With the snow-coated peaks of Picos de Europa to one shoulder and the waters of the Cantabrian Sea to the other, San Vicente de la Barquera really does embody the best of both worlds. It oozes medieval majesty; there’s a castle, remnants of an old town wall, and the 28-arch Puente de la Maza bridge, which reaches over half a mile (0.8km).

To taste the spoils of the town’s maritime setting, seek out some sorropotun, a tuna and potato hotpot.

Now read on for the most charming small towns and villages in Ireland

Spain’s most beautiful small towns and villages