The Andalusian city that goes unnoticed by tourists and that the British recommend

In a land as renowned for its history and beauty as Andalusia, there are cities that have yet to be absorbed by mass tourism . One of them is Jaén, a capital unknown to visitors, which is nevertheless beginning to tentatively appear on the radar of international tourism thanks to its authenticity, its monumental heritage, and its natural surroundings. This is recognized by the prestigious British newspaper The Guardian, which in a recent publication included Jaén among the little-known Spanish destinations worth a visit.

In its report titled "Readers' travel tips on unsung Spain," the British newspaper gives its readers a voice to highlight quiet, little-explored places in Spain, far from mass tourism. In this context, Jaén emerges as one of the article's surprises.

“The city and province of Jaén can go unnoticed by tourists heading to nearby Granada or Córdoba. This is a shame, as they are full of Renaissance architecture, including a magnificent cathedral, and are famous for being one of the birthplaces of olive oil. Thanks to its historic location between Christian Castile and Muslim Granada, the city is surrounded by castles. I recommend staying at the Parador de Jaén. It sits atop Santa Catalina Hill, next to the castle, and the views of the Sierra Morena from its rooms are unparalleled,” the English article explains, referring to a reader's recommendation, with an image of Jaén's cathedral opening the article.

The choice is no coincidence. For years, Jaén has been largely forgotten by tourism, overshadowed by cities like Granada, Córdoba, and Seville. However, visitors discover an authentic city with a first-class cultural and historical offering. The Cathedral of the Assumption, a masterpiece of the Spanish Renaissance, dominates the city skyline and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Underground, the Arab Baths of the Villardompardo Palace connect visitors with the city's Andalusian past, while the Castle of Santa Catalina offers unparalleled views of the surrounding sea of ​​olive trees.

Beyond its historical legacy, Jaén has experienced a boom in recent years, establishing it as one of the most powerful culinary destinations in southern Spain. The city currently has four Michelin-starred restaurants—Bagá, Dama Juana, Radis, and Malak—located just 200 meters apart in the San Ildefonso neighborhood. This makes Jaén one of the cities with the highest density of haute cuisine in Europe relative to its size, and an emerging culinary benchmark both within and outside of Andalusia.

The fact that The Guardian highlights it as one of Spain's best-kept tourism secrets is a sign of the growing interest Jaén is generating beyond our borders. A city that is beginning to be recognized for what it has always been: a place with history, heritage, enveloping nature, culture, and gastronomy, waiting with open arms to be discovered.

Jaén represents that " other Spain " The Guardian speaks of, also highlighting cities like Teruel, Cuenca, Suances, and Sanlúcar de Barrameda. It's a less photographed Spain, more leisurely and deeply authentic. In times of overcrowded cities and extreme experiences, its Renaissance, gastronomic, and serene offerings are gaining ever more value. The secret lies, precisely, in its discretion .