Each time I travel to Teruel I am more amazed by this province. I have been there plenty of times, and I always discover some beautiful new village. In this article, I show you the most beautiful villages in Teruel in my experience. They are listed in alphabetical order.
1. Albarracín
Albarracín is one of the most famous villages in Teruel, and I can understand why. This towns is characterized by its reddish hue created by the red gypsum, material used to building and whose color intensifies when it rains. Its old quarter is pedestrian, so it’s great strolling through the streets and discovering beautiful nooks.
I recommend you to go further than the town itself, as there are really interesting places in the surroundings, such as the Albarracín-Cella Roman aqueduct.
2. Beceite
One of the most amazing areas in Teruel in terms of beautiful villages is the county of El Matarraña. Within it, Beceite is one of the most popular villages because of its beauty and its environment, where the natural area El Parrizal outstands.
3. Calaceite
Other of the most beautiful villages in Teruel is Calaceite, also located in Matarraña. From all its charming nooks, you can visit Plaza España and the church of la Asunción, that as an astonishing façade.
By the way, just 2 km from the village, you can visit the remains of the Iberian settlement of San Antonio de Calaceite.
4. Cantavieja
Among the beautiful villages of the Maestrazgo of Teruel is Cantavieja (something like “old woman sings” in Spanish). Behind this curious name, it lies a village with a Templar past, which remains reflected in its castle.
5. Cretas
Just 12 km from Calaceite is Cretas, another small town with a beautiful old quarter very well-preserved, and where there are located great manor houses such as Casa Turull or Casa Sapera. On a stroll around Cretas, you can’t miss its Plaza Mayor (Major Square), the center of the villa.
6. La Fresneda
Other medieval village in Matarraña whose Plaza Mayor looks like something out of a knights’ movie. If you have enough energy, you can walk up the narrow streets of La Fresneda to the Castle of Santa Bárbara. For a time, this belonged to the Order of Calatrava.
7. La Iglesuela del Cid
La Iglesuela del Cid is just 2 km to the frontier with Comunitat Valenciana. Their most outstanding buildings are from the centuries 16th to 18th. In the architecture of these centuries we can see Italian influences, which makes it a very special village.
8. Mirambel
This is the only village in the list that I don’t know yet, but I’ve heard that it is really beautiful, so I thought it was unfair not to mention it (I hope I can visit it soon). It is just 13 km from Cantavieja.
9. Mora de Rubielos
Mora de Rubielos is the capital town of the Gúdar-Javalambre region. It worths a visit mostly because of its castle, from where you have an amazing view, as well as because of the narrow streets that surround the old collegiate church of Santa María.
10. Mosqueruela
I admit that I didn’t know this town until it was recommended to me during one of my road trips around Teruel. What it started as an improptu stop with no expectations, it became a great discovery. For that reason, I can say that Mosqueruela is one of the most beautiful villages in Teruel.
11. Peñarroya de Tastavins
This village is pretty small, but I can’t help but recommend it because of how curious some of its buildings are. As it other towns from El Matarraña, you can visit its medieval prison (I’m warning you, some of them have sounds and shapes, I had some scares). 2 km from the village, you can visit Virgen de la Fuente Sancturary.
12. Rubielos de Mora
There is no room for rivalries here: both Mora de Rubielos and Rubielos de Mora deserve to be in this list. They are two towns that, even though they are very close to each othe, and they share name (in a different order) there are different, and both have their own charm.
In Rubielos de Mora, it stands out the city wall, as well as the gates to its ancient village, for example, Portal de San Antonio. Inside it, there are preserved beautiful palaces and manor houses that were built between the centuries 16th and 19th. In its Plaza del Sol (Sun Square), you can find the old collegiate church of Santa María La Mayor.
13. Valderrobres
Valderrobres is one of the most fascinating villages you can visit in Teruel. Its majestic entry by a medieval bridge gives you an idea about what to expect after crossing the city walls: a beautiful old quarter where time seems to have stopped.
As in most of the villages I’ve talked about, the best option is strolling around with no rush and let yourself be surprised by the nooks you’ll find, arriving to the highest part, where the castle and the church of Santa María La Mayor are. To know better its history and heritage, you can book a guided tour.
I hope this post helps you to discover beautiful villages in Teruel. As you can see, there are plenty you can choose from!
Pictures are from my travel blog in Spanish, Meraviglia, so I own the rights to them.
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