Barcelona is the most popular tourist destination in Spain, with millions of tourists flocking to its sun-kissed shores for glimpses of Sagrada Família and other Gaudí masterpieces, casual visits to tapa bars, and some relaxation, but there’s one major downside:
They’re no longer as welcome as they used to be four or five years ago.
What’s Going On In Barcelona?
Overtourism in Barcelona is at boiling point, and between having water sprayed on them and dining out to the tune of ‘Go Home!’ chants, we wouldn’t blame tourists for thinking Spanish hospitality no longer applies here.
Anti-tourism sentiment has been growing in parts of Spain, but Barcelona in particular has led the movement, with locals openly chasing away guests, and protest organizers calling on foreigners, Americans included, to cancel their travel plans.
In the last few days, as many as 2,800 people gathered in the capital of Catalonia, carrying anti-tourist signs and demanding that local authorities enact stricter regulations: in their words, the flood of visitors has driven up costs and negatively impacted their livelihoods.
Luckily for those who are going to Spain regardless for a much-needed sunny break, these 4 alternative destinations offer both beach and culture, like Barcelona, except there’s been no known cases of tourists being harassed simply for being there:
Tarragona
Not far from Barcelona, still in Catalonia and only a short 1h20 drive west along the Mediterranean Coast, Tarragona is a laid-back resort city best-known for its Roman monuments and honey-colored El Miracle beach, fringed by deep-azure waters:
With a History spanning over 2,000 years, it is one of Spain’s most prominent cultural centers, though it’s not been discovered by a majority of visitors to the area, who will typically head east instead towards Costa Brava and its jam-packed resort zones.
Culture aficionados swapping Barcelona for Tarragona will be pleased to find a perfectly preserved 2nd-century arena, or Amfiteatre Romà, in a scenic location facing the Mediterranean, a Roman necropolis, and even a walled Old Town that rivals the Catalonian capital’s Gothic Quarter in beauty.
Most importantly, tourists are not subject to abusive behavior on locals’ part, as tourism levels have always been significantly lower than Barcelona’s, not to mention it’s cheaper to visit: rooms cost an average $88 to book according to AirDNA.
Pontevedra
Tucked away in the far west of Spain, in an autonomous region known as Galicia, Pontevedra emerged as one of the most-searched destinations in the country on Booking.com due to its idyllic character, landmark-packed Old Town and affordable eats.
On the other hand, that’s yet to translate into an unsustainable surge in bookings: strolling the cobbled streets of Pontevedra, it’s almost as if you’ve crossed a time portal back to the 15th century, with all the cobbled alleys, hidden patios and romantic stone bridges you’d envisage.
For the beach bums out there, it’s worth noting Pontevedra itself is not coastal, but it’s in the proximity of the ocean, within short driving distance of beautiful, unspoiled Atlantic beaches like Playa de Aguete, Playa Figueiras, and Playa de Cabeceira.
Away from the maddening Mediterranean heat and crowds, you should expect to spend $46 per day on meals in Pontevedra, while hotels are a very reasonable $132 per night on average, based on data provided by Budget Your Trip.
Gijón
This one’s for those who are keen on escaping Southern Europe‘s scorching temperatures this summer: on the North Coast of Spain, where the climate is much more temperate and it’s rarely hotter than 77°F in the daytime, Gijón is the answer to your prayers.
It boasts a rich maritime history, owing to its strategic location on the Atlantic and the key role it played at the peak of the Transatlantic trade.
The picturesque Cimadevilla left virtually unchanged since the 18th century, is probably the prettiest fisherman quarter still surviving in Spain.
The seas in this part of Spain are colder off Gijón compared to the warm Mediterranean basin, and unless you’re used to the gelid temperatures of the Atlantic, they may feel unpleasant to swim in, but the beaches are gorgeous, nonetheless.
Playa de San Lorenzo is a local favorite, with golden sands extending for miles on end, lined by hotels, where overnight rates start from only $75, and traditional restaurants where a paella dinner accompanied by tinto de verano costs under $20.
Cartagena
Back to the Mediterranean South, our last pick is Cartagena––the original Cartagena, not Colombia’s colonial gem––a lesser-known historic port city founded as early as 227 BC by the Carthaginians and subsequently ruled by Greeks, Romans, Arabs, and, of course, Spaniards.
Cartagena’s cultural diversity and ancient heritage are unmatched. Its city walls are as old as 2,251 years, and a Roman theater overlooks a turquoise bay.
The city also has a sizable Historic Center with eclectic architecture: classical, Moorish medieval, Baroque, you name it.
If it’s some beach time you’re craving, resort strip La Manga, a half-hour drive from Cartagena, is probably at the top of your list: a Cancun-style peninsula jutting out into the Med, it is lined by 4-star hotels costing as cheap as $118 to book.
All in all, Cartagena is not at all a pricey destination, taking into account its privileged seaside location and tourist offer: on average, a tourist traveling comfortably will spend $50 on meals daily, and $116 per night on accommodation.
Last but certainly not least, none of the outrageously rude behavior towards tourists.
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