Few countries in Europe are as sophisticated and diverse as Spain when it comes to nature, culture and cuisine.

And while major destinations such as Barcelona, Madrid, Seville and Bilbao may draw the most visitors, countless rewarding experiences await travelers who venture off the beaten path.

Whether you鈥檙e drawn by deserted, wave-battered cliffs and beaches, hidden coves, desert and salt flats, tranquil mountain valleys, or timeless villages replete with historic architecture, Spain delivers. Here are 10 of our favorite remote corners of the country, each paired with the region鈥檚 typical cuisine.

Valles de Hecho & Ans贸

In the northernmost corner of 础谤补驳贸苍, these picturesque parallel river valleys offer unparalleled access to the Pyrenees. Surrounded by craggy peaks and fringed by dense woodland, Valles de Hecho and Ans贸 feature three ancient stone-built villages 鈥� Hecho and Siresa in the former and Ans贸 in the latter 鈥� with cozy guesthouses and hotels that cater to dedicated hikers. Whether you鈥檙e looking to bag some of the surrounding peaks 鈥� Bisaur铆n (8760ft), Meseta d鈥檕s Tres Rais (8031ft), Castiello d鈥橝rcher (7822ft) 鈥� or whether gentler riverside walks or ambles through the Selva de Oza are more your pace, you鈥檙e likely to find what you鈥檙e looking for.

Get a taste: 础谤补驳贸苍 is renowned for its hearty meat dishes, from grilled venison to the typical Aragonese pollo a la chilindr贸n (chicken stew). Don鈥檛 miss the locally brewed Pirineos craft beer.

Cistercian Route

La Ruta de Cister 鈥� a 65-mile circular hiking route 鈥� connects three of 颁补迟补濒辞苍颈补鈥檚 most spectacular Cistercian monasteries: Santa Maria de Poblet, Santes Creus and Santa Maria de Vallbona. Accessed from Lleida or Tarragona, the three-day hike allows you to fully appreciate the Catalonian countryside and its varied scenery: the L鈥橝lt Camp flatlands and the jagged El Cogull贸 rocky ridge on the approach to the Santes Creus monastery; the vineyards of La Conca surrounding Vallbona; and the wooded hills fringing Poblet. Don鈥檛 miss the Gothic cloister and restored royal tombs of Poblet, Vallbona鈥檚 nunnery, or the beautiful mix of architectural styles that makes up the Santes Creus monastery. Nearby, the Priorat wine region produces some of Spain鈥檚 best and is particularly known for its full-bodied reds made from garnatxa and 肠补谤颈帽别苍补 grapes.

Get a taste: Traditional Catalan fare includes grilled meats and artichokes, 肠补濒莽辞迟蝉 (grilled baby leeks with Romesco sauce), and crema Catalana 鈥� the region鈥檚 answer to the cr猫me brul茅e.

础濒产补谤谤补肠铆苍

Occupying a narrow rocky ridge high above the R铆o Guadalaviar, its pink-hued stone buildings silhouetted against rugged cliffs, 础濒产补谤谤补肠铆苍 is one of 础谤补驳贸苍鈥檚 most visually striking little towns. Its medieval walls encompass the bend in the river and the centuries-old medieval streets that radiate from the Plaza Mayor. As you stroll the hilly streets, check out the carved wooden balconies, the street lanterns, the stone archways and the splendid coats of arms 鈥� some dating back to the 12th century Kingdom of 础谤补驳贸苍. Don鈥檛 miss the ruins of the 11th century fortress, harking back to the town鈥檚 origins as part of an independent Muslim dynasty. For a spectacular panoramic view of 础濒产补谤谤补肠铆苍 and the surrounding area, climb the Torre de Do帽a Blanca at the south end of town.

Get a taste: 础濒产补谤谤补肠铆苍鈥檚 restaurants showcase the regional specialties of cabrero lechal (suckling kid), roast lamb and embutidos (cured meats) beautifully.

Cartagena

Inhabited for millennia thanks to its deep natural harbor, Cartagena is one of Spain鈥檚 most evocative cities, and it鈥檚 easy to explore Cartagena鈥檚 ruins on foot. Begin your exploration at the wonderfully intact Roman theatre that dates to the city鈥檚 heyday as a strategic port in the Roman Empire. Proceed past the striking Art Deco buildings along Calle Mayor to the remains of the ancient Punic Walls, get a glimpse of the life of a wealthy Roman merchant inside the Casa de la Fortuna and then climb up to the Castillo de Concepci贸n, the 13th century castle that changed hands when King Alfonso X of Castille conquered Cartagena from the Moors in 1245.

Get a taste: Don鈥檛 leave the city without trying its signature dish: the caldero 鈥� an intensely flavored, slow-cooked rice and fish dish.

