The 10 Most Picturesque Towns in Spain

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Ah, Spain. The land of mountains, islands, and rivers. The country that flourished under the Roman Empire and conquered by the Moores from North Africa. From the daring bullfights in Ronda to artistic retreats in Cadaques, the riches of Spanish culture can be witnessed in the small towns of the Mediterranean or the villages on the Bay of Biscay. While Madrid and Spain may be its most visited cities, exploring its countryside offers an authentic experience that can’t be missed.

The Guide

The Picturesque Towns

Llastres, Asturias

With a population of just 1,159, Llastres is a stunning coastal parish in Spain’s northern autonomous community of Asturias. Perched on the top of a small cliffside, its idyllic red rooftops step up its hillside location and offers beautiful views of the Bay of Biscay.

Besalú, Catalonia

A town of some importance in the early Middle Ages, Besalú is best-known for its 12th-century Romanesque bridge that arches over the Fluvià river. At its midpoint stands a tower defense gateway that is a must-visit for any trip to the region. Apart from the bridge, Besalú also has a beautiful network of cobblestone streets and squares that offers a pleasant walk through its illustrious past.

Sóller, Mallorca

Sóller is a town near the northwest coast of Mallorca. It’s located about 3km inland from the Port de Sóller (pictured), a village and port with a combined population of about 14,000. They are connected by the famous Tranvía de Sóller, a charming heritage tramway that is one of two surviving first-generation tramways in Spain. Both locations should be visited with the port offering shops and restaurants, and the town with its magnificent Sant Bartomeu Church and belltower.

Castellfullit de la Roca, Catalonia

A short 13-minute drive from Besalú, Castellfullit de la Roca is a small municipality raised on a basalt cliff along the Fluvià river. Formed by the overlaying of two lava flows, the basalt crag on which the town is situated is over 50 metres high and almost a kilometre long.

Cadaqués, Catalonia

A short 2 hour drive form Barcelona, Cadaques is a popular summer destination for tourists and residents from the Catalonian capital. Its stunning topography both in Cadaques and the surrounding peninsula, known as the Cap de Creus, owes its beauty to geology when the rocks here were pushed up when the Pyrenees were formed. Before it became a tourist town, Cadaques was a popular artists destination with Pablo Picasso having spent time here in the summer of 2010.

Ronda, Malaga

Situated in a mountainous area about 750 metres above sea level, Ronda is best known for its dramatic setting along the El Tajo canyon and the three bridges that connect the two sides of the town. The Puente Nuevo bridge (pictured) is the largest of the three, standing over 120 metres above the  Guadalevín River. Artists like Ernest Hemmingway and Orson Welles spent many summers in Ronda’s old quarter called La Cuidad and were attracted by its stunning beauty and bullfighting traditions.

Frigiliana, Andalusia

Located on the southern Mediterranean coast, Frigiliana is widely considered the most beautiful village in Spain and is referred to as “the white village”. Its old district, called Mudéjar, was inhabited by the Moors and is made up of steep cobbled alleyways and white houses abundant with flowers. The best time to visit is in the last four days of August during the Festival of the Three Cultures (Festival de las Tres Culturas), which celebrates the region’s historic confluence and co-existence of Christian, Muslim and Jewish traditions.

Peñíscola, Castellón

Locally known as “The City in the Sea”, Peñíscola is a fortified seafort built on a crag 67 metres (220 feet) high. Its main attraction is the Peñíscola Castle situated at its peak, overlooking the Mediterranean Sea. Involved in several military conflicts, the castle’s current form is based on the Knights Templar who planned to develop a kingdom centred on Peñíscola.

Cuenca, Castile-La Mancha

The old city of Cuenca is located on a steep spur which descends into the deep gorges of the Júcar and Huécar rivers. It was first created in 714 when Muslims captured the area and built a fortress called Kunka. It soon became a prosperous city thanks to its agricultural and textile manufacturing. Its main site is the Cuenca Cathedral which was built between 1182 and 1270. It was the first Gothic Cathedral built in Spain, and its façade was rebuilt after it crumbled down in 1902.

Cudillero, Asturias

Legend has it that Cudillero was founded by Vikings thanks to its northern location along the Bay of Biscay. The small town of just 5,855 is centred around the Plaza Comercio and its charming seafood restaurants that lead people and watercraft directly to the ocean below.