OF the top 20 most searched villages in Spain for a weekend away only two are in Andalucia and one in the Valencia region.
Just scenic Frigiliana, on the Costa del Sol and Roman Setenil de las Bodegas, near Ronda, make it onto the list in the south… While Morella, in Castellon, scrapes into the poll in the east.
Almost all of the most popular villages being searched this year, according to the popular travel website Holidu.com are in the north of Spain or on the islands.
Indeed, six out of the top ten are on the north coast, while stunning Albarracin also makes it from Teruel province.
The most popular places for a break are Comillas, coming top and at number two, Santillana Del Mar, in Cantabria.
San Vicente de la Barquera and Potes, both in Cantabria, also make the top 10.
The research has been thrown up by holiday rental portal Holidu which analyzed annual Google searches for Spanish villages with fewer than 5,000 residents.
Hidden little known gems including Pedraza, Olite and Lerma make the top 20.
Releasing the study before a couple of long weekends – known as ‘puentes’ in Spanish – it is clear the ‘urge to go somewhere different is hard to ignore’.
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“It’s a surprising study but it’s always worth skipping the obvious and considering what Spaniards search for when they want to go on holiday,” explained a spokesman.
He added the ‘top five’ are all easy to do in a long weekend.
“None of them require a packed itinerary,” he said. “They will make you wonder why you didn’t go sooner.”
Here the Olive Press gives a breakdown on the top five:
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Comillas, Cantabria (4,660 monthly searches)
Topping the rankings is Comillas, a handsome coastal village that punches far above its weight when it comes to architecture and scenery.
Its biggest draw is El Capricho, one of the few buildings designed by architect Antoni Gaudi outside Catalonia, but visitors also come for the sweeping Atlantic beach, elegant historic centre and lush green countryside.
With Santander airport less than an hour away, it makes an easy escape from the UK… or anywhere in Europe.
Santillana del Mar, Cantabria (3,490 monthly searches)
Frequently described as one of Spain’s prettiest villages, Santillana del Mar feels like a journey back to the Middle Ages.
Its stone-built mansions, flower-filled balconies and narrow lanes have barely changed in centuries.
Just outside the village lie the world-famous Altamira caves, whose prehistoric paintings left a lasting impression on artists including Picasso.
French philosopher Jean-Paul Sartre reportedly called it Spain’s most beautiful village.
Albarracín, Teruel (3,290 monthly searches)
Perched above a dramatic river bend and wrapped in ancient walls, Albarracin is one of Spain’s most striking historic settlements.
Its distinctive pink and ochre buildings cling to the hillside, creating a skyline unlike anywhere else in the country.
Despite being within reach of Valencia, Madrid and Barcelona, it remains refreshingly untouched by mass tourism and rewards those willing to venture inland.
San Vicente de la Barquera, Cantabria (3,220 monthly searches)
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Combining sea views, mountain scenery and centuries of history, San Vicente de la Barquera offers a little of everything.
Fishing boats still bob in the harbour beneath the medieval castle, while the snow-capped peaks of the Picos de Europa often provide a spectacular backdrop.
It’s also renowned for its seafood and makes an ideal stop on a wider tour of Cantabria’s coastline.
Frigiliana, Málaga (3,380 monthly searches)
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The only Andalucian village to make the top five, Frigiliana has long been considered one of Spain’s most attractive white villages.
Its maze of steep cobbled streets, bright flowerpots and whitewashed houses tumble down the hillside above the Med.
Located just inland from Nerja and well under an hour from Malaga airport, it offers visitors a slower pace of life, spectacular views and plenty of excellent places to eat and drink.
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