From wildlife in Andalucía to an alternative camino in Galicia: readers’ travel tips on unsung Spain | Spain holidays

Explore Jaén’s castles and cathedral

The city and the province of Jaén can be overlooked by tourists heading to nearby Granada or Córdoba. That’s a shame, given that they are filled with Renaissance architecture, including a magnificent cathedral, and renowned as one of the homes of olive oil. Thanks to its historic position between Christian Castilla and Muslim Granada, the city is surrounded by castles. I recommend staying at the Parador de Jaén. It sits at the top of the hill of Santa Catalina next to the castle, and the views from its rooms towards the Sierra Morena mountains are unparalleled.
Felix

Walk Galicia’s ‘lighthouse way’

A little further along from the Camino de Santiago is the Camiño dos Faros, a week-long 124-mile (200km) hike along the Galician coast. Designed by a group of friends who wanted to share the beauty of their region with more people, the Lighthouse Way follows the coastline through forests, across rivers, estuaries and secluded beaches. You can enjoy immense views from the cliffs and delicious seafood in the fishing villages. Fisterra, believed in Roman times to be the end of the Earth, feels a fitting place to finish this beautiful walk.
Cath

Fortified by food – and wine – in Andalucía

Sanlúcar de Barrameda, at the mouth of the Guadalquivir River, is my top tip for a foodie long weekend in a lesser-known part of Andalucía. To sit outside one of the many bars and restaurants in the Plaza del Cabildo, deconstructing a plate of langostinos washed down with a local manzanilla sherry is an unparalleled joy. Finish a lazy afternoon off with a walk along the beachfront, before stopping in one of the many fish restaurants in Bajo de Guía for a plate of pescado frito.
Jake

Soak up history and heritage in Aragon

Teruel, in the Aragon region of eastern Spain, offers rich gastronomy, enchanting architecture and Dinópolis … a dinosaur park, but one minus the crowds of better-known sites. Admire the old buildings of Plaza del Torico while enjoying a meal in one of its many restaurants, stroll through the charming old town or visit the local museum and cathedral. For a trip back in time, stop at the medieval town of Albarracín.
Elisa

Be seduced by Suances and its seafood

Most people, when they arrive in Santander, head east to cultural Bilbao or foodie San Sebastián, but for a more peaceful stay head west to the coastal village of Suances. It’s only a short bus journey away and is perfect for seafood lovers. We had amazing sushi at Suka, and more traditional food at Amita. Add to that the wonderful sandy beaches on both sides of the peninsula and it’s no wonder the Spanish love it.
Richard Mason

A Unesco biosphere reserve near Barcelona

Just 40 miles from the over-visited heart of Barcelona lies a Unesco biosphere reserve, its peaks more than a thousand feet higher than Ben Nevis. The Montseny massif (insider tip, the y is silent) might be just an hour’s drive, but it feels a world away from the city. Here, thick Mediterranean oak forests rise on all sides as you follow the single road threading its way up the huge horseshoe-shaped valley. About halfway up is the village of Montseny itself. Stop for a hike on any of the well-marked trails, followed by an ice-cream at Can Manel, a small bar with a big terrace and enormous views.
Leo

Gorge on art and architecture in Cuenca

“Hang” out in Cuenca. This world heritage city is a revelation: off the tourist track in Castilla-La-Mancha, it can be reached in a day by train from London or by train and ferry via Santander. It’s spectacularly situated along the Huécar gorge, its hanging houses seemingly ready to take the plunge at any moment. You can see how it feels to be inside one by visiting the abstract art museum now in the Casa Colgadas. Originally built by the Moors, the city offers wonderful cobbled streets, a (rebuilt) medieval cathedral and a ruined castle.
Vieve

A hidden valley and hostel in Asturias

The Meicín hostel in Asturias, on the border with the ancient kingdom of León, is surrounded by jagged mountains, wild ponies and, if you’re lucky, bears. Climb Picos del Fontán (2,414 metres) and you’ll be unlikely to encounter any other hikers as you walk through a hidden valley and year-round snowfields. Peña Ubiña, after which the national park is named, has views south to the Castilian plains, and north to the far busier Picos de Europa. The hostel offers full board in dorms, and you can hike or taxi to it from the local high-speed station (Pola de Lena).
Robert Graham

Watching wildlife in Spain’s ‘wild west’

With its low white houses furnished with hitching rails and streets thickly lined with sand, El Rocío brings to mind not so much Andalucía but the wild west. At Pentecost, the small town hosts a million pilgrims; in spring and autumn it’s migrating birds that flock to the neighbouring lagoons of the Doñana national park. We visited off season but still enjoyed birdwatching with local guide Manuel Bárcena, of Oxyura Birdwatching, and were also thrilled to catch sight of a European lynx. Quirky El Rocío makes a relaxing stopover and is easily combined with a road trip to Seville and Cádiz.
Helen Brazier

Winning tip: Hiking highs in Castellón

I was lucky enough to spend a year living in the province of Castellón, which is yet to be really taken over by tourism but has so much to offer. The beaches of the Costa del Azahar are pristine, and historic towns like Peniscola and Morella are fascinating. However, the highlight for me was Desert de les Palmes natural park, which has Mediterranean views along scenic hiking trails – particularly from the highest point of El Bartolo at 729 metres. Rich in history, it has ancient monasteries, castle ruins and lush landscapes, making it a perfect retreat for nature and adventure lovers.
Mike L