Five Spanish towns for the perfect rural getaway

Traveling through Spain and rural tourism are two concepts that go hand in hand. Taking refuge in a corner that escapes the crowds and bustle of the cities , marveling at the contrasting landscapes that characterize our country, experiencing firsthand traditions with centuries of history... Visiting one of these five towns means this and much more: a true disconnection to reconnect with yourself, with nature, and with the pleasure of simplicity.

Cazorla (Jaén)

The province of Cádiz has the honor of having the most welcoming town in all of Spain . It earned this title at the Travel Review Awards, organized by Booking.com, where it placed second worldwide. But the hospitality of its citizens isn't the only highlight of this beautiful town in the Alto Guadalquivir region. The Sierras de Cazorla, Segura y Las Villas Natural Park surrounds the town with valleys, mountains, rivers, and pine forests, integrating it into a landscape dominated by the Peña de los Halcones mountain range and surrounded by an immense sea of ​​olive trees.

Yedra Castle will quickly capture our attention, as this Berber-era fortress dominates the town's skyline. At its feet, a maze of steep, narrow streets opens up, flanked by stately homes and traditional dwellings in a distinctive whitewash. A leisurely stroll will take us to monuments and buildings such as the churches of Carmen, San Francisco, and San José, and the emblematic ruins of the church of Santa María .

Aínsa (Huesca)

With the goal of empowering rural communities, each year UN Tourism selects the best villages to visit from all over the world. Unsurprisingly, among the Best Tourism Villages are Spanish towns like Aínsa. Listed as a Historic-Artistic Site, a walk through this Huesca town includes its beautiful Plaza Mayor and the Collegiate Church of Santa María .

Combining history and nature, we can't miss Aínsa Castle . This fortress of Islamic origin, built on a promontory, not only offers a unique panoramic view of the town and the surrounding landscape, but its keep houses the Eco-Museum Visitor Center, and the southeast tower houses the Sobrarbe-Pyrenees Geopark.

Salt Pool (Burgos)

A medieval aura emanates from the village of Poza de la Sal, transporting all its visitors back in time. The Bureba region is home to this town, which is part of the latest batch of villages to make it onto the list of Spain's Most Beautiful Villages . The Plaza Nueva is the perfect starting point for discovering all its charms, from the remains of the ancient walls and the Conjugadero Gate , to the Church of San Cosme y San Damián and the 16th-century town hall.

But its architectural heritage is not the only thing that characterizes Poza de la Sal, and it is also the birthplace of the famous Félix Rodríguez de la Fuente , whose death will be 45 years ago in 2025. Following in the footsteps of the naturalist, we will fall in love with the rugged territory where the town is located, dominated by the Obarenes Mountains , the Sierra del Alto de las Cruces and the Valle de las Caderechas.

Rupit (Barcelona)

Two Spanish towns have made it onto this year's list of Europe's Best Hidden Gems , compiled by the prestigious travel platform European Best Destination. Cobbled streets, rustic 16th and 17th-century houses, and lush nature await in one of them: Rupit. Located in the Barcelona region of Osona, its architectural heritage is defined by the Romanesque church of Sant Joan de Fàbregues and the Baroque church of Sant Miquel . The town also shares the municipality with Pruit , a group of scattered farmhouses, including the church of Sant Andreu.

Rupit is immersed in a spectacular landscape. Not only does it perch on a cliff, but above the houses themselves, a towering rock face dominates the town's horizon and lends a wild and brutal atmosphere. Forests, caves, and waterfalls add to the natural setting, where we'll find magical places like the Salto de Sallent waterfall and Agullola mountain.

Saint Eulalia de Oscos (Asturias)

Santa Eulalia de Oscos is a paradise for slow travel , for getting in touch with nature, for immersing yourself in centuries-old traditions... This little-known town in Asturias is the latest town to be crowned Rural Tourism Capital , a competition organised by the Escapada Rural platform, and it more than demonstrates why it deserves the award.

Santalla , the main population center of the municipality, nestles between valleys and hills, with a trail of colorful, terraced houses, manicured gardens, and the Church of Santa Eulalia. Other points of interest include the village of Mazonovo, with its ancient 18th-century mallet, which showcases the artistic forging of a profession in danger of extinction. And if that weren't enough, within the Río Eo, Oscos, and Terras de Burón Biosphere Reserve , you can explore hiking trails such as the one that leads to A Saimeira Waterfall.