Escape the Crowds: 4 Hidden Gem Destinations in Spain Worth Exploring

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Many anti-tourism protests in Spain have not deterred tourists from visiting the country during the summer. Popular areas include Barcelona, Madrid, Mallorca, Ibiza, and the Canary Islands. Locals suspect excessive tourism has led to a lack of affordable housing and declining living standards.

Tourists who want to visit Spain this summer can choose destinations far from the crowds but still worth visiting. These places offer a similar atmosphere, beautiful weather, and interesting places like the more famous areas.

The Depth of the North

One of these regions is Rioja, which was recently named the least visited in Spain. This beautiful destination in northern Spain was visited by only 123,123 people last year. It is known for its abundant wine production, pilgrimage churches, and natural reserves.

According to Spain.info, this area has more than 500 internationally renowned wineries. Various activities are offered during visits to vineyards, including grape stomping, horseback riding, and more. For those interested in religious tourism, they can follow the pilgrimage route of St. James' Way, or visit other places like Santo Domingo de la Calzada and its cathedral, San Millán de la Cogolla, the monasteries of Suso and Yuso, designated a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.

La Rioja vineyard, in Spain. Shutterstock

To immerse yourself in the rich cultural history of this area, visit the Museo de la Rioja, located in an 18th-century Baroque-style building. Nature lovers can visit the Mediterranean forest, high mountain areas, and the Sierra de Cebollera Nature Reserve or the Arnedillo Biosphere Reserve.

El Hierro and La Gomera in the Canary Islands

The Canary Islands are one of the centers of anti-tourism protests in Spain. However, El Hierro and La Gomera remain more secluded. Both are beautiful places for tourists who want to enjoy the sun all year round on these islands.

According to Statista, La Gomera and El Hierro both received 69,000 visitors in 2022. Travel expert Marek Bron said La Gomera is the most underestimated island in the region. "It has these very lush forests that feel like rainforests and they’re amazing for hiking," he said, as quoted from Express UK.

El Hierro, the smallest island in the Canary Islands, also receives less attention, as the number of visitors is much lower than popular destinations such as Tenerife and Lanzarote. This island was designated as a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. Its coastline is rocky for almost 100 kilometers, and it has bays and lagoons such as Charco Manso in the north and Charco Azul in the northwest.

The clear, deep waters near the coast make this island an ideal destination for diving and snorkeling enthusiasts. It is also an ideal location for outdoor activities like paragliding, mountain biking, surfing, cave exploration, hiking, and other adventures.

The Whaling Era Heritage

Maria Lucense, on the eastern part of the coastline on the Cantabrian Sea, is interesting to visit because of its spectacular sand, such as As Catedrais. A 1.5-kilometer beach that gets its name from the stone towers and Gothic arches above its sand.

With a coastline of about 100 kilometers, tourists can find an old whale hunting port and various landscapes such as Ro Eo, Osco y Terras de Burn Biosphere Reserve, As Catedrais beach (where the rocks form monumental arches), and Coelleira Island.

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