Share The Article

It’s that time of year again.

As we enter summer, residents in touristy cities across Spain are once again locking up arms and flocking to the streets to protest against tourists.

It’s mostly demonstrations—with the usual ‘Go Home!’ picket signs—but they can be disconcerting to some, especially if they’re sensitive about feeling unwelcome.

On the other hand, in cities like Barcelona, even attacks have been recorded:

There have been instances of tourists being shouted at, or even chased down by locals with water pistols in the Catalonian metropolis, and innocuous as water may be, you’d have every right to find that a threatening behavior.

Thankfully, not all locals in every city in Spain are out to get you, with 5 offbeat destinations continuing to welcome visitors with open arms, and no recent protests:

A Coruña

A historic port city straddling the North Atlantic, in the much-overlooked northwestern region of Galicia, A Coruña combines ancient charm and coastal relaxation:

It is home to the Tower of Hercules, the best-preserved Roman lighthouse still standing, a maze-like, medieval Old Town centered around an arcaded Plaza de María Pita, and a golden-sand Riazor Beach, backed by elegant condos and tapas bars.

Despite its obvious cultural appeal and beautiful coastline, A Coruña continues to be ignored by your usual Sitges or Benidorm-bound tourist, and as a result, locals aren’t particularly dismissive, much less angry towards guests:

Whether you’re just grabbing a beer alfresco at Gloria Bendita or exploring the historic center, fear not: an unpleasant encounter with a Galician is highly unlikely.

Burgos

Now, if you’re an architecture buff and you’re craving some of that Old World charm, but you don’t feel like braving the crowds in Girona, the lesser-known Burgos is a great alternative:

Nestled in the verdant hinterlands of Castille and León, in central Spain, it is a largely intact medieval city dominated by a UNESCO-listed Cathedral of St. Mary. With a soaring portal, flying buttresses, and flanked by richly ornamented bell towers, it is one of Europe’s grandest Gothic monuments.

The medieval Old Town is equally fascinating, with its cobble-paved alleys and Renaissance-era city gates, like the Arco de Santa María, decorated with statues of Castilian kings. On a hill overlooking the town, Burgos Castle is yet another must-see:

Originating in the 9th century, it was built to protect Burgos from the advances of Moorish conquerors. Though it is partly ruined, its historic allure remains unbeatable—and if we may add, the panoramic views atop the defensive walls are priceless.

Oh, you guessed it: Compared to larger cities in Spain, particularly those along the Mediterranean Coast, Burgos is as peaceful as they come.

Valladolid

Not to be confused with Mexico‘s Valladolid, Spain’s is a far less famous, yet just-as-stunning cultural hotspot characterized by its wealth of religious sites, regal palaces, and Columbus association:

The Gothic-style San Pablo Church, dating back to the 1400s, has the most intricately carved facade you’ll see anywhere in the Iberian Peninsula. The neighboring Royal Palace is typically Renaissance in character, with clean lines and a more austere look.

They are two of the main attractions in Valladolid’s Casco Histórico, which is noticeably more authentic and ‘lived-in’: picture charming plazas bordered by cafes where locals far outnumber tourists, narrow passageways where there’s actual room to breathe, and less-commercialized tapas eateries.

If you happen to be wondering what Valladolid’s connection to Columbus is, the Italian explorer passed away here in 1506, and you can visit his deathbed at Calle Colón 1.#

Cuenca

A historic settlement that’s seemingly famous among Spaniards, and Spaniards alone, Cuenca is a medieval pueblo perched atop a rocky ridge, with a string of cliff-side dwellings that sets it apart from the rest.

Its 14th-century Casas Colgadas, or Hanging Houses, are unique in Spain as they practically hang off the cliffs overlooking a gorge. These have undoubtedly drawn the attention of UNESCO’s culture aficionados, who have classed Cuenca as a World Heritage Site.

