15 of the Most Picturesque Towns in Spain When you think of Spain, you probably think of its rich history, or the two most famous cities in Spain – Barcelona and Madrid. The truth is that Spain is so much more than just these two cities, and its countryside is littered with charming villages and picturesque towns. The country has several provinces, each with its own culture, dialect, and architecture. Spain enjoys a warm Mediterranean weather, spectacular views, and a unique culinary culture, making it a popular tourist destination. For those who like to stray off the beaten path, consider visiting these 15 beautiful towns.  1. Albarracin One of Spain's most gorgeous villages is part of the autonomic community of Aragon in the Teruel province. Famous for its wooden houses, decorated with pink plaster, reminiscent of Southern Italy. The village is nestled in a meander of the Guadalaviar River, with the Sierra de Albarracin mountain range towering over the south of the village. |
 |
 |
| 2. Puebla de Sanabria This charming little town is the home of 1,571 people and is located close to Spain's border with Portugal, in the North-Eastern province of Zamora. The town is a maze of Medieval alleys, built around a 15th-century castle. The quiet cobblestone streets can make you feel as if you've traveled centuries back in time. |
 |
 |
| 3. Aínsa Another beautiful Medieval village, located at the top of a hill that overlooks a modern city with the same name. Ainsa is one of Aragon Province' jewels, its houses are all made of the same type of rock and is the home of only a few hundred people. The village offers many jaw-dropping views of the surrounding Pyrenees Mountains and green countryside. |
 |
 |
| 4. Santillana del Mar Santillana is a perfectly preserved historical town, which is also the home of some 4,000 people. Located in the autonomous Cantabria province, it maintains the same look it had centuries ago. |
 |
 |
| 5. Grazalema In the North-Eastern part of Cádiz province, lies the Andalusian village of Grazalema. The residents of this old village produce honey, blankets, and unique local dishes, and is the home of an adrenaline-filled bull festival. There is even a textile factory that still uses traditional weaving techniques. |
 |
 |
| 6. Sos del Rey Católico This dark-stone Medieval town is the home of about 650 people and located in the Aragon province. The spectacular ancient houses and the labyrinth of cobbled streets will have visitors expecting to see armored knights walking down the streets. |
 |
 |
| 7. Pampaneira This tiny village is the home of 355 residents, many of whom are cheese and sausage makers. If you're traveling in the Granada province, make it a point to stop there and check out the fine leather, textile and ceramics that are locally made. |
 |
 |
| 8. Port Cudillero Legend says that Vikings founded port Cudillero, but this colorful village, located in the Asturias Principality of North-Western Spain is now a charming fishing village. |
 |
 |
| 9. Daroca Head south of the city of Zaragoza, and you'll find the sleepy village of Daroca. An old fortification wall, now crumbling, zigzags around the surrounding hills, defining the small town's edge. |
 |
 |
| 10. Morella Surrounded by walls and featuring a lordly castle at the center, atop an elevated plateau. It's located in Castellón province, and the locals make traditional sweets called flaons and mantecadas. |
 |
 |
| 11. Valverde de los Arroyos In the province of Guadalajara, there is a distinct little town, which enjoys an uncommon style of architecture. This small town of 102 residents is also close to a splendid 80m (262ft) waterfall that is a popular tourist attraction. |
 |
 |
| 12. Lucainena de las Torres This Spanish village with its white-washed walls is full of welcoming locals. The village's name indicates it's Moorish past, as "de las Torres" means "The Towers", referring to the seven towers that once defended the village. |
 |
 |
| 13. Ayllón Keeping its Medieval history alive, Ayllón's inhabitants are warm and cheerful people. The town's terracotta colors provide a beautiful contrast to the surrounding green countryside. |
 |
 |
| 14. Alquézar Alquézar's proximity to the descenso de barrancos canyon draws many thrill seekers and extreme-sport enthusiasts. They enjoy a variety of activities such as hiking, repelling, swimming and even diving. Its name derives from the Arabic word for castle or fort. |
 |
 |
| 15. Olite With its impressive castle, the skyline of the town of Olite reminds you that in Medieval times, it was the home of the royal court of the kingdom. It is one of the best examples of Gothic architecture in the whole of Europe. |
 |
 |
www.keralites.net          |
__._,_.___
Posted by: Pramod Agrawal <pka_ur@yahoo.com>
| Reply via web post | • | Reply to sender | • | Reply to group | • | Start a New Topic | • | Messages in this topic (1) |
KERALITES - A moderated eGroup exclusively for Keralites...
To subscribe send a mail to Keralites-subscribe@yahoogroups.com.
Send your posts to Keralites@yahoogroups.com.
Send your suggestions to Keralites-owner@yahoogroups.com.
To unsubscribe send a mail to Keralites-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com.
Homepage: http://www.keralites.net
To subscribe send a mail to Keralites-subscribe@yahoogroups.com.
Send your posts to Keralites@yahoogroups.com.
Send your suggestions to Keralites-owner@yahoogroups.com.
To unsubscribe send a mail to Keralites-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com.
Homepage: http://www.keralites.net
.
__,_._,___
No comments:
Post a Comment