I agree, when i backpacked through part of spain (Madrid, Pamplona, Barcelona) I liked the "less traveled" areas a lot more than the tourist attractions. Sure, the beach in Barcelona was nice, but it was also packed, and everything was overpriced. Much more fun wandering the city. I found a lot of nice mom&pop sandwich places, with nice people to try my broken spanish on

Too bad I didn't have a motorcycle to go cruise around on!