They are not the only noteworthy landmark around here, though:

Cuenca Cathedral, or as it is known locally, the Catedral de Santa María y San Julián is one of the first-ever Gothic cathedrals erected in Spanish soil, as far back as the 12th century, and for those of you who aren’t afraid of heights, make sure you check out the Puente de San Pablo:

An iconic iron footbridge spanning the gorge that sunders the town, it offers incredible views of the cliff-backed Cuenca, the surrounding nature, and of course, the omnipresent Hanging Houses—by the way, this is where those crowd-free, postcard-ready pictures are taken.

Share The Article

Many think of Mykonos as the quintessential Greek island getaway:

It is popular for a reason, as it ticks all the boxes for what makes a summer destination great, from the paradisaical beaches to the picture-perfect villages to the buzzing social scene—if you’re the kind to stay up for some late-night bar crawling, you’ll certainly find your crowd here.

However, the unchecked levels of tourism can be a tad excessive, and if you’ve been hoping for a warm welcome from locals, with genuine smiles and pouring sweet ouzo, you’ll be surprised to find that many of them have in fact been pushed out of the main towns.

Those have now been taken over by big developers and seasonal residents, to the point Mykonos hardly feels like your typical Aegean escape anymore.

Luckily, there are 226 other islands in Greece to pick from, and if you’re hoping for a Mykonos dupe that’s comparatively great for nightlife and with its fair share of cultural charm, you should hit a rapidly-rising Ios instead before it, too, gets spoiled by the masses:

Could Ios Be The Next Mykonos?

One of Greece’s destination highlights for the previous year, Aegean island of Ios looks set to keep increasing in popularity for 2025.

Despite its small size, at roughly 11 miles long and 10 miles wide, and small permanent population of around 2,300 people, it is rapidly establishing itself as one of the trendiest islands in the region after Mykonos and Santorini.

For starters, it has a Chora, or Main Town, with the traditional Cycladic blanche houses and bougainvillea-framed streets.

Other than having its every corner be Instagram-ready, Chora is home to a number of cultural landmarks, including the cathedral, with its chalk-like exterior and blue dome, the open-air Odysseus Elytis Theater, hosting concerts in summer, and a row of 12 windmills perched on a hilltop.

If we may add, they’re the perfect spot for catching those blood-orange Aegean sunsets.

The thing tourists seem to love the most about Ios, however, is how welcome they feel as tourists here:

Welcoming Locals & Hearty Greek Food

There are no ‘go home’ placards being brandished, no dismissive looks from angry locals, and whether you’re ordering food at a restaurant or simply browsing souvenirs at a local market, it’s good-old Aegean hospitality you’ll get.

The center of town is also peppered with family-run eateries, where they’re still serving yaya‘s homemade pastitsio and freshly-caught octopus soaked in homegrown olive oil.

You haven’t really engaged in a cultural immersion in Greece until you’re lying back on your alfresco cushioned seat, discreetly loosening your belt a little to better digest all that delicious tzatziki and the slow-cooked lamb, or how they call it here, kleftiko.

For the best traditional food in Ios, make sure you check out Drakos Taverna, by Mylopotas Beach, or the popular Almyra By The Sea—the latter even has a number of vegan options, a rare find in any small, staunchly-Greek island.

Additionally, we love Pathos for its seafood and innovative take on sushi, but it can get busy at certain hours: it is a beach club with a beautiful aqua-colored pool facing the Aegean, after all, and the thumping DJ music and affordable drinks tend to draw the young beach-going type.

How Does Ios Compare To Mykonos On The Nightlife Front?

Speaking of clubbing, Ios is a mini Mykonos in the making, without the shocking prices, and far more laid-back.

It had had a reputation as a party destination since at least the 80s when the first hippies and backpackers made landfall here, but as you’ll soon notice once you hit a bar or two, it has none of Mykonos’ stuck-up attitude.

In other words, you won’t find Lindsay Lohans and Paris Hiltons playing sets here all summer and dragging along with them the usual hordes of friendship bracelet-wearing, braided-haired, high-waist-skirt-wearing, kumbaya Beverly Hills girlies.

If anything, the smaller venues around Chora feel a touch more authentic, from the chilled-out cocktail bars, with Click and Atlas, to name a couple, to the full-fledged techno clubs, like the aforementioned Pathos or Disco 69.

