The most beautiful villages in Spain

Park and visit Santillana del Mar (Cantabria) 

First things first, Santillana del Mar was the winner of the 2019 edition, and there is no wonder why. Walking throughout its streets the tourist is immediately transported to a medieval past, this is because its old town is extremely well preserved. For instance, a perfect example is the square of Las Arenas, in here we can find the crowning jewel of La Collegiata de Santa Juliana. In addition to this main square, and not so far away one can find some gems like the Palace of Velarde, the baroque houses of Valdivieso, Villa, or Barrecha-Brancho, and even the medieval towers of Don Borja and Merino. Besides the spectacular architecture of this town, a complete must is a visit to the prehistoric site of Altamira. In conclusion, if you wan to enjoy the perfect motorhome getaway in the countryside Santillana del Mar was made for you.

Thankfully for us, Santillana del Mar has a free parking area, that is only 500 meters away from the city center.

Google Maps. GPS COORDINATES:

 43.38639 /  4.10184
N 43°23’11» / W 4°06’07»

Park and visit Cangas del Narcea (Asturias)

Cangas de Narcea is one of those villages the visitors will be amazed by its spectacular landscapes and the beauty of the town, and we are not being biased. Located in the middle of the mountain, and alongside the river Narcea, this town offers a multitude of opportunities to enjoy the wonderful nature of the north of Spain. More specifically the tourist can visit the Natural Parks of Degaña, Narcea, and Ibias which is home to the largest oak tree in Spain. If on the contrary, you prefer to wander through the city, we highly recommend visiting the palaces of Pambley, Omaña, and the Condes de Toreno, also the baroque church of Santa María Magdalena, and of course the Wine Museum.

Cangas de Narcea has its own motorhome area, which is free of use. It has 2 parking spots specifically reserved for motorhomes, but you can always park on the rest of the parking.

Ver en Google Maps. GPS COORDINATES:

43.18083   /   -6.54889
N 43º 10′ 51» / W 06º 32′ 56»

Park and visit Parada del Sil (Galicia)

Parada del Sil is located in the Ribera Sacra one of the most dazzling landscapes in Galicia. However, when talking about this village, nature and good views are not the only things that it has to offer. The traditional architecture and art of this region can be perfectly captured by the 9^th-century Benedictine monastery of Santa Cristina or the beautiful ruins of the traditional “Castro”. Consequently, if you want to experience amazing nature, architecture, and wonderful gastronomy Parada del Sil was made for you.

If you want to spend the night here, we recommend the motorhome are of “Mesón Casa Pepe” which has 4 parking spots and it is free of use.

Google Maps. GPS COORDINATES:

42.38278   /   -7.57111
N 42º 22′ 58» / W 07º 34′ 16»

Park and visit Setenil de las Bodegas (Andalucía) 

It is hard to pick a favorite among the different villages on today’s list, but Setenil de la Bodegas is for sure on the top. The uniqueness and extreme beauty of its streets have made this little town one of the preferred tourist destinations in the Sierra de Cádiz. For those who have never visited this place, you will be amazed by how its houses are constructed under, above, inside, the rock that covers this whole village. We recommend walking through the streets of Las Cuevas del Sol o Las Cuevas de la Sombra, and also visit the medieval castle, which up to this date maintains the tower of del Homenaje and its cistern. For sure Setenil de las Bodegas will not leave you indifferent. So enjoy your motorhome getaway in the countryside of this Andalucian village.

If you finally decide to visit Setenil de las Bodegas, you can spend the night in the motorhome area of Olvera, which is only a 30 min drive far away. In here you will find 4 parking spots and a fee of 7 €, including water change and electricity.

Google Maps. GPS COORDINATES:

36.94167   /   -5.25083
N 36º 56′ 30» / W 05º 15′ 03»

Park and visit Trujillo (Extremadura) 

Anyone who set foot in this medieval town will be amazed. First of all, the historical-artistic complex of the old town is coronated by a beautiful Moorish castle that has been a filming location for Game of Thrones. However, a good starting point for visiting Trujillo will always be the main square, here the visitor can admire the traditional architecture of the Extremaduran countryside. As a result of this particular architectonical style, the manor house of Carvajal-Vargas or the palace Juan Pizarro de Orellana are the perfect examples. Also, some highlights of Trujillo are its narrow streets in which one can found hidden gems like the Casa del Peso Real, the balcony of Piedras Albas, or the Romanesque church of Santa María la Mayor. In conclusion, Trujillo is the perfect representation of the tradition and history of this region of Spain.

Thankfully for us, Trujillo has its own free motorhome are with a total of 20 parking spots. The maximum authorized stay is 48 hours, and it is located approximately 800 m from the historical city.

