As of: March 15, 2024, 9:00 a.m
By: Franziska Kaindl
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Do you want to experience Spain authentically?
Then maybe you should travel to where the locals also like to vacation.
Whether Mallorca, Ibiza, Barcelona or Madrid – Spain is one of the top travel destinations for Germans every year.
During the holiday season it can get very crowded on the beaches and in the cities.
But where tourists are looking for relaxation, locals don't necessarily book their trip.
The holiday home booking portal
HomeToGo
has identified six insider tips in Spain that Spaniards love to visit - but that are hardly on the radar of German holidaymakers.
Ribadesella, Asturias
The town of Ribadesella nestles picturesquely at the mouth of the Sella River.
© Pond5 Images/Imago
Have you ever heard of Ribadesella?
For Spaniards, the holiday resort in the northern region of Asturias is one of the most popular travel destinations, ranking 14th in searches on
HomeToGo
.
The former fishing town only ranks 479th among German tourists. Anyone who decides to pay a visit to Ribadesella will be rewarded with an enchanting mix of medieval buildings and modernist architecture.
The holiday resort is also known for Tito Bustillo's cave, which is located west of the city.
The Stone Age cave paintings there are part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Huesca, Aragon
Loarre Castle is located very close to Huesca.
© Pond5 Images/Imago
Huesca in the autonomous community of Aragon is just behind Ribadesella in 16th place among Spaniards' favorite travel destinations in their homeland.
However, it seems to be completely unknown in Germany, where the province doesn't even make it into the "best" 2,500 holiday resorts.
There is a lot to see here: The city of Huesca looks back on over 2,000 years of history, which began with an Iberian settlement that was known as a mint.
Important sights include the Gothic Transfiguración del Señor Cathedral and the Romanesque monastery of San Pedro del Viejo.
About 30 kilometers away is the Castillo de Loarre, one of the most beautiful castles in Spain.
The entire region around Huesca has wonderful excursion destinations - from the picturesque town of Alquézar at the foothills of the Pyrenees to the town of Jaca, which is an important stop on the Way of St. James, the “Camino de Santiago”.
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Avila, Castile and León
The city walls of Ávila are as completely preserved as you can hardly see them anywhere else.
© Pond5 Images/Imago
Even from a distance, Ávila catches the eye with its unmistakable city walls.
Anyone visiting the town in the Spanish region of Castile and León should definitely climb it - it is accessible at 1,700 meters and offers great views of the city.
A detour to the Catedral del Salvador is also a must, as it is the first Gothic cathedral in Spain.
The locals are well aware of the beauty of Ávila - they rank the city as the 21st most popular holiday destination in Spain.
However, it has yet to become known among German holidaymakers because, like Huesca, it is hardly sought after.
Llanes, Asturias
The port of Llanes is perfect for a little walk.
© Pond5 Images/Imago
Less than half an hour's drive from Ribadesella is another pearl that has rarely been discovered by German holidaymakers: the fishing town of Llanes on the Costa Verde.
It is characterized by the old port, which is located in the center of the city and is connected to the sea via a canal.
Small fishing and motor boats in front of colorful houses characterize the cityscape and make Llanes a little Venice of Spain.
The fishing town is the 43rd most popular travel destination for local holidaymakers.
Segovia, Castile and León
The ancient Roman aqueduct shapes the cityscape of Segovia.
© Pond5 Images/Imago
Anyone who loves ancient and medieval architecture will feel right at home in Segovia.
The city in the Castile and León region welcomes visitors with a huge aqueduct made of 167 arches, which for centuries carried fresh spring water from the mountains to its residents.
There is also the Gothic cathedral and the Alcázar, a castle from the 12th century that is one of the most famous in Spain.
According to searches on HomeToGo,
German holidaymakers have paid little attention to the historic city
, but Segovia is ranked 47th among Spaniards.
Toledo, Castile-La Mancha
The “city of three cultures” – that is Toledo.
© Pond5 Images/Imago
The city of Toledo should mean more to German travelers - after all, it makes it
to 81st place in searches on
HomeToGo .
However, it is even more popular in Spain, where it makes it into the top 50.
It is known as the “City of Three Cultures” where Christian, Muslim and Jewish influences blend harmoniously.
This can be seen, for example, at the Cristo de la Luz mosque, the Santa María la Blanca synagogue and the Catholic cathedral from the 13th century.
Toledo is also located in the Castile-La Mancha region, known for its characteristic windmills, which were fought against by the poor knight Don Quixote, from one of the most famous Spanish works of literature.