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When someone says Spain, you can’t really help but think of Gaudi, flamenco, and Camp Nou Stadium. Spain has come a long way with spoiling us for choice with some of the world’s biggest attractions but what happens when you start craving for its unexplored side? It actually comes as no surprise to discover that there is so much more to Spain than meets the eye. That’s why you have to pay a visit to the next 8 unique places in Spain to uncover its off-the-beaten-path attractions to add the final touch to the major show-stoppers along with the likes of Sagrada Familia and Guggenheim Museum.
1. Reina Sofia Museum, Madrid
Spain’s capital is home to so many museums that you will probably need months to visit them all, explore their exhibitions, and admire such a rich cultural heritage. Little do people know that Madrid also hides one of the most haunting museums whose past sends shivers down the spine. Back in the 18th century, the building served as a hospital, treating the dying and the mentally ill.
2. Castillo Torre Salvana, Barcelona
Located on the outskirts of Barcelona just minutes from the village of Colonia Güell, this 10th-century castle is one of the most emblematic spots in Catalonia. It is largely neglected and dilapidated which is a real shame seeing as its one of the oldest castles in Spain. Its history is one of many destructions, especially those that took place during the Catalan Civil War in 1224. At one point, James II of Aragon took hold of the property and partially restored it to its former glory but unfortunately, since 1715, the castle has stood in ruins. Nowadays, visitors can explore its interior which still bears some semblance of the long history it withstood.
3. Ochate, Burgos
Shrouded in a veil of mystery and strange events dating back to the 13th century, this little abandoned village is a must-visit for anyone who loves exploring haunted locations. Among the unique places in Spain to visit for some hair-raising sensations, this one probably takes the win. It has been claimed to be a place where many supernatural events and disappearances took place and to top it off, the village is claimed to have been abandoned twice - once in the 13th century and again in the 19th, for the reasons yet unexplained. Some say it was a plague, others assert it was the famine or even paranormal activity. In any case, what remains today are the vestiges of the village covered in moss and debris which evoke an eerie feeling of a ghost town whose mystery still remains unraveled and ideal for an off-the-beaten-path adventure.
4. Ronda, Málaga
This mountaintop city in Málaga is one of the most unusual places in the province, if not in the entire state. Breath-taking and precariously perched above a yawning El Tajo gorge which separates its old and new town, this picturesque town is one of the must-see unique locations in Spain. The Puente Nuevo is one of its main highlights ever since it was completed in 1793 and it offers spectacular vistas of the surrounding area. Apart from the Puente Nuevo, Ronda is also home to the ancient 13th century Roman baths, incredibly picturesque cascading Cuenca Gardens, and Mirador de Aldehuela and Balcón del Coño viewpoints situated on the walls of the city.
5. Cave of Altamira, Cantabria
Limestone plateau area in Altamira is home to several natural caves which is the exact place where the museum is located, built right next to the cave where the original cave paintings dating back to the Paleolithic era were discovered. Although the original cave was closed at some point to preserve its archeologically important remains, there is a precise replica which has been recreated inside the museum. Items depicting the way of life in the Paleolithic times are also displayed here, along with prehistoric paintings considered to be humanity’s earliest accomplished art.
6. Caminito del Rey, Málaga
Far away from the cities and major tourist spots, there is a captivating Guadalhorce River canyon, located in the heart of Desfiladero de los Gaitanes area. El Caminito del Rey Path runs through one of the area’s most stunning portions and until a few years ago, it was one of the world’s most dangerous hiking routes.
7. Bardenas Reales, Navarre
Southeast Navarre region is one of the most spectacular regions and authentic Spanish regions, primarily known for its surprising rock formations, plateaus, and canyons created by water and winds which gradually shaped its peculiar and distinctive appearance. It is one of UNESCO Biosphere Reserves, covering 42.500 hectares of unique and rather striking landscapes. The Bardenas Reales is a natural park in Navarre whose capricious formations are almost lunar-like and seem to be out of this world.
8. Museo de las Brujas (The Witch Museum), Zugarramurdi
Zugarramurdi is a town in Northern Spain and many of the visitors flock there attracted by the stories and legends surrounding the alleged occult activity in the inquisitorial era in the 17th century, infamous for its witchcraft and supernaturalism. A dark episode in the history of Zugarramurdi tells us a story about a girl whose dream of flying with several other locals caused panic and fear of witchcraft among the residents, provoking a harsh response of the clergy and the authorities and consequently, of the Holy Inquisition. The Inquisition’s intervention became gruesome bloodshed, forever connecting this little town to devil worship and disturbing past.