Revealed: Spain's quiet and uncrowded hidden gems that still want tourists

Spain might be one of the UK's favourite summer holiday destinations, but protests against tourists in leading hotspots such as Barcelona and Majorca have left some Brits put off.
But while more than 18 million British tourists visited Spain in 2024, there are a few regions that fall outside the limelight.
So, where are Brits unlikely to run into other tourists in 2025?
La Rioja
According to Spain's National Institute of Statistics (INE), La Rioja was the country's least visited region in 2024.
The gorgeous destination, known for its wine production, welcomed just 123,123 visitors last year.
La Rioja is an inland region in northern Spain and deserves far more attention than it tends to get.
Lonely Planet reveals: 'Wine goes well with the region's ochre earth and vast blue skies, which seem far more Mediterranean than the Basque greens further north.
'This diverse region offers more than just the pleasures of the grape, though, and a few days here can see you mixing it up in lively towns and quiet pilgrim churches, and even hunting for the remains of giant reptiles.'
Head to the Museo de la Rioja, a history museum located in an 18th-century baroque building, to find out more about the region's past.
And of course, make sure to visit one of the region's more than 500 wineries to sample one of it's world-renowned reds.
El Hierro and La Gomera
While the Canary Islands are one of Spain's busiest destinations, a couple of the islands get much less attention.
According to Statista, both La Gomera and El Hierro received just 69,000 visitors in 2022.
And Marek Bron, travel expert at the Indie Traveller, told MailOnline Travel that La Gomera is the most underrated of the Canary Islands.
He said: 'It has these very lush forests that feel like rainforests and they're amazing for hiking.'
Meanwhile El Hierro is the smallest Canary Island with far fewer crowds than popular spots like Tenerife and Lanzarote.
Tourists can visit the pretty hidden gem by taking a ferry or plane from Tenerife or Gran Canaria.
Marina Lucense
According to statistics from the INE and Turespana, Mariña Lucense is the Spanish stretch of coast that's the least visited.
The breathtaking region is located on Spain's northern Galician coast where some of the country's least well-known beaches are.
While the weather can't be guaranteed to be sunny, the beaches in Marina Lucense are much quieter than in the Costa del Sol or Costa Blanca.
Visit Spain explains: 'The Marina Lucense has around 100km of coastline where you'll find old whaling ports and a variety of landscapes.'
One of the region's most spectacular beaches is As Catedrais, or the Cathedrals. The 1.5km long beach earned its name from the Gothic-looking rock towers and arches on its sands.
Cabrera Maritime-Terrestrial National Park
Of Spain's 16 national parks, the Cabrera Maritime-Terrestrial National Park is the country's least visited according to INE statistics.
Just an hour's boat ride from Majorca, the archipelago will 'definitely surprise you', says Spain's tourism board.
It says: 'This oasis has one of the best-preserved examples of marine life in the whole of the Mediterranean Sea.
'Its almost untouched sea shore hosts a wealth of species native to the Balearic Islands.'
The national park can be enjoyed on a boat trip and is home to more than 400 botanical species and 200 fish species.

