Vibrant colours, vibrant dishes, Asturias
Carved into the rugged coastline of Asturias, hug is a picturesque fishing village that brightened up our recent tour of the north. Driving along the coast from Gijón, we were immediately struck by the vibrant colours. We enjoyed the freshest seafood in one of the quaint harbourside restaurants and found the rice with beans spectacular yet cheap. We spent the rest of the day wandering the narrow, winding streets of the village and following the seemingly endless steps to reveal a panoramic view of the harbor.
Haldane
Come to the house, Andalusia
Halfway between Cordoba and Granada, Priego de Córdoba is a beautiful unspoilt town, full of lovely churches, a flower-bedecked, whitewashed old town and a good number of fantastic restaurants and bars. Stay at the wonderful Casa Olea (doubles from €136, B&B) a few miles away; a wonderful, eco-friendly place run by welcoming, knowledgeable hosts – with walking and cycling tours from the door in the beautiful countryside. Return for a dip in the pool, an expertly mixed G&T and a fantastic home-cooked dinner under the stars.
Stephanie O’Brien
Tips from Guardian Travel readers
Each week we ask our readers for recommendations from their travels. A selection of tips will be featured online and may appear in print. To enter the latest competition, visit the Readers’ Tips homepage
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Pepper and an Emperor, Extremadura
The Vera is the green and fertile area, between mountains and plains, in central Spain where peppers are grown for the allspice (paprika) that you see in bright retro tins. The Paprika Museum in Jaraíz de la Vera tells the story of how an American pepper – via an accidentally smoking frying pan – became famous in Spanish cuisine. Emperor Charles V of the Holy Roman Empire decided to spend his days in the nearby Monastery of Yuste – a beautiful place to visit. We stayed at the farm (farm) in Villanueva de la Vera, set on a wooded hillside with clearings where ancient olive trees are tended by elderly owners. Nomadic shepherds still graze their flocks on the hillsides, and at night, packs of wild boar roam the gardens and orchards. It’s best to go at the edge of autumn, embrace the chance of a refreshing rain, and then chat about the weather with the locals over a breakfast of tomatoes, toast and ham in the excellent café/shop Las Pepas (Avenue de la Vera, 39).
Rex
Palms and heels, near Alicante
Garden lovers who love shoes will have a great time here Elchea small town 16 miles inland from Alicante and the Costa Blanca, a dream location. The centre of the Spanish shoe industry, Elche has an industrial estate on the outskirts of town with many well-known brand name factories, most of which sell at below-retail prices. After visiting the outlets, head back to the town centre, which is dominated by Europe’s largest palm grove, the Palmera, a UNESCO World Heritage Site with over 45,000 date palms covering 144 hectares.
Malcolm Matthew
Medieval bass in the Pyrenees
Ainsa Nestled in the Pyrenees, is a paradise for mountain bikers. The rugged terrain offers exciting trails for all levels, winding through ancient villages and dense forests. The medieval hilltop old town of Aínsa, which rises 570 metres above sea level, offers breathtaking views of the surrounding Pyrenees. The central square is lined with local eateries – a standout is Casa Alfonso, which offers a great set menu at reasonable prices.
Jos
Great campsite in the Pyrenees
This is the most picturesque campsite I have ever been to. Bujaruelo’s Hideoutnorth of Torla-Ordesa, at 1,338 metres in the high Pyrenees, it is perfectly situated on the Río Ara, with stunning mountain views in every direction. The campsite has an on-site café/bar serving classics at good prices, and is a great place for a pre-walk coffee/post-walk beer. There are many walking routes starting at Refugio de Bujaruelo, my favourite being a circular route that takes in the beautiful Valle de Otal. The entrance to the Ordesa National Park is a short drive away, while nearby Torla has a range of good restaurants and guest houses.
Charlotte José
Art and photography in Andalusia
Museum Ibanez And Centro Perez Siquier Museum in Olula del Río, Almería province (an hour’s drive north of Almería city), are two free art museums/galleries in Andalusia. Together they house a wonderful collection of contemporary art and also historical photographs (Carlos Pérez Siquier is considered one of the pioneers of the photographic avant-garde in Spain and one of the most influential creators of Spanish photography) of Spain across two buildings that stand next to each other on the side of the road. The size of both was a real surprise and they offered a very peaceful and relaxing visit. Impossible to miss thanks to the large white statue of a woman’s head outside.
Charlie Barkus
Hearty regional cuisine, Oviedo
OviedoIts majestic buildings and manicured parks are reminiscent of a much larger city, such as Madrid, but it retains an intimate, small-town feel. The friendly locals contribute to this family atmosphere, as does the simple but hearty regional cuisine; dishes such as fabada (meat and bean stew) and caldera (seafood stew) are best enjoyed in a small café, a Sidreria. Oviedo’s central location in Asturias and reliable trains and buses make it an excellent base for exploring the many fantastic coastal towns.
Nikita
A gallop through Cantabria
Potsin Cantabria (70 miles southwest of Santander), is a beautiful town with many medieval buildings in the Picos de Europa, an ideal base for exploring the mountains, rivers and valleys of green Spain. Take a trip to Fuente Dé to take a cable car up to 1,850m (starting at 1,090m) into the mountains for less than €15 and explore the trails. Another must-see is San Vicente de la Barquera, a coastal town with a mountainous backdrop and a castle. We stayed at La Viorna campsite just outside Potes, which was perfectly located for mountains, towns and the sea.
Elaine
Winning tip: wild swimming and cycling in Aragon
You can really lose yourself in exploring the vast, little-known region of Aragon, and this summer I travelled through a part that was new to me: the MotherThe town of Valderrobres lies at its heart – a maze of medieval cobbled streets, Gothic churches and a stone bridge with a 14th-century castle watching over it. You can hire a bike or walk along an old railway line to the town of Tortosa, which has an excellent market with a great atmosphere – you can buy a litre of wine in a bottle for €5. We enjoyed a swim at Salt de la Portellada, where the Río Tastavins cascades over rocks to create a lovely, calm pool.
Neil
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