10 Hidden Gems in Spain You Must Visit This April
There’s something magical about Spain in April. The winter chill has faded, the summer crowds haven’t yet arrived, and the countryside is alive with wildflowers, the scent of orange blossoms, and the distant hum of fiesta preparations. While everyone flocks to Barcelona, Madrid, or Seville, I’ve spent years wandering the backroads, stumbling upon villages where time seems to stand still, where the food is still made by hand, and where the locals greet you like family. These are the places that don’t make the guidebooks but should. So, pack your bags, leave the tourist trail behind, and let’s dive into the Spain that steals your heart—not just your Instagram feed.
1. Albarracín, Aragón – A Medieval Fairy Tale in Stone
Address: Albarracín, Teruel, Aragón (no exact address needed—just wander!)
Hours: Always open, but best explored during daylight. Many shops and restaurants close between 2–5 PM for siesta.
If you’ve ever dreamed of stepping into a medieval storybook, Albarracín is your portal. Perched on a rocky outcrop in the rugged mountains of Teruel, this village is so perfectly preserved it feels like a film set. The houses, painted in warm ochre and terracotta hues, cling to the hillside, their wooden balconies overflowing with geraniums. The walls, built by the Moors in the 10th century, still encircle the town, and the winding cobblestone streets are so narrow you’ll often have to press yourself against the wall to let a local pass with their grocery cart.
I first stumbled upon Albarracín on a misty April morning, the kind where the air smells of damp earth and woodsmoke. The village was almost deserted, save for a few old men playing dominoes in the plaza and a stray cat sunning itself on a windowsill. I climbed up to the Alcázar, the ruins of a Moorish fortress, where the view over the surrounding valleys took my breath away. The Guadalaviar River snakes below, its waters a startling turquoise against the red rock.
Don’t miss Casa de la Julianeta, a charming guesthouse run by a local family who serve breakfast on a terrace overlooking the gorge. For lunch, head to Restaurante El Rincón de Albarracín (Calle Azagra, 10), where the ternasco (roast lamb) is slow-cooked in a wood-fired oven and served with potatoes straight from the garden. And if you’re lucky, you’ll catch the Festival of the Drum and the Pipe in late April, where the entire village erupts in a cacophony of traditional music and dance.
Why April? The almond trees are in full bloom, the temperatures are mild (10–20°C), and the summer tourists haven’t yet descended.
2. Cudillero, Asturias – A Fisherman’s Paradise on the Cantabrian Coast
Address: Cudillero, Asturias (the town is built into the cliffs—just follow the scent of salt and grilled fish)
Hours: Best visited in the late afternoon when the fishing boats return. Restaurants open for lunch (1–4 PM) and dinner (8–11 PM).
If you’ve ever fantasized about a coastal village where life revolves around the tide, Cudillero is your dream come true. Tucked into the steep cliffs of the Asturias coastline, this village is a cascade of colorful houses stacked like children’s blocks, their balconies draped with fishing nets and drying laundry. The harbor is the heart of the town, where weathered fishermen mend their nets and the catch of the day—often merluza (hake) or bonito (tuna)—is auctioned off right on the dock.
I arrived in Cudillero on a blustery April afternoon, the kind where the sea spray stings your face and the gulls scream overhead. The village was alive with activity: women haggling over fish, old men playing cards in the Plaza de la Marina, and children chasing each other up the impossibly steep streets. I followed my nose to Restaurante Casa Poli (Calle La Marina, 12), a no-frills seafood joint where the fabada asturiana (a rich bean stew with chorizo and morcilla) is legendary.
For the best views, hike up to the Mirador del Pico just outside town. The panorama of the jagged coastline and the endless Atlantic is worth every step. And if you’re there on a Sunday, don’t miss the weekly market, where farmers sell everything from homemade cheese to wild honey.
Why April? The coastal paths are carpeted with wildflowers, the seafood is at its freshest, and the summer crowds are still months away.
3. Besalú, Catalonia – A Jewish Quarter Frozen in Time
Address: Besalú, Girona, Catalonia (the historic center is pedestrian-only)
Hours: The town is always open, but the Jewish Baths (Mikveh) are open 10 AM–6 PM (closed Mondays).
Besalú is one of those places that makes you feel like you’ve slipped through a crack in time. This tiny medieval village in Catalonia is best known for its 12th-century Romanesque bridge, a majestic stone arch that spans the Fluvià River. But the real magic lies in its Jewish Quarter, one of the best-preserved in Spain. The narrow, winding streets are lined with stone houses bearing Hebrew inscriptions, and the Mikveh (ritual baths), discovered in the 1960s, offer a haunting glimpse into the lives of the Jewish community that thrived here until their expulsion in 1492.
