Spain is one of the French people's favourite summer destinations. From the Sagrada Família in Barcelona to the Alcazar in Seville and the must-see museums in Madrid, it is true that this area has many assets! Far from the big cities and seaside resorts known to all, it is also necessary to take the time to discover the villages which are the timeless witnesses of cultures and traditions still alive. By the water's edge, nestled in the mountains or surrounded by green plains, all the pueblos in this article have an incredible charm. Here is our selection for an authentic holiday
Cadaqués, artists' village
A pearl of the Costa Brava, Cadaqués cultivates its isolation from the rest of Catalonia thanks to the mountains that surround it. This village with its white walls, located at the bottom of a bay, has seduced the most fashionable artists of the 20th century: from Paul Éluard to René Magritte, André Breton and Salvador Dalì, whose house-museum can be visited. This fishing village with its fascinating history and deep blue coves is a great place to spend the summer!
Ujué, medieval basin of Navarre
At the very top of a lonely peak surrounded by the plains of La Ribera and the Pyrenees mountain range, near Pamplona and the French border, there is a charming village of 300 inhabitants: Ujué. On the heights of the village, the fortress-church of Santa Maria d'Ujué stands with elegance and grandeur. Classified as a national monument, it was built, according to legend, after a shepherd discovered a statue of the Virgin Mary there
Vilafamés
, life in redClassified
Alquezar, treasure of AragonLocated
Grazalema, set in the countryside in a white
Urueña, the city of books
In the province of Valladolid, the medieval village of Urueña has been awarded the title of "City of the Book". In the heart of its ramparts, in its narrow streets, there are no less than twelve well-stocked bookshops: old works, bound, scientific texts or even devoted to bullfighting: there is only the embarrassment of choice! There is also a very playful storytelling museum and a centre dedicated to reading. A real open-air library!
Valldemossa, another Mallorca
We usually go to the Balearics to enjoy the splendid coastline. However, the inland offers a completely different view of the archipelago, far from its most tourist beaches. In Majorca, Valldemossa is the place to go, to the northwest of the island. This quiet village with its narrow streets welcomed Frédéric Chopin and George Sand in the winter of 1839, in its Carthusian monastery, which is still visited today
Laguardia, a wine stage
Capital of Rioja Alavesa, in the Basque Country, Laguardia is a 13th century fortified city. Surrounded by vineyards, it was enriched in the 16th and 17th centuries by the wine trade. It still has many cuevas, underground wine cellars that form a real maze under the village! Fans will not fail to enjoy this sweet beverage accompanied by pintxo, the typical appetizers of northern Spain
Las Negras, a bohemian village
In the province of Almería, in Andalusia, is the Cabo de Gata Nijar Natural Park, of incomparable marine beauty. Las Negras is certainly the most authentic village of the site. It owes its name to its immense peaks of black volcanic rock bordering its grey sandy beaches. Only 300 inhabitants live all year round in Las Negras, in a bohemian atmosphere that can be found particularly in Cala San Pedro, an hour's walk from the centre
Pedraza and its castle
Pedraza seduces for its imposing castle. Rebuilt in the 15th century, it dates from the 13th century and its dungeons have sheltered famous hostages: the sons of Francis I! There is also a museum dedicated to the painter Zuloaga who owned a studio in the dungeon. Just 1 hour from Madrid, Pedraza is an ideal getaway for those who want to discover one of the best preserved medieval villages in Spain. With a population of 400 inhabitants, it is a real gem.
