Places often neglected...

Here's my short list of unknown places well worth visiting in Spain. For when you tire of the well-known destinations such as Barcelona, Granada, Sevilla, Toledo, Bilbao, Segovia, Santiago etc

1) Asturias and Cantabria. Okay, so they're not unknown in Spain, but many tourists don't know of the superb mountain and coastlines you can find here..

2) Leon, Zamora, Salamanca parts of Leon-Castilla. Full of historic towns, cities, castles and monasteries etc.

3) Cazorla national park, Andalucia

Another good topic, filbert. In my experience with other travelers to Spain (aside from Spaniards, that is) one of many often overlooked regions of Spain is Galicia. Some know about Santiago de Compostela but few. When I traveled throughout Galicia we did see lots of tourists but they appeared to all be SPANISH!

The same went for País Vasco/the Basque Country. In fact, most of Spain's norther region (west of the French border) seemed to be mainly untouched by non-Spanish tourist.

As you said, most non-Spanish tourists tend towards the larger, metropolitan regions of Spain because, well, clearly they only have a short time to visit Spain so they focus on these. Logical. I'd personally love to spend an entire month just traveling around Galicia and another month in País Vasco and another in Cantabria. OR, just take 3-months to cover as much of the north coast as possible.

Saludos, MadridMan

This is a great topic! Can I add a few? Caceres is an absolutely enchanting city--so well-preserved and beautiful. I was recently reading the section of Penlope Casas' Discovering Spain (I think that's the right title, it's the one where she goes all over Spain, suggesting hotels and restaurants as well as providing background) where she talks about Caceres and was inspired to pull out my 15 year old (gasp!) photos of it. In that same area (generally) I would include Trujillo (old castle ruins up on the hill and a lovely plaza mayor) and Merida (tremendous Roman ruins and a great museum). I never would have sought these places out on my own, but was traveling with two friends who rented a car and wanted to see those parts of Spain. I am so glad that I went with them!

Yep, I have been to caceres,merida and trujillo. The best thing about these places are the roman ruins(ampitheatres and such).They not necessarily known as the more beautiful places in spain. These places have a real small town feel. I remember eating a three course meal for 10 eur in one of those cities.One other point is that spaniards are protective of their regions and have stereotypes.I remember when i lived in sevile I mentioned to some spaniards that I wanted to go up north. They said be careful, they will kill you(ETA).

Sorry, other than passing thru and seeing many Oliveras I haven't visited Extremadura. But I do love Pontevedra and the Braga / Guimaraes area of northern Portugal across the rio Minho. I could spend months just exploring the Celtic ruins there in northern Portugal & Spain's Pontevedra.
BTW
A little known fact: On return from his first voyage of discovery, Columbus' landfall was in Baiona (at the mouth of the ria de Vigo). Then he followed the coastline down to Huelva.

And the Parador de Baiona (the Conde de Gondomar) is not to be missed. Wonderful.

I'd agree with MM on the Galicia point. I was there a couple of weeks ago staying with a friend. It really makes a change to see rolling green hills and forests. I stayed in Lugo which is small and cosy with the city wall intact all of the way round. It was a party atmoshpere compacted into a few streets in the evenings which made it possible to bar hop with incredible ease. If you like seafood then Galicia is the place to be. I ate some amazing stuff whilst there. I flew into and out of La Coruña which was also a nice change from Madrid. The flights were seriously cheap as it's a new route with www.spanair.es

Yes! Both Cazorla and Mérida are on our itinerary! Glad to see both make the grade here as places that are a bit out of the way, must sees, and "neglected" by American tourists. (Spanish tourists are fine - would love to meet a few!)

Also would love to get to see Galicia (especially after seeing "The Sea Inside"), but Spain is just so big and there is just so little time. I suppose there can always be "Spain Road Trip - Part Two"!

Having visited points one and two of filbert's list, can only second your recommendation.

Asturias is great, the mines and steel factories are mostly down (bad for the locals, good for tourists), you have the Sea, you have the mountains, and you have plenty of Spain's oldest architectural heritage at hand (pre-romanic churches, for instance). And except for the Pico de Europas area which is partly Asturian, but well visited from people of all places, you won't find a tourist.

I spent two weeks in Oviedo this April and May, and apart from mostly being the only guest in my small hotel, I have not seen any other foreign tourist in the entire city and not even in the Internet cafés. Asturias and the entire North is also very different from Central Spain or again from Andalucia as far as the people are concerned - the North is predominantly Celtic which is a very different kind of people to the Arab-influenced Andalusians, for instance.

León is doubtlessly a first class address when looking for historic monuments, as are Zamora or Salamanca. León was capital of the country for many years, and the richness and variety of remains shows it. The fresco's of the Royal Pantheon are a must - from Oviedo, I drove over to León just to see them again, that much I liked them during my first visit many years back. And they are very typical for Castilians and their menthality, much more than Madrid or Segovia are.

Cazorla, Baeza and Úbeda are still on my "to do" shopping list for a trip in the future.

Perhaps one completely forgotten region to be added to the list: I found the region of Soria very sympathetic too. Quite a few worthwhile monuments, rolling hills, and again - unlikely you'll meet any foreign tourist.

Spain, to the last poster, is not a country. It is a continent.

