Sustainable tourism, local gastronomy and historical heritage are the essence of the Cittàslow Project, an international movement to which 12 Spanish municipalities belong.These small 'slow cities' to experience the good life in Spain are: Artà, Balmaseda, Begues, Begur, Benabarre, Bubión, La Orotava, Lekeitio, Morella, Mungia, Pals and Rubielos de Mora.Discover the essentials for each of them!
Population: about 8,300What to see: from the walled enclosure of Sant Salvador you will have an unparalleled panoramic view. A traditional market is held every Tuesday in the Plaça del Conqueridor.What to eat: try the escaldums (chicken stew), Mallorcan soup, roast lamb or cuttlefish with mussels. Also sweets such as orellanes, mantecados and sweet potato cream.Original shopping: baskets and bags produced using the local technique of llata or llatra, the weaving of dried leaves from a local type of palm tree.Fiestas: San Antonio, 16 and 17 January.Sightseeing in the area:- Ses Paísses Talayotic settlement, of great archaeological value, less than a kilometre away.- Llevant Peninsula Natural Park, delve into its Mediterranean ecosystems.• Artà Caves, an underground spectacle on the coast of Capdepera. More information
Population: around 7,600What to see: cross the famous three-arched Old Bridge over the Kadagua River and stroll through the medieval old town.What to eat: enjoy putxera (a stew made with beans, chorizo, bacon and black pudding) and local sweets such as severinos, butter and almond biscuits or twisted puff pastry bows.Original shopping: visit the old textile factory La Encartada, now a museum, and take home a txapela (typical Basque beret) as a souvenir.Fiestas: San Severino, 23 October.Sightseeing in the area:• Camino Olvidado a Santiago, (Forgotten Way), one of the oldest Jacobean routes. Did you know that the second stage, about 23 kilometres long, passes through Balmaseda? More information
Population: about 7,400 What to see: Creu de Terme, the farmhouses of Can Grau del Coll and Can Vendrell, the Montau de Sadurní vineyards and wine cellars and the Santa Eulàlia hermitage.What to eat: try the 'coques de Santa Eulàlia', a sweet bread made with boiled sweet potato.Original shopping: DPO Penedès wines and cavas.Fiestas: Must Festival, the third weekend in October.Sightseeing in the area:• Mirador del Mur viewpoint: get spectacular views over the Llobregat delta.• Vallgrassa Experimental Arts Centre: Contemporary museum in Garraf Park. More information
Population: about 4,200What to see: the Indian heritage of its old town, with stately colonial-style houses, the defence towers and the castle, as well as its attractive coves and beaches.What to eat: dishes based on the tasty peix de roca (rock fish) or surf and turf rice dishes that combine ingredients such as baby squid and black pudding.Original shopping: organic extra virgin olive oil (EVOO) with Protected Designation of Origin Empordà.Fiestas: Indiana Fair, first weekend in September.Sightseeing in the area:• Camino de Ronda: you have three sections that link different coves and beaches in the municipality.• Route of the viewpoints: 17 corners for unparalleled views. More information
Population: about 1,200What to see: the Castle of the Counts of Ribagorza, Santa María Church, the ice well and the oil and flour mills.What to eat: goat's cheeses, nuts, honey, chocolates, cured meats and hams, craft beers, bread and cakes.Original shopping: saffron from Benabarre.Fiestas: Ball dels Salvatges, on a Saturday in August of even-numbered years.Sightseeing in the area:- Nature trail from Montfalcó to Montreb: you can enjoy the spectacular limestone orography of the Serra del Montsec mountains.• San Medardo Park: discover the unique hexagonal hermitage with a well inside. More information
Population: about 300What to see: stroll through cobbled streets and admire the typical architecture of white houses and slate roofs or follow the fountain route.What to eat: try the hearty Alpujarreño dish with potatoes, onions, peppers, garlic, black pudding, cured ham and fried eggs.Original shopping: visit a centuries-old jarapas workshop where you can learn how to weave your own piece and take it home as a souvenir.Fiestas: Andalucía Slow Fest in JulySightseeing in the area:• Hoya del Portillo: access to the Sierra Nevada National Park and starting point for many hiking routes. More information
