An iconic town in Cadiz has been named among Spain’s 10 best-rated villages for 2026.
Setenil de las Bodegas was the only destination in Andalucia included in the annual top 10 reported by the association Los Pueblos Mas Bonitos de España.
It received an average visitor rating of 4.67 out of five, finishing ahead of Pedraza in Segovia. Albarracin in Teruel took first place, followed by La Alberca in Salamanca and Alquezar in Huesca.
The recognition reflects ratings from visitors to villages within the association’s network, rather than a new designation.
The association also maintains a separate live ranking, which changes as users submit reviews.
Setenil’s most distinctive feature is the way its whitewashed houses fit into the landscape, with buildings tucked beneath enormous rock formations and others perched above them.
Its two best-known streets, Cuevas del Sol and Cuevas de la Sombra, offer contrasting views of the unusual architecture.
South-facing Cuevas del Sol receives sunlight across the façades of homes built into natural cavities. On Cuevas de la Sombra, a huge stretch of rock hangs between the rows of buildings.
Beyond its famous streets, the village preserves reminders of its medieval past, including a surviving fortress tower and an underground water cistern.
Other landmarks include the Church of Nuestra Señora de la Encarnacion and the former town hall, which houses an ornate 16th-century Mudejar timber ceiling.
The chapels of San Sebastian, San Benito and Nuestra Señora del Carmen add to its architectural heritage.
Its popularity has also brought challenges for the small village’s narrow historic streets.
Mayor Rafael Vargas told Europa Press that measures to manage tourism included additional parking for residents and restrictions on coach access and parking.
He also highlighted tourism’s role in supporting local businesses and keeping the village populated.
Plans to upgrade Setenil’s Tugasa hotel from three to four stars, with additional rooms, are intended to encourage more overnight stays and increase the benefits for the local economy.
Read more Andalucia news at the Spanish Eye.