Top three "neglected" places:

3) Bermeo. Once the most important seaport on the northern coast, and a critical fishing fleet HQ, Bermeo is now a quaint fishing village on the Vizcayan coast...very close to Bilbao...and incredible Basque seafood available at a myriad of restaurants

2) Covadonga/Picos de Europa/Cangas de Onis, etc. Not really "neglected" since it's a religious pilgrimage site, but the non-die-hard travelers who come to Spain for the beaches, etc. have no idea this place even exists! It's in the middle of the Picos de Europa for the most part, and on the drive up, you'll swear you're on a tour bus to heaven. The lagos Enol and Ercina are pastoral beauties.

1) Ponferrada/Villafranca del Bierzo/Cebreiro. These places are a microcosm of Spain: Man-made beauty coupled with God's green-earth magnificence. The Templar castle in Ponferrada is the most impressive military structure I've seen just from a size perspective. The entrance is imposing and the vistas from all over stun. Villafranca is an almost untouched medieval town that is larger than other "untouched" villages in the area like Acebo or Molinaseca. Cebreiro has about ten houses and is on the Santiago road, but has that certain "yo no se que" that captivates the soul. I've been known to log onto CRTVG's web cam for Cebreiro and stare for hours at the little hamlet in the mountain pass.

Feliz viaje!

1) Llanes (Asturias, near Cantabria) The most amazing cliff walk. Also drive west and see Playa de las Cuevas, and walk along the coast there. 2) Cuenca--maybe not unknown, but certainly disinctively memorable for the hanging houses and the midieval nooks and crannies to be explored. 3)Santillana del Mar and Comillas, and mountain villages southeast from there, like Bårcena Major, in Cantabria.

You've all mentioned some great places. Here are two more I think are worth a visit. They are terrific Medieval towns:

1) Albarracín in Teruel. About 25kms from the capital.

2) Morella in the hills of Castellón.

Both are practically etched in the rocks of the hills and ravines surrounding them.

I notice Aidance mentioned . Well it so happens that I've made my first website for some friends who rent out a house near Comillas. I won't go into too much detail here as I appreciate MadridMan's policy on keeping advertising by stealth down to a minimum. Just to let you know it's in my profile; if MadridMan is in a good mood he may allow me a link just this once here comillas hse Obviously I've got a lot to learn on the website making process, but I'm still proud of my first attempt!!

filbert

I love Comillas and spent a happy summer holiday with the family nearby in Pando and Ruilloba. Amazing beaches and countryside.

Jo

Hiya Jo-Anne! I think the best part of that area is the beaches (although the countryside is great too). Even on a warm summer day you can find a beach with not too many people on it. Plus (and I hope I'm not tempting fate here) there seems to be no crime. In the villages people leave their front-doors unlocked and everyone seems to have time to speak to you. Despite the tourism...it still feels an unspoilt area.

Since people here have mentioned Galicia, and I'm leaving for Spain this summer and plan on traveling to Galicia... Does anyone have any recommendations on places to visit/things to see/hostels,etc...??

I agree with all of you who have traveled to beautiful northern Spain. It is definitely the road less traveled, and in my opinion it is a hidden jewel. Galicia is so lush and green, it definitely looked a little more like home for this Wisconsin girl. In Galicia I have been to La Coruña where you must check out El Castillo de San Antón, an old fortress turned museum. Another must is the tower of Hercules with it´s roman ruins underneath. Of course the views of the ocean are beautiful and there are lots of churches, fountains, parks, plazas, etc. The tapas are wonderful, and I also suggest the white wine Ribeiro and anything that comes from the ocean (pescado y mariscos). For anyone going to Galicia, Santiago de Compostela is a must. The cathedral is INCREDIBLE. Also try some Queimada (made of Orujo and set on fire), and if you drink enough of it

Other great places in northern Spain: Ponferrada, Astorga, Gijón, Oviedo, las cuevas de Valporquero & los picos de Europa. It can be hard to get to many of the places in los picos de Europa, but it is worth the effort. The views are BREATHTAKING. The north is without a doubt Spain’s best kept secret.

La Profa--Wow! You got married in the cathedral in Leon! What an amazing experience for you and your guests. The first time I entered that cathedral, tears immediately came to my eyes, from the profound beauty of the stained glass windows. You must have the most spectacular wedding pictures!

we have made our plans for the summer and we are heading north to Comillas for a few days in August...so, Jo-Anne, If you have any suggestions for restaurants, cannot-miss places...please let me know!

Although we have been to that area in the past, it has been years...so we are ready to start exploring again!

Also, we are off for a week in Mundaka, supposedly a surfing wonderland...( although we don't surf ) very near Bilbao, so deibid...I am hoping you can give me some good out-of -the -way places to explore too! As well as the best restaurants in Bilbao and the surrounding area that we should not miss!

I am counting the days til we leave for Spain...and for my classes to be over!

gracias, Amigos...

Some great suggustions, our car will be arrving shortly :jump: and I'm looking forward to exploring. Anyways any suggustions for areas around Madrid that are less well known but worth visiting. I've done the usual stuff (Toledo Segovia etc)and I'd like to explore new areas.

Of course as I discover I'll post here as well.

Tim Hortons Man,

I don't know if it is well known or not but check into Ucles. A small town about 1 hour or so by car from Madrid, to the East. There is a Monastary there and several nice small hotels/restaurants.

El Almirante de la Flota que Sundio

And a few kilometers further from Ucles, in the same road (A-3), you'll find the ruins of a Roman village called Segobriga. Both visits are a nice daytrip from Madrid (Segobriga is in kilometer 103). If you want a bit tougher day, you can add Chinchon to the list.

i thought madrid was the best until i went to IBIZA

San Sebastian i like very much and I am a Madrid lover.