I first visited Besalú on a sunny April afternoon, the kind where the light turns the golden stone of the buildings into liquid honey. The bridge was my first stop, its reflection shimmering in the river below. As I wandered the Jewish Quarter, I couldn’t help but feel the weight of history. The Casa Cornellà, a 12th-century mansion, still bears the Star of David above its doorway, and the Synagogue (now a private home) is marked by a discreet plaque.
For lunch, I ducked into Restaurante Pont Vell (Plaça de la Llibertat, 6), where the fideuà (a paella-like dish made with noodles instead of rice) is cooked to perfection.
Why April? The almond trees in the surrounding countryside are in full bloom, and the village’s Medieval Fair (held in late April) is a riot of costumes, jousting, and traditional music.
4. Ronda, Andalusia – The City That Stole My Heart (and Almost My Life)
Address: Ronda, Málaga, Andalusia (the historic center is best explored on foot)
Hours: The Puente Nuevo is always open, but the Bullring is open 10 AM–6 PM.
Ronda isn’t exactly a secret, but it’s one of those places that deserves far more than a day trip from the Costa del Sol. Perched atop a sheer gorge, this town is split in two by the El Tajo canyon, with the Puente Nuevo (New Bridge) dramatically spanning the 120-meter drop. The views are so staggering that when I first leaned over the parapet, my knees turned to jelly, and I nearly dropped my camera into the abyss.
I spent three days in Ronda, wandering the cobbled streets of the Old Town (La Ciudad), where whitewashed houses are adorned with wrought-iron balconies and pots of geraniums. The Palacio de Mondragón, a Moorish palace with a lush garden, offers a quiet escape, and the Baños Árabes (Arab baths) are some of the best-preserved in Spain.
For food, Tragata (Calle Nueva, 4) is a must. This tiny tapas bar is run by a husband-and-wife team who source all their ingredients locally. The berenjenas con miel (fried eggplant with honey) is life-changing, and the rabo de toro (oxtail stew) is so rich you’ll want to take a nap afterward.
Why April? The surrounding countryside is a patchwork of wildflowers, the temperatures are perfect for hiking (15–25°C), and the Feria de Pedro Romero (a smaller, more authentic version of Seville’s April Fair) is held in early May, but the town starts buzzing with preparations in late April.
5. Aínsa, Aragón – A Pyramid-Shaped Village in the Pyrenees
Address: Aínsa, Huesca, Aragón (the historic center is a pedestrian-only labyrinth)
Hours: Best explored in the morning when the light hits the Plaza Mayor just right.
If you’ve ever wanted to visit a village that looks like it was designed by an architect with a love of geometry, Aínsa is your spot. This Pyrenean gem is built in the shape of a pyramid, with the Plaza Mayor at its peak. The square is a postcard-perfect vision of medieval Aragón: stone arcades, a 16th-century church, and a sea of geraniums spilling from window boxes.
I arrived in Aínsa after a long hike in the nearby Ordesa y Monte Perdido National Park, my legs aching and my stomach growling. The plaza was alive with locals sipping coffee and children kicking a football against the ancient walls. I grabbed a table at Casa Cuello (Plaza Mayor, 1), a family-run restaurant where the chireta (a traditional lamb sausage) is legendary.
Aínsa is also the gateway to some of the best hiking in the Pyrenees. The Sendero de los Cañones (Canyon Trail) is a breathtaking route that winds through narrow gorges and past waterfalls.
Why April? The Pyrenees are still dusted with snow on the higher peaks, the meadows are carpeted with wildflowers, and the hiking trails are blissfully crowd-free.
6. Comillas, Cantabria – A Gothic Dream by the Sea
Address: Comillas, Cantabria (the town is small—just follow the sound of the waves)
Hours: The Capricho de Gaudí is open 10:30 AM–7:30 PM (closed Mondays).
Comillas is the kind of place that makes you question whether you’ve accidentally wandered into a Tim Burton film. This coastal village in Cantabria is home to the Capricho de Gaudí, a whimsical mansion designed by a young Antoni Gaudí for a wealthy client. The building is a riot of colorful tiles, twisted ironwork, and towering spires, looking like something out of a fairy tale.
But Comillas isn’t just about Gaudí. The Palacio de Sobrellano, a neo-Gothic masterpiece, looms over the town like a castle from a gothic novel, and the Playa de Comillas, a sweeping golden beach, is the perfect spot for a solitary walk.
For dinner, El Comillano (Calle del Mar, 10) is a must. The cocido montañés (a hearty stew of beans, pork, and cabbage) is the perfect antidote to a chilly April evening.
Why April? The beaches are empty, the Semana Santa (Holy Week) processions are hauntingly beautiful, and the surrounding countryside is a lush green.
