Spain has no shortage of beautiful cities, with stunning spots scattered all across the country. But despite that, many tourists still choose to visit the same overcrowded places year after year. Cities like Barcelona and Madrid are often packed with people and, at times, can feel far from welcoming because of the sheer number of visitors.

There are plenty of alternatives to places struggling with overtourism, and some of them offer just as much, if not more. One city in particular is now being described as not only a Barcelona dupe, but actually better by those who have visited. It offers the same lively food scene, walkable streets and strong local culture, but without the crowds that can take away from the experience.

The city is Logroño, the capital of La Rioja in northern Spain.

One person wrote on TripAdvisor: “Having been to both, I would highly recommend Logroño over Barcelona any day. It has that same amazing social culture and food scene but with about 90% fewer crowds. You can actually walk through the historic core near Calle Portales without being shoved.”

Another added: “Stunning city with so much history. We loved walking across the Stone Bridge (11th century!) just like the pilgrims. Don’t miss the Cathedral of Santa María la Redonda – they actually have a Michelangelo painting inside.

“Also, check out the Cubo de Revellín tower to see the old city walls. Very walkable and the honey-colored stone buildings at sunset are a dream for photos.”

A third wrote: “If you love wine, this is your mecca. The wine is cheap and world-class. We spent every night in the old town eating stuffed peppers and patatas a la riojana.”

Like Barcelona, Logroño is built around a strong social culture where food and drink are an extremely important part of daily life.

The city’s old town is filled with small bars and restaurants, where people move from place to place trying different dishes, similar to the tapas culture found in Barcelona.

It is also very easy to explore on foot, with most of the main sights located close together in the historic centre.

Both cities have a clear identity shaped by their regions, with Logroño reflecting La Rioja’s traditions just as Barcelona reflects Catalonia’s.

However, the key difference is scale. Logroño is far smaller, with around 152,000 residents, which means it does not experience the same level of tourism.

The streets are quieter, there are no long queues, and visitors can move around without feeling rushed.

The city also has a long history, especially linked to the Camino de Santiago. It became an important stop on the route from the 11th century, bringing people from across Europe through its streets. That history is still visible in its buildings and layout today.

The River Ebro runs through Logroño, with the Stone Bridge acting as one of its best-known landmarks.

Parts of the old city walls remain, including the Cubo de Revellín tower and the Charles V gate.

At the centre is the Cathedral of Santa María la Redonda, which overlooks one of the main squares.

Nearby, visitors can also find the Church of Santiago and the Church of San Bartolomé, the oldest church in the city.

Most importantly, the region is famous for its wine, and visitors can easily try local varieties across the city.

Traditional dishes such as patatas a la riojana and stuffed peppers are widely available, often served in small portions across different venues.