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Spain is celebrated for its sun-kissed coastal resorts and swathes of golden sand. But this vast country, one of the largest nations in Europe, is possessed of an interior characterized by numerous historic towns and villages of exceptional charm and beauty. Many date back to the medieval period, and retain a singular allure that is at once beguiling as it is appealing.
Click through and discover Spain's prettiest towns and villages.
Surrounded by stone and set as if carved out of it, the medieval walled village of Albarracín in Aragon is one of Spain's most attractive destinations.
From above, the ancient walled town of Morella in Castellón resembles a long extinct volcano. Topping its cone is a castle, in turn surrounded by rows of ornate houses that lend this destination a wholly unique character.
Picture-perfect Cudillero in Asturias is one of Spain's most scenic fishing villages. For the best panorama, climb up to the Garita viewpoint to admire the destination and the sparkling sea beyond.
The tiny village of Guadalupe in Extremadura is well known for the splendid 14th-century Monastery of Santa María de Guadalupe, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Set well away from Mallorca's busy coast is historic Deià, a tumble of cottages with terracotta roofs that's been home to several well-known creatives, people such as Mick Jagger, Mark Knopfler, and, back in the day, the British poet and novelist Robert Graves.
Perhaps no other town in Spain exudes so much medieval character than Besalú, in Catalonia. Wandering its stone-clad streets is to delve into the Iberia of the Middle Ages.
The massive Moorish walls of Ronda, a town located near Málaga in Andalusia, incorporate a later structure, the monumental stone bridge known as Puente Nuevo, one of the most photographed landmarks in southern Spain.
Potes in Cantabria is a maze of weathered stone alleys, terraces, arches, and bridges, and exudes a tangible 15th-century atmosphere.
Frigiliana is what postcards were made for. This tidy Andalusia village is a delightful mix of Arabic and European medieval architecture. It's all crowned by a 9th-century Moorish castle.
Perched on a limestone outcrop in Aragon, Alquezar appears straight out of the Middle Ages. In fact, some of its architecture does indeed date back to the 11th century. The region is a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its more than 60 limestone caves with prehistoric cave paintings.
Cadaqués is a delightfully quaint fishing town in Catalonia on Spain's Costa Brava. It's set near the French border under the shadow of the Pyrenees mountain range.
Enjoying a dramatic location on the slopes of a steep gorge and overlooking the Júcar River, Alcalá del Júcar in Albacete province radiates a brooding medieval character.
Boasting an exceptionally preserved historic center, the Zaragoza village of Sos del Rey Católico is the birthplace of the infante Ferdinand, born here on March 10, 1452, and who later became Ferdinand II of Aragon, one of the Catholic Monarchs.
Located in Málaga province, inland Casares is a charming smudge of whitewash painted across cliffs that overlook the distant Alboran Sea.
Aínsa is dwarfed by the Pyrenees Mountains. And a visit to this Aragon town is heightened by its landmark castle, parts of which stand on 11th-century foundations.
Set in the heart of Spain's famous La Rioja wine region, San Vicente de la Sonsierra dates back to the 10th century and has plenty of history to imbibe.
Set on the Rías Baixas estuaries, the sleepy fishing village of Combarro in Galicia is known for its collection of horreos—stone-built granaries set on stilts and surmounted by crosses They are used to store maize.
One of the most picturesque villages in Andalusia, Setenil de las Bodegas is famous for its dwellings built into rock overhangs above the Guadalporcún River.
One of the most attractive destinations in the Basque Country is the border town of Hondarribia. The walled village center is a palette of colorful facades and traditional wooden balconies.
Olite's claim to fame is the Palácio Real de Olite, an extraordinary 13th-century Gothic castle-palace that once served as the royal seat of Charles III of Navarre.
When the mercury rises, a fair few of Madrid's residents decamp to Buitrago de Lozoya, a village surrounded by the Lozoya River and enclosed by Moorish walls. It's located less than an hour's drive from the Spanish capital.
The village of Llastres in the northern Spanish province of Asturias enjoys a long-standing seafaring tradition. Unsurprisingly, seafood features extensively on restaurant menus.
The narrow basalt crag on which this historic Catalonian town straddles lends the location a wholly dramatic perspective. Medieval Castellfollit de la Roca is set at the foot of the Pyrenees mountain range, which makes it a favorite destination with hikers.
Built on the estuary of the Gandarilla River in Cantabria, charming San Vicente de la Barquera lies in Oyambre Natural Park. Tourism is the village's main activity due to the area's natural environment and heritage.
Sóller in Mallorca was once a tiny fishing village. As the port expanded, so too did the destination. Fortunately, it's lost none of its yesteryear charm, a fact highlighted by the famous heritage tramway, which trundles through a landscape of citrus trees to link the town with the village of Port de Sóller.
Mogarraz can't help but catch your attention. This isolated and timbered town tucked away in the mountains of western Castile and Léon enjoys an artisan's tradition that's appreciated in Spain and beyond.
Mojácar in Almeria manages to combine the feel of a low-key Spanish beach resort with a fascinating history that dates back to the Bronze Age.
There's more to Gran Canaria than golden beaches. Head inland to Tejada and be impressed by its location, facing as it does the imposing Roque Bentayga, a towering rock formation.
Set opposite the Portuguese village of Alcoutim on the banks of the Guadiana River, lovely Sanlúcar de Guadiana in Andalusia can be reached by boat from the Algarve coastal town of Vila Real de Santo António.
El Castell de Guadalest in Alicante, better known as Guadalest, is recognized for a remarkable series of monuments, historic landmarks that include a castle that sits in bits on top of lofty pinnacles of rock.
Santillana del Mar, a medieval village in Cantabria, was first mentioned in civic records as far back as 1326. After exploring its hallowed streets, head over to the nearby Cave of Altamira, known for its prehistoric rock art and deserving of its UNESCO World Heritage status.
If climbing mountains to reach castles is your thing, pay a visit to Xàtiva in Valencia. It's steeped in history: this is the home town of Pope Alexander VI, born into the notorious House of Borgia, one of the most important families of the Renaissance.
Sources: (Encyclopedia.com) (Academic) (History Today)
See also: Reasons why Spain has always been a tourist destination of choice
Spain's prettiest towns and villages
Discover the country's beguiling interior
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Spain is celebrated for its sun-kissed coastal resorts and swathes of golden sand. But this vast country, one of the largest nations in Europe, is possessed of an interior characterized by numerous historic towns and villages of exceptional charm and beauty. Many date back to the medieval period, and retain a singular allure that is at once beguiling as it is appealing.
Click through and discover Spain's prettiest towns and villages.