12 off-grid Spanish towns to visit post pandemic

From a pastel-hued fishing village, to a hamlet on the southern slope of Sierra Nevada mountain range, there are plenty of (socially distanced) gems to head to this summer (or next). It’s a popular stop for travellers following the Camino de Santiago pilgrimage route, but its slew of tapas bars, surrounding vineyards and baroque architecture makes it a destination in itself. Where to stay: located in a former sixteenth century mansion in the heart of Logroño, Hotel Calle Mayor offers sleek, stylish rooms and modern amenities. Its restaurants are largely influenced by Basque country while its old town boasts historic sites like the Church of Saint Lawrence which dates back to the fourteenth century. Rooms from £54 per night, pamplonacatedralhotel.com For Spain’s version of Germany’s famous fairytale-like Neuschwanstein Castle, Covadonga’s nineteenth century basilica sits amid lush green forest and is flanked by soaring mountains - a truly spectacular sight. Rooms from £59 per night, casaspron.com In western Spain's Extremadura region, Cáceres was founded by the ancient Romans and its old town was named a UNESCO World Heritage City in 1986. Rooms from £36 per night, hotellaboheme.com Known for its unique sandstone architecture, Salamanca was founded in the twelfth century and its old town was designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1988. Where to stay: set in a palatial building in the centre of Salamanca, Hotel Rector is filled with stained glass windows, a bar for guests only and just 13 luxe rooms. Just 45 minutes north of Barcelona, it has a well- preserved Jewish quarter, buzzy restaurants and Game of Thrones fans might be interested to know that some of the series was filmed there. Rooms from £94 per night, nord1901.com A charming and picturesque hilltop town, Toledo overlooks the Río Tajo and was historically known as the ‘city of three cultures’ - where Jewish, Christian and Muslim communities were said to coexist peacefully. Where to stay: the former home of Spanish guitarist Paco de Lucia, Entre Dos Aguas Hotel Boutique pays homage to its history in each of its six chic rooms. Rooms from £50 per night, villasdeandalucia.com Just a half-hour drive from party-centric Marbella, Estepona boasts a lovely (and usually quiet) beach, flower-filled streets and plenty of tapas bars to indulge in.