When one seeks to dive into Spain’s rich history and ancient traditions, there’s always a special place in every guidebook dedicated to medieval towns in Spain. These unique open-air museums allow us to travel back to the Middle Ages and visualize life as it used to be before gadgets and the internet took over. Check out this ultimate list of Spanish medieval towns, based on my 15+ years of travels across the country.

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Top 13 Medieval Towns in Spain

Exploring Medieval Architecture in Spain

The unlimited scope of Spanish national landmarks offers every visitor a unique opportunity to experience different epochs, both real and surreal, all in one trip. You can channel your inner cowboy while strolling down the streets of Wild West theme parks in Almeria, embrace your inner royalty while exploring the dreamy Spanish castles, and immerse yourself in magical forests and fairy-tale settings. For TV show fans, Spain also offers plenty of filming locations for Game of Thrones. However, in my opinion, it’s always the history enthusiasts who gain the most from exploring Spain (and Europe in general). The medieval towns in Spain provide the most complete fairytale experience in real life. Magic comes to life through the local medieval fairs, ancient love stories, and mystical Spanish legends. The allure of medieval architecture, beautiful cathedrals, ancient walls, and unique decorations all combine to give Spain’s medieval towns an unmatched charm. In this post, I’ve put together a few of my personal favorites after 15+ years of expat life in Spain. This article covers only my favorite medieval towns, but for a more extensive list, you can check out this post on beautiful villages or head to my full Google map of small towns here.

Which place in Spain is known for its medieval buildings?

Spain is renowned for its stunning medieval towns, but in my opinion, Albarracin stands out as one of the biggest gems when it comes to remarkably well-preserved medieval buildings.

What are the medieval provinces of Spain?

Spain if full of medieval towns set across its different regions. However, Castile-León, Castile La-Mancha, Aragon, Navarre, and Catalonia are known for the biggest number of well-preserved medieval landmarks.

What is the best walled medieval city in Spain?

Avila is renowned for having one of the best-preserved medieval walls in Europe, which encircles the city and showcases impressive architecture and history. Additionally, Toledo and Morella stand out as stunning examples of walled medieval cities, each offering a unique glimpse into Spain’s rich historical heritage.

What was the medieval capital of Spain?

Toledo, one of my favorite places in Spain, was the country’s medieval capital before Madrid. This historic city is renowned for its rich cultural heritage, showcasing a unique blend of Christian, Muslim, and Jewish influences in its architecture and history. Its stunning landmarks, such as the Cathedral and the Alcazar, reflect Toledo’s significance during the Middle Ages.

13 Must-see medieval towns in Spain

1. Albarracin

Albarracin is one of the best places to visit in Spain for fans of medieval architecture. A walk through its cobblestone streets, with pinkish buildings tumbling into each other and wooden balconies, feels like a tour at an open-air museum. You can read more about my recent weekend in Albarracin in this post.

2. Besalu

Besalu is officially known as one of the most unique weekend breaks from Barcelona. The most impressive landmark of this medieval town is its 150m-long Puente Viejo bridge, built in the 11th century to cross the local Fluvia River. In terms of its unique architecture and storybook appeal, it can only compete with the New Bridge of Ronda in Southern Spain. Besalu’s old town is considered one of the best-preserved medieval complexes in all of Europe.

3. Alquezar

Alquezar is one of the most unique places in the Pre-Pyrenees of Spain, known for its remarkable medieval architecture and the popular Spanish hike, Pasarelas del Vero. While I have visited this small town on multiple occasions, it remains one of my personal favorites in Spain.

4. Sos del Rey Catolico

Hidden away in the mountains of Aragon, Sos del Rey Católico is a beautifully preserved medieval town known as the birthplace of King Ferdinand II of Aragon, one of the most significant historical figures in Spanish history. This town is still such a hidden gem despite the fact that it often appears on lists of the most unique small towns in Spain. You can check out a video from my visit here.