Cabo de Gata & Almeria

Comprising some 130 square miles of dramatic, rocky coastline, hidden coves, lapped at by turquoise waters, salt flats, scrubland-dotted desert, and a handful of white villages, Parque Natural Cabo de Gata is one of the most unique corners of Andalusia. Pristine and unpeopled beaches aside, there are numerous walking trails, which you鈥檒l have practically to yourself, while the coastal villages act as hubs for water sports 鈥� kayaking, sailing diving 鈥� during the summer months. The nearest city to Cabo de Gata is Almeria, a lively port city with a Moorish flavor, whose 10th century Alcazaba 鈥� Moorish fortress 鈥� is alone worth a visit.

Get a taste: While Cabo de Gata鈥檚 villages tend to serve mostly grilled fish and seafood, Almeria鈥檚 dining scene includes Moroccan-style tagines.

Cazorla

Dominated by the Castillo de la Yedra with its prominent tower, Cazorla is an attractive pueblo blanco that nestles amidst olive groves on the edge of the Parque Natural Sierras de Cazorla 鈥� Spain鈥檚 largest protected area. Arranged around three lively squares, connected by a labyrinth of serpentine, narrow lanes, Cazorla is appealing enough to warrant exploration in its own right, though it鈥檚 also the popular jumping-off spot for visiting the nearby mountains, waterfalls, river valleys and forests. Trails can be explored on foot, by bicycle and on horseback.

Get a taste: Traditional Cazorla fare is centred on lomo de orza (spiced pork) and grilled or stewed game (venison, wild boar).

Sierras Subb茅ticas

Roughly halfway between Granada and 颁贸谤诲辞产补, Andalusia鈥檚 Parque Natural Sierras Subb茅ticas comprises limestone crags, green valleys, deep canyons, springs and caves. The park鈥檚 attractions are many and varied, from the well-signposted walking trails through holm-oak woods, and the moderately challenging ascent of the Pico de la Ti帽osa (5151ft), to the Picacho de la Virgen de la Sierra 鈥� a traditional pilgrimage site. Cueva de la Cabra attracts spelunkers, while Los Murci茅lagos, the park鈥檚 most famous cave, is rich in Neolithic art. Base yourself either in the castle-topped, formerly Moorish village of Zuheros, or in the whitewashed Priego de 颁贸谤诲辞产补.

Get a taste: Treat yourself to the Cordoban specialty of salmorejo 鈥� a thick, savory cousin of gazpacho.

Sierra de Francia

Minor roads southwest of Salamanca lead to the Sierra de Francia, a mountainous, remote corner of Castilla y Le贸n, studded with timeless stone-and-timber villages. At the heart of this little-trodden slice of wilderness is La Alberca, an appealing village comprising medieval, half-timbered houses that line the cobbled lanes. It makes a fine base for ascending the Pe帽a de Francia (5682ft) and exploring other nearby villages. These include Miranda del Casta帽ar, a huddle of stone houses on a narrow ridge; Mogarraz, with more than 300 portraits of past and present inhabitants scattered about town; and San Mart铆n de Casta帽ar, dominated by a handsome castle.

Get a taste: Embutidos (cured meats) are the specialty here, and don鈥檛 miss versos Microbodega, a boutique winery in San Mart铆n de Casta帽ar.

R铆as Altas

If driving through Galicia, take the winding, narrow roads along the wild, northernmost stretch of coast from the historic port of A Coru帽a to Ribadeo. Pass through the estuary port of Betanzos, lingering in taverns over seafood and wine, then pause in Pontedeume to watch fishing boats bob on the bay. Further north, you鈥檒l pass through the Atlantic coastal forest of Parque Natural Fragas do Eume and the small maritime port of Cedeira, beyond which, Galicia鈥檚 rugged cliffs and deserted coastline begin in earnest. Detour to Cabo Ortegal to watch the Atlantic break violently against the cliffs and pause at scenic half-moon crescents of sand on your way to the Bares Peninsula, crisscrossed by walking trails and home to the classic, whitewashed fishing villages of Porto de Bares and O Barqueiro.

Get a taste: Galicia is all about seafood, so get your fill of percebes (goose barnacles), ameixas (clams), centollos (spider crabs) and the classic pulpo a feira (octopus slices in olive oil and paprika).

Lekeitio

Sitting above two sandy beaches, this low-key Basque Country town is located halfway between its famous neighbors of Bilbao and San Sebasti谩n. Its historic core is dominated by a Gothic basilica, and its harbor, lined with brightly painted half-timbered buildings, is highly photogenic. One of Lekeitio鈥檚 biggest attraction is the Isla de San Nicol谩s where you can wander at low tide.

Get a taste: Pintxo bars are a Basque Country staple, where you can pair glasses of semi-sparkling txakoli wine with pintxos 鈥� tiny, elaborate open sandwiches. It鈥檚 a 45-minute drive from Lekeitio to Asador Etxebarri 鈥� one of the world鈥檚 best restaurants, where everything 鈥� from caviar to game 鈥� is wood-smoked on the grill.