The most fascinating villages of southern Spain

Visiting unique corners and little-known places of Spain has become an option for tourism that gains popularity every year. Since our first article about unknown villages in Spain was so popular, we have made another! In this article, we show you the most fascinating unknown villages in Southern Spain.

Teba (Málaga)

Pueblos desconocidos del sur: Teba

In a corner of the province and with poor communications, Teba is a fascinating town due to its unique history. Although it is not a relevant hunting ground, it is popular among hunters and elegant gentlemen because a legendary hunter, the Count of Teba, made famous a type of jacket that is still popularly used today. The line of Guzmán, the most famous family from the town who received Teba as a fiefdom in the 14th century, gave an empress to France and many advisors to the monarchs. But Teba is known nowadays for the strong leftism and anti-colonialism of its inhabitants.

This does not prevent them from celebrating every August with Gibraltarians and Scots the Battle of Teba, in which the knight James Douglas, after throwing the heart of the Scottish King Robert the Bruce to the Moors, died in combat. Its paragliding conditions, the kindness of its people and its castle attract more and more visitors. Although there are not many options for lodgings, it is a cheap and welcoming place to visit other attractions like Laguna de Fuente de Piedra, Ardales, and Caminito del Rey.

San Fernando (Cádiz)

Pueblos desconocidos del sur: San Fernando

San Fernando is located in the Bay of Cádiz, on the less-frequented path to Cádiz and next to the industrious Puerto Real, which is one reason why so few people know about San Fernando. Beach-lovers tend to head south to enjoy the immense, sandy beach that begins in Chiclana. Lovers of wine and horses can go to Jerez or Puerto de Santa María.

However, San Fernando is one of the villages with the most important historical heritage in the South of Spain. Pantheons (of the great Camarón de la Isla and the famous sailors), museums, an observatory, and the home of the Constitution of Cádiz are some of the exciting attractions that San Fernando offers. This unknown village houses many of the glorious historical treasures of Spain. In addition, you will also find excellent food, great beaches, and the best place from which to make ornithological excursions to the Bahía de Cádiz Natural Park.

Alcalá de Guadaíra (Seville)

Pueblos desconocidos del sur: Alcalá de Guadaíra

This village is very close to the splendid city of Seville, has the advantage of being a supply centre for such an important city, something that the millers and bakers of Alcalá de Guadaíra benefited from for centuries. On the contrary, the nearby and opulent beauty of the capital unjustifiably attracts too much attention from tourists, who do not usually venture into the immaculate authenticity of this Andalusian village. However, its extraordinary character has attracted the attention of the painter Ignacio Zuloaga, who worked there immortalizing one of the women of the village. Alcalá de Guadaira has an old town full of flavour, with numerous buildings and untouched places, which deserve to be seen and considered one by one, not just with a brief review.

Cabra (Córdoba)

Pueblos desconocidos del sur: Cabra

Away from the main roads, the epic Cabra is known today for its D.O. Baena olive oil as well as its museum and the activities surrounding its main product. Its old town, churches, castle, and museums are never packed with people, which allows the visitors to enjoy the hospitality of those fascinating unknown villages in Southern Spain without the crowds of tourists. It is also a great place to get traditional cuisine of the area, and it serves as a good base for visiting other attractions like the Sierras Subbéticas Natural Park, where you can visit towns like Zuheros and Carcebuey.

Cuevas de Almanzora (Almería)

Pueblos desconocidos del sur: Cueva de Almanzor

Almost everyone goes to the province of Almería to enjoy the beaches; ethnographic, historical and cultural visits are much less frequent. The village of Cuevas de Almanzora is close to some mining sites that have been exploited since ancient times; a richness that has allowed this village to enjoy civil and religious buildings, residences and an unusually splendid castle. Its extraordinary ethnographic heritage includes the caves from which the village got its name (inhabited since the Paleolithic era), a mining town, and foundries. There are also many quiet beaches in the surrounding area. Naturally, options for accommodation are few, but the gastronomic offer is more abundant, and also cheaper.

Loja (Granada)

Pueblos desconocidos del sur: Loja

In the depths of Andalusia, Loja is one of the unknown villages in Southern Spain that many people see from the highway. Those who know history well may mention that it was there that the feared General Narváez was born, one of those 19th century swordsmen who turned Spain into the country with the most coups d’état in the world, but there are not many who enjoy that aspect of the town. However, this village has a very attractive old town, an alcazaba, convents and mansions and Renaissance churches, as well as a palace, gardens and a beautiful mausoleum dedicated to its dreaded son. There are very few options for accommodations in Loja, but there are many places where you can try the delicious Andalusian cuisine. One of those unknown villages in Southern Spain that we hope will not change, because it keeps its original charm.

Segura de la Sierra (Jaén)

Pueblos desconocidos del sur: Segura de la Siera

You have to go deep into the enormous Cazorla, Segura y las Villas Natural Park to get to this fortified bastion of Segura de la Sierra, the stronghold of the knights of Saint Augustine during the terrible campaign against the Nasrid kingdom of Granada. Today, the indomitable Segura de la Sierra preserves all its charm, being a main attraction because of its active tourism in the park and its calm serenity. The wonderful natural setting that surrounds the village manages to attract many Andalusian hikers. Thus, it offers lots of places to stay, and they are always satisfactory and well-priced.


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