Many Brits would be forgiven if they decided to avoid Spain this summer for their holidays, given the many anti-tourism protests held over the past months and year. Mass tourism is being blamed by locals in many of Spain’s popular areas for lack of affordable housing as well as a deterioration of living standards.
However, there are a number of locations, mostly not as well known as destinations such as Barcelona and Majorca, still welcoming tourists. And the fact they are less visited should not lead UK tourists to think they are any less worthy of being seen, as they offer similar atmosphere, gorgeous weather and attractive spots as more famous areas.
Among them is la Rioja, recently named as Spain’s least visited region, is a gorgeous destination that welcomed just 123,123 visitors last year.
It is an inland region in the north of the country, and is known for its abundance of wine production.
According to Lonely Planet, “wine goes well with the region’s ochre earth and vast blue skies, which seem far more Mediterranean than the Basque greens further north.”
The esteemed travel guide continues: “This diverse region offers more than just the pleasures of the grape, though, and a few days here can see you mixing it up in lively towns and quiet pilgrim churches, and even hunting for the remains of giant reptiles.”
To immerse yourself in the area’s rich cultural history, head to the Museo de la Rioja, located in an 18th-century baroque building.
It is also hugely recommended to head to one of the region’s 500+ wineries to sample what the area is most famous for.
While hotspots in the Canary Islands have been at the centre of furious anti-tourism protests, including Tenerife, El Hierro and La Gomera remain quieter but equally beautiful spots tourists who want to enjoy the all-year round sun of the archipelago can pick.
According to Statista, both La Gomera and El Hierro received just 69,000 visitors in 2022.
Travel Expert at the Indie Traveller, Marek Bron, told MailOnline Travel that La Gomera is the most underrated island in the region.
He said: “It has these very lush forests that feel like rainforests and they’re amazing for hiking.”
El Hierro, the smallest Canary island, is also underrated, with far fewer crowds than popular destinations such as Tenerife and Lanzarote.
Marina Lucense appears to be another breathtaking region that doesn’t get as many tourists as its beauty deserves. Located in the northern Galician coast, where some of the country’s least well-known beaches are, it doesn’t enjoy all-year-round sunshine.
Yet, it is definitely worth a visit due to its spectacular sands, such as As Cathedrals (the Cathedrals), which is a 1.5km long beach that earned its name from the Gothic-looking rock towers and arches on its sands.