For these trying to escape Barcelona’s crowds, head to this hidden-gem of a city simply two hours away.
For these trying to escape Barcelona’s crowds, head to this hidden-gem of a city simply 2 hours away (Picture: Getty)
Every year, vacationers flock to the Barcelona, some of the visited cities on this planet, of their tens of millions. In 2024, the Catalonian capital welcomed some 15 million vacationers – roughly 83% of which had been worldwide, with the US, UK, France and Italy being the highest supply markets.
It ought to come as no shock, subsequently, that Barcelona is struggling below the burden of mass tourism, with its iconic sights like La Sagrada Família, Park Güell, Casa Batlló and Casa Milà, now crowded and implementing strict customer caps. Nonetheless, simply two hours’ drive away is a Spanish city typically referred to as its “best-kept secret”. Situated within the excessive mountains of southern Aragon, it’s a metropolis famend for its gorgeous Moorish-influenced structure, romantic legends and even dinosaurs.
Teruel is also called a metropolis of lovers, because of the legend of Diego and Isabel (Picture: Getty)
Teruel is legendary for its UNESCO World Heritage Mudéjar structure – a novel model the place Christian and Muslim influences mix into intricate brickwork and vibrant ceramics. The towers of San Martín and El Salvador are town’s icons and a must-see attraction. Those that climb El Salvador are rewarded with a panoramic view of the city’s orange-tiled rooftops.
Make sure to not miss the Cathedral of Santa María’s so-called Sistine Chapel of Mudéjar artwork – a powerful Thirteenth-century polychrome wood ceiling. It’s a 100-foot-long wood “alfarje” (panelled ceiling), which, in contrast to many non secular ceilings that focus solely on saints, is filled with secular photographs. As you lookup, you’ll be able to see knights, craftsmen, musicians and unique animals.
Teruel is also called a metropolis of lovers. If Verona has Romeo and Juliet, Teruel has Diego and Isabel. Generally known as “Los Amantes de Teruel” (The Lovers of Teruel), their tragic Thirteenth-century love story is the guts of town’s identification. You possibly can go to the tombs the place the lovers lie, with their chilly bronze arms reaching out however by no means fairly touching.
In case you go to in mid-February, the whole metropolis is reworked right into a medieval stage for the “Bodas de Isabel de Segura”, with residents in interval costumes and renactments of the native legend. In 2026, the competition is especially particular because it celebrates its thirtieth anniversary and has just lately been elevated to a Fiesta of Worldwide Vacationer Curiosity.
The province can be one of many world’s most necessary paleontological websites. Dinópolis is an enormous theme park and museum that homes the stays of the Turiasaurus riodevensis – one of the most important dinosaurs ever present in Europe. If this weren’t sufficient for historical past buffs, Teruel was the location of one of many bloodiest battles of the Spanish Civil Warfare. You possibly can nonetheless go to close by bunkers and trenches which were preserved.
You can’t depart Teruel with out stopping to eat. It’s house to Jamón de Teruel, the primary ham in Spain to obtain a Protected Designation of Origin. It’s cured within the chilly, dry mountain air, giving it a fragile, salty flavour. The area can be well-known for its black truffles.
Solely half-hour away lies Albarracín, often voted essentially the most stunning village in Spain. Its pink-hued homes perched on a rocky cliffside make it appear to be a fairytale.
As Teruel is poorly served by public transport, you’ll seemingly should drive your self for 2 and a half hours south of Barcelona or two hours inland from Valencia.
Leave a Reply