Where locals go: unexpected vacation spots in Spain
Five Spain-based travel writers share a few beloved vacation spots near their homes.
To experience Spain like a local, you might slow-travel around the vineyards and villages of Catalonia with their traditional artisan cultures, escape the heat in Asturias or discover the more laid-back side of Ibiza with its pristine beaches and quiet coves. We tapped our own Spain experts for suggestions on the places they love to go on vacation for some under-the-radar vacation spots.
1. Cadaqués, Catalonia
Jamie Ditaranto has lived in Barcelona for more than three years and visits the Costa Brava whenever she can.
Why Cadaqués?
I had heard about Cadaqués many years before my first summer in Barcelona. As a lover of art, beach houses and 20th-century pop culture, I was entranced by the idea of visiting the vacation and retirement home of Salvador Dalí. I brought my camera and found a destination that had no bad angles and long stretches with pockets of rocky beaches where I have gotten some of my best reading done over the years.
Must-do activity
If you have extra time, go to Cap de Creus. This is the natural park where Dalí found inspiration for his paintings and the landscape is naturally surreal with a bare rocky landscape and views of the Pyrenees Mountains as they fall off into the sea. Book a scenic cruise from Cadaqués, but if you have the time, catch the shuttle bus to the lighthouse, where there is a lovely restaurant with stunning views.
Where to stay
There are many beautiful boutique hotels and apartments embedded in the old village. For something chic but simple, I like the Tramuntana Hotel. When I’m backpacking and on a budget, Hostal Vehí is a reliable and friendly choice with a great location right next to the church.
Where to eat
I always joked it would be strange to dine solo at a restaurant called Compartir. The word means “to share” in Spanish, so when I returned to Cadaqués with friends I made sure we had a reservation to enjoy this restaurant's delectable and creative 13-course tasting menu. Compartir is the sister restaurant of Barcelona’s Disfrutar, the three-Michelin-star restaurant with a year-long wait for reservations. 
2. Tarifa, Andalucía
Isabella Noble grew up in Málaga and now splits her time between Andalucía and Barcelona.
Why Tarifa?
My family stumbled across laid-back, surf-loving Tarifa in the 1990s, and I still escape here every year, whether for a few beachy days in early September (bliss) or to work remotely during low season. On the southernmost tip of mainland Europe, in Cádiz province, Tarifa is one of Andalucía’s most magical coastal towns, with miles of wild golden-white beaches, a relaxed vibe and views of neighboring Morocco across the Strait of Gibraltar.
Must-do activity
Cádiz’s Atlantic-washed Costa de la Luz has been popular with Spaniards for years, and Tarifa has a special edge thanks to its lively kitesurfing and windsurfing scene. The entire undeveloped coast stretching northwest from Tarifa is a protected Parque natural, and even when things get busy in summer, there are plenty of hidden corners. I love the coastal walk past natural sea pools from tiny Bolonia’s Roman ruins to Punta Paloma dune. Another favorite is the hike to secluded El Cañuelo beach – a pine-fringed, back-to-nature paradise where there’s often no one else around.
Where to stay in Tarifa
I usually stay at one of the small, independent boutique hotels in Tarifa’s meandering old town; The Riad is a stylishly converted 17th-century home with creative Moroccan-Andalucian design, while Hostal África has boho-cool rooms and rooftop yoga.
Where to eat
You’re spoiled for choice with Tarifa’s lively international-influenced food scene; I often grab a fruit and yogurt breakfast bowl at Morocco-inspired Café Azul, and later stop for tapas (just-cooked tortilla, payoyo goat milk cheese) on the terrace at El Lola, which also serves local sherries and Cádiz wines.
3. Priorat, Catalonia
Joan Torres is a writer from Barcelona who loves going off the beaten path.
Why Priorat?
In the heart of rural Catalonia, Priorat is an off-the-beaten-track region (about an hour from Barcelona) where visitors can learn about traditional wine making. Many consider the wines produced in Priorat to be the most sophisticated in all of Spain (with prices to match).
