Best Medieval Towns in Spain

Spain is a land of contrasts – there’s no doubt about that. There’s something for everyone, whether you’re searching for secluded sandy beaches, bustling and vibrant cities, spectacular mountain views or rural countryside. If you wanted to list the ten prettiest places in the country, it would be impossible because there are too many places to choose from.

And that’s why we’re here to help at On The Pulse. This week’s guide gives you the lowdown on the ten best medieval towns in Spain – great if you enjoy visiting exciting and interesting places with tonnes of history. Expect imposing castles looking down on medieval stone villages, cobbled streets, ancient city walls and so much more. Visit any of the following places and you’ll be transported back in time to a land of kings, queens and brave knights.

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Albarracín (Teruel)

When you think about the most picturesque historical towns in Spain, Albarracín is sure to figure near the top of the list. This town located in the province of Teruel in the autonomous region of Aragon is situated high up in the stony hills of the Sierra de Albarracín mountain range. The Guadalaviar River runs alongside. The population of the town has almost halved since the mid-1800s and these days only around 1,000 people live there. During the 1960s, Albarracín was declared a National Monument, which is not surprising when you consider the panoramic views and the strong castle wall that not only surrounds the town but runs up through the hills and around the whole municipality. The name Albarracín has Muslim origins and refers to the Al Banu Razin family that occupied the area when the Moors conquered the town in 1167. It wasn’t until 1284 that it was reconquered by the Christians, led by Peter III of Aragon. As well as walking around the walls of the town, it’s well worth taking the time to stroll around the narrow cobbled streets in the historic quarter contemplating how people lived around 800 years ago.

Besalú (Gerona)

The historic town of Besalú is one of the jewels of the autonomous region of Cataluña. It is located in the province of Girona and is a popular place to visit with tourists, both national and international. This well-preserved town was designated a ‘historical national property’ in 1966 and has some spectacular examples of medieval architecture that still stand today. Of particular interest is the Romanesque bridge that crosses the Fluvià River, which was built in the 12^th century. Besalú was also occupied by the Moors, but it was one of the first places on the peninsular that was reconquered by the Christians, in the 9^th century. Today, the principal buildings appear medieval in nature still after all this time and are truly imposing in what is now a small town with an unpretentious status. Must-sees apart from the Romanesque bridge include the 12^th century Jewish baths, the Santa María Church ruins, the Romanesque church of Santa Vicenç and the monastery of Sant Pere (1003).

Hervás (Cáceres)

This is definitely a place you have to visit if you love history and nature. The medieval village of Hervás is located in the province of Cáceres in the autonomous region of Extremadura. It is very close by to the Valley of Ambroz, one of the most astonishing places for nature and beauty, especially in autumn. While Hervás is an important town from the Middle Ages, it is probably most famous for the legacy left by the many Jews that settled there from the 15^th century onwards. In fact, its Jewish quarter is one of the features that attracts tourists to the area. The streets are narrow and windy and the houses are clustered together like bees in a beehive. In actual fact, Hervás boasts one of the narrowest streets in the whole of Spain at just 50cm wide. Of particular interest in Hervás is the 13^th century Renaissance church of Santa María de Aguas, the Baroque Dávila Palace built in the 18^th century, the convent of the Trinitarian Fathers from the 17^th century and the hermitage of San Andrés, although this is just a short list of the many monuments worth visiting.

Buitrago de Lozoya (Madrid)

The scenic medieval treasure of Buitrago de Lozoya is located just an hour away from Madrid. It’s situated high up right in the heart of the Sierra de Guadarrama and is surrounded by the Lozayo River – just the right spot to defend the town from invaders. The Buitrago de Lozoya castle is a magnificent sight and the walls around the town, which are of Moorish origin, have been well-maintained to the present day. The castle itself is Gothic in style and dates back to the 15^th century. As well as the castle and city walls, this village has a few surprises up its sleeves. It is the home to the Picasso Museum, which houses many original pieces of artwork by the famous Spanish painter. The reason why this small medieval village was chosen at the sight of some of his works is because of the special friendship between the artist from Málaga and his barber, who came from Buitrago. Other interesting things to see here include the Santa de María del Castillo Church (1321) and the recreational area of Riosequillo.

Peratallada (Girona)

Peratallada is another fortified medieval town situated in the Catalonia region. It’s 22km from Girona and just a 20-minute drive from the beach. Its name comes from the two words ‘pedra’ and ‘tallada’, which signify ‘carved stone’. As you can imagine, stone buildings and monuments feature greatly in this pretty medieval town, which has been declared a historic-artistic monument. The stone houses are charming and well-kept, flowers hang in baskets and plants are stationed outside in large pots. The windy stone streets lead to delightful squares, which are bustling with first-class restaurants, bars, artists’ galleries and shops. If it weren’t for the tourist numbers, you’d want to stay forever. The most dominant feature of Peratallada is the castle, with its tower, palace and walls, which takes centre stage in the town and which has been dated back to 1065. The 13^th century Romanesque Sant Esteve Church is found next to it. The Hollywood film Robin Hood, Prince of Thieves was partly filmed on location here.

