Lesser-known beautiful Spanish town with huge river running through it

While it’s tempting to gravitate towards typical tourist hotspots, Spain has many stunning towns that offer sultry weather, delectable food and rich cultural heritage. Plus, going to a lesser-known destination can allow you to avoid overwhelming crowds. For those seeking an escape from the beachside tourist traps, the Basque Country is one of the nation’s most picturesque and elusive regions. Situated in between the Pyrenees, the area boasts its own language, cuisine and unique sporting traditions that include ram fights and wood-chopping. If you’re interested in experiencing these wonders for yourself, it might be worth planning a trip to this one beautiful town.

Located to the west of the region’s capital, Bilbao, Portugalete is a small, charming settlement set on the gushing Nervion river. One of its most famous attractions is Vizcaya Bridge (or the Hanging Bridge of Biscay), the world’s oldest fully functional transporter bridge – an incredibly rare type of river-crossing, which operates as a kind of gondola for cars. Portugalete is also home to incredible architecture, like the 15th century Basilica of Santa Maria and Salazar’s Tower. Similarly, the old town features storybook sights like medieval arches, narrow flagstone streets and colourful facades, meaning tourists can get lost for hours wandering through its romantic labyrinth.

One Tripadvisor reviewer recounted their time visiting Basilica of Santa Maria: “Visited this Church on our Camino pilgrimage. At the time there was a medieval market occurring all around the church, which was amazing. The music, food and market stalls all very medieval. We were welcomed into the Church and taken to have a credentials stamped and signed as part of the Camino experience. Definitely worth a visit”.

Foodies can also rest assured: the town is home to some of the best examples of Basque food. Traditional dishes feature meats and fish fried over hot coals, for a deep smoky flavour, as well as peppers, bean dishes and their own brand of sheep cheese. If you’re looking to unwind even further you can take a sup of txakoli, a light, sparkling white wine, commonly enjoyed as an aperitif. Restaurante Minuto is its number one-rated eatery on Tripadvisor, serving a mix of Spanish and Basque fare.

The town is also very budget friendly. You can book a private hotel room for as little as £35 a night. Plus, the easiest way to reach Portugalate is by booking a direct flight to Bilbao, which can be booked for as little as £27 in March from London Gatwick. A subway from Bilbao centre to Portugalete takes just 23 minutes and costs as little as 2 euro. Can we send you the Mirror Travel newsletter with weekly travel news and inspiration?.