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BBC News

39 minutes ago

• BBC News

The Bangkok 'death cafe' that changed my life

A guided experience through birth, ageing, illness and death unexpectedly led me to reconnect with my estranged mother. I was sitting upright in a mock hospital bed holding a plastic tray with my "last meal". Around me, machines beeped steadily. "Now tell me," Keue, my tour guide, said gently, "What would you want to say to your mum if this was your last moment on Earth?" The question stopped me in my tracks – and set in motion an unexpected path to healing. I'd been searching for a unique experience in Bangkok, away from the typical tourist spots, when an obscure Reddit post led me to the looming entrance of the Death Awareness Café. Walking up the long corridor to the start of the attraction, I had no idea what to expect. Flickering illuminated signs in both English and Thai posed confronting questions above my head, like: "What do you want to do but still have not done?" I felt slightly unnerved, but intrigued enough to keep going. Inside, I was warmly greeted by Keue, who explained that the cafe was created in 2018 by Buddhist philosopher Dr Veeranut Rojanaprapa to try to solve some of Thai society's problems, such as crime and corruption. Rojanaprapa believes that many of these issues stem from greed and anger – and that by having and fostering a deeper acceptance of death through Buddhist teachings, people might learn to live more peacefully. To understand why such a place exists in Bangkok, it helps to understand the role of Buddhism in Thai life. Around 95% of Thailand's population identifies as Buddhist, and the country's cultural norms – from its emphasis on compassion and humility to the centrality of family – are deeply rooted in Buddhist thought. Thailand's connection to Buddhism dates back nearly two millennia, when missionaries sent by the Indian emperor Ashoka arrived to spread the teachings of the Buddha. The influence is embedded in everything from daily rituals to the Thai language, which draws heavily on Sanskrit and Pali, the liturgical languages of Buddhist scripture. While the café has smaller installations and exhibitions, the centrepiece is an immersive journey through four stages of life: birth, ageing, illness and death. Each of the four rooms offers a tactile, hands-on approach to understanding the origins of human suffering, with the ultimate goal of confronting our fear of dying. "Each room represents the cycle of suffering," Rojanaprapa explained. "Those who seek liberation from this endless cycle must strive to break free through the practice of the Noble Path as taught in Buddhism." The journey begins, fittingly, with "birth". This space is a sensory overload, with flashing lights and bright visuals showcasing the inside of a body. The lights then dim to imitate the darkness that a foetus would experience. Keue invited me to lie inside a red hanging chair that represents the womb. I clambered inside and attempted to lay in the foetal position while Keue zipped up the plastic covering. The discomfort and confinement made me consider, for the first time, how much suffering surrounds even the beginning of life. "From the moment of being confined in the womb – helpless, uncertain of the future – this room allows visitors to experience the physical and emotional discomfort that comes with birth," Rojanaprapa said. In Thai culture, birth is often seen not just as a beginning, but as part of an ongoing karmic cycle. According to Buddhist philosophy, the suffering of birth is the first in a series of life's inevitable trials – a key insight the café seeks to evoke. The second room focussed on ageing. Weighted bags were strapped to my legs to simulate weakening muscle strength, and I donned a pair of glasses that blurred by vision. Climbing a short staircase, I struggled to both lift my feet and see where to place them. It offered a visceral glimpse into the slowing down of the body – something I had never truly considered. In Thailand, elders are deeply respected, and it is common for families to care for ageing relatives at home rather than in care facilities. Deference to elders is an expected social norm – advice given by older family members is typically followed by younger generations. "No matter how much care we give to our physical form, we must eventually accept change and decline," said Rojanaprapa. "Visitors will experience the slowing down and weakening of bodily functions, reflecting the Buddhist principle of annica (impermanence). It encourages mindfulness and reminds us not to be intoxicated by the strength of youth." It was then that we arrived at the most profound of the four rooms: illness. I was instructed to lie on the very realistic hospital bed and to immerse myself into the surroundings. I looked around at the oxygen tanks, a life support machine and heart monitors. Keue then turned to me and asked, "Who would you want to talk to if you were about to die?". "My mum," I said, without hesitation. We've been estranged for many years. A tangled mix of parental divorce and money problems meant our relationship deteriorated to the point where we stopped communication. I held a lot of unprocessed anger towards her that held back reconciliation. Then Keue asked, "Now tell me, what would you want to say to your mum if this was your last moment on Earth?" The question pierced through all the layers of resentment that I had been holding for many years. I looked around the room – at the wires, the machines, the facsimile of final moments – and I imagined it being real. The thought of dying without reconciling filled with me with dread. I wanted to make things right while I still could. It took lying a strange mocked up hospital bed in the middle of Bangkok to come to this realisation. Rojanaprapa explained how the simulation of being "ill or "near death" softens our hearts. "It strips away our armour, breaks down the ego, and invites us to embrace the vulnerability of being human." More like this:• The unstoppable rise of digital detox retreats• Swede dreams: How Sweden is embracing its sleepy side• An ancient water wellness practice to cleanse mind, body and soul Keue added that in Thai culture it is common to give someone who is sick their favourite meal. This is often a symbolic gesture as the person receiving the food may be too sick to eat it. She explained how we should make these gestures to the ones we love when they are well enough to enjoy them. Thoughts about my mother lingered as we arrived at the final room, where I was directly confronted by my own mortality. A pristine white coffin was set upon the top of a black staircase with the word "death" emblazoned on the wall behind. I was invited to lie inside. The discomfort of stepping into a coffin was more than physical; it felt taboo. But that unease, I realised, was exactly the point. Our reluctance to face death head-on creates a blind spot in how we live. I lay back, closed my eyes and imagined my own death. And I thought about my mother. Again. In Thailand, it is customary for family members to bathe the deceased with warm water before cremation – a ritual meant to purify the soul. A coin is sometimes placed in the mouth of the deceased, symbolising the reminder that we take nothing with us when we go. I realised that if I didn't find a way to make peace with my mother, I might carry that regret to the end of my life. At that moment a feeling of lightness came over me. The emotional clarity of knowing what I had to do, and the positive impact it would have, made it feel as though a great weight had been lifted. Since returning from Bangkok, I've begun rebuilding my relationship with my mother. We recently spoke at a family gathering – the first in years. It's not perfect. But it's a beginning. I hope that travellers won't see the Death Awareness Café as a macabre curiosity. It is a quiet, profound space that simply asks: what really matters, in the end? -- For more Travel stories from the BBC, follow us on Facebook, X and Instagram.

