Alternative Winter Holidays in the Best Villages of Spain

Winter may seem like the best time of year to spend time at home, with family and friends, enjoying the warmth of home. But the truth is that the winter season can be ideal for traveling, if you know where to go.

It is always good to spend some time enjoying a hot chocolate or coffee, but the truth is that it is also advisable to indulge yourself, and visiting one of the most beautiful villages in Spain in winter can be a success. If this year you have decided to take advantage of a few days for a winter Spanish holiday, you may be interested in taking into account some of the following tourist destinations.

Albarracin

This small town of just 1,000 inhabitants has earned a place among the towns that are worth visiting in Spain. The walls, the castle, the cathedral… There are many elements that are worth seeing, including the typical reddish houses that can be found walking its streets. And to all this it would still be necessary to add the wonderful natural environment that surrounds the town and that, without a doubt, the visitor will not be able to ignore. In fact, the ecological value of its natural spaces is one of the most remarkable points of the Sierra de Albarracín.

Besalú

If we prefer to move to Girona, we can visit this town, in which a strong medieval mark stands out. Some essential points to visit in this village are its wonderful bridge and the beauty that overflows on the banks of the River Fluvia. Nor can we miss the Benedictine Monastery of San Pere and the old Jewish quarter, where it is possible to discover very curious places, such as the Mikvé. And if you are looking for something different, you can also combine a tour of the medieval streets with a visit to MicroMundi, a museum dedicated to miniature works of art.

Espot

We move to Lleida to talk about this small village, which is another treasure of Spanish geography. It is located near the Aigüestortes and Sant Maurici National Park, and in this valley it is possible to find multiple lakes that guarantee the enjoyment of a spectacular landscape. Once in the town, it is possible to find various architectural curiosities, such as the medieval watchtower and the two Romanesque bridges, as well as the Parish Church of Santa Llogaia. On the other hand, winter sports lovers can enjoy skiing at the Espot resort, found in a privileged location in the Pyrenees.

Morella

Morella, in the province of Castellón, is another city with a medieval old town that can be interesting to visit. Both its walls and its medieval towers and entrances are worth seeing. And, of course, you should not miss visiting its famous castle and the Convent of San Francisco. The imposing Basilica of Santa María la Mayor, as well as the various palaces and manor houses that can be found in the streets of the town, complete the image of a town that does not disappoint.

Piornedo

Piornedo is a small village in the province of Lugo. It is a perfect place to connect with nature due to its proximity to the Sierra de Ancares. In fact, if the objective is to enjoy the snow, you can visit the port of Ancares: is there a better way to take advantage of a trip in winter? It should also be added that in Piornedo you can visit the Church of Donís, the Chapel of San Lorenzo and the Palloza Museum, where you can discover more about this type of striking structures in which the inhabitants of the area used to live.

Frías

To the north of the province of Burgos is Frías, located in a strategic enclave. In this town it is possible to find very interesting places full of history, such as the Church of San Vicente (characterized by the combination of different architectural styles), the Plaza de los Granos or the Castillo de los Duques de Frías. It is also possible to access the El Peñasco viewpoint to enjoy the incredible views offered by both the municipality and the surrounding area. And in the surroundings it is also possible to find very striking environments, such as the medieval bridge of Frías, the Hermitage of Santa María de la Hoz or the Paseo del Molinar and the Tobera Waterfalls. In short, it is a very complete tourist destination.

Trujillo

This time we have to move to the province of Cáceres to get to Trujillo, another place worth visiting. Christians, Jews and Muslims coexisted in this population, which is reflected in the beauty of its streets and corners. It has architectural jewels that the tourist cannot miss starting with its walls and the castle, and passing through the different parish churches (Santa María la Mayor, San Francisco and San Martín), without forgetting the incredible palaces that it is possible to find (such as the Palace of the Dukes of San Carlos) . On the other hand, the Mirador de las Monjas will offer you an unforgettable view of this interesting place.

Chinchón

In the Community of Madrid it is possible to find another village that, without a doubt, is worth visiting in winter. We are talking about Chinchón. Its Plaza Mayor stands out, famous for its peculiar structure and its green balconies that hang over it. And the visit to the Clock Tower is also essential. All this without forgetting the Lope de Vega Theater, the San Agustín Convent, the Castillo de los Condes or the Castillo de Casasola. In short, it is worth knowing the architecture of Chinchón and all that this town has to offer.

Valverde de los Arroyos

Last but not least, we have to talk about Valverde de los Arroyos, in the province of Guadalajara, since it is undoubtedly another interesting winter tourism destination. Slate, as the main building material, marks the aesthetics of this place, giving it a special charm. In the Plaza Mayor you can enjoy the wonderful picture offered by the traditional houses and the Church of San Ildefonso. And the aesthetics of the place is magnified even more thanks to the vision of Pico Ocejón. In fact, if the objective is to connect with nature and get away from the more urban environment, it is also possible to visit the Chorreras of Despeñalagua: a set of stepped waterfalls that make up a truly impressive waterfall.

Have you already decided where you are going to travel this winter? Although we have told you about some towns and places that are really worth visiting at this time of year, the truth is that the Spanish geography is full of small charming places that can become a discovery for those tourists who are willing to find them.