Galicia, La Rioja, Extremadura, El Hierro, and Teruel: Know More About Spain’s Hidden Gems for Sustainable Tourism and Authentic Experiences

Published on July 16, 2025

Spain is already home to some of the most beautiful beaches in the world, along with lively cities and a fascinating history, but in recent years, many of the country’s more popular locations have felt the strain of over-tourism as holidaymakers flock in their thousands to see what it’s all about. From protests in Barcelona to over congested hotspots in the Balearic Islands. residents have vented their anger at the effects of mass tourism. Though tourism makes up 12% of Spain’s national GDP, many areas are offsetting the burden by marketing lesser-known locales with their one-of-a-kind cultural, historical, and natural offerings; minus the crowds.

The Spanish government, tourism boards and local authorities have launched initiatives in 2025 to attract visitors to these peaceful corners of the country. Here are some programs and tips to make the most of what these untamed regions of Spain have to offer, from the verdant green coast of Galicia to the peaceful beauty of Teruel — or for travelers who just want to experience Spain without adding to the overcrowding. In this article we take a look at some of Spain’s best kept secrets for a sustainable tourism experience, where visitors are warmly welcome, and local towns, villages and regions prosper without being overrun with mass tourism.

Galicia: Rough-and-tumble, Wild and Free in Spain’s Green North

One of Spain’s best-kept secrets, Galicia stands on the northern coast of the Atlantic. Renowned for its dramatic cliffs, hidden beaches and ancient fishing communities, Galicia is often overshadowed in favor of the sunny shores of the Mediterranean. But, visitors to this verdant, green region, they will discover a completely different side of Spain.

The Galicia coastline provides a set of pristine beaches, such as the renowned Playa de las Catedrales, known for its unique rock formations as well as secluded coves, which are ideal to spend a more tranquil beach day. The rocky landscapes of Galicia are perfect not just for beach goers but also hikers and nature lovers. The area is home to the Senderos Azules, a series of walking trails snaking along the Atlantic coast and inland rivers, offering a glimpse of the wild beauty of this part of Spain without resorting to the crowded paths of the south coast.

What’s more, Galicia’s food culture provides a taste of Spain that’s all its own, especially if you’re a seafood enthusiast. Plates like octopus “a la gallega” and the region’s famous “percebes” (goose barnacles) are a foodie must. Although Spain tends to coalesce around La Rioja and Catalonia for wine culture, Galicia has its own wine-growing area where visitors can bask in the scenic vineyards of Rías Baixas and sample Albariño, a bright, tart white wine that pairs wonderfully with coastal eats.

La Rioja – Spain’s Undiscovered Jewel in the Country of Wine

La Rioja, one of Spain’s premier wine regions, is another place that’s pretty much forgotten about by tourists. With its historic towns, award-winning vineyards and picturesque Pyrenean foothills, La Rioja – (pronounced La Ree-ohha) – offers a peaceful way to enjoy life’s finer things without a tourist in sight.

The region of La Rioja boasts more than 500 wineries, with some providing private cellar tours and wine tastings – perfect for anyone who wants to take a taste of Spain’s incredibly popular Tempranillo, Garnacha and Mazuelo wines home with them. Marqués de Riscal, from celebrated architect Frank Gehry, stands out for its architectural wonders, while CVNE, a winery with a century of history, invites visitors to travel back in time with its cellars, which were designed by Gustave Eiffel’s studio.

La Rioja, Other than wine, La Rioja has greatly cultural offers. The medieval towns of Haro and Logroño are bustling with cobblestone streets, tapas bars and quaint local shops. Visitas a los monastarios románicos de San Millán de Yuso y Suso, patrimonio de la UNESCO. For outdoors types, La Rioja’s landscapes are ideal for hiking, biking and exploring the less-well-known parts of the Camino de Santiago pilgrimage route.

Despite being little known to international visitors, La Rioja is tranquil and authentic and presents a wonderful alternative for people trying to escape the chaos of Spain’s more tourist infested parts.

