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If you’re looking for a weekend escape that feels like stepping into a postcard, Cádiz province has just delivered three perfect picks. Condé Nast Traveler has named Arcos de la Frontera, Olvera and Zahara de la Sierra among Spain’s 60 most beautiful villages. These small whitewashed treasures feature stone streets and castle walls where time seems to stand still.

 

 

First up is Arcos de la Frontera, the official start of Cádiz’s famous White Villages route. Perched high above the Jerez countryside and Guadalete Valley, this architectural jewel looks out over a landscape that once cradled the Taifa of Arcos and later the Duchy of Arcos. Spot its twin landmarks from miles away: the churches of San Francisco and San Pedro.

 

Condé Nast Traveler calls it “a jewel whose architecture gazes at the horizon, steeped in history.” And the food? Don’t miss the alboronía stew or chickpeas cooked with thyme. Pure comfort on a plate.

 

Then there’s Zahara de la Sierra, where a Moorish keep towers over the Sierra de Grazalema Natural Park. Climb up for jaw-dropping views, then wander down to the Church of Santa María de la Mesa and grab some gañotes. These crisp almond and cinnamon pastries are worth the trip alone.

 

“It’s a must-see stop on the route of the white villages of Cádiz,” the magazine notes, and you’ll see why as sunlight bounces off the brilliant white houses.

 

Rounding out the trio is Olvera, where a Moorish castle and Christian church crown a rocky promontory.

 

Whitewashed houses spill down the slopes below, creating a scene so striking that Condé Nast Traveler declares it “undoubtedly a must-see place before you die.”

 

 

These Cádiz beauties join other Spanish icons on the list, from Llanes in Asturias and Ronda in Málaga to Albarracín in Teruel and Caravaca de la Cruz in Murcia. The full ranking celebrates places “where time has stood still amidst stone houses, castles, and walls.” Perfect for anyone craving a break from the everyday.

 

So if spring is calling you to the countryside, pack a camera and a sweet tooth. These three Cádiz villages are waiting to show you what “paradise” really looks like.

 

 

Images: Walkator/Pexels and Makalu/Pixabay