Arcos de la Frontera: Clifftop White Town
What Arcos de la Frontera is really like: a clifftop white town above the Guadalete, with a cliff-edge square, great churches and Jerez nearby.
Manilva: Duquesa Castle, Roman Ruins and Sabinillas Beach
Westernmost town of Málaga province: Sabinillas, Puerto de la Duquesa and the hill village, a Roman site and 1767 castle, and about 8 km of beaches.
Lorca: Fortress of the Sun, Holy Week Embroidery and the Thursday Market
Inland city 37 km by road from the sea at Águilas: the Fortaleza del Sol castle, Holy Week with the Paso Blanco and Paso Azul, and the Thursday market.
Antequera: UNESCO Dolmens and El Torcal
What Antequera is really like: an inland Málaga town with the UNESCO Antequera Dolmens, the El Torcal karst reserve and dozens of Baroque churches.
Arenys de Mar: Maresme Marina and Beaches
What Arenys de Mar is really like: a Maresme coast town with the area’s biggest marina, sandy beaches and a long tradition of bobbin lace-making.
Alella: Wine Town on the Barcelona Coast
What Alella is really like: a small wine town just north of Barcelona, home to the DO Alella appellation and easy beaches on the Maresme coast.
Besalú: Romanesque Bridge, Miqvé and Sant Pere Church
Inland medieval town of about 2,600 in Garrotxa: 105 m Romanesque bridge, miqvé by appointment, Sant Pere church. No beach; 32.9 km from Girona.
Palamós: Costa Brava Fishing Port and Beaches
Working fishing port on the Costa Brava: fish market, Museu de la Pesca, Palamós prawns, three sandy beaches and a coastal path. About 18,900 residents.
Palos de la Frontera: Where Columbus Set Sail
Small Huelva town where Columbus’s ships sailed on 3 August 1492: La Rábida, the Muelle de las Carabelas and San Jorge. No town beach; Mazagón is nearby.
Vejer de la Frontera: Walled Old Town, a Castle and El Palmar Beach 9 km Away
Hill town of about 13,100 in Cádiz at 190 m: a castle, 15th-century walls and gates, and El Palmar beach about 9 km away. Not a beach resort.