The least visited places in Spain – where tourists are always welcome

Spain’s overtourism woes have been making headlines for some time now. The water shortage that saw tourists’ needs prioritised over those of locals; a housing crisis exacerbated by the proliferation of Airbnb holiday rentals; protests that have seen beaches occupied and Barcelona diners squirted with water pistols – all of these give rise to the impression that Spain is bursting at the seams, a pressure cooker of irate residents ready to explode.

In reality, Spain still welcomes conscientious visitors with open arms. After all, tourism helps keep countless bars and restaurants in business, and accounts for more than 12 per cent of the country’s GDP.

Furthermore, it’s easy to escape the honeypots where overtourism concerns are rising. There are numerous villages, towns, cities and regions that remain all but unknown to the average holidaymaker – but are still just as enticing as a break in Barcelona, Mallorca or the Costa del Sol. Not only will you find shorter queues, more towel space and lower prices for better food, you’ll also end up with an infinitely more interesting Instagram feed.

The least visited region: Rioja

It’s a household name thanks to one of Spain’s best-loved exports, but of the roughly 18 million Britons that visit Spain each year, a piffling 10,000 make it to the little region of La Rioja. These come for the wine, sure, but also for its sleepy sun-drenched villages and medieval monasteries, the glorious ramparted town of Laguardia, and some audacious contemporary architecture.

The Frank Gehry-designed Marqués de Riscal Hotel, topped with colossal titanium ribbons, is a truly extraordinary sight in itself, while the Ysios winery, stretching its undulating aluminium wings across the Alavesa hillside, is hardly less impressive.

Double rooms at the Marqués de Riscal Hotel start at €531, including breakfast.

The least visited coastal region: Cantabria

Cantabria is rarely top of the list for a bucket-and-spade holiday, thanks to a rainy climate and temperatures that barely scrape above 20C, but if medieval port towns, prehistoric cave paintings or scenic mountain hikes are your bag, the region has you covered.

Its capital, Santander, is a smart, modern city, known for its seafood, beaches and the Renzo Piano–designed Botín Arts Centre. Fascinated by Gaudí but can’t face the queues in Barcelona? Head to the pretty village of Comillas, where you’ll find 11 Modernista buildings, one by the master himself – the typically elaborate El Capricho summer house.

The medieval town of Potes is a good base from which to explore the Picos de Europa mountain range. Viator organises full-day tours, including transport from Santander and food, from £67 per person.

The least visited stretch of scenic coastline: Mariña Lucense

It’s no secret to Spanish tourists, but the Mariña Lucense, a stunning stretch of Galician seaside running from the lighthouse at Estaca de Bares to the Eo wetlands, a birding paradise, sees very few foreign visitors.

Those that do make it head straight to Praia As Catedrais (Cathedral Beach), so named for its towering rock formations.

Lesser-known beaches and traditional fishing villages dot the coastline east and west, and are linked by the pretty Camino Natural de la Ruta del Cantábrico hiking trail.

At high season, you’ll need to book a (free) beach pass for the Praia As Catedrais.

The least visited island: El Hierro

The westernmost point of Spain, the small volcanic island and Unesco Biosphere Reserve of El Hierro, in the Canaries, was for 500 years widely considered the prime meridian (until Greenwich nabbed the honour).

Swim in natural seawater pools, wander through dense forests or take a dive among shoals of Mediterranean parrotfish, keeping your eyes peeled for manta rays, turtles, tuna and even whale sharks.

The intrepid might also want to try their hand at paragliding or the frankly terrifying sport that is Canarian wrestling.

For those worried about their environmental impact, be assured that El Hierro has made a whole personality out of sustainability and prides itself on generating 100 per cent of its energy from wind and water. Its nature reserves are fiercely protected.

Fly to Tenerife (options are available from many UK airports), then take a domestic flight or ferry to El Hierro. See our guide to the island’s best hotels.