Google Maps. GPS COORDINATES:

39.4575   /   -5.8725
N 39º 27′ 27» / W 05º 52′ 21»

Park and visit Navaluenga (Castilla y León)

For those of you who are looking for the perfect combination of water and mountains, Navaluenga is the perfect fit. The next village in our list is located at the shores of the Alberche river, but also swamp of Burguillo offers a multitude of water activities. Nevertheless, if you prefer spending your time doing some hiking this town is also perfect, since its proximity to the Sierra del Valle or the Natural Reserve of Iruelas Valley, makes it the ideal location for nature lovers. Due to this extraordinary combination of mountain and water, Navaluenga is the perfect destination for those who are looking for a calm and relax retreat, while experiencing the wonders of the local nature. As a result of this enjoying a motorhome getaway in the countryside as never been easier.

The visitors can spend the night in the motorhome area of Villanueva de Ávila, which is only 20 min drive far away from Navaluenga. In addition to its proximity, this area has 15 parking spots and the maximum authorized stay is 72 hours.

Google Maps. GPS COORDINATES:

40.37778   /   -4.81667
N 40º 22′ 40» / W 04º 49′ 00»

Park and visit Montblanc (Cataluña) 

This little town is one of the most picturesque of Cataluña, its medieval walls hide some magnificent treasures like the 13th-century convent of San Francisco, la Calle Mayor, and the church of Santa María de Montblanc. On top of its well-preserved medieval architecture, this place is full of legends like the one in which San Jordi, the patron saint of Cataluña, killed the dragon that tormented the villagers and saved the princess from being devoured, as a result, San Jordi gifted her a rose which sprung from the dragon’s blood, this occurred on a 23^rd of April. As a consequence, everyday 23^rd of April the people of Cataluña celebrate the day of San Jordi by gifting roses and books. In conclusion, Montblanc is the maximum exponent of the essence of this region of Spain.

The motorhome area in Montblanc has 4 parking spots and a fee of 10 €. Also, the area remains closed from 22h to 8 am, and it is fully surveyed.

Google Maps. GPS COORDINATES:

41.36944   /   1.17222
N 41º 22′ 10» / E 01º 10′ 20»

Park and visit Buñol (Comunidad Valenciana) 

Some of you may know our next village due to its famous “Tomatina”. However, if one wants to properly explore this village, we need to start our visit with its castle, a fortress that dates back to the muslin domain of the region. After visiting the castle, we can start walking through its old streets, by doing so we will discover some true gems like the church of San Pedro. In addition to the charms of the city, Buñol is perfectly located for those of you who are looking for some activities outside the city. For instance the caves of Alta and Turche, and the waterfall of the Juanes river.

The area of Natur Caravaning is only a 10 min drive from Buñol, and it offers 20 parking spots and has an overnight stay and water change fee of 10 €. Also, the area has WC, showers, and a laundry area.

Google Maps. GPS COORDINATES:

39.47139   /   -0.64306
N 39º 28′ 17» / W 00º 38′ 35»

Park and visit La Hiruela (Madrid)

This small town is located in Sierra del Rincón a natural area that in 2005 was declared Biosphere Reserve. So as you can imagine its landscapes are the focal point of La Hiruela. Because of that we highlight recommend the panoramic view of the port of La Hiruela which is located at 1,478 meters of altitude, and also visiting its ethnological museum.

For visiting La Hiruela you can go to the motorhome area of Torrelaguna (1-hour drive from La Hiruela) has 10 parking spots and is free. One additional tip is visiting Torrelaguna since it is a beautiful medieval town.  

Google Maps. GPS COORDINATES:

40.82611   /   -3.53306
N 40º 49′ 34» / W 03º 31′ 59»

Park and visit Almagro (Castilla La Mancha) 

This little town in the province of Ciudad Real is mostly known for its artistic tradition. While visiting Almagro, the Corral de Comedias is a total must, since it is the best-preserved in the country, and it represents the popular open-air theatres that emerged in Spain during our literary Golden Age. However, the heritage of Almargro goes beyond its theatre. For example the churches of San Agustín, San Batolomé y Madre de Dios, the palace of the Counts of Valdeparaíso, or even the old warehouse of the Fugger family. Therefore, as you can see Almagro offers the perfect mixture of culture, tradition, and phenomenal architecture.

The visitor can spend the night in its free parking.

Google Maps. GPS COORDINATES:

N 38.88971, W 3.70615
N 38°53’23», W 3°42’22»

Even though these are the top 10 villages to enjoy a motorhome getaway in the countryside according to the contest Capital del Turismo Rural 2019, Spain has many more beautiful destinations to offer. So if you want to check for other alternatives in our blog there are several posts about routes that you can enjoy with your motorhome. Lastly, we hope you have enjoyed this post, and as always Vicente Velasco Insurance Brokerage remembers you to drive safely.

