The Best Hidden Gems in Spain, According to a Travel Expert With 25 Years of Experience

"As someone who's spent over a quarter of a century curating trips throughout Spain, I often get asked for hidden gems in the country. The truth is, while its famous cities are iconic for a reason, Spain's soul can also be found elsewhere-where the roads narrow, the pace slows, and you're more likely to be invited in for a home-cooked meal than handed a pamphlet. Here are a few of my personal favorites."

"Asturias is where I go when I need to remind myself why I returned to Spain in 1997 after a stint back in the United Kingdom. The landscape is full of dramatic green mountains plunging into wild coastline, fishing villages painted in candy colors, and cider houses where locals pour from great heights with theatrical flair. The food is hearty, humble, and deeply satisfying."

Hidden regions across Spain reward travelers with narrow roads, slower pace, and frequent invitations to home-cooked meals and genuine hospitality. Picos de Europa features shepherds, smoked Gamonéu cheese, and mountain traditions that enable uplifting, insightful encounters. Las Médulas reveals red peaks and Roman-carved tunnels that glow at golden hour and often feel otherworldly in solitude. Asturias combines dramatic green mountains, wild coastline, colorful fishing villages, theatrical cider-house pouring, and hearty cuisine. Sierra de Guadarrama lies close to Madrid with pine forests, glacial lagoons, and trails frequented by botanists, historians, and reflective walkers. Valle del Jerte is striking in springtime and can feel like driving through a snow globe.

Read at Travel + Leisure