Must-do activity
Dotted with several medieval villages, Priorat is best visited by car, road-tripping from village to village and cellar to cellar. While Álvaro Palacios and Mas Doix are some of the most popular, don’t miss lesser-known, smaller-batch wineries such as Hericamps, which produces no more than 5000 bottles per year.
Where to stay
Porrera, Gratallops, Siurana and Falset are all beautiful villages packed with cellars, where you can also find accommodations at every price point, ranging from budget hostels to luxury boutique hotels within the wineries.
Where to eat
When it comes to food, La Cooperativa de Porrera is one of the best restaurants in the region for authentic Catalan food, while Brichs, located in Falset, is the place to satisfy more demanding gourmets looking for a more modern version of the local cuisine.
4. Sant Josep de sa Talaia, Ibiza
Natalia Diaz lives in Madrid and loves writing about food, travel and culture.
Why Sant Josep de sa Talaia?
Ibiza is well known as the unrivaled party capital of Europe – yet this is just a tiny sliver of the story of this Mediterranean paradise. Beyond the strobe lights and glamorous nightclubs, the Balearic island has a serene side that’s perfect for those who prefer a more laid-back and nature-oriented experience.
Must-do activity
Drive around to explore Ibiza’s breathtaking natural beauty, from its numerous calas (coves) and majestic cliffs, to its white sand coastlines embraced by clear sapphire waters. Sa Caleta (Es Bol Nou) beach hosts the ancient ruins of the first Phoenician settlement in Ibiza, a UNESCO World Heritage Site atop a cliff with panoramic views of the Balearic Sea.
Where to stay
When I go to Ibiza, I prefer staying at a short-term rental in Sant Josep de sa Talaia, on the western side of the island. (Big groups can rent out entire villas). Sant Josep offers a perfect mix of rugged natural beauty, chill-out bars and quiet coves, including Cala Comte, Cala d’Hort and Port des Torrent.
Where to eat
Es Boldado on Cala d’Hort is hands down my favorite restaurant on the entire island – I can stay here all day dining on fresh seafood and traditional ibicenco cuisine and sipping premium Spanish wines. The best part is enjoying its main feature: a spectacular view of mythical Es Vedrà island, believed to be the tip of Atlantis and legendary home to sirens, sea nymphs and even UFOs.
5. Somiedo, Asturias
Paula Sánchez Iglesias and Daniel Del Río Espina are from Avilés in Asturias and run the Spanish travel blog, Hacemoslasmaletas.
Why Somiedo?
Tucked away in northern Spain's Cantabrian Mountains, Parque Natural de Somiedo offers a refreshing escape from the summer heat. This UNESCO Biosphere Reserve welcomes hikers with glacial lakes, limestone peaks and ancient beech forests. As you explore, you'll discover brañas, traditional cattle-herding settlements with charming tietos (thatched cottages) that tell stories of the region's pastoral heritage. For the best experiences, hike El Valle del Lago or Los Lagos de Saliencia.
Must-do activity
The park holds Western Europe's largest population of brown bears; roughly 280 roam freely throughout the western range. Watching these magnificent creatures in their natural habitat is a popular activity, but always go with a local guide who can share insights about conservation efforts. Lucky visitors might also spot wolves, wildcats, chamois, red deer, griffon vultures, golden eagles or the colorful capercaillie (fowl).
Where to stay
Base yourself in the mountain village of Pola de Somiedo, where accommodations range from cozy B&Bs to rural homestays and hotels. While there, visit the Somiedo Natural Park Interpretation Center and its Bear House to deepen your understanding of the region's ecology.
Where to eat
Come meal time, book a table at the family-run El D’Iban in the nearby village of Braña de la Peral for authentic local cuisine. During cooler months, Sidrería Carion provides the perfect setting to enjoy the region's famous cider alongside hearty Asturian specialties like fabada (a rich bean stew) or cachopo, two large veal or beef escalopes filled with ham and cheese, breaded and fried to perfection using locally-sourced ingredients.
