10 Hidden Gems in Andalucia That Will Amaze You in 2025

Andalucia is home to many Spanish famous cities, from Seville to Malaga and Cordoba. Every traveller has heard of them before.

However, if you want to explore off-the-beaten-track and discover smaller towns and villages that showcase the most authentic side of Southern Spain, I’ve got you covered.

I’ve extensively travelled around Andalucia since I was a kid, in fact, I am from the region, and I love going on day trips or weekend getaways here.

As much as I like exploring countries outside Spain, I also love exploring my surroundings.

I’ve created this list so you can uncover some of the hidden gems in Southern Spain. These are all places I’ve visited and would recommend, even if some have recently become more popular. 

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Hidden gems in Andalucia

1. Iznajar, Cordoba

Woman walking in patio las comedias, iznajar, cordoba

🚗 Distance from Cordoba: 1 hour and 20 min | 113 km (70 mi)

Perched on a hill and surrounded by a large reservoir, Iznajar is one of the most beautiful towns in Cordoba.

The location is simply stunning, and when you start walking the town, you’ll love its cobblestone narrow streets, historical buildings and squares.

Although it isn’t a big town, there are actually quite a few things to do in Iznajar. Patio de las Comedias is a must-see. It’s a gorgeous square with a fountain in the middle surrounded by traditional white-painted houses with light blue flower pots. 

Another sight not to miss in Iznajar is its castle, offering beautiful views and insights into the town’s history and its relationship with literature and art.

I didn’t have high expectations of Iznajar, but I’m glad I visited it because it’s become my favourite town in Cordoba.

You can easily spend 3 to 4 hours there, and I recommend having some food too. Don’t leave Iznajar or Cordoba without trying the flamenquines , pork fillets rolled with ham and cheese, coated in breadcrumbs and deep fried.

Iznajar isn’t far from Rute, so you might want to stop there. It’s famous for its chocolate and mantecados. It’s a bit crazy to go there during the festive season as it gets very crowded, but outside that time, you won’t have to worry about crowds.

2. Soportujar, Granada

Photo of Baba Yaga House and I

🚗 Distance from Granada: 1 hour and 17 min | 73 km (45.3 mi)

Do you know there’s a witch-themed town in Southern Spain? That’s Soportujar.

This town in the Alpujarra region is a unique place to visit during your trip to Andalucia. 

Human-size witch statues, fountains with dragons and witches, a giant Hansel and Gretel-inspired candy house, and much more can be found in this town.

There are also many shops selling all things mysterious and superstitious, from brooms and crystal gems to good luck charms.

I personally love Halloween, and I really enjoyed exploring this little town next to the mountains. 

You can spend a couple of hours taking photos and wandering at a slow pace. But you can also travel to nearby towns like Pampaneira on the same day to make it more of a full-day trip from Granada or Malaga as I did.

3. Pampaneira, Granada

A street in Pampaneira, a town in Las Alpujarras

🚗 Distance from Granada: 1 hour and 13 min | 68 km (42.2 mi)

A short distance from Soportujar, Pampaneira is another town that deserves a visit while travelling around the Alpujarra.

It’s a completely different atmosphere from Soportujar. 

What makes it more unique is that there’s a stream going through the cobblestone streets of Pampaneira. 

Since it’s a mountain town, the temperature is quite cool in winter, and local shops sell traditional warm colourful blankets.

Honey is another product you can get here. I actually got some from La Alpujarreña.

And I can’t forget to mention the chocolate factory. If you have a sweet tooth, you must go. 

I popped in and was welcomed with delicious chocolates to taste. Of course, my grandma and I ended up buying quite a few boxes.  


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4. Parauta, Malaga

Cristina at the enchanted forest in Parauta, Spain.

🚗 Distance from Malaga: 1 hour and 35 min | 114 km (70.8 mi)

Parauta is a small whitewashed village in the Serrania de Ronda, Malaga. The location of the town is perfect for hiking.

I like walking, but I don’t consider myself a hiker. But whether you are one or not, you might want to explore Parauta.

The main attraction is El Bosque Encantado, the Enchanted Forest, a short hiking trail with wooden carved statues of fairies, rabbits and other creatures along the way. 

It’s ideal for families with children but also for anyone who likes an autumn walk. 

If this trail feels too short, there are many other walks in the area, including the one through the Copper Forest. 

I advise you not to visit this town on an autumn weekend because it’s very small and there are few parking spaces. My family and I had to park outside the town and walk all the way there.

5. Comares, Malaga

a view of comares town in malaga

🚗 Distance from Malaga: 58 min | 38.7 km (24 mi)

The west of Malaga province is the go-to for most travellers. Don’t get me wrong, I love this area of my hometown and spend most of my time there. But I must admit that the East is underrated. 

One of those underrated areas is the Axarquia, which consists of small mountain towns, including Comares. 

Why visit Comares? Its stunning views, Moorish architecture, raisins and wine. 

Walk its streets, stop for lunch at Hotel Restaurante Verde Oliva, try Comares wine and enjoy the stunning mountain views from Mirador Balcón de la Axarquia. 

After your visit to Comares, you can also visit other beautiful towns in La Axarquia, such as El Borge. 

