Off-the-beaten path spots, north of Barcelona

February 9, 2025 12:04 PM

We'll have two weeks in May to explore the Northern and/or Northeastern part of Spain by car. We've been to Barcelona, Cadaques, Figueres, Begur. What are some charming other spots that are worth a visit (or a few days' stay) that aren't going to be mobbed by tourists?

We like history, easy hiking, quirky museums, Tango, beaching, horseback-riding, art, cooking. Also just strolling and getting lost in scenic areas. We're also open to basing ourselves somewhere quiet and lovely and doing day-trips from there. Thanks!

posted by egeanin to Travel & Transportation around Spain (6 answers total)

Best answer: Its just over the border in France, but Carcassone (yes like the game) was a neat town that was fun to explore.
posted by Art_Pot at 2:11 PM on February 9

Best answer: Andorra is a completely separate country. Visit, and you can increase your "countries visited" count by one. It's at least as scenic as anywhere else in the Pyrenees. The capital has quite a few shopping centers and outlet-mall type places, which might or might not be of interest. Skiing is a big deal in the winter, in May there might be decent hiking. I thought the restaurants were actually pretty good when I was there.

The Val d'Aran around Vielha is also scenic, it's an isolated valley where traditionally people have spoken a variety of the Occitan language rather than Spanish or Catalan.

If you go further west in the Pyrenees towards the Basque country, there are ancient stone circles and dolmens that can be walked or hiked to in very impressive scenery. The Basque word is "harrespil", which should help with online searching. That's starting to get a little further away from the Barcelona side, though. But when I did this, I had compelling ancient sites and their amazing landscapes basically to myself.
posted by gimonca at 2:41 PM on February 9 [1 favorite]

Best answer: Bilbao in Basque Country, then Guernica which inspired Picasso's painting of the same name. While driving from Bilbao to Guernica, stop by Elantxobe which is charming little cliff-side town & harbor.
posted by jpeacock at 2:47 PM on February 9

Best answer: I adored my time in Donosita-San Sebastian. I took the train up after a week fo business in Barcelona. Stayed away from downtown, but easily accessible by bus and enjoyed morning hikes before heading into town by the sea for the rest of the day. It was a lovely mix of relaxing and easy strolls around town with good food and drink.
posted by icaicaer at 4:59 PM on February 9

Best answer: A very long time ago I met a pair of Catalan sisters in Figueres and they invited me to go with them to Vall de Nuria, which is a mountain resort accessible only by a rack (or “zipper”) railway. It’s for tourists but I don’t know how it could be mobbed.

You’re also talking about Cataluña but I thought Galicia was pretty spectacular and very different from the rest of Spain, if you’re willing to venture farther.
posted by vunder at 7:00 PM on February 9

Best answer: As a base, Jaca, original capital of the Kingdom of Aragon? It's on the beaten track of the minority interest Camino Aragonés towards Santiago so that's one hiking option which could be done; maybe 'backwards' towards France. There will be other "hardy?" hiking options along the GR11. And the Jaca Citadel Military Miniatures Museum.
posted by BobTheScientist at 2:47 AM on February 10