The Sun

an hour ago

• The Sun

Iconic tourist attraction could vanish forever in huge blow to one of UK's most popular destinations

AN ICONIC tourist attraction in one of the UK's most popular cities could soon be extinct. Punting on the charming River Cam in Cambridge could soon be a thing of the past as the organisation managing the time-honoured tradition warns it could collapse within twelve months. 1 CamCon, who act as the Conservators of the River Cam, says it is "in crisis" and may become "unviable and inoperative" without urgent financial intervention, The Times reports. The crisis centres on two lock islands essential for regulating water levels and which are at urgent risk of collapse. Their potential demise could mean the the famed Backs - which offers punters a scenic view of King's College and other landmarks - could soon be rendered "a measly, muddy trickle" which won't be able to support flat-bottomed boats which accommodate tourists. David Goode, CamCon's chairman, has highlighted that both Jesus Lock island and Baits Bite Lock, situated a few miles up the river, face an "imminent danger of collapse". "If it was imminent a year ago it's not going to get better," he added. "On the river stretch along the Backs between Mill Pond and Jesus Lock the water level is held artificially high by the sluice gates at the lock." The historic city heavily relies on the industry for waving in thousands of domestic and international visitors annually. Beyond the punting industry, university rowing clubs will also be affected as the Cam could soon become overgrown with weeds. David continued: "There would be a lot of consequences: the loss of punting, exposing of the foundation of college walls and the devastating impact to the appeal and economy of Cambridge." Provisional financial support to stabilise the river could cost in excess of £1.5million, while permanent aid would require more than £10million per structure. Oxford and Cambridge's chief coaches share how they're feeling ahead of The Boat Race Anne Miller, co-chair of the Cam Valley Forum which advocates for river conservation, called on the colleges to step up their efforts. 'If the river is fetid sludge the tourists aren't going to want to come; the colleges along the river are going to suffer," she said. 'We are a techy city. We've got loads of billionaires, wealthy colleges, wealthy businesses from Microsoft to AstraZeneca. "If everybody puts a chunk in a kitty we can get this sorted." The Sun Online has reached out to Cambridge County Council for comment. How to enjoy a river punt on the Cam Nothing is as quintessentially 'Cambridge' as floating down the River Cam in a wooden punt. It's the best way to view the city's most famous buildings, as many of these are spread along the banks of the river and cannot be seen from the centre of town. Punting is also the only way to see all the stunning bridges which give the city its name, including the Bridge of Sighs and the Mathematical Bridge (which, according to urban legend, was constructed using no nuts or bolts). You can get a chauffeured tour complete with a guide or simply rent your own, but be warned, first-timers are known to occasionally fall in. Don't worry if you're visiting during the colder months — punting firms will equip you with blankets to stay warm and umbrellas in case of bad luck with the weather. Prices vary by season and by company, but guided tours on a shared boat cost around £15-30 per person for adults and roughly £10 for kids. If you fancy a go at pushing the punt yourself, it will cost between £24-£36 per hour.