Population: around 42,000What to see: La Concepción Church; Casa de los Balcones; Victoria Gardens; Hijuela del Botánico and the route of the old water mills.What to eat: try the famous grouper casserole accompanied by scrambled gofio (a type of Canary island flour) and a bienmesabe (made with almonds, honey, egg, sugar and lemon) for dessert.Original shopping: white cheese from Pinolere and Benijos and high quality honey.Fiestas:Corpus Christi and the Pilgrimage of San Isidro, between May and JuneSightseeing in the area:• Teide National Park: climb to the summit of the Teide volcano, the highest point in Spain at 3,715 metres.• Astrotourism: a tour of the peaks and the route of the best viewpoints for stargazing in this Starlight reserve. More information
Population: about 7,100What to see: visit the Santa Catalina lighthouse, see the imposing Basilica of La Asunción and take advantage of the low tide to access the beautiful island of Garraitz or San Nicolás.What to eat: enjoy fish dishes such as baby squid in sauce or marmitako, based on tuna from the north.Original shopping: delicious canned tuna and anchovies, among other delicacies. Fiestas: Antzar Eguna, or Geese Day, on 5 September.Sightseeing in the area:• Lea Riverfollow its courseto discover peaceful landscapes steeped in history.• Wine and Fish Route: 166 kilometres divided into seven stages to be completed on foot or by bike. More information
Population: about 2,500What to see: its imposing castle, the Governor's Palace, the convent of San Francisco, the basilica and the San Miguel towers.What to eat: try the original triangular-shaped Morella croquettes, and its iconic sweet, flaó, a pastry filled with ricotta cheese and almonds.Original shopping: pottery, glass figurines, espadrilles.Fiestas: Sexenni, in August, every six yearsSightseeing in the area:• Paseo de Ronda: a walk along the outer perimeter of the wall surrounding the city to contemplate the region of Els Ports. More information
Population: around 17,300What to see: the farmhouse of Landetxo Goikoa, considered the oldest in Bizkaia; the Torrebillela tower-house of medieval origin; the Fountain of Concordia and the Gothic church of San Pedro.What to eat: accompany a local bean stew with talo de Mungia, a thick cake made mainly from corn flour.Original shopping: jam and cheese at the Friday market in the historic Andra Mari area.Fiestas: San Pedro, around 29 June.Sightseeing in the area:• Atxuri Greenway: almost four kilometres of route along the old railway line known as the 'Chocolatera'. More information
Population: around 2,500What to see: medieval walled old town full of vaults, horseshoe arches and Romanesque and Gothic windows; fortified farmhouses such as Mas Roig, Torre Pedrissa, Cap dels Anyells or Molí de Pals; the 15th century Torre Mora or Tower of the Hours.What to eat: enjoy a leisurely rice casserole from Pals.Original shopping: rice from Pals, ceramics from La Bisbal and ratafia cream (a liqueur made from nuts and herbs).Fiestas: Live Nativity with shepherds, at Christmas (December-January)Sightseeing in the area:• Wine tourism: visit the Mas Geli family winery in the Empordà Designation of Origin.• Montgrí, Medes Islands and Baix Ter Natural Park More information
Population: about 650What to see: a magnificent historical complex made up of medieval portals, a Renaissance fish market, the collegiate church of Santa María la Mayor, the Carmelite convent and palace houses.What to eat: try the delicious black truffle, migas with grapes, pickled partridges or grilled lamb.Original shopping: black truffle, Serrano ham and ceramics.Fiestas: Medieval Fairin AugustSightseeing in the area:• Gúdar Javalambre region:Starlight reserve and stargazing destination. More information
At spain.info you can many more suggestions for a slow trip that's just right for you.
