Still Discovering Spain...

One thing Asturians are proud of is their region's nature: its mysterious forests and coastline left unscathed by the whirlwind of property developments, its salmon rivers and steep mountains, ideal for rock climbers and hikers. Arising from this pride is a magnificent conservation that has led to more than a third of Asturias' territory being declared as national and international protected areas and the best-preserved coastline in Spain.

The exploration begins with the 6 UNESCO-listed Biosphere Reserves in the Principality.

The Picos de Europa's reserve was Spain's first National Park, protected since 1918. Rising up in the centre of this park is the Picu Urriellu, a real magnet for rock climbers, which then opens onto the Lakes of Covadonga. Fuentes del Narcea, Degaña and Ibias is a Nature Park with totemic fauna including the brown bear and capercaillie. Within this park you will also find the Muniellos Forest Nature Reserve and El Cueto de Arbás Partial Nature Reserve.

Only 20 people per day can enjoy the experience of travelling through the Muniellos Forest, the largest oak grove in Spain and one of the best-preserved in Europe. You need to book far enough in advance. The route is mapped out, is circular and is 20 kilometres long. It's free but you can pay for a guide. It takes about seven hours and covers an ascent of 600 m. 

The brown bear's habitat extends up to Somiedo which, as well as being a Biosphere Reserve, became the first Nature Park in Asturias (1988). Its lake, El Valle, is the biggest in the region and its brañas (high-mountain pasture areas) are dotted with teitos (thatched roof cottages). Las Ubiñas - La Mesa Nature Park contains the second largest mountain range in the region, the Peña Ubiña Massif and is full of natural monuments, such as the Huerta Cave, home to a large bat hibernation colony, or the Puertos de Marabio, with its peculiar karst complex. Redes is a refuge for all species native to northern regions, from the brown bear to the capercaillie or the wolf. Its complex terrain, also recognised as a Nature Park, is combined with spectacular mountains, valleys and limestone gorges that can be discovered on the River Alba Trail or in Los Arrudos.

Oscos-Eo  (GPS:+43.515568,-7.043293) is the biggest UNESCO-listed Biosphere Reserve. Running through this territory is the river corridor of the Eo River, a special area for bird watching.

Other networks of international protected areas are the European Union's Red Natura 2000 and Sites of Community Importance (SCIs). Following their trace, you can discover the Sueve Range, the Oneta Waterfalls, the Esva Basin, the Deboyo Cave, the Santiuste Blowhole, the Villaviciosa Estuary, the Caldoveiro Peak, the Pastur or Barayo Yew. Ponga Nature Park is made up of gorges such as the Ponga or Beyos gorges and lies within the Partial Nature Park of Peloño.

Hiking is possibly the best way to admire these lush spots In Asturias, there are trails suitable for all physical conditions and tastes and for those looking for only short excursions. And you don't even need to park the car. The intricate network of regional motorways allows you to combine visits and organise unforgettable excursions. Other options are cycling along the sign-posted and well-preserved greenways or taking a journey on one of the routes travelled by giant dinosaurs, using their ichnites carved on rocks as a guide. 

Wildlife watching tourism has opened up a new door of experiences: set off on an ornithological route, follow the footsteps of the brown bear, get a taste of nature on an excursion collecting plants that are used in cookery workshops or travel through folds used by shepherds keeping your eye on the sky to spot the bearded vulture, reintroduced into Picos de Europa, in flight. This way you will be able to experience the passion for  Asturian nature first hand.

In case you did not know, in Spain, any population centre that exceeds 10,000 inhabitants is considered a city, therefore, according to the National Institute of Statistics (INE), Spain has a total of 8131 municipalities distributed throughout the territory.

I thought it would be interesting to list which are the oldest cities in each province of Spain to give you an idea of the country's widespread heritage. Keep in mind that cities have not been founded on a specific day, but may have been built over several days, weeks or months. That is why the dates that appear are a year or a century since it is very difficult to specify the exact moment of its creation.

The oldest municipality in each province of Spain

1. Andalusia

- Almería: Adra (8th century BC).

- Cadiz: Cadiz (1104 BC)

- Córdoba: Córdoba (169 BC)

- Granada: Almuñecar (8th century BC)

- Huelva: Huelva (10th century BC)

- Jaén: Jaén (10th century BC)

- Malaga: Malaga (7th century BC)

- Seville: Seville (8th century BC)

2. Aragon

- Huesca: Huesca (179 BC)

- Teruel: Teruel (1,171)

- Zaragoza: Zaragoza (3rd century BC)

3. Asturias

- Asturias: Gijón (5th century BC)

4. Balearic Islands

- Balearic Islands: Ibiza (654 BC)

5. Canary

- Las Palmas de Gran Canaria: Las Palmas de Gran Canaria (1,478)

- Santa Cruz de Tenerife: Santa Cruz de Tenerife (1,493)

