If you’re dreaming about visiting Southern Spain, the great news is that there is so much to discover. Andalusia covers an area of over 87k square kilometers and offers such a diverse mix of experiences that you will struggle to narrow down your wishlist of places to see.
Some of the crown jewels of this part of the country include tourist hotspots like Seville or Granada, which attract millions of visitors each year. With the pandemic now over, it is estimated that the interest in these historical cities will surpass all predictions.
While seeing these beautiful places is certainly a must, the crowds of tourists who descend on these historic locations really do take away from the experience. If you don’t have the option to travel outside of the main season, there is really no other way to avoid them.
If you’re thinking of visiting some of the Southern Spain cities, you might want to consider something else: hidden gems that only locals go to, still mostly untouched by mass tourism and retaining much of the charm that you would expect to see in Andalusia.
I have been living in Southern Spain for over three years now and made it my mission to discover everything it has to offer – including the lesser-known cities and charming villages that deserve a spot on the map too.
So if you’re planning your itinerary for Southern Spain, check out my suggestions for some better alternatives to the overcrowded cities that provide a much better experience when visiting the country.
7 Lesser Known Southern Spain Cities Worth Visiting
Nerja
Nerja is a pretty coastal town not far away from Malaga, and its international airport.
It’s very popular with local Spanish holidaymakers, but also British tourists, especially in the summer. There is an old part of the town which is near the coast, and a beautiful rugged coastline hugged by the mountain ranges.
The highlights of the Nerja include beautiful, well-preserved caves just outside of the city and the Balcony of Europe viewing point offering stunning views of the Mediterranean Sea.
What makes Nerja unique is the blend of a pretty coastline with mountain ranges right behind, offering plenty of opportunities for hiking and exploring beyond the beach life. Nerja is also wonderful for all sorts of water sports and activities.
It does not look anything like the other resort towns on costa del sol – there is no mass development of apartment buildings or cheap hotels. It has retained the look and feel of a small village, with the added bonus of beautiful beaches and restaurants with stunning sea views. What’s not to like about that?
Setenil de las Bodegas
A village squeezed under a massive rock formation – how does that sound for an interesting place to see? This small village, a short drive away from Ronda, got on most people’s radar thanks to images from Instagram.
Two of the main village streets in Setenil are build into the rock that’s hanging over the streets, with rooms of the homes and restaurants being carved into the rock, offering plenty of cool in the summer, and a wonderful dining experience.
If you’re planning to add this place to your itinerary, you don’t need a full day to spend here – the village has literally a few streets to walk through or sit down for a meal or a drink. It’s best to combine this trip with seeing Ronda, for example (see below).
There is a ruin of an old fortress at the edge of the village, but you will be pretty happy just to stay in the town and enjoy the view of the rocks above your head, as you sip your Sangria in the shade.
Frigiliana
If you’re staying in Nerja or somewhere along the coastline of Costa del Sol, you won’t be too far from Frigiliana.
This pretty village stretching in the hills above Nerja has been declared the prettiest white village in Spain for a couple of years, and the locals certainly take pride in this accomplishment.
The village is a postcard-pretty town of whitewashed cobbled streets with perfectly aligned pots with plants and beautifully maintained streets. Each door and window looks like it’s cut out from a movie set, painted in pretty shades of blue and green, with the occasional rebel of pink door popping out.
As you arrive in the village, the main square offers stunning views of the coastline, with Nerja stretching right below your feet, and if you head up to the village, the view only gets better. Luckily there are also a few tapas, bars and restaurants where you can grab a cold pint and enjoy the view.
One word of advice – if you’re visiting in the summer, be prepared for the fact that most of the streets are a steep climb uphill, so have lots of water with you and prepare to make stops along the way.
Take a look at some of the most beautiful spots in Frigiliana in this article.
Estepona
Estepona may not be many people’s first choice when staying on Costa del Sol, but it’s much less crowded compared to the nearby glossy neighborhood of Marbella. Unlike Marbella and other destinations on the coast, it has still retained a lot of the charm of the original fishing village.