Beautiful Beaches For Miles

As for the beaches, the Ios coast is a tourist attraction in its own right.

For the Ios-classic partying on a golden-sand strip, head out to Mylopotas, where a plethora of taverns and vibrant bars await.

If you’re keen on relaxing a little, Manganari is set on a peaceful bay laden with fine, ivory-white sands, and the seas are of the turquoise-most blue.

For something in the middle, not too quiet, but not as well-frequented as Mylopotas, Agia Theodoti Beach to the northeast has soft sands, shallow teal waters, and it even has a solitary tavern if you’re ever in need of refreshments.

Looking for that secretive nudist spot?

You should know every Greek island has them, and on Ios, Kolitsani Beach is your best bet at baring it all and becoming one with the lush Mediterranean nature without the judgmental gaze of passerby.

How To Get To Ios This Season

Ios is not exactly the most accessible of Greek islands, as it does not have its own airport.

Inconveniences aside, that’s part of the reason why it feels less impacted by mass tourism than Mykonos, Santorini, and other world-famous islands.

It doesn’t mean you’ll need to embark on a Homeric journey to get there, either.

Ios can easily be reached by boat, and the best ferry connections are found in the port of Athinios, in Santorini, with crossings taking approximately 35-45 minutes, and tickets costing as cheap as $33 when booked in advance.

In general, Ios is a very affordable island to visit, with tourists spending an average $85 per night on hotels, and around $20 on individual meals daily, according to Budget Your Trip.

This spring, the centrally-located Likno’s guesthouse, right in the heart of Chora, has entire studio apartments with sea views starting at $63 per adult, per night.

Ready For Your Trip? Check The Latest Entry Requirements For Your Destination Here

↓ Elevate Your Travel↓

Sign Up Now For Travel Off Path Premium! No ads, VIP Content, Personal Travel Concierge, Huge Savings, Daily Deals, Members Forum & More!

✈️Join Our Travel Off Path Community Forum: Where travelers unite, ask questions, share experiences and even find like-minded travel buddies!

SUBSCRIBE TO OUR LATEST POSTS

Enter your email address to subscribe to Travel Off Path’s latest breaking travel news, straight to your inbox.

This article originally appeared on TravelOffPath.com

Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post.

Share The Article

If you’re a digital nomad looking for someplace warm to escape winter, yet you’ve been discouraged from applying for Digital Nomad Visas due to the bureaucracy and high-income requirements, you’ve come to the right place.

Unless you’re making plans to actually immigrate, you don’t need a visa to live temporarily in a bunch of cool sunny spots in the Global South that welcome visitors for as long as half a year––or even more––even if they’re entering as tourists.

All it requires is a valid passport, and sometimes proof of accommodation and an outbound ticket to show you’ll be leaving once the six months are up––here are 5 of them:

Mexico

With coastlines on both the Pacific and Caribbean, culture-rich cities and pleasant temps year-round, Mexico is a no-brainer for American nomads planning a move abroad: it’s a short 2 to 3-hour flight away, the expat community is huge, and there’s a plethora of nomad-friendly destinations to pick from.

There’s Mexico City, with its diverse districts and cozy cafes, Playa Del Carmen, for the young, sociable beach bums, San Miguel de Allende, if you’re craving some Old World charm, and even up-and-coming Monterrey, a buzzing metropolis with an unmatched entrepreneurial vibe.

As America’s direct neighbor to the south, and every American’s go-to vacation in winter, Mexico is truly quite generous in its treatment of U.S. visitors, issuing them 6-month visas on the spot, with no requirement other than nationality.

Belize

Located just south of Mexico, Belize may well be one of the smallest nation-states in the Caribbean, but it certainly doesn’t suffer from a shortage of wonders, from the unruffled beaches and lengthy coral reef to the Mayan-dominated jungles dotted with ancient sites like Caracol and Altun Ha.

The official language of the country is English, making integration somewhat easier, and if you’re staying long-term, you’ll notice it can be fairly inexpensive as a nomad destination, with meals in local restaurants costing roughly $6, and rent starting at $249, as per Numbeo estimates.

