Fresh from lifting the World Cup, Spain is once again in the global spotlight – and the triumph is likely to inspire thousands more Britons to book a Spanish getaway.But while the country’s beaches, islands and historic cities remain as tempting as ever, soaring visitor numbers and anti-tourism protests mean some destinations are far better bets than others this summer.While popular hotspots such as Ibiza and Malaga are the obvious choices for Britons looking to soak up some rays by the poolside, some classic destinations are overrun with tourists at this time of year.Spain has also seen growing anti-tourism protests, particularly in its busiest holiday hotspots. Instead of trawling through booking sites to find last-minute accommodation in big name resorts, head further afield for off-the-beaten-track alternatives this summer. If you’re in the market for a Spanish summer thanks to the nation’s football victory, these are the rising destinations that promise seaside strolls and sangria – minus the sunbed dash…Where to book a crowd-free breakCANTABRIA The lesser-visited Cantabria region is undergoing investment – and should be top of your listNorthern Spain is currently seeing huge investment in its tourism infrastructure. And while Cantabria’s visitor numbers are much lower than bigger resorts, cooler temperatures and lush green scenery make it an attractive alternative.It shouldn’t be overlooked – the under-appreciated region is home to the imposing Picos de Europa mountains as well as unspoilt sandy beaches, notably Langre and El Puntal.Its capital, Santander, is home to the Palacio de la Magdalena – formerly a royal summer residence – and is a popular spot for Spaniards to visit.CARTAGENA Next up is Cartagena, perfect for history buffs and city breakersIn southeastern Spain, this historic port city, founded by the Carthaginians around 227 BC, gets an impressive average of 283 hours of sun every month.Cartagena is great for anyone seeking a taste of history, with many Roman ruins to explore. Its average temperature year-round is a balmy 19.1 degrees – with the mercury rising to well in excess of 30 degrees at the height of summer.PLAYA DE AJUY The black beach in Ajuy town in Fuerteventura is uniqueLocated on the west coast of Fuerteventura in the Canary Islands, Playa de Ajuy stands out for its jet-black volcanic sand, fossil-rich cliffs and ancient sea caves formed by volcanic activity millions of years ago.The dramatic contrast between the dark volcanic coastline and the surrounding rugged cliffs creates a landscape that brings to mind the surface of Mars.Despite its extraordinary scenery, Playa de Ajuy remains one of Spain’s least-visited beauty spots, recording just 10 monthly UK searches, according to a study from Icelandair.EL HIERRO El Hierro is one way to visit the Canary Islands without the hordes of tourists of Tenerife or LanzaroteEl Hierro, the westernmost – and quietest – island in the Spanish archipelago features beautiful beaches, volcanic scenery and picturesque historic towns.Ferries run regularly from Tenerife and Gran Canaria to the small isle that runs almost entirely on renewable energy.El Hierro, including its surrounding waters, is a UNESCO Global Geopark because of how it was formed 1.2 million years ago and how it has since evolved. Don’t forget to check out the world-class scuba diving, paragliding and natural pools on the island.The climate here is mild, with an average temperature of 22C (72F) year-round – perfect for visiting at any time.ALBARRACIN A medieval village in Teruel, Albarracín is all pink-hued stone, winding alleyways and picture-perfect viewpointsThe fortified town of Albarracín makes for a striking welcome: from the get-go, you’re surrounded by imposing walls, pink stone and towers everywhere you look.The steep streets are worth spending several hours exploring, and don’t miss the town hall, which provides views over the Guadalaviar River.Stop at the Cathedral of El Salvador, which has been in place as a church since 1172, for impressive interiors and frescoes.The Albarracín Cultural Park is another highlight, full of unique rock art to discover.LA RIOJA Idyllic vineyards are a dime a dozen in La Rioja, SpainAccording to Spain’s National Institute of Statistics (INE), La Rioja was the country’s least visited region in 2024, welcoming around 123,000 visitors.But for wine lovers, few destinations are better. Logrono is a standout destination, known for its gastronomy – with dozens of wineries and vineyards nearby. Meanwhile, it’s also a great place to see the total solar eclipse on August 12 – especially in the Alfaro area, where you will see the eclipse at 8.28pm for around a minute.ALICANTE The village of Altea has picturesque white facades and boutiques to exploreUnlike other parts of Spain, Alicante’s city centre and old town are not nearly as overrun with tourists. The Explanada de Espana, the main promenade, is worth a visit.Plus, the Portal de Elche – a central square – and El Barrio neighbourhood, full of terraced cafes and bars serving tapas, are charming.The nearby small town of Altea is one must-visit destination, with boutique shops, cafes and more – and just a 20-minute drive from Benidorm.Javea, also on the Costa Blanca, is one of the region’s best places to visit – with bars, restaurants, a pretty old town, the gorgeous Arenal Beach, sand dunes and rocky coves. … and the spots to avoidMALLORCA Protesters formed a human chain in Mallorca earlier this summerProtestors have been demonstrating against overtourism in Mallorca, as thousands fear one of the most popular beaches on the island will become ‘another Magaluf’.As such, it’s better to pick quieter spots – to avoid being caught up in the crowds. In July, around 10,000 people waded into the sea at a well-known beauty spot on the island to call for better protection of the coast and natural attractions.Plus in June, activists announced their intention to take to the streets of the Mallorcan capital, Palma, as they staged a mini-protest outside a cathedral in the city. IBIZA Ibiza is better known for its crowded beaches and party atmosphereIt’s not just the crowds that should deter you from Ibiza – escalating prices are a major turn-off too. The cost of a small 500ml bottle of water has been priced around €14 (£12) for several years but now appears to have finally broken the €15 (£12) mark, setting clubbers heading to the likes of Amnesia, Pacha and Club Chinois back nearly £1 more now.One of the White Isle’s most popular clubs Ushuaïa, an outdoor poolside venue with a glitzy hotel attached in Platja d’en Bossa, is among the nightspots where revellers are reporting some of the highest prices.Drinks costs posted on menus at the club this summer, which has Calvin Harris and David Guetta once again in residence, include a bottle of Heineken at €18 (£15.41), water at €15 (£12.85) and a vodka and tonic for €26 (£22.27).MALAGA Tourism protests have also hit the popular region of MalagaIn April 2025, Spain’s prime minister, Pedro Sánchez, announced a crackdown on holiday rentals in ‘high tension’ areas like Costa Blanca and Malaga.Under the legislation, holiday rentals are now banned from an apartment complex if 60 per cent of property owners vote against them, citing noise concerns or other disruptions.The Spanish government also threatened hefty fines against holiday platforms, including Airbnb, for hosting properties that fail to comply with licensing rules. The lack of affordable housing prompted a wave of fierce protests across Spain in recent years, with communities nationwide rallying against them.SAN SEBASTIAN Strict new rules on crowded San Sebastian will prevent the opening of new hotelsAs part of a new 2026 municipal update aimed at curbing high visitor numbers while protecting local housing, San Sebastian is implementing a total ban on new hotels.The historic city is currently home to a population of just 200,000 – yet it can see up to two million international visitors in the height of summer, a number that has been driven by its newfound popularity on TikTok and other social media platforms.In response, Eneko Goia, the mayor of the Spanish resort town, is banning the construction of new hotels while imposing strict restrictions on short-term apartments.Avoid if you prefer quieter, more relaxed getaways. BARCELONA Barcelona has also led the way in anti-tourism protestsSimilar protests were staged throughout the spring and summer elsewhere in Spain. In April last year, locals fired water pistols at a tour bus outside Barcelona’s Sagrada Familia.When Barcelona first introduced its ban on new hotel licences in 2017, around 32 million visitors flooded into the city the year prior – a figure that vastly outweighed its 1.6 million residents.In a bid to curb tourism, the city’s mayor Ada Colau set out a policy following the ban stopping any new hotels from opening.Her Strategic Plan for Tourism 2020, presented in February 2017, laid out a number of measures aimed at deterring the masses.Charges for day-trippers ramped up, parking rates increased and plans were drawn up to limit the number of Segways and electric scooters in the more touristic parts of the city.