Last spring, I discovered the beautiful port city of Málaga. On previous solo and group trips, I had visited Seville, Granada, and Cordoba. But this city is unlike any other in Spain. And it’s not just because it’s the birthplace of artist Pablo Picasso.

Anchored on the “Costa del Sol” in the southern Andalucía region, Málaga is a beacon for all those yearning for the “beach-bum” lifestyle but also want history, culture, haute cuisine, and safe evening outings. 

Spain is home to some of the best beaches in Europe, incredible architecture, and a passionate culture specializing in textiles and culinary arts. 

Once you’ve “been there, done that” and seen Barcelona’s major tourist draws, it’s time to get off the beaten path and experience the Catalan capital’s hidden gems. Escape the tourist masses and uncover these six “secret” sights - plus a special bonus at the end, for good measure!  

When I think southern Spain, one of the first things that comes to mind is solid white villages, lightly sprinkled into the folds and valleys across the coastline hills. But a few years ago, during the filming of The Smurfs 3D, this iconic tradition was broken… let me explain.

Before filming, in summer 2011, Sony painted a typical white Andaluz (southern Spanish) town blue, presumably because Smurfs are blue. To achieve this, they used 4000 litres (1,100 US gal-lons) of paint, creating a vibrant blue village in Andalusia, Spain.

Cleo Reiss is a 22-year-old University of Delaware graduate with a Bachelor’s degree in Marketing. She has spent her first year out of college teaching English as a language assistant at a bilingual high school in Madrid. In her spare time, she is learning Spanish, blogging, volunteering, and traveling around Europe. She will continue teaching next year in Madrid and is looking forward to another fantastic year filled with challenges and adventures.

Security screening at Madrid’s airport resulted in a two-hour layover and a missed connecting flight to Vigo.  When I finally arrived amid a spring deluge, my host was nowhere to be found.  A stone’s throw from the Atlantic, the airport was half empty.  The silence felt like a heavy cloak as I hurried to the baggage claim area.