the Valor Chocolate Museum and the Chocolates Clavileño.

Getting to Villajoyosa is quite simple. By plane, the nearest international airport is Alicante 50 km away. After that, you can easily take the public bus, the train or the cab to get there.

✅ Discover the best places to stay in Villajoyosa

6. Osuna

Osuna is one of the most beautiful Spanish towns. It’s located in the south of Spain, only an hour’s drive from Seville. It became world-famous through the filming of Games Of Thrones in the bull arena. 

It’s one of the best small towns in Spain to fully enjoy the real authentic Spanish vibe and the perfect stop during a southern Spain road trip.

You can also get all the main sights ticked off in just one day. Make sure to visit the wonderful Colegiata de Osuna, a 16th-century Catholic Church which contains a rich collection of Baroque art.

Monasterio De La Encarnación used to be a monastery, now it is Osuna’s religious art museum. You can get a guided tour led by one of the resident nuns, a must-do when visiting the city.

The gastronomy of Osuna is varied and includes traditional dishes such as ardoria, cocido ursaonés (local stew), repapalillas de bacalao (cod) and guiso de tagarninas (spinach stew). Sweet treats include many of the pastries made by the nuns of the Convents.

✅ Discover the best places to stay in Osuna

7. Calpe

Calpe is a cute little village on the Spanish coast – Costa Blanca to be more exact – and one of the prettiest towns in Spain. The most famous nearby town is Benidorm, which hosts many tourists every year. But by far not all of them travel to Calpe. A shame, because they should.

The most famous landmark of Calpe is the gigantic rock called Peñon de Ifach on the coastline. Even from further along the coast, you will always know where Calpe is because the rock cannot be missed. 

The top of Peñon de Ifach is 332 meters high. And you can climb it. The rock itself is a national park because of the many birds and plants, so always be careful. The view from the top is stunning.

Another fun thing to do in Calpe is to look for the flamingos. The lake in Calpe (Las Salinas de Calpe) is often home to these animals. They usually stand on the other side of the lake compared to the road, but you should be able to spot them.

And finally, trying the fresh seafood in Calpe is a must. Next to the beach and harbour, you can try one of the many restaurants which offer delicious dishes. One of the best is zarzuela, a dish with different kinds of fish in a rich, tomato sauce.11

✅ Discover the best places to stay in Calpe

8. Acebuchal

Acebuchal is one of the prettiest Spanish towns located in the mountains of southern Andalusia. The village was abandoned during the Spanish Civil War.

It lay abandoned for more than 50 years. In the early 2000s, it was rebuilt by former residents and now has a small number of inhabitants and a handful of restaurants. 

Definitely go hiking in this area and maybe even stay in one of the local apartments. The landscapes there are stunningly beautiful. The area is perfect for relaxing and trying different tapas. The local restaurants serve their own homemade bread too, which is an absolute must-try. 

Acebuchal is easily accessible by car or you could hike there from the nearby village of Frigiliana. The best time to visit Acebuchal is definitely during summer when it’s warm and dry. However, it can get quite hot during this time so make sure you take plenty of water if you do go hiking. 

Acebuchal is one of the prettiest towns in Spain, and a fantastic hidden village in the southern mountains tucked away from the tourist crowds.

✅ Discover the best places to stay in Acebuchal

Final Thoughts On the Prettiest Towns in Spain

Spain is a stunning country filled with beautiful towns and cities. But, if you love exploring the more authentic places, I recommend skipping popular Spanish cities like Barcelona. can be hard to know where to visit.

So, if you’re looking for something a little more quaint than bustling Madrid or the beautiful but certainly not secret Spanish islands, then I hope that you’ll love these 8 stunning small towns in Spain.

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