When traveling in Spain, it's worth going off the beaten path and discovering places that rarely make it into mainstream tourist guides. One such treasure is the Museum of Salt and Pepper Shakers in the picturesque Castell de Guadalest near Alicante. It's the only collection in Europe devoted exclusively to these inconspicuous everyday objects. The museum boasts an impressive collection of more than 20,000 pieces from around the world, the oldest of which date back to the 19th century. Each tells its own story - from simple earthenware used by ordinary people to elaborately decorated silver sets from royal tables.

Nearby, also in Guadalest, is the equally fascinating Museum of Microminiatures. This is a place that literally forces you to strain your eyes, as all the exhibits are viewed through special magnifying glasses. The works on display in this museum are breathtaking - a statue of Liberty carved in the eye of a needle or paintings by Goya and Picasso painted on a fly's wing or a grain of rice. These microscopic masterpieces are proof of the extraordinary precision and patience of their creators, who were able to create works of art visible only under a microscope.

If you prefer the more obscure aspects of history, the Torture Museum in Santillana del Mar in Cantabria is sure to catch your attention. The exhibit showcases torture instruments from the Inquisition era, including guillotines, iron virgins and torture sticks. Each exhibit is accompanied by a detailed description that takes a closer look at the grim practices used in the Middle Ages. The museum is housed in a historic building, which adds to the atmosphere of horror and takes visitors back to the dark days of Spanish history.

On the other hand, in the north of the country, not far from Bilbao, where the famous Guggenheim Museum is located, you can visit the much less famous but equally fascinating Beret Museum. A former factory for these distinctive headgear has been transformed into a museum that showcases not only the berets themselves, but also the machinery used to make them and the entire manufacturing process. This place pays tribute to the local craftsmanship and traditions that have shaped the identity of the Baskonia region for centuries. Berets, a symbol of Basque culture, have their own shrine here, where you can learn about their history dating back to the 17th century.

But the real gem among Spain's unusual museums is the Museum of Nightshades in Ciudad de Rodrigo near Salamanca. This unique collection includes more than 1,300 nightstands from all over the world, including Poland. Some specimens date back as far as the 13th century and are not only a curiosity, but also a valuable source of knowledge about daily life, hygiene and customs of different eras and cultures. The museum shows how the design and functionality of these objects have changed over the centuries - from simple earthenware to the richly decorated porcelain wares of royal bedrooms.

Continuing your tour of Spain's unusual museums, it's impossible to miss the Pottery and Ceramics Museum in Toral de los Guzmanes in the Castilla y León region. This place boasts the world's largest collection of pots and ceramics, with more than 2,000 objects. The exhibition is housed in a historic palace, which adds to its charm. Among the exhibits are not only traditional earthenware, but also items made of glass, wood, metal and other materials. Each region of Spain has its own unique ceramic tradition, and the museum does an excellent job of presenting this diversity, showing how local raw materials, climate and traditions influenced the shape and decoration of the vessels.

For lovers of unusual subjects, the Melon Museum in Villaconejos will be a real treat. It is the only place of its kind in the world devoted entirely to the cultivation and history of this fruit. The museum showcases the tools needed to grow melons, the history and planting process, and the impact of melons on the lives of local residents. Villaconejos is famous for producing the best melons in Spain, and the tradition of growing them here dates back to Arab times. The museum tells the fascinating story of how this inconspicuous fruit became a cornerstone of the local economy and the region's cultural identity.

Also worth noting is the Maritime Museum (Museo Naval) in Madrid, which, while not as unusual as the previous ones, offers a fascinating journey through the history of the Spanish navy and expeditions to distant lands. Among the most valuable exhibits is the oldest existing map of the Americas, as well as numerous mock-ups of the ships and objects used to equip these vessels. The museum allows you to understand how great a naval power Spain once was and how its discoveries changed the face of the world.

