10 Underrated Spanish Cities You Need to Visit Now

Barcelona, Seville and Madrid are packed in 2026, with long queues, higher prices and tourist taxes that keep climbing. Meanwhile, some of Spain’s best cities sit a short train ride away with elbow room, cheap lunches and the same centuries of history. Here are ten worth putting on your route this year.

Why These Ten, and What Changed Since 2024

I chose cities that have real character, a walkable centre and a straightforward way to reach them without a car. Since 2024, competition between Renfe, Ouigo and Iryo has pushed down fares on several high-speed corridors, and rail improvements in Extremadura have made the west easier to reach. Regional governments are also promoting smaller cities to spread visitors out. Catalonia has raised its tourist tax, so check the nightly charge in Girona before you budget.

Historic Heartlands: Salamanca, León and Cáceres

1. Salamanca

Salamanca is built from golden sandstone that glows orange at sunset. The Plaza Mayor fills with students and families after 20:00, and cathedral bells roll across the rooftops every hour. Spend time at the 1218 university and look for the tiny stone frog hidden in its carved facade. Climb the cathedral towers for the best view of the old town.

2. León

León has one of Spain’s most beautiful Gothic cathedrals, with huge stained-glass windows that throw coloured light across the stone floor in the morning. Nearby, Gaudí’s Casa Botines sits in an unexpected corner of Castilla y León. In the Barrio Húmedo, many bars still bring a free tapa with every drink.

3. Cáceres

Cáceres has one of Europe’s best-preserved medieval old towns, a UNESCO site since 1986. Walk through the stone gates at dusk, when the towers glow under streetlights and storks clatter on the rooftops. It is also a film set favourite, which says something about how little has changed. Try torta del Casar, a soft local sheep cheese you scoop with a spoon.

Food and Wine Cities: Logroño, Pontevedra and Cádiz

4. Logroño

Logroño is the capital of La Rioja and the best base for wine lovers. Calle Laurel is the famous pinchos street, and by 21:00 the smell of garlic and grilled mushrooms hangs over the whole block. Order one pincho and one small glass of Rioja at each bar, then move on. Bodegas nearby offer tours, but book them in advance.

5. Pontevedra

Pontevedra, in Galicia, is the quiet success story of urban planning. Its old town is almost entirely car-free, so you can wander cobbled squares without watching for traffic. The seafood is excellent and cheaper than in more famous Galician spots. Expect pulpo, empanada and albariño wine, with a rainy-day backup of excellent cafés.

6. Cádiz

Cádiz is one of Western Europe’s oldest continuously inhabited cities, set on a narrow peninsula in the Atlantic. You hear the sea from almost every street, and the Mercado Central smells of fried fish and citrus. Try tortillitas de camarones, thin crispy shrimp fritters, and swim at La Caleta beach. It feels more local and less polished than Seville, which is the point.

Cities With Dramatic Settings: Girona, Cuenca and Teruel

7. Girona

Girona has colourful houses along the Onyar river, a well-preserved Jewish quarter and cathedral steps you may recognise from television. It is under an hour from Barcelona by fast train, so it is the easiest city on this list to reach. Visit early in the morning or after 17:00 when the day-trippers leave.

8. Cuenca

Cuenca perches above two river gorges, and its famous Casas Colgadas, the “hanging houses”, cling to the cliff edge. Cross the footbridge for views that look almost unreal at sunrise. The AVE from Madrid takes roughly an hour, but the station sits outside town, so plan a short bus or taxi ride. Try morteruelo, a rich local game pâté.

9. Teruel

Teruel is Aragón’s small, proud city with UNESCO-listed Mudéjar towers decorated with glazed ceramic. It is far from the coast and far from the crowds, which keeps hotels and meals cheap. Its famous local ham, jamón de Teruel, is worth seeking out. Winters are cold and sharp, so pack layers if you go outside summer.

The Big Underrated City: Zaragoza

10. Zaragoza

Zaragoza is Spain’s fifth-largest city, yet many visitors pass through without stopping. It has the huge Basílica del Pilar, the Moorish Aljafería palace and one of the best tapas districts in the country, El Tubo. High-speed trains link it with Madrid and Barcelona, making it a natural midpoint stop between the two.

Getting There: Trains, Buses and Flights in 2026

• Girona: under an hour by fast train from Barcelona.
• Zaragoza and Cuenca: reached by high-speed train from Madrid, roughly 1 to 1.5 hours.
• Salamanca and León: Alvia or AVE trains from Madrid take under two hours.
• Cáceres and Teruel: slower by rail, so buses are often easier. Plan around three to four hours from Madrid or Valencia.
• Logroño, Pontevedra and Cádiz: train links exist but vary in frequency. Check Renfe and bus operators in advance, since schedules change seasonally.

Once you arrive, you rarely need transport. Every city on this list has a compact historic centre, and most sights are within a 20-minute walk.

Day Trip or Overnight?

Girona, Cuenca and Zaragoza work as day trips from Barcelona or Madrid, but you miss the evening, which is the best part. Stay one night in Salamanca, León, Logroño and Cádiz to see the streets after dark. Give Cáceres, Teruel and Pontevedra at least two nights, since reaching them eats half a day. My rule: if the journey is over two hours each way, sleep there.

2026 Budget Reality

Prices below are per person per day, excluding long-distance transport.

• Budget (€55 to €85): hostel bed or simple pensión at €25 to €50, a menú del día at €12 to €16, and tapas or a sandwich for dinner.
• Mid-range (€110 to €170): a double room at €80 to €130 shared between two, a sit-down lunch, a pinchos crawl and museum entries at €5 to €12 each.
• Comfortable (€200+): boutique hotel or parador at €150 to €250 a night, tasting menus at €45 to €80, a private wine tour and taxis.

Cádiz and Girona cost more in July and August. León, Teruel and Cuenca remain among the best-value cities in the country.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which of these cities is best for a first-time visitor to Spain?

Salamanca is the easiest starting point. The old town is compact, walkable and beautiful, and fast trains connect it to Madrid in under two hours. If you prefer a coastal, lively and local feel, Cádiz is a strong alternative, though it needs a little more planning to reach.

Are these cities cheaper than Madrid or Barcelona?

Generally yes. Hotel rooms, drinks and set lunches cost noticeably less in León, Logroño, Teruel and Cuenca than in the big two. Girona and Cádiz are pricier in summer. Expect to save roughly 20 to 30 percent on a typical day, mostly on accommodation and food.

When is the best time to visit?

Spring and autumn are best, from April to June and September to October. Temperatures sit around 15 to 26°C in most places. Summer is very hot in Cáceres, Zaragoza and Salamanca, while winter is cold and foggy in Teruel and Cuenca, though cheap and quiet.

Can I visit these cities without a car?

Yes, most of them. Salamanca, León, Zaragoza, Girona, Cuenca and Logroño have direct train or bus links from major cities, and their centres are walkable. Cáceres and Teruel are slower to reach by rail, but buses work well. A car only helps for wine country or villages.

Do I need to book restaurants in advance?

Rarely on weekdays, but book ahead for Friday and Saturday dinners in Logroño, Cádiz and Girona. Many places serve dinner late, usually from 21:00. Bars serving pinchos or tapas take no reservations, so arrive early and join the crowd at the counter.