Andalucía in southern Spain is renowned for its charming white villages, but according to National Geographic, two of them take things further. The publication has listed Setenil de las Bodegas and Soportújar as the most unusual villages in Spain. Read on to find out why these two beautiful villages made the grade on National Geographic.

Two villages in Andalucía rated most ‘unusual’ in Spain

When visiting Andalucía in southern Spain, many people just stick to the Costa del Sol and all its great beach towns. However, this region has so much more to offer, particularly the famous white villages of Spain. While they all feature whitewashed homes in cobblestone streets, with lively town squares, these two picturesque destinations are unique in their unusual attractions. Read on to find out more.

Setenil de las Bodegas, Cadiz

Located in Cadiz Province, Setenil de las Bodegas is built under the shelter of massive rocks.  The homes were originally carved out from caves in the rocks and given functional façades. Meanwhile, this was a truly functional choice for the inhabitants of the village as the rocks offer shade and coolness in the hot summer months.

Due to its unusual appearance, Setenil is an obligatory stop on the famous Route of the White Villages of Cadiz. With the homes carved directly into the limestone, it also gives the village a unique and unusual aesthetic and attracts visitors from around the globe. Meanwhile, Setenil has a lot of mysteries to be explored with its legends of ghosts and strange, dark beings in the night.

Soportújar in Granada Province, Andalucía, Spain

The second most unusual village in Andalucía is set at the foot of the Sierra Nevada Natural Park in the heart of the mountains in Granada. The picturesque village is strategically located along the Guadalfeo River, which makes it attractive enough for visitors. However, Soportújar is renowned for something even more extraordinary. In fact, the village has a rich tradition of witchcraft, as well as a spiritual link to Buddhism.

With the imposing mountain protecting the village, its enigmatic atmosphere is backed by legends of witches and warlocks, said to have lived here since ancient times.

Locations like the fountain pictured above, the Enchanted Bridge and the Witch’s Eye Cave immerse tourists in a mysterious world. While fascinating all year round, the village transforms during certain months of the year into a paranormal festival scene, where costumed events evoke mystery and wonder.

However, in a surprising twist to its history, Soportújar now hosts the O’Sel Ling Buddhist Centre. Meanwhile, the center was opened 30 years ago and was blessed by none other than the Dalai Lama, making it a place of pilgrimage and retreat for those seeking inner peace.

Which are the other unusual villages in Spain according to National Geographic?

While Setenil and Soportújar came out tops, the following reveals the list of other unusual villages in Spain that stand out from the ordinary.

• Molina de Aragón, Guadalajara
• Castellfollit de la Roca, Gerona
• Roda de Isábena, Huesca
• Sallent de Gállego, Huesca
• Valpuesta, Burgos
• Almadén, Ciudad Real
• Petilla de Aragón, Navarra
• Llívia, Gerona
• Trasmoz, Zaragoza
• Mendavia, Navarra
• Camarena de la Sierra, Teruel

National Geographic has confirmed something that many of us already knew about Spain. The country is full of surprises and is a wonderful place to explore.