All over the world travellers have become sick and tired of the number of tourists at overly packed destinations and the crowded sights. Now, it is possible to stay away from tourists – where the locals live

Experience the uniqueness and the authenticity where hardly any tourists get to visit.

New trend: Get away from tourism and find the authentic experience

One of the charming streets in Andalusia

Unfortunately Travellers who visit tourist areas experience crowds, traffic, noise and even scammers

There can be large flocks of tourists on organised tours who rush around in hordes taking selfies.

It can get so bad you can feel like cattle being herded around. A lot of times this will spoil the excitement of visiting even the most amazing attractions and it can even destroy your holiday.

The holiday crowds start at the airport and then when you arrive in a big city or a coastal town tourists are almost everywhere.

Local vendors and street artists approach you in German or English asking for money rather than actually offering something – or even worse selling souvenirs that are made-in-china.

Nowadays you have to book tickets for the big sights months in advance because of immense demand

When you get there you have to queue up and are then led around in big groups every half-hour with specific instructions about where and when you can take a photo.

More than likely you will also need to wait for all the other tourists to finish their selfies and then you will be rushed by a guide or an inspector so that you stay in your group.

This is not our idea of fun!

New trend: Get away from tourism and find the authentic experience

The “Patio de las Comedias” in Iznájar

People love travelling and they love seeing the big sights, however more and more travellers are opting out of the cattle-like treatment they receive at these major sights. They are also opting out of being seen as a money-generating ATM to be taken advantage of.

Travellers are now longing to be away from the crowds, away from mass tourism and away from being treated like cattle.

There are several known methods of getting off the beaten track, for example staying in caravans or staying with locals.

These options are not for everyone. Many travellers prefer the privacy and comfort of renting their own accommodation without having to book a room in a tourist hotel.

Private apartments and houses are now available in less well known areas

These can include residential areas or in the country side, enabling unique, authentic experiences without joining the tourist masses and without being treated like cattle.

There is now a counter-reaction; a new trend of planning holidays in order to avoid the crowded places and escape the tourist masses. It’s about getting out among the locals and finding the truly unique, authentic experiences in the villages and in nature.

It is also about experiencing less known but just as amazing attractions often hidden further away from the traditional tourist destinations.

There are almost unlimited possibilities, if only you are willing to plan for them.

None of the major tourism brands address this new trend specifically, however there are many small agencies serving the authenticity-hungry traveller, particularly in Spain. e.g. Casitas, Spain-Rural and Finca Nature Rentals.

Recently they been experiencing a significant increase in demand from travellers seeking a place to stay away from crowded coastal towns and cities and towards the pristine nature and untouched inland villages.

The first brand to launch with authentic stays away from the tourist crowds is Autentical, starting with 7 destinations in Spain and soon to cover the rest of Southern Europe.

Other players, both small agencies and big brands will join in to serve this upcoming trend over the coming years, creating a niche industry on its own.Unique accommodations away from mass tourism

At the moment there are lots of places to explore if you want to avoid the tourists

These places could be inland or a non-tourist place in a big city. It could be in an apartment or a villa in a residential areas where everyday citizens live – or in fashionable neighbourhood that has not been crowded by tourists yet.

The possibilities are endless for authentic experiences away from the crowds for the conscious traveller.

 

Selected – and unique – farm stays from Booking.com:

Bancalillo redondo – Dúrcal (Alpujarras)

Set in Dúrcal, 31 km from Granada Science Park and 33 km from San Juan de Dios Museum, Bancalillo redondo...

Tambor Del Llano – Grazalema (Cadiz)

Tambor Del Llano, a property with a bar, is set in Grazalema, 29 km from Iglesia de Santa María la...

Cortijo La Loma – La Isleta del Moro (Almería)

Situated in La Isleta del Moro, 1.1 km from Playa del Penon Blanco, Cortijo La Loma features accommodation with a...



Unique accommodation away from the crowds that might interest you:

