The Best Long Weekend Getaways To Spain’s Small Cities

28th April 2026

Looking for the best long weekend getaway? There’s something rather appealing about a long weekend, isn’t there? A small bag to pack, a break from the norm, and a chance to visit somewhere new – vaguely imagined as being ‘different’ to where you usually are.

For British travellers the usual go-to destinations in Spain are those well-known hotspots like Barcelona and Madrid, or perhaps Seville, the Balearics or the Costa del Sol. However Spain has so many more hidden gems than those most popular destinations, in particular the many small towns and villages scattered across the country.

German online holiday rental search portal Holidu has studied monthly Google searches by Spanish people for villages in Spain, looking for locations with a population of less than 5,000 inhabitants. The results offer destinations beyond the usual tourist hotspots. Spanish locals are apparently keen to explore a medieval walled town nestled on the shores of Lake Saint Martin, explore volcanic coastlines or hike through the rugged mountains of Gallocanta. They may be drawn to scenic countryside or villages of white houses with steep streets. There’s even a historic fortress and beautiful Romanesque church in one location that’s apparently high on Spaniards’ travel wish lists.

Four of the top five most searched villages are in Spain’s green Atlantic north, a part of the country that may not immediately spring to mind for British travellers looking for a Spanish holiday. But this is a destination that certainly should be considered – especially for a bank holiday break. With beautiful beaches, succulent seafood, historic towns and rugged scenery, what’s not to like?

Not interested in masses of tourists? For travellers looking beyond the obvious, Holidu’s full top 30 destinations for a holiday rental in 2019 are here.

has also looked at small Spanish cities and villages that might be worth a visit.

The Small Spanish Villages Locals Are Searching For

Holiday home search volumes have been scrutinised by travel booking website Holidu, with Comillas in Cantabria revealed as the most sought after destination per month for British travellers. Some 4,660 monthly searches for ‘holiday letting Comillas’ took place according to the research, more than doubling up the second most searched to location of Santillana del Mar in Cantabria. There, 3,490 monthly searches were made for ‘holiday letting options in Santillana del Mar’. Málaga’s Frigiliana was third most searched to destination with 3,380 monthly searches.

At positions 8 to 10 in the ranking we found Albarracín in Teruel with 3,290 monthly questions, shortly followed by San Vicente de la Barquera in Cantabria with 3,220. Cudillero in Asturias and Potes in Cantabria shared the ninth position with 2,880 questions, followed by Morella in Castellón with 2,660, Setenil de las Bodegas in Cádiz with 2,380, and Riaño in León with 2,290.

Travel recommendations favoured destinations in northern Spain this year with no less than 19% of Spanish travellers opting for eco-tourism getaways to places that included fresh green landscapes and coastal beaches. Cantabria may be a relatively small region, but travel guides recommended no less than four of its destinations in the top 10 places to visit in Spain, led by Santander and its beautiful bay.

Five Small Spanish Cities Perfect For A Long Weekend Getaway

Whether you are looking for a romantic weekend, a quick family break, or a chance to get off the beaten track, these beautiful destinations are just a car ride or train ride away. Looking for the best long weekend getaway? The best things in life are taken at a slow pace so take your time to really soak up the local culture, perhaps whilst sipping on a coffee in the middle of a cobbled street, or whilst enjoying a long, leisurely lunch with breathtaking views. All of these beautiful places are just a long weekend away.

1. Comillas, Cantabria

The most searched for small Spanish village on Holidu among all the small Spanish villages is Comillas, with 4,660 monthly searches. One may ask: what does this small Spanish village offer, that is so different from the common stereotypes associated with modern-day Spain that many tourists expect to find during their holidays?

Comillas is a charming town in Cantabria. It features lush green meadows, a long stretch of sand and a number of brilliant buildings. El Capricho is the summer house of Antoni Gaudí, one of the most striking points in Comillas. Designed for Gaudí by this Spanish architect, the house sports a wonderful and fanciful style, in a riot of colourful ceramics.

Travel and leisure With culture, beach and serenity, there is something for everyone in Comillas. Accessibility makes it an ideal destination for a long weekend break with Santander an hours drive and direct flights from London and Edinburgh.

2. Santillana Del Mar, Cantabria

One of the highlights of the Cantabrian region, Santillana del Mar is just a few minutes down the road from Comillas, and an ideal addition to your long weekend in the North of Spain.