7. Almagro, Castilla-La Mancha – Spain’s Answer to Shakespeare’s Globe
Address: Almagro, Ciudad Real, Castilla-La Mancha (the historic center is a maze of Renaissance beauty)
Hours: The Teatro Municipal is open for tours 10 AM–2 PM and 4–7 PM.
If you’ve ever wondered where Spain’s Golden Age comes to life, Almagro is your answer. This sleepy town in the heart of Castilla-La Mancha is home to one of the most important Renaissance theaters in Europe. The Teatro Municipal, built in the early 17th century, is a perfectly preserved wooden theater where the plays of Lope de Vega and Calderón de la Barca were once performed.
I spent an afternoon wandering the Plaza Mayor, a grand square lined with green-shuttered houses and arcades. For lunch, Restaurante El Quijote (Calle San Agustín, 1) is a must. The pisto manchego (a vegetable stew with egg) is comfort food at its finest.
Why April? The almond trees in the surrounding Campo de Calatrava are in full bloom, and the town’s Holy Week processions are some of the most moving in Spain.
8. Cadaqués, Catalonia – Dalí’s Surrealist Playground
Address: Cadaqués, Girona, Catalonia (the town is a labyrinth of whitewashed streets)
Hours: The House-Museum of Salvador Dalí is open 10:30 AM–6 PM (closed Mondays).
Cadaqués is the kind of place that makes you feel like you’ve stepped into a Dalí painting—fitting, since the surrealist master spent his summers here. This whitewashed fishing village on the Costa Brava is a maze of narrow streets, hidden plazas, and pastel-colored houses that tumble down to a turquoise bay.
I first visited Cadaqués on a whim, driving up the winding coastal road from Barcelona. The town was bathed in golden light, and the air smelled of salt and pine. I spent the morning exploring the House-Museum of Salvador Dalí in nearby Portlligat, where the artist lived with his muse, Gala.
For lunch, Compartir (Calle Doctor Bartomeus, 1) is a must. This Michelin-starred restaurant is run by three former elBulli chefs, and the tasting menu is a masterclass in Catalan cuisine.
Why April? The summer crowds haven’t arrived, the water is still a little chilly for swimming (but perfect for solitary beach walks), and the surrounding Cap de Creus Natural Park is carpeted with wildflowers.
9. Consuegra, Castilla-La Mancha – Windmills and Saffron Dreams
Address: Consuegra, Toledo, Castilla-La Mancha (the windmills are on the hill overlooking the town)
Hours: The Windmills are always open, but the Saffron Museum is open 10 AM–2 PM and 4–6 PM.
If you’ve ever dreamed of tilting at windmills like Don Quixote, Consuegra is your chance. This tiny town in the heart of La Mancha is home to a dozen 16th-century windmills, perched on a hill like sentinels from a bygone era. The most famous, Molino Sancho, is named after Cervantes’ faithful squire, and you can climb inside to see the original machinery.
But Consuegra isn’t just about windmills. It’s also the heart of Spain’s saffron production, and the surrounding fields are a riot of purple crocuses in April. For dinner, Restaurante Alce (Calle Real, 10) is a must. The carcamusas (a stew of pork and peas) is a local specialty.
Why April? The saffron crocuses are in full bloom, the windmills are bathed in golden light, and the town’s Holy Week processions are deeply moving.
10. Vejer de la Frontera, Andalusia – A Whitewashed Hilltop Haven
Address: Vejer de la Frontera, Cádiz, Andalusia (the historic center is a maze of whitewashed streets)
Hours: Best explored in the late afternoon when the light turns the town golden.
Vejer de la Frontera is the kind of place that makes you want to sell everything and move to Spain. This hilltop town in Andalusia is a labyrinth of whitewashed houses, hidden plazas, and flower-filled patios. The views from the Mirador de la Cobijada stretch all the way to the Atlantic, and the scent of jasmine and orange blossoms fills the air.
For dinner, El Jardín del Califa (Calle de la Fuente, 1) is a must. This Moroccan-inspired restaurant is hidden in a lush garden, and the cuscús con cordero (lamb couscous) is a flavor explosion.
Why April? The town is carpeted with wildflowers, the temperatures are perfect for exploring (15–25°C), and the summer crowds are still months away.
Final Thoughts: Why These Gems Matter
Spain in April is a country on the cusp of something magical. The land is waking up, the people are shaking off the winter blues, and the air is filled with the promise of adventure. These hidden gems aren’t just places to visit—they’re places to experience. They’re where you’ll find the soul of Spain, the one that doesn’t make the postcards but lingers in your heart long after you’ve left.
So, skip the crowds, pack your curiosity, and hit the road. Spain’s best-kept secrets are waiting.