Spain’s Best Travel Dupes: Affordable Alternatives to World-Famous Destinations

Travelers seeking iconic destinations without the crowds or high costs are finding alternatives within Spain that evoke famous global locations, from Greek islands to Norwegian fjords.

The concept of “destination dupes” involves finding places that offer a similar experience to well-known tourist spots but are more accessible, affordable, and less crowded. In Spain, several regions and towns provide such alternatives without requiring international travel.

Altea (Alicante) as a substitute for Santorini (Greece)

Altea, located in the province of Alicante, features a historic center with cobblestone streets and whitewashed facades, creating a visual resemblance to Santorini. The town’s iconic church, Nuestra Señora del Consuelo, with its blue and white tiled dome, enhances this similarity. Visitors can explore the old town at leisure, visit beaches such as El Mascarat or La Olla, and enjoy the natural surroundings of Serra Gelada or the Bernia mountain range.

Empuriabrava (Girona) as a substitute for Amsterdam (Netherlands)

Empuriabrava in the Alt Empordà region is distinguished by its network of over 20 kilometers of navigable canals, making it one of Europe’s largest residential marinas. Many homes have private berths, and boat travel is part of daily life. The area offers nautical activities in the Bay of Roses, skydiving for aerial views, and proximity to the Aiguamolls de l’Empordà Natural Park.

El Matarraña (Teruel) as a substitute for Tuscany (Italy)

The Matarraña region in northeastern Teruel combines medieval and Renaissance architecture with natural beauty. Towns such as Valderrobres, with its castle and church, and Calaceite, designated a Historic-Artistic Complex, showcase stone streets, arcaded plazas, and historic buildings integrated into the landscape. The area’s gentle hills, clear rivers, and natural spaces like Parrizal de Beceite and Salt de la Portellada support hiking and relaxed getaways, evoking the Tuscan blend of nature, architecture, and a tranquil pace.

Riaño (León) as a substitute for Norwegian fjords

In northeastern León, the area around Riaño features a reservoir surrounded by limestone mountains, creating reflections that resemble Norwegian fjords. Part of the Regional Park Montaña de Riaño and Mampodre, the landscape can be explored on foot, by boat, or through water activities. Hiking trails of varying difficulty, peaceful walks along the reservoir, and boat excursions are available. Although the origin is an inland reservoir rather than a glacial valley flooded by the sea, the visual effect is comparable, and the site includes historical elements from the dam’s construction and the submersion of several villages.

Cudillero (Asturias) as a substitute for Cinque Terre (Italy)

Cudillero, a colorful village on the Asturian coast, is built in a natural amphitheater with houses stacked along the slope leading to the harbor. Exploring the old town involves navigating stairs, viewing overlooks, and wandering narrow streets where the maritime atmosphere is constant. Beyond the center, the lighthouse, cliffs at Cabo Vidio, and beaches such as Playa del Silencio and Playa de la Concha de Artedo expand the coastal experience, offering a familiar image of colorful buildings overlooking the sea.

Playa de las Catedrales (Lugo) as a substitute for Twelve Apostles (Australia)

Located on the coast of Lugo, Playa de las Catedrales is notable for rock formations shaped by the sea, including arches over 30 meters high, caves, and passages accessible only at low tide. Visitors can walk among these structures when the tide recedes, though access may require reservation during peak periods due to visitor numbers. The erosion-carved arches and galleries provide a visual parallel to Australia’s Twelve Apostles, where isolated pillars stand against the ocean, offering a similar sense of maritime sculpted grandeur without transatlantic travel.

Bardenas Reales (Navarra) as a substitute for Cappadocia (Turkey)

In southern Navarre near Tudela, the Bardenas Reales present a semi-arid landscape with ochre and reddish tones, where erosion has shaped hills, gullies, and unusual rock formations. As a Biosphere Reserve and Natural Park, the area can be explored by car, on foot, or by bicycle along marked trails. The clay and gypsum formations, shaped by erosion, resemble Cappadocia’s fairy chimneys, providing an unconventional terrestrial environment within the peninsula, even without hot air balloons or rock-cut dwellings.