The town in Málaga where its neighbors compete to see who has the most beautiful balcony and patio full of flowers

As they emphasize, finding a less crowded destination in Spain during the summer months, especially in August, is highly difficult, but they give some hints about places, towns, and cities that you should have on your list if you are looking for absolute tranquility, away from the hustle and bustle, where peace prevails. With that difficult-to-replicate cocktail due to precise proportions, the travel magazine Traveler fine-tunes its aim and comes up with some interesting options, including a small town in Málaga with much to discover: Benalauría.

"If you want to escape the crowded beaches, the cities overrun with tourists, this will come closest to your desires...", they say about a selection that includes many corners of Spain, especially in the north, but also other locations in Andalusia such as Grazalema, in Cádiz, or El Rompido, in Huelva.

"Beyond Marbella and the entire Costa del Sol, usually crowded in August, there is a rural Málaga world waiting for you", they say about the province of Málaga and its interior, specifically the "tranquil Genal Valley, in the Serranía de Ronda" where they lead through the A-369 road, "which connects the 15 villages perched on the mountains" among which is the protagonist of this story, Benalauría.

About Benalauría, right in the heart of the Serranía de Ronda, they comment that it is a "charming white village where its residents compete to see who has the most beautiful balcony and patio filled with flowers," praising its beauty and the care of its streets, always full of colorful flowerpots. They specifically talk about a getaway in August, when the Moors and Christians Festival takes place, which they recommend, as well as a walk "through Plaza del Teniente Viñas, where the Town Hall and its noble houses from the 18th century are located, in addition to the Fuente and Fuentecilla where you can have a good drink".

Lastly, they recommend walking along "the High Street up to the Ethnographic Museum, the Plaza del Fresnillo and its fountain", and remind that "any spot" in the village "is perfect for enjoying some great views" towards the entire Genal Valley, a true delight for the senses.

Spain's least crowded destinations for a summer getaway according to Traveler

• Sierra de Os Ancares and Courel, Galicia
• Ezcaray, La Rioja
• Benalauría, Málaga
• Cambados, Galicia
• El Parque Natural de Cazorla, Jaén
• Grazalema, Cádiz
• El valle de Ibias, Asturias
• Puentedey, Burgos
• El valle de Cabuérniga, Cantabria
• El valle del Baztán, Navarra
• A Guarda, Galicia
• Tejeda, Gran Canaria
• El Rompido, Huelva
• Parque Natural Posets Maladeta, Huesca
• Llançà, Girona
• Parque Regional de Calblanque, Murcia
• Pallars Sobirà, Lleida
• La Serena, Badajoz

*In bold, the town of Benalauría in Málaga.