After traveling to Aragon on numerous occasions, I´m happy to share with you my recent road trip full of hidden gems and new surprises. This post is for those of you who want to explore Spain off the beaten track. Let me show you more of the beautiful Spanish region of Aragon.

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An Ultimate 4-day Aragon Road Trip Itinerary

My trips to Aragon

During my 15 years as an expat in Spain, many of my travel plans have involved visiting the Aragon region. Some of these trips have been featured in the Blog Series Undiscovered Spain, while others were only shared through IG stories.

Remember Teruel and its secret villages? The picture-perfect town of Albarracín? The romantic legend of Diego and Isabel? My Pyrenees road trip? The most haunted place in Spain – Belchite? The stunning Cathedral of Zaragoza? My first visit to Huesca? One of Spain’s dreamiest castles in Loarre? A road trip across Matarranya? My kids’ favorite, Dinópolis park? Or a day trip to Valdelinares to enjoy snow in Spain with the kids? All of these travel stories have one important thing in common: they all took place in the region of Aragon, officially known as the Spanish Autonomous Community of Aragon (but for simplicity, I’ll just call it Aragon in this post).

Where is Aragon

Aragon is an autonomous community located in northeastern Spain. It borders quite a few other Spanish Regions – Castile-La Mancha, Castile-Leon, Rioja, Valencian Community, Navarra, and Catalonia (by clicking on each province, you’ll find a collection of my posts dedicated to it, in case you want to extend this Aragon road trip and include another Spanish province in your itinerary).

The capital of Aragon is the city of Zaragoza, while the region encompasses three Spanish provinces: Teruel, Zaragoza, and Huesca. As a result, there’s plenty to explore when discussing the must-see places in Aragon. To give you a general overview: Zaragoza is the largest city and the business hub of the region, Huesca is a must-visit in the Spanish Pyrenees, and Teruel is one of the most underrated cities in all of Spain.

The best way to reach the Aragon region is by flying into Zaragoza. However, you can also easily get there by car from Tarragona, Barcelona, Reus, Castellón, or even Valencia.

Is Aragon worth visiting?

Aragon is home to some stunning Spanish landmarks and natural wonders, most of which are still in the shadow when it comes to international visitors. So, a newbie traveler won’t have to deal with long lines, traffic jams, or tourist traps in this Spanish Autonomous Community. It still feels very local and authentic.

While passing through the remote villages of Aragon, I always have a bittersweet feeling. On one hand, I enjoy having it almost all to myself, but on the other hand, it’s sad to see how deserted some areas are. This often means that younger generations are forced to leave to find jobs in larger Spanish cities. So, being a tourist in non-touristy Spain can help support local communities, businesses, and talents. Abandoned villages are a significant issue in Spain, although some, like Fanzara, have managed to reinvent themselves and thrive.

Did you know that Spain’s origins can be traced back to the union of the Catholic Monarchs, Isabella of Castile and Ferdinand of Aragon? As a result, the Autonomous Communities of Castile-La Mancha and Aragon were at the heart of the creation of modern Spain. I can say with certainty that both regions still preserve the authentic charm and non-touristy appeal of traditional Spain.

Where to stay in Aragon

You can check top hotels in Aragon via this map:

When to visit Aragon

This time, I traveled to Aragon in June, and we were lucky with the weather as it was mostly cloudy. If you plan to travel in the summer, keep in mind that central Spain gets very hot, and finding shade on the road can be difficult. Even with similar temperatures, Valencia, Catalonia, and the Spanish islands feel less exhausting in summer due to the Mediterranean Sea. Honestly, the last time I stopped in Zaragoza for lunch on the way to Asturias (in July), I couldn’t even stay outside – it felt more like a desert.

For me, the best time to visit Aragon and enjoy its landmarks is in spring or autumn. However, the Pyrenees mountains of Aragon, especially the areas above the town of Jaca and the Pre-Pyrenees, are a different story. Summer is definitely a great time to fully enjoy these mountain landscapes there.

