Award-winning villages and the most beautiful street: Spain’s off the radar destinations for 2023

Spain is ending the year on a high after coming out top in two destination rankings.

Three of the country’s villages have won awards while a Spanish town is officially home to the most beautiful street in Europe.

If you’re planning a trip to Spain in 2023, add these off the beaten track locations to your itinerary.

Here’s everything you need to know about Spain’s award-winning attractions.

UNESCO has officially announced the most beautiful street in Europe, according to its ranking.

The accolade has gone to a street in Spain, but surprisingly it’s not in Barcelona or another major city like Madrid or Seville.

In fact, the award has gone to a small street, Calle San Pedro, in a minor southern Spanish city.

The thoroughfare is found in the Andalusian town of Osuna, home to 17,000 inhabitants.

UNESCO has called the street a “walk through the 18th century.”

The buildings are an exceptional example of Andalusian baroque and have undergone few modifications over the years, the heritage organisation says.

The long, sloping street is lined with villas and mansions showcasing the evolution of Spanish architecture.

The crowning attraction is the Marquises de la Gomera Palace, a majestic house decorated with pale stone gargoyles, twisting columns and family crests.

Calle San Pedro has been described as an “open-air museum of architecture” by the Seville tourism board.

This is not the first time the road has been recognised for its cultural value. It has been a ‘Historic-Artistic Site’ since 1967.

Spain has also come out top in the United Nations World Tourism Organization’s (UNWTO) annual ranking of the best villages for tourism across the globe.

The list highlights the best small community tourism destinations around the world with an emphasis