Smallest cities in Spain

to tell you about the smallest cities in Spain We must give you a prior explanation. Although we usually use this word to describe any locality with a good number of inhabitants and equipped with all services, this is incorrect, at least in our country.

En Spain, historically, this title was granted only to certain populations to give them pre-eminence over the villas. And they received it for having given some brilliant service to the King or to some illustrious character that he wanted to reward. Once this clarification has been made, you will better understand that we are talking about the smallest cities in Spain in this article. Because some of them will surprise you due to their few inhabitants. But, for their own historical reason, they also have a rich monumental heritage that we advise you to see.

Frías, the smallest city in Burgos

Head of the county The Merindades, in the province of Burgos, this town barely has three hundred inhabitants. It is located on the hill of La Muela, near the Ebro river. Historically, it has been a place of passage for merchants who went from the plateau to the Cantabrian ports.

That is why it was very important in the Middle Ages and even before, as evidenced by the Roman road that passed through the town. But Frías has much more to show you. In fact, it has been declared a Historic Artistic Site for having preserved its medieval layout. And also for the castle of the Velasco, which dominates it from the top of the hill.

Also, they are spectacular medieval romanesque bridge and Jewry. But, in addition, as in Cuenca, Frías also has its hanging houses, which look out into the void. Also, be sure to watch the barracks house and palace of the Salazar, near the castle.

As for the religious heritage of the city of Burgos, we advise you to visit the convents of San Francisco and Santa María de Vadillo or the churches of San Vítores and San Vicente Mártir and San Sebastián. The latter, restored at the beginning of the XNUMXth century, has beautiful altarpieces, paintings and abundant religious imagery.

Barcena Mayor in Cantabria

Among the smallest cities in Spain, this one will undoubtedly take you back to the Middle Ages. Because, as happens for example with Santillana del Mar, Bárcena is made up of spectacular traditional mountain houses of the Middle Ages. They are stone constructions, with wooden arches and balconies on the first floor that are located in cobbled and narrow streets.

This Cantabrian town has even fewer inhabitants than Frías, since it does not reach a hundred. But it is a wonder that you must visit. It is located in the municipality of The Gorse, at a height of almost five hundred meters above the Argoza river valley, in the Saja Besaya Natural Park.

Therefore, it also offers you wonderful nature, with many hiking trails, along with the beauty of its urban structure. Finally, don't leave Bárcena without trying the delicious Mountain stew, a hearty typical dish from the area that includes white beans, collard greens and the popular compango made up of chorizo, black pudding, ribs and bacon. A delight to regain strength after your tour of the natural park.

Redes, perhaps the smallest city in Spain

We now move to the province of La Coruna to show you this city that is perhaps the smallest in Spain, as it barely has sixty inhabitants. It belongs to the municipality of Ares and it is very close to the Ferrol estuary.

Therefore, it is a small fishing town in the middle of the Galician estuaries. has a flirty port and typical houses of the area with their continuous and glazed balconies. But you can also see in it some houses of Indians, that is, of returned emigrants with money who built luxurious mansions in the area.

Also, you will find beautiful beaches such as those of To Xungueira, Seselle, O Raso, Chanteiro or Redes itself. And we also advise you to go to the old coastal batteries of Montefaro, Punta Segaño and Coitelada, which you can reach through beautiful hiking and mountain biking trails. Finally, visit the St. Catherine's Monastery, a XNUMXth-century Romanesque jewel listed as an Asset of Cultural Interest.

Ohanes in the province of Almería

Compared to the previous ones, this one will seem like a big city, since it reaches seven hundred inhabitants. It is located in the Alpujarras from Almeria, looking at the Andarax river valley, almost a thousand meters above sea level.

The first thing that will catch your eye are the hills of vineyards and tomato plants raised almost vertically, as well as its whitewashed and whitewashed houses adorned with flowers. But you can also see their Neolithic caves of Nieles and Almecena.

As for its religious monuments, visit the Church of the Immaculate Conception, built at the end of the XNUMXth century in Mudejar style on top of an older one. And also him Sanctuary of Tices, built at the beginning of the XNUMXth century and that is in the process of being restored due to its deterioration.

Regarding civilians, it highlights the tower house, apparently built by a former viceroy of Mexico in the eighteenth century. But also the statues consecrated to Bishop Diego Ventaja, made in bronze, and to Miguel de Cervantes, in plaster on a granite base. Finally, take advantage of National Park of Sierra Nevada for hiking or biking trails. For example, the one that leads to Rock of Polarda, from which you have wonderful views of the valleys of Fiñana-Abrucena and Andarax.

Jorquera, one of the smallest cities in Spain and with the best views

This small town in the province of Albacete does not reach four hundred inhabitants. But, if it stands out for something, it is for its spectacular location that offers you extraordinary views. It is located on a hill cut vertically above the spectacular Hoz of Júcar.

It was very important in Muslim times, as evidenced by its almohad walls of the twelfth century. Of these remains, in addition to several canvases, the Tower of Dona Blanca, currently restored. As a curiosity, we will tell you that, according to legend, in the old castle of the town the Cid Campeador when I was traveling on my way to Valencia.

But we also recommend that you visit the Parish Church of the Assumption, cataloged as an Asset of Cultural Interest. It was built in the XNUMXth century in a transitional style between Gothic and Renaissance. It has a single covered nave in the form of a ribbed vault. Inside, pay special attention to the Maldonado chapel, the processional cross and the painting entitled The contemplation of Saint Francis.

Sabinosa, a city in El Hierro

Even the coquettish Canary Island of El Hierro It has one of the smallest cities in Spain. In addition, it is the only town in the western part of the gulf valley. It is called Sabinosa because of the large number of junipers in the area and it barely has three hundred inhabitants.

You can contemplate the concentrations of this bush doing some of the many hiking trails that it offers you. Some run through the Mencatefe Nature Reserve and yet another will take you to the Sanctuary of Our Lady of the Kings, patron saint of the island.

Also, in the part closest to the coast you can see the well of health, with its medicinal waters. You have the possibility of enjoying them in the spa hotel that takes advantage of them. But we also advise you to walk through the narrow streets of Sabinosa contemplating its houses with traditional Canarian architecture. Finally, enjoy your excellent white sand beach.

Viniegra de Abajo, a small town in La Rioja

Very different is this small Riojan city that is located in the foothills of the Peaks of Urbion. Despite its name, it is almost nine hundred meters above sea level (Viniegra from Above it is more than one thousand one hundred) and it is a land of cattle and nomadic tradition.

It barely has a hundred inhabitants, but it offers you dreamy mountainous landscapes. You can appreciate them doing wonderful hiking trails such as the one that goes from the town to sucker, which runs through the Urbion river valley or the one that reaches the Mansilla reservoir.

But this small city also has interesting monuments. In addition to some Indian houses, we advise you to see the church of Our Lady of the Assumption, built in the XNUMXth century, although it houses a Romanesque baptismal font from the XNUMXth.

You can also visit the Hermitages of Solitude, from Santiago (Viniegra pattern) and of San Millan or go up to statue of the Sacred Heart of Jesus that dominates the town from the top of Mount Turza. All this without forgetting its peculiar fountains such as the Cuatro Caños or the Fuentina.

In conclusion, we have shown you the seven smallest cities in Spain. They all stand out both for their low population and for their scenic and monumental beauty. But we also want to invite you to get to know other cities that, without being so small, do not reach the dimensions of the big capitals either. For example, the county cities of Noreña in Asturias, with its five thousand inhabitants, or Morella in Castellón, with barely two thousand five hundred. Don't you want to know these towns with so much history?