5. Peñiscola

The stunning small town of Peñiscola is one of the top places to visit in the Province of Castellon, a Game of Thrones filming location, and a popular day trip from Valencia. The vibrant, narrow streets of Peñiscola are full of old charm, yet you can also find many places with a modern twist, bright facades, and inviting local shops. During the summer months, Peñiscola is a great spot to visit trendy bars, grab cocktails with friends, and enjoy the nightlife and beach activities. The most famous local landmark in Peñiscola is the Castle of Pope Luna. Rising 67 meters above the Mediterranean, it was the residence of Benedict XIII (Pope Luna) from 1417 to 1423. You can read more about Peñiscola in this post.

6. Montblanc

Montblanc is one of the lesser-known medieval towns in Spain and a must-stop on any Tarragona road trip. Established as the Ducado de Montblanc in 1387, this small town was once the seventh most important settlement in Catalonia. However, its years of splendor were soon followed by periods of decline due to wars and poor harvests. It wasn’t until the 18th century that Montblanc began to thrive again, thanks to the cultivation of vines. One of the town’s most unique features is its well-preserved medieval walls, which stretch 1,700 meters long and rise 6 meters high. Montblanc also celebrates Medieval Weeks every April and May (exact dates vary) and commemorates the popular Spanish legend of Saint George and the Dragon (or Sant Jordi i el Drac in Catalan). Check out the video from my visit here.

7. Ainsa

While I have visited Ainsa on multiple occasions during my Pyrenees road trips, I still enjoy its well-preserved medieval architecture and inspiring mountain setting. Ainsa is also a spectacular spot to enjoy sunsets. For some gorgeous views, head to Mirador Balcón de Aínsa and Mirador del Cinca.

8. Pedraza

The autonomous community of Castile-Leon is the Spanish region with the largest number of UNESCO World Heritage sites in the country. One of its most picture-perfect medieval small towns is Pedraza, which I visited during my epic road trip around Madrid. While there are traces of the Celtiberians, Romans, and Moors in the area, Pedraza’s splendor dates back to the 16th and 17th centuries. These lands were ideal for Merino sheep, leading to the production and trade of wool. Although Pedraza is a small village with only 500 inhabitants, its medieval architecture still reflects its former glory. Most of the noble houses can be found along Calle Real, and the City Hall is located in Plaza Mayor Square. Pedraza is also known for one of the best-preserved medieval prisons in Europe and its 13th-century castle, which houses paintings by Ignacio Zuloaga.

9. Avila

Ávila is the most famous walled city in Spain. Its towering medieval walls, lined with 88 towers and 9 gates, encircle a stunning old town that has been recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage site. No wonder Ávila is one of the most popular day trips from Madrid. You can get the best views from Cuatro Postes lookout.

10. Morella

Morella is a small medieval town in the Spanish province of Castellon that many travelers visit on a day trip from Valencia. There are many beautiful castles in Spain, but none has the epic setting that Morella does – it looks straight out of a storybook. You can read more details from my visit to Morella in this post.

11. Alarcon

Alarcón is a tiny fortified town considered one of the most unique places in the region of Cuenca in Central Spain. It is known for its distinctive Spanish castle, where you can stay overnight to channel your inner royalty, as it now serves as a luxurious Parador de Alarcon hotel. Its well-preserved medieval architecture makes it feel like a town from another era.

12. Olite

The medieval town of Olite is one of the biggest architectural gems in the Navarra region of Northern Spain, and it is renowned for its Royal Palace – one of Spain’s most dreamy castles. This medieval town offers an atmosphere straight out of a fairy tale, full of stunning examples of medieval architecture. Over the course of Spanish history, Navarra was an independent kingdom, which explains why Olite appears so prosperous and well-preserved. Check out the video from my visit here.

13. Valderrobres

Known as one of the most fairytale-looking towns in Teruel, Valderrobres is famous for its castle, Gothic church of Iglesia de Santa María la Mayor, and iconic medieval bridge, Puente de Piedra. It is considered one of the biggest gems of the Matarranya region, often called the secret Spanish Tuscany.

Map of the best Spanish medieval towns

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