Aragón does not stop receiving praise from renowned publications, thanks to its rich and varied heritage, spectacular natural landscapes and charming towns.
Last March, the French newspaper 'Le Monde' placed Riglos among the favourite destinations to visit in 2022, last year, Loarre Castle was chosen as the most beautiful in Spain by the followers of the Lonely Planet Instagram account, and was among the 15 most beautiful in the world, according to 'National Geographic'. In addition, the British site Uswitch placed Albarracín as one of the most beautiful towns in Europe. Also worth mentioning that the Ordesa National Park has recently been chosen as the best in Aragon by the followers of Lonely Planet Spain on Instagram.
On this occasion, the aforementioned publication 'National Geographic' has selected four medieval Aragonese villages among the 30 most beautiful in Spain. Beautiful towns with cobbled streets and, often, prominent slopes, where it seems that time has stopped. These are the towns of Daroca, in the province of Zaragoza, Albarracín, in Teruel, and the Huesca Alquézar and Aínsa. Of these, three (Albarracín, Alquézar and Aínsa) are part of the selection of 'The most beautiful villages in Spain', in which Aragón has a total of 13 towns.
Daroca
This Zaragoza town, which is most famous for its wall, has managed to maintain its marked medieval flavour over time, which is why it is well worth a visit. This can be done as a day visit from the Aragonese capital, as it is only 83 kilometres away. In addition to walking along the wall, which is four kilometres long, it is essential to visit the Collegiate Church of Santa María, which guards the famous Corporales and also houses the Diocesan Museum. The publication highlights that its towers, which welcome the traveller, can boast about being one of the most beautiful on the peninsula.
Another thing that everybody must see when visiting the town is the visit to the Manuel Segura pastry shop. And if you have time, drop by Anento, a small town that appears on the list of the most beautiful in Spain.
Albarracin
The town of Teruel is one of the main tourist attractions in Aragon. National and international visitors pass through its streets at any time of the year, attracted by the alleys of its historic centre, historic buildings, museums and a natural environment of great beauty with the Albarracín Cultural Park and the Rodeno Pinares Protected Area. 'National Geographic' recommends walking the wall that surrounds the municipality and stopping at the Plaza Mayor and Calle de la Catedral.
Alquezar
This town in Somontano, located in the heart of the Sierra y Cañones de Guara Natural Park, also knows a lot about beauty, whose medieval past is clearly reflected in its irregular layout and narrow streets. Declared a historic-artistic complex, it combines a fairytale image with adventure tourism, chic hotels and a high-end gastronomic variety. The publication highlights its castle-collegiate church of Santa María, one of its main treasures, and the impressive views that the town's viewpoint offers of the town and its surroundings. The main square (or that of Rafael Ayerbe) or the church of San Miguel are also worth visiting.
Along with the essential walk through its streets, whoever arrives in Alquézar cannot leave without going through the footbridges over the Vero, which surrounds the town. A route through nature suitable for family enjoyment through the interior of the river canyon.
Ainsa
Around the 12th and 13th centuries, this square was built, which today preserves all its essence, becoming one of the most beautiful in Spain. It still preserves the remains of the first wall, although the characteristic element of the porticoed square is the semicircular arches.
'National Geographic' also highlights this beautiful corner of the Pyrenees that serves as the gateway to the Ordesa National Park. Its old town is one of the best preserved, declared a historic-artistic complex in 1931. The Plaza Mayor, the epicentre of the town's cultural activity, is the maximum expression of the medieval past of this town, one of the most visited in the province from Huesca. Other important tourist spots in the city are the Romanesque Church of Santa María and the castle walls. Among its rich gastronomic offer, Aínsa can boast of having a Michelin star restaurant: Callizo.
Its surroundings also offer different possibilities to practice adventure sports, such as rafting or canyoning in the Añisclo Canyon area or rock climbing.