There are many natural destinations to travel to on vacation but one of the best options is undoubtedly to enjoy the tranquility of a town that also allows routes or discover incredible places. Let’s get to know the most emblematic towns to enjoy nature this summer.
The most emblematic towns to enjoy nature this summer
If you like being able to enjoy nature , there is nothing like going to a town that has charm and that also offers some other experience in which we can breathe fresh air, whether for example discovering a natural park or taking hiking routes . That is why we want to discover these towns that are sure to be an ideal destination for your next summer vacation.
Guadalest, Alicante
The beautiful town of Guadalest is perhaps one of the most charming towns we have in Spain. With good reason, it is the most visited town in our country and that is mainly due to the fact that it is the destination of many who decide to take an excursion when they are on vacation in Benidorm or Alicante.
A fortified town that sits on a granite mountain. To enter the town, you must walk through a tunnel dug in the stone. It dates back to the construction of the castle during the Moorish occupation of Spain in the 12th century.
Guadalest has a long and somewhat complicated history: there were many owners, several earthquakes that destroyed the town and wars, and the castle was finally bought by the city in 1994 and turned into a museum. Today, the town of Guadalest has only 300 permanent residents. If you stay after the hikers have gone home, it is a gloriously quiet place to watch the sun set over the Mediterranean.
There are stunning views of the mountains and the coast , and a number of somewhat strange museums (from a torture museum to one dedicated to salt and pepper shakers). The streets of Guadalest are narrow and cobbled, there are artisan shops with local products and a great mix of cafes and restaurants.
Arcos de la Frontera, Cádiz
This small town in Andalusia forms one of the White Villages for which this area is famous. The beauty of picturesque Arcos de la Frontera is that it is not “stormed” by tourist troops in summer, which adds to its authenticity.
The churches and buildings recall the time of the Reconquest that dates back more than 1000 years. Other towns that make up the Pueblos Blancos are a short drive away, but best explored on foot. A town that brings us closer to nature will allow us to visit the Guadalete River.
The town preserves a combination of its Arabic, Gothic and Spanish heritage and the old town in the center has been declared an Asset of Cultural Interest. A visit we can make is to the Ducal Castle, a Muslim fortress from the 15th century, as well as the Basilica of Santa MarÃa de la Asunción, built in the 13th century and declared a Historic-Artistic Monument.
Pampaneria, Granada
Las Alpujarras is a mountainous region in southern Spain full of picturesque and historic whitewashed villages. Pampaneira is one of the most popular towns in the Alpujarras area of Granada. It is the first town you come across when climbing the winding roads of the Poqueira gorge, with Bubión and Capileira located higher up.
The Spanish villages of the Alpujarras are known for their unique houses, which are square in shape with a flat roof and a distinctive round chimney, similar to those found in the Atlas Mountains in Morocco. The streets are narrow and winding, sometimes with fresh water flowing through the middle.
All this is a throwback to the history of the area, when the Berbers from North Africa settled here after the Moorish invasion in 711 AD At the end of the 16th century they were expelled by the Catholic Monarchs and the area was repopulated by Christians.
While the surrounding mountains may be covered in snow in winter, the towns themselves rarely see snow, making travel in both winter and summer possible. In summer there are many more visitors as the area is popular with hikers . In fact, we can enjoy the mountainous nature of the area ourselves and do the odd hiking route.
Bulnes, Asturias
In Asturias, in the northern part of Spain, right in the middle of the Picos de Europa National Park, is the small town of Bulnes.
Bulnes is perhaps one of the towns with the least population in our country since it has only 34 inhabitants . In the past it was only accessible on foot, but since 2001 there is a funicular that takes you to the town.
As soon as you enter the village, you will be taken aback by the beauty of the stone houses and the raw nature that surrounds it. Bulnes sits in the middle of the Asturias mountain range, with towering peaks including the world-famous climber’s Mecca El Naranjo de Bulnes (also known as Picu Urriellu) right at its feet.
The town itself is divided into two: Bulnes de Abajo and Bulnes de Arriba. Most visitors stop in the lower zone; but you should definitely continue further up the steep trail. You will be rewarded with absolutely epic views of the valley below.
Bulnes is the perfect Spanish town to visit when you want to escape the crowds and hustle and bustle of the city. Stay a few nights to make the most of the many hiking trails.