Lakeside Andalusian Finca In A Protected Natural Park by The King’s Litte Walkway; The Caminito del Rey
Fantastic Finca for 2-5 Persons With Private Pool, near the village of Sayalonga, east of Malaga
Truly exceptional places to stay away from tourism in Andalusia
Exceptional rural cottage for 4-7 people located in a quiet environment with views of Sierra Nevada
Great Casita For 2-5 People In The Whitewashed Village Of Gaucin, Near Ronda
Fantastic Country House for 3-5 Persons, near Ronda and Setenil de las Bodegas. Paradise On Earth
Charming country house for 3-6 people with amazing views, by the Subbetica nature park, near Cordoba
Rural cottage for 2 persons in the whitewashed village of Cónchar, in the Alpujarras
Traditional Cave Houses for 2-5 persons in the cave house area of Baza, near Granada
Country house for 4-6 people with private pool near the whitewashed village of Comares
Cute Little Finca For 2-4 Persons With Private Pool Near Village Orgiva, In The Alpujarras
Other beautiful places to stay away from tourism in Malaga city
Holiday home with private pool near the beautiful Andalusian village of Comares
Relaxing house for 6 persons with stunning view and private pool
Studio Apartments for 2 Persons In Lakeside Andalusian Finca Near The Caminito del Rey
Beautiful places to stay directly in Gibraltar
Beautiful places to stay in or near Tarifa
Romantic Village House With Great Garden For 2 Persons In The Whitewashed Village Of Otivar, near Granada
Incredibly beautiful country house for up to 8 persons outside the whitewashed village of Olvera
Fantastic village house in the super-beautiful white village of Comares
Love Nest For 2 Persons, Between Seville And Cordoba. A love nest, wide and comfortable, full of charm, details and comforts.
Great And Cosy Finca With Pool For 2-5 Persons Outside Of Frigiliana, Near Nerja
Stone Cottages In A Peaceful Valley Near The Whitewashed Village Of Alajar
Traditional Country House For 4-6 Persons In The Heart Of The Alpujarras
Penthouse Apartment For Up To 7 Persons In The Center Of The Whitewashed Village Of Algodonales
Super Nice Cottages For 4-6 Persons Directly By The Viñuela Lake, East of Malaga
Cortijo Apartments For 2-3 Persons In An Old Restored Farmhouse In The Mountains Behind Malaga
Great Townhouse For 2 Persons With A Wonderful Patio Located In Olvera, Between Cadiz, Seville And Malaga
Other beautiful places to stay away from tourism in Marbella
Fantastic Townhouse For 3-5 Persons In a Tranquil Area Away From The Hectics Of The Coast
Beautiful apartment located in the center of Seville, in Plaza del Museo, everything within 10 minutes walk
Luxury Apartments For 4-6 Persons In A Fantastic And Tranquil Resort Away From The Hectic Of The Coast
Fantastic Apartment For 2-4 Persons, In A Charming, Historic House In Jerez de la Frontera
Villa For Up To 6 Persons With Waterfall In The Private Pool
Fantastic Luxury Villa For 8-12 Persons With Private Pool And Lots Of Beautiful Details
Beautiful Country House For 10-15 Persons With 3 Independent Accommodations And Great Views Over The Valley
Cottage For 2-4 Persons In A Pine Forest Directly By The Lake And The King’s Little Pathway; The Caminito Del Rey
1-, 2- And 3-Bedroom Bungalow Apartments With Sea Views In The Hills Behind The Coast
Great Manor House For 2-6 Persons In the Santa Cruz District Near The Center Of Seville
Stylish And Spacious Apartment For 2-3 Persons In The Trendy Soho District Of Malaga City
Great Duplex For 4-7 Persons With Terrace, Swimming Pool And Wifi, Next To The Mezquita Of Cordoba
Luxury Penthouse For 4-5 Persons In The Heart Of The Old Jewish Quarter Of Cordoba
Nice apartment for 2-4 Persons in a cozy mountain village near Granada
Great Apartment For 6 Persons In A Tranquil Complex Just A Few Minutes From The Atlantic Coast
Perfect House For Families Of Up To 5 Persons – With Private Pool And Complete Privacy
Large House For Up To 14 Persons – With 3 Independent Accommodations Near The Atlantic
Apartment For 2-3 Persons Located In The Old Town And Near The Beach
Cosy Little Cottages For 2-3 Persons In A Fantastic Nature Area By The Caminito Del Rey
Charming urban style apartment for 2-6 persons in the center of Granada city
Tranquil Villa For 2-4 People With Pool On The Seaside By Nerja
More Options Within The Cadiz Province
Other beautiful places to stay in Conil de la Frontera
Other beautiful places to stay away from the crowds in Granada
Other beautiful places to stay away from the crowds in Seville city center
Other beautiful places to stay away from tourism near Nerja and Frigiliana
Finca Apartment for 2 People With Amazing Panoramic Lake Views From Your Own Terrace
Places to Stay in El Chorro – for climbers and other nature lovers
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Don´t take our word for it! Hear our guests´ opinions:

Lakeside Andalusian Finca In A Protected Natural Park by The King’s Litte Walkway; The Caminito del Rey
Fantastic Finca for 2-5 Persons With Private Pool, near the village of Sayalonga, east of Malaga
Truly exceptional places to stay away from tourism in Andalusia
Exceptional rural cottage for 4-7 people located in a quiet environment with views of Sierra Nevada
Great Casita For 2-5 People In The Whitewashed Village Of Gaucin, Near Ronda
Fantastic Country House for 3-5 Persons, near Ronda and Setenil de las Bodegas. Paradise On Earth
Charming country house for 3-6 people with amazing views, by the Subbetica nature park, near Cordoba
Rural cottage for 2 persons in the whitewashed village of Cónchar, in the Alpujarras
Traditional Cave Houses for 2-5 persons in the cave house area of Baza, near Granada
Country house for 4-6 people with private pool near the whitewashed village of Comares
Cute Little Finca For 2-4 Persons With Private Pool Near Village Orgiva, In The Alpujarras
Other beautiful places to stay away from tourism in Malaga city
Holiday home with private pool near the beautiful Andalusian village of Comares
Relaxing house for 6 persons with stunning view and private pool
Studio Apartments for 2 Persons In Lakeside Andalusian Finca Near The Caminito del Rey
Beautiful places to stay directly in Gibraltar
Beautiful places to stay in or near Tarifa
Romantic Village House With Great Garden For 2 Persons In The Whitewashed Village Of Otivar, near Granada
Incredibly beautiful country house for up to 8 persons outside the whitewashed village of Olvera
Fantastic village house in the super-beautiful white village of Comares
Love Nest For 2 Persons, Between Seville And Cordoba. A love nest, wide and comfortable, full of charm, details and comforts.
Great And Cosy Finca With Pool For 2-5 Persons Outside Of Frigiliana, Near Nerja
Stone Cottages In A Peaceful Valley Near The Whitewashed Village Of Alajar
Traditional Country House For 4-6 Persons In The Heart Of The Alpujarras
Penthouse Apartment For Up To 7 Persons In The Center Of The Whitewashed Village Of Algodonales
Super Nice Cottages For 4-6 Persons Directly By The Viñuela Lake, East of Malaga
Cortijo Apartments For 2-3 Persons In An Old Restored Farmhouse In The Mountains Behind Malaga
Great Townhouse For 2 Persons With A Wonderful Patio Located In Olvera, Between Cadiz, Seville And Malaga
Other beautiful places to stay away from tourism in Marbella
Fantastic Townhouse For 3-5 Persons In a Tranquil Area Away From The Hectics Of The Coast
Beautiful apartment located in the center of Seville, in Plaza del Museo, everything within 10 minutes walk
Luxury Apartments For 4-6 Persons In A Fantastic And Tranquil Resort Away From The Hectic Of The Coast
Fantastic Apartment For 2-4 Persons, In A Charming, Historic House In Jerez de la Frontera
Villa For Up To 6 Persons With Waterfall In The Private Pool
Fantastic Luxury Villa For 8-12 Persons With Private Pool And Lots Of Beautiful Details
Beautiful Country House For 10-15 Persons With 3 Independent Accommodations And Great Views Over The Valley
Cottage For 2-4 Persons In A Pine Forest Directly By The Lake And The King’s Little Pathway; The Caminito Del Rey
1-, 2- And 3-Bedroom Bungalow Apartments With Sea Views In The Hills Behind The Coast
Great Manor House For 2-6 Persons In the Santa Cruz District Near The Center Of Seville
Stylish And Spacious Apartment For 2-3 Persons In The Trendy Soho District Of Malaga City
Great Duplex For 4-7 Persons With Terrace, Swimming Pool And Wifi, Next To The Mezquita Of Cordoba
Luxury Penthouse For 4-5 Persons In The Heart Of The Old Jewish Quarter Of Cordoba
Nice apartment for 2-4 Persons in a cozy mountain village near Granada
Great Apartment For 6 Persons In A Tranquil Complex Just A Few Minutes From The Atlantic Coast
Perfect House For Families Of Up To 5 Persons – With Private Pool And Complete Privacy
Large House For Up To 14 Persons – With 3 Independent Accommodations Near The Atlantic
Apartment For 2-3 Persons Located In The Old Town And Near The Beach
Cosy Little Cottages For 2-3 Persons In A Fantastic Nature Area By The Caminito Del Rey
Charming urban style apartment for 2-6 persons in the center of Granada city
Tranquil Villa For 2-4 People With Pool On The Seaside By Nerja
More Options Within The Cadiz Province
Other beautiful places to stay in Conil de la Frontera
Other beautiful places to stay away from the crowds in Granada
Other beautiful places to stay away from the crowds in Seville city center
Other beautiful places to stay away from tourism near Nerja and Frigiliana
Finca Apartment for 2 People With Amazing Panoramic Lake Views From Your Own Terrace
Places to Stay in El Chorro – for climbers and other nature lovers
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Don´t take our word for it! Hear our guests´ opinions:

“Our stay and Rikke and Michael’s place was incredible!”
“Our stay at Rikke and Mikes was fine”
“We stayed here as part of our Andalucian bicycle tour”
“El Arpa is a truly exceptional place”
“Rikke & Michael’s place was a perfect base for us to climb, walk and explore the gorgeous surrounding area”
“You rarely go to a place where the photos don’t do it justice, but this was just that.”
“Rikke and Michael’s place was perfect”
“Extremely peaceful”
“Amazing spot by the lake”
“The lake is beautiful and extremely peaceful.”
“Very very nice place”
“This place makes you connect with the nature its so beautiful there”
“Thank you both”
“My husband and I were traveling to Spain for a climbing holiday and stumbled upon El Arpa”
“Michael & Rikke were the most attentive and wonderful hosts you could imagine”
“Beautiful location”
“Great location for climbing”
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Other unique accommodations