Much of the pretty places stretch around the old town, which is excessively decorated with plants and flowers, earning Estepona the title of ‘Garden of Costa del Sol’. Contributing to this title is also Estepona’s very own Orchid house, home to over 150 different varieties of orchids and one pretty impressive artificial waterfall.
If strolling through village streets is not your thing, you would be pleased to hear that Estepona boasts a long coastline with lots of great quality beach hotels and holiday apartments.
Should you decide to visit or stay here, you’re also a short drive away from the British borders at Gibraltar (about a 1-hour drive).
Cadiz
Cadiz is a one-of-a-kind destination in Andalusia, a meeting point for the Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea, the home of the Royal Navy, and a true delight for any photographer.
Cadiz is one of the oldest cities in Europe, and it’s a great choice for your base if you want to explore the lesser-known parts of Southern Europe. While staying here, you can also visit the trendy town of Tarifa, popular for windsurfing and water sports and known for its beautiful beaches. With Cadiz, you’re only a stone’s throw away from Africa, so taking a day trip to Morroco is very easy and also affordable.
What to do while exploring Cadiz?
Cadiz has a very old historic part of the town with a market in the middle, but the coastline is the place where the true beauty shines. Visit the historic Cathedral in the town, trail down the coastal walkway, and enjoy the stunning views of the Atlantic Ocean. While there, don’t forget to stop at the Castillo de Santa Catalina for superb views and a pretty spectacular photography location.
Cadiz also happens to be one of the warmest places in Andalusia, so if you want guaranteed sun and good weather, my vote goes for Cadiz.
Jerez De la Frontera
Another hidden gem just south of Seville, Jerez, is famous for its old town, the Alcazar – Moorish fortress ruins from the 11th century, but it is also home to the famous Andalusian School of Equestrian Art.
They call Jerez the city of wine, flamenco, and horses – which pretty much combines all the things Andalusia is known for.
While staying in Jerez, you can explore many of its historic sights or take the less traveled route by visiting the local wineries and wine museums. Add a night in a local tapas bar with an authentic flamenco performance, tapas sampling tour in a local restaurant, and you’ve pretty much ticked off all the things on your Andalusia bucket list.
Ronda
Ronda is probably one of the more known places on this list but well deserves a spot as it’s still not as crowded as some of the other bigger cities.
If you’ve seen pictures of the beautiful Puente Nuevo, you were probably already intrigued to know more about this old town. Stretching on each side of the El Tajo gorge, the ancient town of Ronda has one of the oldest bullrings in the country, ruins of old Roman baths, and sunset views like no other place.
Hemingway spent a lot of time in Ronda. Being a huge fan of bullfighting, he sang praise about the bullring in Ronda. Ronda was a popular destination for many other poets and writers who soaked inspiration for their work in this beautiful place – for example, George Elliot (who named his novel character Danie Deronda) or Orson Welles.
If you’re more into active holidays, Ronda is also the perfect base to explore the nature around – you can even do a hike to the bottom of the gorge. If you don’t have the time, you can go on a Ronda day trip from Seville.
Southern Spain Less Travelled
So there you have it, my picks for 7 beautiful locations that are still not tourist hot posts and offer you a chance to experience a bit more authentic stay in Andalusia.
Here are also a few practical tips for booking your trips:
- Most flight options will be to Malaga airport, and from there, you can reach most of the destinations above with a short car journey (up to 2 hours one way).
- If you want to look at other options, there is also an airport at Seville, but it’s mostly serving local domestic flights.
- If you’re not keen on renting a car, many of these destinations can be reached very easily from Malaga by train or a bus
- If you prefer to stay in a bigger city, many of these destinations are still easy to reach by car, bus, or an organized day trip, so you don’t miss anything.
I hope you enjoyed this roundup of some pretty spectacular locations – do let me know in the comments which one sounds like the best pick for your trip!
Author Bio: Lucia is a Slovak expat living in Southern Spain. On her blog Viva la Vita, she shares her discoveries about beautiful locations, hidden gems, and authentic experiences from Costa del Sol and beyond.
