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With a History spanning several millennia, amazing beaches, and playing host to a number of world-class cities, Spain is one of the most popular destinations in Europe this fall, but there’s this slight caveat most tourists fail to take into consideration before booking a trip.
Until… they get water sprinkled on them as they peacefully have dinner.
Across tourism hotspots like Madrid, Barcelona and Mallorca, locals have had it with tourists, and from attacking them with water pistols to staging mass protests while chanting ‘Fuera!‘, they’re not exactly thrilled you’ll be coming this October to further add to their overtourism woes.
Take it from us: between the rising crowds and the rising hostility toward guests, certain parts of Spain are best avoided right now, but not all:
There remain 4 stunning destinations that are just as cultural (and just as warm) this season:
Almeria
A medieval gem straddling the crystal-clear Mediterranean, you’d expect Almeria to be one of Spain’s busiest coastal resorts, particularly considering how well-preserved its Old Town is, with the colorful, winding streets and a towering 16th-century cathedral.
Similarly to jam-packed Granada, it is dominated by a Moorish fortress, which sits atop a prominent hill overlooking the maze of narrow passageways below, possibly one of the largest of its era still surviving in mainland Spain.
Surprisingly enough, if it sees any agglomeration whatsoever, it’s mostly Spaniards escaping from British and German-colonized Sitges and Alicante, and if you’re wondering how well you can eat on under $40 a day, my friend, you’re in for a treat.
Casual seafront eatery Goleta Cabo de Gata offers cheap Mediterranean food starting from only $11.
If you happen to be strolling by Cathedral Square in the evenings, make sure you stop by nearby La Mala for drinks and a cheeky tortilla.
Ronda
Though Spain’s sun-drenched southern region Andalusia is best known for its Costa del Sol, which comprises iconic leisure destinations like Malaga and Marbella, offbeat spots like Ronda, tucked away in the mountainous inland, have retained the unspoiled, native charm.
There are no beaches, shopping centers, or luxurious resort compounds.
This is a picturesque small city perched atop two cliffs, connected by a landmark stone bridge spanning a 120-meter chasm and a scenic river.
From the Plaza de Toros, the oldest bullfighting ring in all of Spain, and an 18th-century wonder built in the Neoclassical style, to the much-older, 13th-century Arab Baths, and every picturesque plaza and cliffside walkway in between, Ronda is littered with historical monuments.
Oh, and if you’re wondering whether you should pack up some extra layers in case it’s chilly out, we suggest you keep those summery shorts in the bag: Ronda is part of the single hottest region in all of Europe, and it’s not unusual for it to be 76°F most days in October.
Lugo
We’re moving over to the Northwestern side, namely a charming, yet overlooked city in the Galician hinterland named Lugo, home to just over 100,000 people, and a walled citadel that continues to be surrounded by UNESCO-listed Roman walls.
They’re the only ones of their kind left intact, and if you’re wondering if you can walk them, the answer is a resounding yes.
The 2-km circuit offers breathtaking views of Lugo’s church towers and whitewashed houses and passes 10 city gates.
Other points of interest include the 3rd-century Roman Bridge and Saint Mary’s Cathedral, yet another UNESCO protégé renowned for its marble ambulatory and colonnaded cloister––and the best part is, none of the masses of pilgrims seen in neighboring Santiago de Compostela’s!
Looking for something unique to do in a tourist-free Lugo?
Stroll the city center to discover Lugo’s nationwide-famous murals depicting Roman Emperors like Julis Caesar, as well as innovative graffiti and other quirky street art.
Cartagena
Taking a train back south to the sunny Mediterranean, Cartagena is our last stop on this one-way tour to discovering Spain’s prettiest gems this fall, and if you loved Lugo for the ancientness and Old World allure, wait until you see this:
A bustling port lining azure waters, Cartagena has been coveted by many empires throughout the millennia, from the Carthaginians, who named it, to the Romans and the Moors, and that multiculturalism shows.
Try and name one other city where you have Carthaginian walls predating the birth of Christ and a near-intact Ancient Roman Theater, but also rows upon rows of 20th-century, ornate Art Nouveau facades and a bustling cruising port lined by upscale hotels and lively beach bars.
Other than the inestimable cultural value, Cartagena is far more affordable than your usual Barcelonas and Valencias: hotels start from a cheap $58 per night this season, and you’d have a hard time believing this is Mediterranean Spain with the laid-back atmosphere and absence of crowds.
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