Researchers have suggested the places to go in Spain to avoid the huge crowds of tourists, and one of them is right next to a popular city that swells with visitors over the peak season. Overtourism has been a hot topic of conversation over the last few years, as locals in certain areas complain of overcrowding, environmental issues and traffic. This has led to widespread protests in places like Tenerife and Barcelona, and tourist taxes being put in place to put money back into local communities.

However, some spots, even in popular countries like Spain, haven’t been overwhelmed with tourists. Consumer researchers at Which? identified the places in Spain to go if you don’t want to be overwhelmed by the number of other tourists there. And one of them is “in the shadow” of a city that gets a huge amount of visitors every year, particularly in summer. It comes as tourists feel increasingly less welcome in hotspots like Barcelona, where local residents have gone as far as to spray visitors from abroad with water pistols.

Guy Hobbs, principal researcher at Which?, identified Jerez de la Frontera in Andalucia as a place to consider when considering travel to Spain this year. The small city sits “in the shadow” of Seville, which has seen tourist numbers swell over the past few years.

According to the Spanish travel site Mapping Spain, it is one of the most underrated cities in the sunny country. “Its orange blossom smells just as sweet, its flamenco is just as fiery, and at its heart Jerez is as historic as any of the big hitters – but without the tourist prices,” Hobbs said.

“It’s also the centre of the Spanish sherry scene, which, even if you’re not a fan, means you’re never far from fabulous food, particularly in the city’s tabancos – rustic, hole-in-the-wall bars where the wine flows straight from the barrel and spontaneous music can erupt at any time.”

Fr travellers from the UK, there are direct flights operating from Birmingham, London Gatwick, Leeds, Manchester and London Stansted.

There are several highlights of the city that tourists have rated highly. At number one on TripAdvisor, the top attraction is the Fundacion Real Escuela Andaluza del Arte Ecuestre (The Royal Andalusian School of Equestrian Art).

There is also Feria del Caballo, an historic festival that takes place in May. It features equastrian parades and Spanish horses, flamenco dances and delicious Spanish cuisine. It is one of the highlights of the year in the city, with tourists praising the lively atmosphere and the food.

Other top-rated attractions include Bodegas Tío Pepe, a winery located right in the centre of the city. Here, tourists can try local wines and learn all about the history of wine in Jerez de la Frontera.

For those who want to visit a beach while in Spain, they can quickly get to Cadiz, another underrated Spanish city with a scenic coast and fascinating history.

People have praised Jerez de la Frontera as a hidden gem online. One Reddit user shared: “Even after years of living in Spain, we are still amazed by how many (hidden) cultural treasures Andalucia has to offer. Jerez, located in the province of Cádiz, is renowned for its flamenco (with its own distinctive style), zambomba traditions, and its world-famous sherry production.”

As well as Jerez de la Frontera, the researchers identified several other Spanish spots to go to if you want to avoid the crowds and the tourist prices.

The list includes Cuenca in Castilla La Mancha, an historic medieval walled town that is renowned for its amazing scenery and culture. There is also Figueres in Girona, a colourful city that is around 90 minutes from Barcelona.

The full list can be viewed here.