The most beautiful places in Spain to visit in 2023

Which part of Spain is the most beautiful? What is the prettiest part of Spain? Spain is a country that is full to the brim with stunning natural landscapes, beautiful historic buildings, and quaint little villages that have not changed in decades, making these questions pretty difficult to answer. The big cities like Madrid and Barcelona are enormous tourist hubs, some of the most visited destinations in Europe. But it would be a mistake to focus on those popular destinations to the exclusion of everywhere else: Spain is full of beautiful destinations for you to explore and enjoy. And what better way to start 2023 than taking tour of some of Spain’s most picturesque destinations for stunning views and perfect photo opportunities. From beautiful places in Spain by the sea, to quaint villages full of history, these are the most beautiful places in Spain to visit in 2023.

Ronda, Andalusia

Ronda is a small town in Málaga, Andalusia whose main charm lies in its unique bridge which is known as “El Tajo” or “Puente Nuevo” (literally translated as the ‘steep cliff’ and the ‘new bridge’). This spectacular structure, together with the quaint houses around it, overlook the ravine in a majestic way, with the impressive gorge sure to get you plenty of likes on Instagram!

Don’t miss the city’s historic centre, mixture of cultures, and its cobbled streets for a truly magical Ronda experience, not to mention the local food which can be enjoyed in many of the local bars and restaurants in the area. When it comes to the town0s most picturesque areas, make sure to head to the “Casa del Gigante” (Giant’s House), the Archaeological Museum, the “Iglesia del Espíritu Santo” (Church of the Holy Spirit) and the “Plaza de toros” (the Bullring), one of the oldest in Spain.

Cudillero, Asturias

Cudillero is an Asturian fishing village, built around a small port and has houses situated on the cliffs, resembling the shape of an amphitheatre. Cudillero was voted the most beautiful coastal town in Spain in 2020, and if you’re lucky enough to visit, you will see why.

Over time, the residents of this charming village have decorated the facades of the quaint houses with a range of different colours, making it a chromatic explosion that attracts thousands of visitors every year. These houses, which are right on the edge of the Cantabrian Sea, become fantastic viewpoints and the perfect spot to get your camera out and snap some truly Instagram-worthy pictures.

Without a doubt, the best time to visit this beautiful Spanish village is in the low season and not in the months of July and August when the area is much more crowded. Enjoy this beautiful postcard view and make sure you don’t miss the old town, which has been declared a historic-artistic site in Spain.

Playa de la Concha, San Sebastián

“La Playa de la Concha” (La Concha beach) surprises both natives and visitors on a daily basis for several reasons: its golden sand, turquoise water and spectacular walking routes. And we are not the only ones who think this, as Tripadvisor users consider it the best beach in Europe, while Playa de la Concha also takes the title of the sixth best beach in the world. Enjoy the stunning promenade and take hundreds of pictures of the golden sand; and if you want to get the perfect shot, then we recommend heading to the beach for sunset.

This stunning beach isn’t the only picturesque sight you have to visit in San Sebastián, as this city is one of the most beautiful places in Spain by the sea. Make sure to visit “el Peine del Viento” (a collection of statues called the Comb of the Wind), Chillida’s most famous work, and the rougher the sea in the Bay of Biscay. Mount Igueldo with its wooden funicular is also a top spot to visit and is perfect for travelling with children, as there is a play area where they can play while you enjoy the view of La Concha Bay and Santa Clara Island. And after all this sightseeing, finish your trip by heading over to San Sebastián’s “pintxeo” (the tapas scene): head straight to “lo viejo”, which is what the locals call the old town to experience the best of what the city has to offer.

Setenil de las Bodegas, Andalusia

If you are planning a trip to the south of Spain in 2023 and want some peace and quiet, then your best option is the “Pueblos Blancos” (white villages) route. Among this collection of traditional small towns, you can find natural wonders such as this charming village, Setenil de las Bodegas. Setenil de las Bodegas is a village with only 500 inhabitants in the province of Cadiz and the most unique thing about this town is that many of its residents live inside the rock cliffs that form its background.

In Setenil de las Bodegas you will not just find the odd “cave-house”: there are whole streets integrated into impressive rocks, so perhaps it would be more appropriate to talk about “cave streets”. Every corner of this village will truly leave you speechless, including the Nazarí Fortress from the 13th century, the Alcazaba area, the old Town Hall and the tower or the house of the “Damita de Setenil”.

Filed under: Headlines by Wendy Jackson
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