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Spain’s jaw-dropping beauty, with beaches extending for miles on, fairytale castles, and ancient cities dating back several millennia, has been extensively documented and reported on over the years, as has its struggle with overtourism.
Last year, things seemed to have reached a tipping point in places like Barcelona and the Canary Islands. Mass protests erupted against the local Government’s ineptitude to tackle the problem, and though innocent, tourists got caught in the firing line.
Literally.
Barcelonians went as far as sprinkling visitors who were peacefully dining alfresco with water pistols, not to mention the widespread destruction of sun beds in a popular Tenerife beach just last December, with graffiti reading ‘not for sale’.
Spaniards in these hugely-popular destinations are sending us a clear message, and based on the rapid escalation of events, we plan on listening to them.
That being said, there are 5 lesser-known beach destinations that still feel incredibly welcoming and where you’re unlikely to stumble upon the same excessive crowding or angry locals:
Blanes
Straddling the Catalonian Coast, a short one-hour drive east of a hectic Barcelona, Blanes feels a lot quieter in comparison, as it receives a lower influx of guests from abroad, and it caters to a primarily-Spaniard clientele that’s mostly indifferent to foreigners.
It has a beautiful strip of fine unfolding along the turquoise waters of the Mediterranean, bordered by glitzy condominiums and locally-run eateries, where you can eat as affordably as $14 (check out estimates on Numbeo), and as for hotels, you can find getaway deals from only $64.
Blanes is also the gateway to the scenic Costa Brava, and tourists will often use it as base to explore other equally-charming spots in the area, such as Tossa Del Mar, where a medieval castle overlooks a golden-sand beach, and the bustling port town of Palamós.
Nerja
A hidden gem of Costa Del Sol, a sunny hotspot best known for being home to the resort cities of Malaga and Marbella, Nerja is a peaceful seaside community with about 21,000 inhabitants that has nature as its greatest asset.
The nearby Caves of Nerja are a collection of underground chambers with unique geological formation stretching for 3 miles, and the town itself is sandwiched between the mountain-traversed Sierras of Tejeda, Almijara and Alhama Natural Park and the sea.
The sand-and-gravel Playa Burriana, Nerja’s best-frequented, is lined with traditional restaurants, including Ayo, where incredible paella is served, if you’re asking us, and the historic center is your typical Andalusian maze of whitewashed houses and charming plazas.
Torremolinos
Yet another municipality located on the sun-drenched Costa Del Sol, Torremolinos is a year-round resort town highly sought-after by Spaniards themselves for its temperate climate––chances are it’s sunny and at worst, moderately warm regardless of season––and extensive main beach.
It has a plethora of nightclubs and late-night eateries, mostly concentrated in the beach area, and in recent years, it’s developed a reputation for being one of Spain’s ‘gay’ capitals for boasting a high number of gay-friendly bars and a large Pride parade.
With beachfront hotels costing upwards of $67, it’s an inexpensive sunny getaway this spring, and if you’re not exactly a beach bum, you can still visit Torremolinos for its rich history: the Torre de Pimentel is a well-preserved medieval stronghold dating back to the 14th century.
Altea
Perched on a prominent hill overlooking Costa Blanca, a stretch of coast famous for its unspoiled, fine-white sand beaches, Altea is your lesser-known Santorini lookalike that’s not nearly as crowded, and definitely not as pricey:
Picture a timeless, maze-like center with cobbled alleys lined with whitewashed houses and artisan shops, alfresco diners occupying romantic, flowery patios, a landmark blue-tiled church––oh, and did we mention the tranquil atmosphere and scenic beachfront?
The attitude of locals towards guests here is very chill, and it’s highly unlikely you’ll be chased out of town by placard-waving protesters, and even though it’s ‘Greece-pretty’, a charming boutique hotel in the heart of Altea is going to set you back a mere $144-a-night.
Ciutadella de Menorca
Mallorca may be one of the worst hotspots in Spain for overtourism at the minute, but that’s because most tourists deliberately skip the smaller, more quaint Menorca, a tiny island home to Ciutadella, a port town that just summarizes Mediterranean life perfectly.
Its ocher-colored Old Quarter is criss-crossed with medieval streets, that all lead to a centrally-located main square, Plaça des Born, where you’ll find a Gothic city wall and a duo of palaces, Salort and Torre-Saura, and down by the yacht-filled marina, there are family-owned restaurants galore.
Besides its historical charm, and absence of crowds in comparison to Palma de Mallorca, Citadella is within driving distance of many calas––small, sheltered bays hugged by the turquoise seas––so maybe you’ll be surprised to know you can stay here overnight from as cheap as $75.
Not in some backstreet with a view of old buildings.
Right on the waterfront.
Vinicius Costa
Vini, our senior lead writer at Travel Off Path, has over 60+ countries under his belt (and currently weaving tales from Paris!), and a knack for turning off-the-beaten-path experiences into informative stories that will have you packing your bags.
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This article originally appeared on TravelOffPath.com
Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post.
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