Extremadura – The Hidden Historical Gem of Spain

Extremadura, an inland region whose westernmost border brushes up against Portugal, is this other part of Spain that has somehow escaped the notice of most visitors. Even if home to three UNESCO world heritage sites — Cáceres, Mérida and Guadalupe — Extremadura is not a mainstream touristic place and therefore no one has severely damaged their splendid history and their unspoiled nature.

Cáceres, one of Spain’s best preserved medieval walled cities, is a UNESCO World Heritage site, with Roman, Moorish and Christian architecture. One of the world’s best-preserved Roman ruins stand here: the famous Roman Theater, where classical dramas are produced each summer in performances. Another UNESCO site, the Royal Monastery of Guadalupe is one of the most important pilgrimage sites in Spain—Christopher Columbus even crossed its threshold on his way back from the New World.

Extremadura is a paradise for nature lovers, with an abundance of wildlife and plenty of options for outdoor activities. Monfragüe National Park boasts one of the largest colonies of black griffon vultures in the world, while the Villuercas-Ibores-Jara GeoPark has striking scenery for hikers and birders. The area is also home to a thriving food scene, where traditional tapas bars serve up local delicacies such as Torta del Casar, a creamy sheep’s cheese.

For those in search of the real Spain, Extremadura’s littleknown delights offer an opportunity to travel back in time and to soak up the country’s history in peace and tranquillity, unmarred by swarms of other visitors.

El Hierro – Spain’s Green Paradise Island

El Hierro, the smallest and least-visited of the Canary Islands, is a rare mix of sustainability and natural beauty. As the westernmost of the Canary Islands, El Hierro is a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve and one of the most eco-friendly destinations in the world.

The island has an ambitious aim to be completely energy self sufficient, with the use of renewable energy such as solar and wind power, which makes it one of the most eco-friendly places to visit in Spain. El Hierro has plenty of outdoor activities, like hiking across volcanic landscapes and scuba diving in crystal clear waters. Its varied habitats of thick forests and sheer cliffs are inhabited by several species of endemic flora and fauna, making it an emblematic location for those who love nature.

With no direct flights from off-island airports, there are fewer international tourists on El Hierro, making it an escape for visitors seeking a more quiet, sustainable island experience. It’s a place where visiting tourists can experience secluded beaches like the black-pebble Timijiraque and red El Verodal beaches, as well as discover the island’s rich culture and authentic local food.

Teruel – Spain’s Forgotten Treasure

Teruel is one of the most far-flung and least known provinces in Spain, lying in the east. Teruel, in the province of Aragon, is famous for its rugged terrain, medieval buildings and heritage. Beautiful as it is, the region is one of Spain’s least visited, preserved from mass tourism.

Isolation has spared Teruel from the tourist radar, but visitors are rewarded with beautiful Mudejar architecture, hulking castles and serenity in the countryside. The province is known for its truffle hunting, and visitors have access to hiking trails that take them past 150-million-year-old dinosaur tracks and to waterfalls where they can partake in wild swimming.

For travelers looking to experience a part of Spain unscathed by tourism, Teruel is a chance to visit a region forgotten. Cons: Because of its remote location, you can enjoy the quiet without the traffic, so if peace and quiet are your kind of thing, this is your place.

Conclusion: Exploring Spain from the Underbelly

Spain’s untouristy regions offer an opportunity to visit the country in a more environmentally friendly and authentic manner. From its wild Galician beauty to the wine hills of La Rioja, the historic splendor of Extremadura, the eco paradise of El Hierro and the forgotten countryside of Teruel, there are plenty of places dotted across Spain where travelers can lose the crowds and get a glimpse of a Spain that has largely gone untouched. These are regions that are perfect for sustainable tourism as we think the enriched experience of Spain’s culture, history, and landscapes for those who care about not leaving a negative environmental & local community impact.