La entrada Motorhome getaway in the countryside se publicó primero en Vicente Velasco - Correduría de Seguros.

Motorhome Route through Los Pueblos Blancos

1. Visit Alcalá del Valle

The first stop in our motorhome route across Los Pueblos Blancos is in Alcalá del Valle, a town that is located between the cities of Málaga and Cádiz. Some of its most important monuments are The baroque church of Santa María del Valle, the Cortijo de la Cacería which evokes a palace, the hermitage of Cristo de la Misericordia, or the old Franciscan convent of Caños Santos. However, its crowning jewel are the Dólmenes del Tomillo, a megalithic complex that dates back to 2,000 B.C and is of incalculable historical and archeological value to the province of Cádiz. So as you can see Alcalá del Valle couldn’t be a better starting point for our motorhome journey.

2. Visit Setenil de las Bodegas 

It is hard to pick a favorite among the different stops of our route, but Setenil de la Bodegas is for sure on the top of our list. The uniqueness and extreme beauty of its streets have made this little town one of the preferred tourist destinations in the Sierra de Cádiz. For those who have never visited this place, you will be amazed by how its houses are constructed under, above, inside, or outside the rock that covers this whole village, we recommend walking through the streets of Las Cuevas del Sol o Las Cuevas de la Sombra, you will not be disappointed. Once you are done wandering around the city you can always visit the medieval castle, which up to this date maintains the tower of del Homenaje and its cistern. For sure Setenil de las Bodegas will not leave you indifferent.

3. Visit Torre Alháquime

If you cannot already tell by its name, Torre Alhámique is a product of the Muslim reign on Andalucía, so the traveler will be able to see some of the extraordinary remains of the Nasrid period like the fortress surrounding its historic center, the Arco de la Villa, and of course the labyrinthic layout of its streets. Aside from its Nasrid jewels we recommend visiting the parish church of Nuestra Señora de la Antigua and the monument to el Sagrado Corazón de Jesús.

4. Visit Olvera

Olvera is one of the most iconic villages of the Serranía de Cádiz, and there is no wonder why. Located on the top a hill, the whiteness of its houses and the surrounding hill packed with olive trees make of this town an absolute Andalusian beauty. Putting aside its unbeatable views, this little town offers so good visits to the tourist like the old fortress of Muslim origin which was later renovated by the Christians, and the wonderful neoclassical church of La Encarnación. All of these offer a postcard image.

Thankfully Olvera has a motorhome area with 4 parking spots and a fee of 7€ which includes: Overnight stay, change of water and electricity.

Google Maps. GPS COORDINATES:

36.94167   /   -5.25083
N 36º 56′ 30» / W 05º 15′ 03»

5. Visit El Gastor 

El Gastor is known as the balcony of the White Villages, and as you may have guessed it is due to the extraordinary views that one can experience throughout the city. For those of you who like speleology, this village was made for you, since with the caves of Fariña and El Susto offer some amazing experiences, if you prefer other types of activities we recommend going on a hike through the Tajo de Algarín or las Grajas. As you can see this town was made for those who want to enjoy nature to the fullest.

6. Visit Algodonales

Protected by the Sierra de Líjar we find the charming white village of Algodonales, a town full of orange trees and surrounded by the murmur of its twelve fountains. Putting aside the lovely atmosphere that this place has to offer, we recommend visiting the prehistoric sites of Cueva Santa, Chamusquina, Castillejo, and Cerro de la Botinera, if you prefer something less archeological the parish church of Santa Ana will be perfect.

Algodonales has its free motorhome area with a total of 80 parking spots. The maximum authorized stay is 72 hours, and it’s open from the 1st of September to the 30th of June-

Google Maps. GPS COORDINATES:

36.87389   /   -5.41
N 36º 52′ 26» / W 05º 24′ 36»

7. Visit Zahara de la Sierra 

It is almost impossible to not see Zahara de la Sierra. Located between Ronda and Grazalema on a stone crag crowned by its 13^th-century tower, and bathed by a bam of turquoise waters, Zahara de la Sierra is one of those villages that will get stuck in your memory forever. Its Muslim origins gave this little town every characteristic of the Muslim medieval towns of Andalucía. So if you want to experience the traditions of this side of Andalucía while been surrounded by wonderful nature Zahara de la Sierra was made for you.

8. Visit Puerto Serrano 

Traditional orange houses surrounded by orange trees welcome every visitor to Puerto Serrano, a town mostly know by its numerous archaeological sites. Some of the most famous areas: Fuente de Ramos, El Almendral, the Roman settlement of Cerro Castelar, and Los Marciagos. Additionally, you can always visit the neighboring village of Pozo Amargo, and use the Vía Verde de la Sierra for some hiking, cycling, or even horse riding.