Aragon Road Trip Itinerary

Traveling to Aragon – Day 1

As we traveled from Castellón to Aragón (with the kids), it was important for me to plan a few interesting stops along the way. The first day of our road trip was filled with stunning, otherworldly Spanish landscapes that I was discovering for the first time myself.

Sima de San Pedro

Due to its size and geological significance, Sima de San Pedro is considered unique in all of Europe. This giant sinkhole, 86 meters deep and 80 meters in diameter, feels like a journey into the earth’s core. Although the road leading to this natural wonder is unpaved, it is manageable.

The Ruins of Belchite

If traveling to Aragon, be sure to set aside a few hours to visit the old ruins of Belchite. This place frequently tops lists of Spain’s most mysterious and haunted locations.

Founded in the 12th century, Belchite was once a prosperous town in the Aragon region. However, it was completely destroyed during a key battle in the Spanish Civil War, which claimed the lives of more than 5,000 people. After the war, Franco ordered the construction of a new town nearby, leaving the old Belchite (known as Belchite Viejo in Spanish) abandoned, earning it the title of a ghost town. To this day, Belchite is surrounded by countless stories from visitors who report hearing strange wartime sounds, voices, sudden drops in temperature, and even the eerie sensation of being watched.

You can only access the ruins of Belchite Viejo with a locally guided tour in Spanish (during the day and also at night). The tour hours vary: from Monday to Friday – 12h, 17h and 19h; Saturday and Sunday -10h, 11h, 12h, 17h, 18h and 19h. The tour costs 8 euros per person and you get the ticket at Belchite Tourist Office or online.

As we were traveling with small kids, we decided to save a guided tour for a future trip. After spending hours in the car, there was no chance they would sit still for a 1.5-hour historical tour. However, we did manage to catch a glimpse of the famous ruins of Belchite Viejo.

Aguarales de Valpalmas

Aguarales de Valpalmas is undoubtedly one of the most unique landscapes in the entire Aragon region. It slightly reminded me of Bardenas Reales in Navarra and Gredas de Bolnuevo in Murcia. The distinctive landforms of Aguarales de Valpalmas were created by the erosion of the sandy and clayey soil. You can leave your car behind and explore the area on foot by following a trail through the fascinating sand formations.

Santa Eulalia de Gallego

At the end of the first day of our Aragon road trip, we arrived at our accommodation: a traditional Spanish house in the tiny village of Santa Eulalia de Gallego. You can check out the details of the interiors on our IG Highlight Aragon.

I have mixed feelings about staying in traditional Spanish homes. On one hand, it made the whole experience of traveling to Aragon feel more authentic, but on the other hand, these were the most uncomfortable beds I’ve ever slept in. The small size of the double bed (around 150cm) is typical for traditional homes in Spain, as older generations of Spaniards were generally not as tall. However, the mattress made me feel like I was sleeping directly on the floor.

Traveling to Aragon – Day 2

Alquesar and Pasarelas del Vero

One of the main reasons we traveled to Aragón this time was to hike the Pasarelas del Vero, which we missed during our first trip to Huesca. It definitely became one of the highlights of this Aragón road trip for me. You can check out the views on Instagram Reels and TikTok.

This hiking trail is located in Alquézar, one of the most beautiful medieval villages in Spain, within the Spanish natural park Parque Natural de la Sierra y los Cañones de Guara. If you’re not afraid of heights, this trail is a great option for the whole family (my kids, aged 4 and 6, both loved it). The entire route is 3.37 km long, and it took us about 2 hours to complete. The Pasarelas del Vero (also called Pasarelas de Alquézar) takes you through stunning gorges via metal walkways. Along the way, you’ll see plenty of greenery, tiny waterfalls, and even the impressive Cueva de Picamartillo cave. The entrance fee is 4 euros per person.

