Where is the most famous leather-producing region in Spain?

In Spain, nestled among the surrounding mountains, lies a white hilltop town known for crafting luxury leather goods for many high-end brands.
Here, over half the population works in leather-related trades. Each artisan carries remarkable skills, much like masters hidden deep in the mountains — a secret guild of craftsmanship.
The residents of this quiet town are like modern-day warriors, each with their own unrivaled technique.
This is Ubrique, Spain’s legendary town of leather.

The Secluded White Mountain Town – Ubrique

You may have been to Spain and never heard of Ubrique — a small southern town tucked away in a secluded mountain valley, 75 miles south of Seville.
Surrounded by rugged peaks, this whitewashed village has no airport, no train station, and not even a fixed bus schedule. Whether you catch a ride often depends on luck.
Though it’s part of Europe, Ubrique feels worlds apart from fashion capitals like Paris, Milan, or London.
And yet, despite its remote location, this quiet town maintains a remarkably close connection to the world of high fashion.
How did such an isolated place become a hidden powerhouse in the luxury leather industry?

Ubrique’s leather industry boasts a history of over 200 years. It began with leather tanning and gradually evolved into the fine art of crafting leather goods.
Over time, the town shifted its focus entirely to craftsmanship — sourcing tanned leather from elsewhere and dedicating itself to the meticulous making of leather products.

Children here grow up watching their parents work, learning the craft almost by instinct. This generational knowledge has preserved a tradition of excellence that continues to draw the attention of international designers.

Today, more than half of Ubrique’s residents work in the leather trade. Their products are distributed not only throughout Spain, but also across the globe — often under the world’s most prestigious names.

According to the BBC, luxury brands like Loewe, Chanel, Dior, Carolina Herrera, Givenchy, Louis Vuitton, Gucci, Hermès, Chloé, and Cartier have all secretly commissioned local artisans to craft items like wallets and belts.
But almost no one outside the industry knows which atelier works for which label — every contract includes strict confidentiality clauses. In Ubrique, discretion is part of the craft.

In Ubrique, more than half of the population works in the leather goods industry, with 80% of the production dedicated to crafting pieces for high-end international brands.
In 2015 alone, this small town of just over 16,000 people generated an impressive €841 million in export revenue — a clear testament to the exceptional quality and global demand for its leather craftsmanship.

Many aspiring artisans from around the world hope to come here and learn the local techniques.
However, admission to Ubrique’s renowned leather schools is highly competitive — with limited seats and long waiting lists.
In this quiet mountain town, mastering leathercraft isn’t just a skill — it’s a legacy that people line up for.