A common traveller’s comment about Spain is that most historical towns are spoilt by over development and touristic commercialism. Santillana del Mar however seems to be one of the best preserved medieval towns in all of Europe. Its narrow cobbled streets house old stone manor houses, churches and medieval shops which keep you in a slow and casual travel pace. The town is small and it is hard to get lost. Just walk slowly and randomly along streets and explore the town without a particular plan or agenda.

Altamira caves (famous for prehistoric cave paintings) are also near by which is an ideal addition to your already rich vacation experience.

3. Frigiliana, Málaga

A holiday in Frigiliana can make for an ideal southern Spanish getaway. A picturesque white town nestled into the hills above the Costa del Sol, Frigiliana is just ten minutes drive from Nerja and a little over an hour from Málaga airport.

While not exactly off the beaten track – it’s a pretty well known town among independent travellers – southern Spain’s ultimate postcard location is no where near as “touristy” as other places along the Costa del Sol.

Mediterranean views, whitewashed narrow alleyways, terracotta roofs, flowers in all colours- Frigiliana has it all. Due to its small size it is easy to get around, but because of its size and beautiful scenery it can take hours to explore.

4. Albarracín, Teruel

Another place to add to my ever growing ‘to visit’ list is Albarracín in inland Aragón. It’s a small, atmospheric mediaeval town, beautifully set in a gorge and surrounded by dramatic landscape. The town itself is all one-storey buildings in rust-red stone.

The ancient city centre with its old walls, small cobbled streets and special hues of color in the stone creates a ‘different world’ feeling. A Slow Travel town par excellence for those loving History, Architecture and off the beaten path destinations.

If you’re traveling from Valencia, Albarracín is about a two-hour drive; Madrid and Barcelona are each roughly a three-hour car journey. It’s a little off the beaten track for public transport, so many visitors end up driving. That makes it slightly more difficult to get to, which perhaps helps to add to the town’s mystique.

5. San Vicente De La Barquera, Cantabria

San Vicente de la Barquera is a genuine working fishermen’s harbour. The town is beautifully set between the estuary of the River Idra and the open sea. You can see the medieval castle above the town, and on fine days you can even make out the mountains of Picos de Europa.

This option is great for a long weekend. You can include sea air, history, beautiful landscapes and mouth-watering seafood. Genuine coastal character is prevalent in these northern Spanish properties which offer a truly lived in, relaxed feel and holiday atmosphere.

If you’re going to visit San Vicente de la Barquera, it’s also worth visiting Comillas or Santillana del Mar and around, forming a part of your trip through Cantabria where you can enjoy sun and sand, mediaeval streets, the mountain and delicious food.

Why Spain’s Smaller Destinations Deserve A Place On Your Travel List

The small cities and villages are another holiday destination. They offer space, atmosphere and local life which may be more difficult to find in more popular tourist destinations.

These are not the places you associate with the stressful, frantic pace of tourist travel from landmark to landmark. Instead, these are destinations better suited to the growing trend of slow travel. Whether strolling along historic streets, savouring local cuisine and wine, sunbathing on beaches, hiking in the mountains, or visiting museums and historical sites, even the briefest stay can be used to experience the real Spain at a leisurely and peaceful pace.

For British travelers looking for a bank holiday weekend or a shorter holiday, there are plenty of smaller destinations in Spain that are full of charm and character. These towns and cities may not draw the same crowds as Ibiza or Barcelona, but that is part of their attraction.

All of these places – the Gaudí-designed architecture in Comillas, the cobbled streets of medieval Santillana del Mar, the pale, sun-bleached houses in Frigiliana, the dramatic landscape of Albarracín, the beaches of San Vicente de la Barquera – are the sort of places that can make a short break feel truly worthwhile.

Methodology

Figures released by holiday rental search engine Holidu reveal the top 10 most sought after villages for a Spanish stay in 2019, with destinations tracked for average monthly Google searches over a 12 month period, with results limited to locations with a population of less than 5,000.

We measured search volumes by using the prefix “what to do in” / “what to see in” combined with the villages’ names to get an estimate of real travel interests. For the compilation, we only included small municipalities as defined by the Spanish National Statistics Institute. We have followed a logic where two villages have the same search volume, the smaller one gets the better ranking. Data was collected in April 2026.

The complete study, including the full top 30 ranking, can be found via Holidu’s guide to Spain’s most searched small cities and villages.