The Spanish town with stunning natural beauty but without the crowds

Andújar, a Spanish municipality nestled in the province of Jaén within Andalusia, is the perfect place for a holiday without the crowds. Historically, Andújar was known for its earthenware jars, known as alcarrazas or botijos, crafted from local clay and designed to keep water cool . Summers are notoriously hot, with average high temperatures often surpassing 37.5 °C.

Andújar is reputed to have some of the highest average maximum summer temperatures in Europe. Nature lovers will enjoy the the Sierra de Andújar Natural Park, which offers a glimpse into the hilly landscape of the area. This sanctuary is home to a host of endangered species within , rugged mountains, and dense pine forests.

The park houses the largest population of Iberian lynx in the world, as well as wolves, Spanish imperial eagles, golden eagles, and black lovers.

There is also a reservoir at the end of the Jabalí-Encinarejo trail, which activities, from its natural beauty to its recreational areas.

Tourists can also escape the summer heat under the canopy of the lush forest, which runs alongside the Jandula River, making it the perfect walking route.

One person wrote on Tripadvisor: "The park is well respected with varied habitats. We went looking fo lynx but saw wild boar, otter, ibex, moufflon, Spanish Imperial Eagle, fallow and red deer - the haunting roar of the stags was everywhere. Our second visit, we love it here."

Another added: "This is certainly one of the wildest areas in Spain and the best for trying to spot lynx. This mid-mountain area offers sumptuous landscapes, alternating meadows and forests."

A third commented: "Fantastic wildlife. Great birds especially raptors! Best time would be spring and autumn for birding."