It’s definitely one of the coolest hikes I’ve done in Spain (and perfect for adventure-seekers). Although my husband said he preferred the Parrizal de Beceite, which we visited during our trip to Matarranya.

To discover more hiking trails in Sierra de Guara Natural Park head to this post.

Quesos de Radiquero

Quesos de Radiquero is a small, local cheese shop near Alquézar, and I really enjoyed it (you know how much I love discovering new traditional flavors in Spain). We tasted and bought local thyme and vine goat cheeses to bring back home.

If you’re allowed to bring dairy products back with you, this could make a great food souvenir from Spain. The shop assistant recommended we stick to curado and semi-curado cheeses (matured varieties), as we still had a long journey ahead. However, if you plan to stay in the region longer and have access to a fridge, stocking up on some fresh local cheese could be a perfect option.

Castle of Loarre

While staying close to one of the dreamiest Spanish castles, we couldn’t miss a chance to make a stop at the Castle of Loarre. Even though we previously visited it on another trip to Huesca – you can read more about the castle in this post.

Traveling to Aragon – Day 3

Ayerbe

First thing in the morning we headed for fresh local pastries made the traditional way. In the local Panadería César Ascaso Garulo, located in the tiny village of Ayerbe, you will find a few typical delicatessens of the Aragon region – refollado, torta de anis, torta de huevo.

Mallos de Riglos

After breakfast, it was time for another hike in the small village of Riglos. This trail is likely to make its way onto my list of all-time favorite Pyrenees hikes.

It’s called El Camino del Cielo por Mallos de Riglos, a 5.4 km circular route. Although many describe it as an easy hike, it was a bit challenging for our youngest daughter due to the elevation. Nonetheless, the view was 100% worth the effort. We read in the Spanish media that it’s recommended to do the hike clockwise, despite local signs suggesting the opposite. By going clockwise, you have a short but intense ascent, and after reaching the peak, the majority of the trail is a descent, allowing you to relax and enjoy the breathtaking views.

Sos del Rey Catolico

While we almost visited Sos del Rey Católico during a recent trip to Navarra, we ran out of daylight, and its remote location made it difficult to reach in time. Although it’s an absolute must-see for anyone traveling to Aragon, the village is actually quite far from the major cities, situated on the border with Navarra. Interestingly, the road from Pamplona (Navarra) is much better than the one from Jaca or Huesca in Aragón. Nonetheless, Sos del Rey Católico is technically part of Aragon as well.

Considered one of the most beautiful small towns in Spain, Sos del Rey Católico truly exceeded my expectations. The village exudes an unmatched medieval charm.

After exploring the city center of Sos del Rey Catolico, we made a quick stop to shop for local chocolates at Pastelería Delfín Puente. Also, bought there Frutas de Aragon (candied fruits with chocolate, traditional in Aragon).

Traveling to Aragon -Day 4

Even though it was time to return back home, for the last day of our Aragon getaway, I planned a few exciting stops on the road.

The Museum of the Mummies

Did you know that the only Museum of the Mummies in Spain can be found in the small town of Quinto near Zaragoza? Despite my obsession with secret museums in Spain, I had no idea this place even existed before traveling to Aragon this time.

You can read more about my impressions of this place in my post about Secret Museums in Spain.

Grutas de Cristal

The last stop on this Aragon Road trip was the stunning cave Grutas de Cristal (also called Crystal Caves Natural Monument in English). In order to visit this place you need to buy an entrance online (at least one day in advance).

All the tours are guided in Spanish and no photos or videos are allowed inside. But the caves are stunning and deserve your attention for sure. After a visit, we headed for lunch in the nearest small town of Molinos and also walked around for a while. This village has a charming church Iglesia de Nuestra Señora de las Nieves and an interesting hike El Pozo del Salto (unfortunately we had no time to test it).

Also, for a longer itinerary, you can easily combine this Aragon road trip with my previous 4-day Pyrenees Adventure, Weekend in Sierra de Guara, and Castellon Road Trip.

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