The least visited (major) city: Murcia

Of the 10 most populous cities in Spain, the one consistently ignored by tourists is Murcia, home to a large university and an impressive ensemble of mostly 18th-century buildings.

Much of the architectural action takes place on the Plaza del Cardenal Belluga, where the baroque façade of the Catedral de Santa María faces off against Rafael Moneo’s city hall building, a starkly modern contrast in gleaming travertine.

Nearby is the opulent 19th-century Real Casino where extravagant Moorish-influenced interiors meet rococo flourishes.

In the evening, the place to be is the Plaza de las Flores – named for its florist stalls – and surrounding streets, where you’ll find a profusion of tapas bars and terraces kept lively by the student population. Murcia is also a good place to order seafood that is prohibitively expensive elsewhere.

Free walking tours of the city are available at www.guruwalk.com/murcia. Ryanair and EasyJet fly to the city.

The least visited hiking region: Sierra de las Nieves

Stretching all the way from Ronda in the west to the thermal springs at Tolox in the east, is the Sierra de las Nieves. It’s not usually terribly snowy, despite the name, and is crisscrossed by hiking trails that range from the child-friendly (ending in a dip in a river or below a waterfall) to a more challenging route that leads to the Torrecilla peak (1,957m).

The park is known for its abundance of flora and fauna, including some endemic species such as the tall pinsapo, or Spanish fir. Sightings of wild boar, ibex and even eagles are not uncommon.

Monte Aventura runs day-long eco-tours that take in one of the typical “white villages” (pueblos blancos) of the area.

The least visited World Heritage Sites: Cáceres, Mérida and Guadelupe

There’s no official data that records annual visitors to Unesco sites, but given how few tourists make it to the landlocked region of Extremadura, its stunning World Heritage triumvirate – the old town of Cáceres, Mérida’s extensive Roman remains and the remote monastery of Santa María de Guadelupe – must be in the running.

Throw in a trip to the film set-perfect medieval town of Trujillo, some excellent local wines and the finest ham in the land and you have yourself a wonderful week away from the crowds. Why this glorious part of Spain is not thronged with tourists is a mystery, but also a huge part of its charm.

Extremadura’s classic dish is “migas” (crumbs), made with leftover bread, pancetta, garlic and smoky chorizo. Try it at family-run El Figón de Eustaquio in Cáceres.

The least visited palace: Palacio Real de Riofrío

According to data released by Spain’s National Heritage agency, the most overlooked royal site is the vast Palacio Real de Riofrío, five miles from Segovia.

Set in a vast deer park and built in an Italianate style that mirrors the Royal Palace in Madrid, Riofrío was constructed to keep Philip V’s widow away from meddling with matters of court, and mostly functioned as a hunting lodge.

For all its chandeliers, elaborate frescoes and acres of sombre oil paintings, the palace has a lived-in feel and gives a sense of what life must have been like in the 18th and 19th centuries. Be warned that a large part of the complex has been repurposed as a slightly kitsch hunting museum, and requires a hearty appetite for taxidermy.

Should you be so inclined, a regal double can be had courtesy of the sumptuous royal palace of La Granja de San Ildefonso, a 20-minute drive away.

The least visited pilgrimage route

The Camino de Santiago is wonderful, but oversubscribed; those in the know are staying clear of the crowds by opting for the Camino de Levante. This 120km route begins in Orihuela, in Valencia, and soon crosses into the region of Murcia, ending up at Caravaca de la Cruz.

A small town of 26,000 inhabitants, it bristles with churches and convents and is the fifth Catholic Holy City in the world, thanks to what are believed to be fragments of the True Cross, held at the Santuario of the Vera Cruz.

The Camino runs alongside the River Segura, using disused railway lines that slice through fields, vineyards and orchards. Most pilgrims tackle it over five days, and enjoy plenty of solitude along the way.

The route is also possible by bike. The Osados run six-day tours including accommodation, breakfast and dinner from €1,085 per person.