6. Frigiliana, Malaga

calle gabriel in frigiliana

🚗 Distance from Malaga: 50 min | 58.9 km (36.6 mi)

While the neighbouring town of Nerja is far from being a hidden gem, Frigiliana isn’t the first place people think about visiting when coming to Malaga. 

This mountainside town, situated less than an hour from Malaga City, is charming and so picturesque. 

It’s officially now among the prettiest towns in Spain. 

If you ask yourself, what’s Frigiliana like? 

The main characteristics of this town include hilly cobblestone streets with white buildings, turquoise doors, bougainvillaea flowers and unique little independent shops. 

And, did you know that Frigiliana is well-known for a key local product? 

Sugar cane honey, which is used in many Andalusian recipes, including the delicious berenjenas fritas (fried aubergine slices.)

Having visited Frigiliana over the years, I can confirm it’s a more popular day trip from Malaga among international travellers.

7. Setenil de las Bodegas, Cadiz

Setenil de las bodegas whitewashed town in cadiz

🚗 Distance from Cadiz: 1 hour and 40 min | 133 km (82.6 mi)

Setenil de las Bodegas became very popular on social media, but it’s still worth seeing. Parts of this town are built underneath cliffs and caves making it very unique. 

You don’t need more than a few hours to explore it. Wander its streets leading to beautiful viewpoints, stop by the independent shops and relax on an outdoor terrace with a cup of coffee. 

I would personally pair Setenil with Ronda, one of my favourite inland towns in Malaga. 

The distance between both is 15-20 minutes, and Ronda has plenty to do and see. I especially love Casa Museo Don Bosco and, of course, Puente Nuevo (Ronda’s New Bridge). 

8. Vejer de la Frontera, Cadiz

A woman walking down a street with plants and white buildings in Vejer de la Frontera, Andalusia.

🚗 Distance from Cadiz: 45 min | 55.1 km (34.2 mi)

I recently discovered Vejer de la Frontera. It had been on my list for a while, and the truth is that it didn’t disappoint. 

Located at the top of a hill, Vejer is the prettiest whitewashed town in Cadiz. 

Its hilly cobblestone streets connected to each other like a spiderweb are beautiful. 

Spend some time wandering them and discovering the Jewish Quarter, where you’ll find Vejer Castle (only open on weekends). 

But the meeting point for locals and travellers is its square, Plaza de España, featuring a tiled fountain with small frog statues. 

Restaurants surround the plaza, but if you want a break from Spanish food, I highly recommend eating at El Jardín del Califa

The food is great, and the outdoor seating is so picturesque. The mezze platter is a must-try! The hummus and babaganoush are so flavoursome.

Another suggestion is to window shop, as the indie shops have unique gifts to take home. 

After a day in Vejer, head to El Palmar. It’s one of my favourite beaches in Cadiz and only a ten-minute drive. 

If you visit outside the summer months, SEHO has great coffee and smoothies. The strawberry and banana one is delicious, and the seating area overlooks the beach. Sitting there is so relaxing!  

9. Sotogrande, Cadiz

A photo of the colourful houses in Sotogrande marina.

🚗 Distance from Cadiz: 1 hour and 24 min | 123 km (76.4 mi)

My friend told me we should visit Sotogrande, and we actually did. We travelled from Marbella to Sotogrande, which wasn’t a long drive. 

Although it doesn’t have much to do besides playing golf and watching a polo tournament, the marina is lovely. 

It resembles a little bit of the French Riviera with all the colourful buildings and expensive yachts. 

This area is perfect for a walk, a meal, or even shopping. 

Once you’ve explored this area of Sotogrande, which, again, is the main area, I recommend visiting La Reserva Club

There, you’ll find sports like golf and tennis, restaurants and an artificial beach. I went with a friend in spring, and we didn’t have luck with the weather. However, we enjoyed the live music and cakes at the restaurant.

I imagine this place gets very busy during the peak season!

10. Cabo de Gata, Almeria

Cristina contemplating a beautiful beach in Cabo de Gata

🚗 Distance from Almeria: 35 min | 35.2 km (21.8 mi)

Many travellers might visit Almeria, but they miss out on discovering Cabo de Gata, one of the most impressive natural parks in Southern Spain. It’s completely underrated.

There are many small towns around Cabo de Gata, San José being the most popular. Although it’s worth seeing, I prefer other ones like Isleta del Moro, which is my favourite.

In this area, you can expect to see stunning cliffs, geological features, and beaches with crystal-clear waters, perfect for kayaking and snorkelling.

I’d say Cabo de Gata is mainly visited by Spaniards who want a summer holiday without the crowds of the Costa del Sol. 

I’m not really into camping, but my family and I stayed in a tent in one of the campsites in the area, and to be honest, camping is very popular in the area.

Map of hidden gems in Andalucia

Conclusion

There are plenty of beautiful off-the-beaten-track destinations in Southern Spain, and this is just a list of my favourites, but there are many more.

Since these places are outside the main cities, many can’t be accessed by public transport, or if there’s an option, it will take you much longer to get to the destination than by car.

I recommend renting a car because you can also stop at other spots along the way, have the freedom to travel when you want and renting a car doesn’t have to be very expensive. I always check the best deals with Discover Cars.

Would you include any other destinations? Let me know in the comments!

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