European countries are popular with British holidaymakers as they often have nicer weather and are not very far from the UK.
This means shorter flight times compared to other, more exotic places, and while there are the usual hotspots, like Majorca, Ibiza, Paris and Crete in Greece, there are also some hidden gems that not many tourists are aware of. Spain consistently ranks as the top destination for British travellers with many choosing to go there for a summer holiday as there is more sunshine and warmer temperatures during this time of year compared to the UK.
The wide variety of beaches, lifestyle, affordability and cultural attractions are other factors that draw large numbers of Brits to Spain every year. A UK travel blogger called Jess has gained thousands of followers on TikTok where she gives travel recommendations and itineraries.
In a recent video on the platform, she highlighted what she thinks could be the “most unique town in Spain.” She gave viewers a glimpse at Setenil de las Bodegas in southern Spain.
The town is known for its charming whitewashed houses built into the surrounding clips. Overlaying her TikTok clip, Jess wrote: “The people in this town literally live under a rock.”
It’s located in the province of Cádiz in Andalusia and in the video, Jess can be seen walking along the narrow streets lined by white buildings with plants hanging from black balconies and restaurants with parasols, chairs and tables outside underneath the large rock. The travel blogger gave more information in the caption of her post where she penned: “Is this the most unique town in Spain?
“This is Setenil de las Bodegas, an incredible village literally built into the cliff side. The whitewashed houses are built beneath huge rock overhangs, and some of them are even available to stay in overnight. Or, you can just visit and enjoy lunch beneath the rocks.”
The rock hangs above the Rio Guadalporcún river and Setenil de las Bodegas has a small population of a little more than 2,600 inhabitants. It boasts a rich history with evidence of human settlement dating back to the 12th century.
Calle Cuevas del Sol, known as Sun Caves Street, features bars and restaurants built into the cliff with plenty of seating beneath the rock overhang. There is also Calle Cuevas de la Sombra, which is a narrower street with less light where the rock overhang fully covers the buildings.
Aside from the unique houses and buildings built into or under the rock, there are several tourist attractions, including Nazari Castle, a historic 12th century castle that played a significant role in the town’s history and various viewpoints offering panoramic views, such as Mirador del Carmen, but there is a steep climb of nearly 100 steps to get here, Mirador del Lizon and Calle Ventosilla Alta. Setenil de las Bodegas is accessible from Malaga where it takes around one hour and 15 minutes to get there by car.
Jess described the town as an “absolute must visit if you’re planning a trip to Spain.” Her TikTok video has garnered comments from viewers who were impressed.
One exclaimed: “This is how you live with nature!” Others said “loved it here” and “beautiful.”