Ronda (Málaga)

Ronda is a sight to behold when you witness it from afar, taking in its position 750m above sea level. Two sides of the old town are separated by the Guadalevín River on top of which the town itself majestically sits. Three impressive 18^th century bridges – Puente Romano, Puente Viejo and the Puente Nuevo – span the deep Tajo canyon below. But this is not a sleepy town hidden away, Ronda, which is located in the province of Málaga and in the region of Andalucía, has approximately 40,000 inhabitants and is one of the fastest-growing town in the whole region. As well as the breathtaking views that attract thousands to visit, Ronda is also the birthplace of modern bullfighting and boasts one of the oldest bullrings in Spain. The old town of Ronda has been classed as of national interest and history lovers will be fascinated by its medieval walls, the museums, the Mondragón Palace and delightful water gardens and so much more. The Arab baths dates back as far as the 13^th or 14^th century.

Ainsa (Huesca)

Ainsa is a small town with around 2,000 inhabitants located in the province of Huesca in the autonomous region of Aragon. The area is popular with skiers as it is situated close to the Pyrenees, but it is also well-known for its medieval history and architecture. The main feature of Ainsa is the castle with its walls, which are almost all intact. The castle is located in the old town at the foot of the main square, which has been deemed one of the prettiest in Spain. While the town itself it picturesque and well worth a visit, so too are its surroundings. Ainsa is located amongst several areas of natural beauty including the National Park of Ordesa, the Monte Perdido (Lost Mountain), the Benasque Valley and the Natural Park of la Sierra.

Peñafiel (Valladolid)

The Peñafiel Castle sits above the medieval village from its position on top of high ground. The town, with around 5,550 inhabitants, is situated in the province of Valladolid and in the autonomous region of Castilla y León, right in the heart of the wine-growing area of the Ribera del Duero. As you stroll around the ‘casco antiguo’, the smell of wine and roasted piglet on the open fire will hit you and accompany you on your trip. The imposing Peñafiel Castle has actually been converted into the Regional Wine Museum, which isn’t surprising taking into account the importance of this region for the wine sector in Spain. The main square, the Plaza del Coso, is somewhat of a fascinating feature as still to this day it is used to hold bullfights and festivals. Houses surround the main square but since medieval times the town hall owns the rights to use the owners’ balconies and doorways whenever a bullfight takes place. Another interesting feature are the chimneys that are scattered around the terrain. These actually sit on top of the ground and are vents for the underground caves below which were used to store all the wine cultivated in the area. The chimneys were put in place to allow the gases caused by fermentation to escape.

Sepúlveda (Segovia)

Sepúlveda in the province of Segovia in Castilla y León is known as the town of the Seven Doors. Sepúlveda is a fortified town that has preserved many of its medieval traits. Parts of its 10^th century city walls still exist, as do a number of its ‘doors’, like the main Puerta del Rocío or the Puerta del Ecce Homo. Another of the architectural highlights is the Romanesque El Salvador Church, which is said to date back to about 1093. Also of historical interest if the Santa María de la Peña Sanctuary. It is not only a beautiful example of history but its surroundings are also stunning as it is located looking out on to the Hoces del Río Duratón National Park. Sepúlveda also attracts visitors due to its excellence in culture and gastronomy.

Calatañazor (Soria)

While there are less than 100 inhabitants of this little medieval village in Soria, they probably wouldn’t give up living in this enchanting place that has the feeling that time has stopped for anything in the world. Calatañazor is situated on the top of a high rock that dominates the whole of the River Abión valley. It is completely enclosed by its medieval walls that are still intact. Within the walls of the town, you will be delighted by the charming houses all made from stone, adobe and wood. Of particular interest are the ruins of the former Calatañazor castle with its tower, the church of Nuestra Señora del Castillo, the Hermitage of la Soledad, the El Sabinar Park and the monument of Almanzor.

http://davidsbeenhere.com David's Been Here is touring all the top destinations and best day trips in Catalonia, Spain. In this short video, David pays a visit to the medieval town of Besalu. Amongst the top attractions in Besalu are the 12th century Romanesque Bridge (spanning the Fluvia River), the medieval city walls and the ancient Monastery of Sant Pere. Filled with beautiful sites and great historical significance, Besalu has been inhabited since the Roman Period, with its main attractions dating back to the 10th century. Situated at the entrance to the Pyrenees Mountains, this medieval visit is an unforgettable day trip in Spain's northeastern region.