Luxury Meets Local: 7 Spanish Destinations You’ve Never Heard Of (Until Now)

Albarracín, Aragón

Widely considered Spain’s most beautiful village, all pink sandstone and winding lanes. Perched high above the Guadalaviar River, Albarracín looks like it was lifted straight from a medieval tapestry — a walled village of rose-hued sandstone, crooked cobblestone alleys, and wooden balconies overflowing with geraniums. Stay in a hand-restored nobleman’s house with panoramic terraces overlooking the jagged cliffs, then explore the ancient ramparts with a private guide who’ll share the legends of Moorish kings and medieval knights. In the evening, dine in a family-run restaurant where centuries-old recipes meet modern plating, all paired with wines from Aragón’s hidden vineyards.

Alquézar, Aragón

A medieval hilltop village surrounded by canyons and vineyards. Carved into a cliffside above the turquoise waters of the Río Vero, Alquézar is a medieval jewel wrapped in stories of knights, monks, and winemakers. Its honey-colored stone houses and arched passageways lead to a fortress-turned-collegiate church with sweeping canyon views. Luxury here means waking up in a boutique villa with floor-to-ceiling windows facing the gorge, then setting out on a private Somontano wine route — tasting rare vintages in centuries-old cellars and meeting the vintners themselves.

Comillas, Cantabria

An elegant seaside town with Modernist architecture, including a Gaudí gem. Its claim to fame is El Capricho, a whimsical summer villa designed by a young Antoni Gaudí — but the town’s charm runs far deeper. Here, luxury takes the form of a restored 19th-century palace overlooking the Bay of Biscay, where breakfast comes with sea breezes and distant lighthouse views. Spend your morning strolling past Modernist mansions and Neo-Gothic chapels, then follow a local fisherman to the market for the day’s catch. By evening, settle into a seaside restaurant for anchovies and grilled turbot, as the sun melts into the Atlantic and the waves crash just beyond your table.

Valldemossa, Mallorca

Quiet stone village with mountain views and a legacy of artists and musicians. Tucked into the Tramuntana Mountains, Valldemossa feels like a world apart — a village of honeyed stone and green-shuttered houses where bougainvillea spills over ancient walls. Stay in a converted monastery suite or a discreet hillside finca with private gardens scented by orange blossoms. Spend the morning wandering cobblestone lanes that lead to the Carthusian Monastery, once home to Chopin and George Sand, then join a local baker in crafting coca de patata, the pillowy sweet bread served with almond ice cream.

Cazorla, Andalucía

Cradled by the emerald slopes of the Sierra de Cazorla Natural Park, this mountain town is a gateway to Spain’s largest protected area — a world of cascading waterfalls, hidden ravines, and olive groves stretching to the horizon. Luxury here means waking in a restored Andalusian cortijo with terracotta floors, sun-drenched courtyards, and panoramic views of the castle that crowns the town. Spend the day on a private guided hike through pine-scented trails where ibex roam, stopping for an alfresco picnic of artisanal cheeses and estate-pressed olive oil. Back in the village, explore whitewashed streets at golden hour before sitting down to a candlelit dinner of trout fresh from the nearby river, paired with robust local wines.

Úbeda, Andalucía

A Renaissance masterpiece in the heart of Jaén province, Úbeda dazzles with golden-stone palaces, elegant plazas, and ornate façades that whisper of Spain’s 16th-century grandeur. Staying here means sleeping behind the carved doors of a nobleman’s residence transformed into a boutique hotel, where frescoed ceilings and courtyards draped in jasmine set the scene. By day, a private art historian can lead you through UNESCO-listed streets, unlocking the stories of merchants and architects who brought Italian Renaissance flair to southern Spain. Between visits to chapels and grand civic halls, savor olive oils pressed in centuries-old mills — the liquid gold of this region — before ending with a twilight stroll to the Plaza Vázquez de Molina, where the sandstone glows in the fading sun.

Sanlúcar de Barrameda, Andalucía

Perched at the mouth of the Guadalquivir River, Sanlúcar is a town where maritime history, and culinary prestige converge. Known as one corner of the “Sherry Triangle,” it’s the birthplace of manzanilla — the delicate, sea-breezed sherry best enjoyed steps from the very bodegas where it’s aged. Luxury here is checking into a restored 18th-century mansion with a tiled courtyard, then embarking on a private tasting with a master cellarman who reveals the nuances between vintages. In the late afternoon, wander the palm-lined promenade to watch the sun dip behind the Doñana National Park across the water. As evening falls, settle at a beachfront table for langostinos de Sanlúcar — sweet, plump prawns served with nothing more than a squeeze of lemon and the sound of waves as your soundtrack.