6. Cantabria

- Cantabria: Santander (26 BC)

7. Castile-La Mancha

- Albacete: Albacete (12th century)

- Royal City: Royal City (1,255)

- Basin: Basin (784)

- Guadalajara: Guadalajara (8th century)

- Toledo: Toledo (192 BC)

8. Castile and Leon

- Ávila: Ávila (1st century BC)

- Burgos: Burgos (884)

- Leon: Leon (29 BC)

- Salamanca: Salamanca (4th century BC)

- Segovia: Segovia (1st century)

- Soria: Soria (1,109)

- Valladolid: Valladolid (1,072)

- Zamora: Zamora (852)

9. Catalonia

- Barcelona: Barcelona (3rd century BC)

- Girona: Girona (79 BC)

- Lleida: Lleida (6th century BC)

- Tarragona: Tarragona (5th century BC)

10. Extremadura

- Badajoz: Medellin (79 BC)

- Cáceres: Coria (8th century BC)

11.Galicia

- A Coruña: Santiago de Compostela (820)

- Lugo: Lugo (1st century BC)

- Ourense: Ourense (1st century)

- Pontevedra: Vigo (2nd century BC)

12. Madrid

- Madrid: Alcalá de Henares (1st century)

13.Murcia

- Murcia: Cartagena (227 BC)

14. Navarre

- Navarre: Pamplona (74 BC)

15. Basque Country

- Álava: Victory (1181)

- Guipuzcoa: San Sebastian (1,180)

- Biscay: Bilbao (1,300)

16. La Rioja

- La Rioja: Calahorra (182 BC)

17. Valencia

- Alicante: Elche (5th century BC)

- Castellon: Castellon de la Plana (1,251)

- Valencia: Valencia (138 BC)

In 2025, the prestigious association Los Pueblos más Bonitos de España (The Most Beautiful Villages of Spain) expanded its ranks, adding seven new hidden gems to its official list. For expats and regular visitors, these additions offer the perfect excuse to head off the beaten path and discover the "real" Spain.

Here is a look at the seven newcomers you should add to your Spanish bucket list this year.

1. Poza de la Sal (Burgos)
Perched on the edge of the Bureba plains, this medieval village is famous for its salt-mining history. The village is a maze of cobblestone streets and traditional half-timbered houses.

Don't miss: The Salt Museum to learn about its Roman origins, and the Rojas Castle, which offers breathtaking views of the "Balcony of Bureba."

2. Jerez de los Caballeros (Badajoz)
Deep in the heart of Extremadura, this town is a monument to the Knights Templar. Its skyline is dominated by four spectacular Baroque towers that rival the best in Spain.

Don't miss: The Templar fortress and the Church of San Bartolomé, famous for its incredibly intricate and colourful ceramic facade.

3. Llerena (Badajoz)
Often called the "Little Athens of Extremadura," Llerena was once the seat of the Inquisition and a hub for master Mudéjar architects. The result is a town filled with grand squares and noble mansions.

Don't miss: The Plaza de España, arguably one of the most beautiful squares in the region, featuring the stunning Church of Nuestra Señora de la Granada.

4. La Fresneda (Teruel)
Located in the Matarraña region (often called "the Spanish Tuscany"), La Fresneda feels like a film set. It is a place of golden stone, arched porticoes, and Renaissance elegance.

Don't miss: The 16th-century Town Hall and a hike up to the Santa Bárbara hermitage for views over the "Valley of Silence."

5. Berlanga de Duero (Soria)
History runs deep in this Castilian fortress town. From its Jewish quarter to its Renaissance collegiate church, Berlanga de Duero is a masterclass in Spanish architectural evolution.

Don't miss: The massive medieval castle and the unique San Baudelio de Berlanga hermitage nearby, known for its "palm tree" pillar and Mozarabic frescos.

6. Linares de Mora (Teruel)
Tucked away in the Sierra de Gúdar at over 1,300 meters above sea level, this is a destination for nature lovers. It is a quintessential mountain village of white walls and red-tiled roofs.

Don't miss: The Baroque Church of the Immaculate Conception and the surrounding hiking trails that lead to the "Pino del Escobón," a 100-year-old monumental pine tree.

7. Letur (Albacete)
Known as the "Pearl of the Sierra del Segura," Letur is perhaps the best-preserved example of Islamic urban design in the region. Water is everywhere here, with natural pools and streams running through the town.

Don't miss: A walk through the old quarter to see the traditional courtyards and the "Charco de Pataco," a crystal-clear natural swimming hole.

The Most Beautiful Villages brand isn't just a title; it’s a commitment to preservation and quality. Villages must pass a strict 40-point audit covering everything from cleanliness and traffic control to the conservation of their facades. Visiting these spots ensures you are seeing Spain at its most authentic and well-preserved.