The best part is, as an American citizen, you’re allowed to stay a whole 6 months uninterrupted in the Central American country, whether you’re taking a gap semester to travel or you’re planning on making a dreamy island like Caye Caulker your next office view.

El Salvador

In case you haven’t noticed, we’re going south, still: the former drug trafficking capital of Central America, and now one of the safest territories in the region, thanks to the zero-tolerance policy of incumbent President Nayib Buckle, El Salvador is a hidden gem that’s just now getting discovered.

Between the extensive Pacific coastline, interspersed with resort towns and untouched patches of jungle, and the volcano-backed hinterland, it is a paradise for nature enthusiasts, though city lovers won’t be disappointed in the national capital, San Salvador, and its lively social scene.

You’ll certainly be in no rush to leave, especially now that El Salvador has extended visa-free entry for Americans from 90 to a whopping 180 days, and this may be extended for an additional 90 if you apply up to 5 days before the six-month period is up.

That’s a total of 270 days in El Salvador, but if you’re going for the extension, you should know it’s not as straightforward as an on-arrival visa:

• Fill out form F44 from the official Migracion y Extranjeria website available here
• Purchase a new flight or bus ticket out of El Salvador for up to 90 days in the future
• Present proof of accommodation for the intended period of stay (hotel, Airbnb reservations)
• Gather proof you have the financial means to stay in the country (payment slips, bank statements)
• Upload a passport-style photo
• Copy all pages of your passport
• Ask a local person to accompany you to the immigration office in San Salvador, as a citizen of El Salvador must confirm your purpose of stay (this may be a friend or an Airbnb host, for example)
• Give authorities one additional local contact for further vertification (simply a name and phone number suffices)

You’re required to pay a fee of $25 when extending your visa.

Panama

Straddling the isthmus that links Central to South America, Panama is world-famous for its rainforests, self-titled canal, a magnificent feat of engineering cutting through the heart of the country, and linking the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, and of course, a bustling Panama City:

An overlooked capital boasting a well-preserved colonial core, fringed by towering skyscrapers and.a lush Natural Metropolitan Park, it is incredibly affordable by American standards: according to Nomad List, living there will set you back an average of $2,534 monthly.

So much the better, seeing you get to stay 6 months in Panama as a U.S. passport holder, so long as you satisfy one very simple requirement (which I suspect most of you do): you cannot have a criminal conviction––in that case, you’re denied entry and even transit.

Colombia

We made it to South America! More specifically, the verdant oasis in Colombia is where the turquoise Caribbean, towering Andean peaks, and the Amazon jungle all meet under one tricolor of yellow, blue, and red.

Be it for the museum-packed Bogota, dubbed Athens of the South, a colorful Medellin, host to coworking centers and a thriving backpacker scene, or even a colonial-era Cartagena, with its UNESCO-listed city walls and Baroque churches, Colombia is the new digital nomad darling.

Last but not least, it also exempts Americans from applying for visas for visitors of up to 6 months, with a slight caveat: upon arrival, you’ll be issued a 90-day entry stamp on your passport, but if you aim to stay longer, you must apply for a 90-day extension, El Salvador-style.

The good news is, that getting a tourist visa extension in Colombia is much easier than in El Salvador, so long as you do it before your initial visa expires:

• Access the official website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs
• Upload a PDF copy of the information page of your passport
• Upload a scan of your entry stamp issued at the airport upon arrival
• Present proof of onward travel leaving Colombia at the end of the 90 days
• Pay the $27.55 fee

…and you’re good to go!

↓ Elevate Your Travel↓

Sign Up Now For Travel Off Path Premium! No ads, VIP Content, Personal Travel Concierge, Huge Savings, Daily Deals, Members Forum & More!

✈️Join Our Travel Off Path Community Forum: Where travelers unite, ask questions, share experiences and even find like-minded travel buddies!

SUBSCRIBE TO OUR LATEST POSTS

Enter your email address to subscribe to Travel Off Path’s latest breaking travel news, straight to your inbox.

This article originally appeared on TravelOffPath.com

Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post.