Staying in Madrid, be sure to visit the Lázaro Galdiano Museum, which is housed in the former residence of the financier and collector of the same name. The collection includes several thousand artifacts and works of art that were collected by the owner. The exhibition is spread across dozens of rooms in his former home and includes works by such masters as El Greco, Goya and Velázquez, as well as works by well-known foreign artists. This place is a fascinating example of a private collector's passion that has turned into one of the most important museums in the country.

A must-see for literature fans should be the José Saramago Museum in Lanzarote. This Portuguese writer, Nobel Prize winner, spent the last years of his life on this very island. The museum showcases his life and work, and allows you to peek inside his home and studio. It's a place full of inspiration that allows you to better understand the work of one of the most important writers of the 20th century.

Comparing these unusual museums with more well-known institutions, such as the Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum or the Picasso Museum, there are important differences. While the latter attract crowds of tourists and offer displays of world-class artwork, the smaller, thematic museums allow for a more intimate and personal experience. Ticket prices tend to be lower (cheap to average) and visits take less time, making them an ideal complement to major tourist attractions.

Spanish museums are not just places to store and display objects - they are also spaces where fascinating stories come to life. One such place is the Sephardic Museum in Toledo, which, while not listed among the ten most unusual, is certainly worthy of attention. Housed in a former synagogue, this museum tells the story of the Jewish community that for centuries contributed to the cultural mosaic of Spain. The exhibition presents not only religious artifacts, but also objects of daily use that provide an understanding of what life was like for the Sephardim before their expulsion in 1492.

Returning to our list of unusual museums, it is worth noting how diverse aspects of life and culture they represent. From everyday objects (salt shakers, nightstands, pots) to local traditions (berets, melons) to the darker pages of history (instruments of torture), each of these places offers a unique perspective on Spanish cultural heritage.

Interestingly, many of these unusual museums were created by enthusiasts and collectors who have spent years collecting items related to their interests. The Salt and Pepper Shakers Museum in Guadalest, for example, was founded by a local collector who collected these inconspicuous items for more than 25 years. Similarly, the Museum of Nightshades in Ciudad de Rodrigo was created through the passion of one person who saw in these utilitarian objects a fascinating story of social and cultural change.

These smaller, thematic museums also offer a more intimate visiting experience. Unlike the crowded halls of the Prado or the Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao, where you have to squeeze between crowds of tourists, at the Beret Museum or the Pottery and Ceramics Museum you can quietly contemplate the exhibits, often in the company of passionate guides who enthusiastically share their knowledge.

The locations of these unusual museums are also worth noting. Many are located off the main tourist routes, in smaller towns that are tourist attractions in their own right. For example, Castell de Guadalest, home to the Museum of Salt and Pepper Shakers and the Museum of Microminiatures, is a picturesque village perched on top of a cliff that offers a spectacular view of the surrounding area. Santillana del Mar, on the other hand, where the Museum of Torture is located, is one of the best-preserved medieval towns in Spain, often referred to as the 'city of three lies' because it is neither sacred (santa), flat (llana) nor by the sea (del mar).

When visiting these unusual museums, pay attention to the local legends and stories associated with them. For example, the Museum of Torture in Santillana del Mar is associated with a dark legend about the ghost of an inquisitor who is said to still haunt the building. The Potty Museum in Ciudad de Rodrigo, on the other hand, features an amusing anecdote about King Philip V, who is said to have become so attached to his potty that he even took it with him to official audiences.

When comparing these unusual museums with more well-known institutions, such as the Prado or the Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum in Madrid, one can see that they offer a very different experience. While the big museums showcase acclaimed works of art and artifacts of great historical and artistic value, these smaller, thematic establishments allow you to look at history and culture from a completely different perspective - through the lens of everyday life, local traditions and niche passions. It is this diversity that makes Spain's museum offerings so rich and fascinating, offering something for everyone - from lovers of classic art to seekers of unusual experiences.