The Sun

3 hours ago

• The Sun

Mastermind of furious anti-tourist protests in Majorca targeting Brits unmasked as boy, 16, inspired by Greta Thunberg

THE mastermind behind anti-tourist protests in Majorca targeting Brits has been unmasked as a 16-year-old boy inspired by Greta Thunberg. 7 7 7 7 Using Greta Thungburg as his inspiration, he confessed, Jaume Pujol is slowly becoming the fresh face of the movement - despite only just finishing the Spanish equivalent of GCSEs. Last weekend, anti-tourist protests swept across holiday hotspot towns and cities from the Balearic and Canary Islands to northern Spain, Portugal and Italy. They were organised and executed by the Southern European Network Against Tourism. In Palma on Sunday afternoon, anti-tourist demonstrators swarmed a table of dining Brits and chanted "go home" and "go to hell". One protester was even caught wielding an axe amid the deafening jeers. Jaume was in Palma on this day, being an organiser of the Majorcan group Menys Turisme, Mes Vida. Last Saturday he gave a live YouTube commentary as he and his fellow protesters stopped a sightseeing bus, hung banners over it and set off yellow smoke-bombs as terrified passengers watched on in horror. And on Sunday, Jaume stood on a platform to read out the group's three-page "manifesto". He said as thousands of supporters cheered: "The tourism model, whether luxury or mass, chokes us year after year, grabs economic and residential resources, destroys the territory, exploits the working class, contributes to climate crisis, and shatters our communities." He added how young people couldn't afford to live on their own island anymore due to foreigners buying properties. Anti-tourist protesters blast holidaymakers with water guns & block hotels Jaume's interest in protesting began at a young age when his trade unionist granddad took him on marches. And while his parents are "proud," Jaume revealed to Diario de Mallorca how they're also scared for him. He said: "I've received death threats, and they painted 'We're going to kill you' on the door of my school." As tourists continue to fear of chaos unravelling on their holidays with protests, Jaume told the Daily Mail that they have nothing to fear as he and his comrades' actions are directed towards the Balearic Islands' government. The march in Palma followed a similar string of incidents in Barcelona, where an anti-tourist mob surrounded a hotel and shot at holidaymakers with water pistols. Congregating outside the hotel, the group launched flares and held placards claiming tourism was robbing them of their futures. Staff at a nearby hotel were seen trying to break up the crowds and shouting at protesters to move away. Police stepped in before protesters could reach the famous tourist hot-spot la Sagrada Familia, avoiding potential clashes between holidaymakers and locals. Shouts of 'Tourists Go Home' and 'One More Tourist, One Less Local' could be heard as activists marched through the streets. They were also heard shouting: 'This tourism is terrorism.' City police said only 600 people had taken part, far less than the 8,000 who took part in the protest in Palma. Other marches took place in the Basque city of San Sebastian, several cities in Italy and in Lisbon as part of a co-ordinated series of street protests in southern Europe. What is overtourism? Overtourism refers to the phenomenon where a destination experiences a volume of tourists that exceeds its manageable capacity The term is often used to describe the negative consequences of mass tourism, which includes overcrowding and environmental issues As a result, popular destinations have become less enjoyable for both visitors and locals Local communities, in particular, bear the brunt, facing rising costs and a depletion of resources In response, national and local governments have started to implement measures to reduce overtourism Some solutions include: Safeguarding historical and heritage sites Promoting off-peak travel Tourism caps and regulations Promoting lesser-known destinations 7 7 7