You can get some rest in the Old Train station that nowadays has been converted into the local motorhome parking area.

Google Maps. GPS COORDINATES:

36.92444   /   -5.55556
N 36º 55′ 28» / W 05º 33′ 20»

9. Visit Bornos

Bornos is one of the most diversified towns of Cádiz. Its old town has been declared a Site of Cultural Interest, making the city a must in our tour. So when you find yourself wandering throughout its white streets you cannot miss the church of Santo Domingo de Guzmán, the monastery of Santa María del Rosario, and of course the Palacio de Los Ribera, a renaissance building which was built in the 16^th century in the old medieval tower of Fontanar.

Spending the night in Bornos is easy, there is a parking area in the pier, that has a maximum authorized stay of 72 hours, and remember that deploying any camping elements is strictly forbidden.

Google Maps. GPS COORDINATES:

36.80861   /   -5.74111
N 36º 48′ 31» / W 05º 44′ 28»

10. Visit Espera 

Espera has been inhabited since the early beginnings, the Esperilla archaeological site is a good witness of this since it holds vestiges that date back more than 3,000 years. However, this town has much more to offer than just the Esperilla Site, some of the elements you cannot miss are the Fatetar Castle, the remains of the city walls, or the hermitage of Santiago. As a bonus point, this city is located only 7 kilometers apart from the ancient Roman city of Carissa Aurelia, which has been declared as a Site of Cultural Interest.

11. Visit Arcos de la Frontera 

Arcos de la Frontera is a well-known city and there is no wonder why. Sitting of a spectacular stone crag, this picturesque Cádiz village reminds the visitors of its Arab heritage with every single street, corner, and square. With an old town that has been declared a Site of Cultural Interest, its towers, churches, and amazing viewpoints are some of the countless attractions that this town offers. So, open your eye because in this town every little detail if full of history and worth admiring.

If you want to visit Arcos de la Frontera you can park in its motorhome area, which has 10 parking spots and it free.

Google Maps. GPS COORDINATES:

36.75   /   -5.815
N 36º 45′ 00» / W 05º 48′ 54»

12. Visit Algar

Located between the natural parks of Sierra de Grazalema and Los Alcornocales, this place has been inhabited since the Neolithic, one example of this is the archaeological site of Cueva de la Dehesilla. Hiking on the Tajo del Águila, canoeing on the Majaceite River, or enjoying the wonderful beach of Gaudalcacín reservoir, make of Algar the ultimate sports lover heaven. Are you going to miss it?

13. Visit El Bosque

In the heart of the Sierra de Albarracín, next to the Majaceite river and surrounded by valleys, the visitor is instantly welcome by the splendid manor house of the Dukes of Arcos de la Frontera, white streets full of flowers and fountains. When visiting this small village one cannot miss the parish church of Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe, the Ducal Palace, the hermitage del Calvario, and its unique bullring.

When you thought that things could not get any better, just let me tell you that that you can spend the night in El Bosque in its free motorhome area, which authorized a maximum stay of 48 hours, and has a water change spot.

Google Maps. GPS COORDINATES:

36.75778   /   -5.51028
N 36º 45′ 28» / W 05º 30′ 37»

14. Visit Ubrique 

Ubrique is a household name thanks to its traditional leather crafting methods. However, the town has much more to offer, located in between the Sierras de Ubrique and Grazalema, the visitor will find a town full of charms, so when visiting this city one cannot forget the old baroque Capuchin convent, the church of San Antonio San Juan de Letrán, the Muslim fortress of Cardela, the castle of Fátima, and of course it’s leather Museum.

Spending the night in Ubrique is easy, you just need to go to the local motorhome area, which has 10 parking spots, a maximum authorized stay of 72 hours, and just remember that deploying any camping elements is strictly forbidden.

Google Maps. GPS COORDINATES:

36.67056   /   -5.44972
N 36º 40′ 14» / W 05º 26′ 59»

15. Visit Grazalema 

What a better way of ending our route through the White Villages of Cádiz, than by visiting Gazalema. This little town that merges perfectly into the Natural Park of Sierra de Grazalema, has an urban area that has been declared a Site of Cultural Interest, and once you reach the city there is no wonder why. In addition to its spectacular viewpoints, and white houses, Grazalema offers its visitors with an amazing tradition of crafts, monuments like the church of Nuestra Señora de la Aurora, and a passion for sustainable tourism practices. We cannot think of a better way of ending our motorhome trip.

We sincerely hope that you enjoyed our posts and that we have inspired you to go and discover what the beautiful region of Cádiz has to offer. As always from Vicente Velasco Insurance Brokerage we remain you to drive safely and enjoy the ride.

La entrada Discover Cádiz: Motorhome route through Los Pueblos Blancos se publicó primero en Vicente Velasco - Correduría de Seguros.