Holidays in Aragon

Today’s life is very vibrant and it seems hard not to find the locals filling up the bars and enjoying the long counters full of ‘pinchos’ (small bites) that unfold before their eyes. Having these snacks for lunch is one of the most deeply rooted habits in the city.

But despite the centralising trend around the capital, not all the interest of the region can be summarized in the city of Zaragoza. Here we can find some must-see places such as the city of Tarazona, the spectacular Monastery of Veruela located on the foothills of the Moncayo mountain, the Loarre Castle or also natural wonders such as the Natural Park of the Stone Monastery (Monasterio de Piedra).

HUESCA REGION - ARAGONESE PYRENEES (PIRINEO ARAGONÉS)

Although Zaragoza takes much of the tourism from the region, during winter the attention is headed further north, when thousands of tourists travel to the Aragonese Pyrenees just to enjoy its many ski resorts.

But not only in winter; the Pyrenees allow us a great leisure offer all year round. Walking along its infinite trails will allow you to explore habitats of great biodiversity, enjoy stunning landscapes and evoke its glacial past while discovering some of the hundreds of “ibones” (aragonese word that means glacial lakes) that fill the Pyrenean scenery. It is also very popular to practice here the so-called adventure sports such as canyoning, kayaking, climbing, paragliding, amongst many others.

If we split the Pyrenees in two, the East side is the more attractive in terms of mountaineering, since here there are some of the highest peaks, not only of this mountain range, but of all the Iberian Peninsula, such as Aneto, Posets and Monte Perdido, all of them with an altitude that exceeds 3,300 meters.

Here is also what is undoubtedly one of the gems of the Pyrenees: the Ordesa y Monte Perdido National Park, declared World Heritage Site by UNESCO.

Between the Posets and Aneto peaks, we come across the Benasque Valley, also known as the Valley of the Three Thousands (because of the mountains that surround it), a place where it’s possible to stay calm and learn how to appreciate peaceful moments, but also the perfect location to do some outdoor activities. Benasque town is probably the equivalent to Chamonix in the Alps but for the the Pyrenees,.

In the lower part of these two counties, we find numerous charming towns that definitely worth an excursion, such as Aínsa, Graus, Roda de Isábena or Alquézar.

On the other side of the Pyrenees, we find ourselves in the Western Valleys where there are some significant spots for the visitor: Jaca, with its curious pentagonal citadel and its star-shaped wall, Canfranc and its formidable train station, or the Monastery of San Juan de la Peña, digged in the rock, and place of legends of the origins of the Kingdom of Aragon.

For nature lovers, not to miss the Tena valley with the excursion to the glacial lake of Piedrafita.

TERUEL REGION

The less known and therefore the one with more potential yet to be discovered.

This is where slow-driving routes have become so trendy, for all of those who love the road but also those who enjoy exploring off the beaten corners and charming out of the usual and massive touristic tracks.

You can sweep into the route known as the "Aragonese Tuscany", with stone villages with great charm (Calaceite, La Fresneda, Valderrobres) and peaceful nature, perfect for those seeking for a place to disconnect and who have a taste for authenticity.

Or you could follow the ‘Mudejar’ route through this province, visiting the town of Montalbán or the city of Teruel, known for the artistic heritage of this architectural style and also for the legend of the ‘Amantes’ (our own Romeo and Juliet).

You can also discover centenary traditions such as the one that takes place in Calanda every Easter, called “Romper la hora” (literally, breaking the hour). Every Easter Friday, few minutes before noon, thousands of citizens dressed up with purple rope and hood and carrying drums or bass drums, gather all together in the main square of the village to play all at once (and this may last between 30 minutes to 1 hour).

Furthermore, this is the town where the great film director Luis Buñuel was born, so you could also visit the museum dedicated to him and where his surrealistic universe is recreated.

WHY GO

Whether you are an intrepid explorer chasing some extreme experiences, a flora and fauna enthusiast, a passionate person about the culture bequeath by the great civilizations that inhabited this land many centuries ago, or if you are simply looking for the perfect place to disconnect, Aragon is your destination.

Dive into the snowy scene that covers the landscapes in the Pyrenees during winter and enjoy the several ski resorts at your disposal.

Get lost in the infinite tracks that flow into the pyrenean valleys of Benasque, Gistau, Broto, Hecho or Tena, discovering impressive glacial lakes, caves and even abandoned hamlets on your way.

Blend in with the environment in Ordesa y Monte Perdido National Park, walk its trails while sharing views with eagles and vultures, and marvel at the famous ‘Cola de Caballo’, one of the highest waterfalls in the country.

Visit cities and villages not so familiar with the tourist and feel as a local among its streets, its people and its bars. Enjoy the great wine and food offer at your disposal and take part in the ‘pincho’ culture.

Give yourself a treat and make a booking in one of the thermal water spas available at Jaraba, Paracuellos del Jiloca or Panticosa.

Discover the history behind this land with its own culture and identity.

Winters can range from mild to cold or very cold depending on the year and the location, and unless you wish to come to winter sports, this wouldn't normally be the best time to visit.

The climate in the province of Teruel is clearly continental, so pretty cold winters and mild to relatively hot summers, with important temperature fluctuations between day and night.

Spring can be a good time to visit but remember that the proper dry, sunny and warm season will usually be from May to October, and in the Pyrenees may only lats a little longer than July and August.

If you’re travelling to the Pyrenees in winter, our recommendation is to avoid hiring low slung cars. The roads are usually cleared up fast after snowfalls so they can be driven by, but these snowfalls can be quite heavy during the ski season so you may want to consider a SUV or a 4x4 car, and always take snow chains.

Driving times from airports and main cities to your holiday property are shown on the villas property page.

Rustical Travel doesn't have a professional arrangement with any particular car hire company and we suggest you shop around for car hire using a broker such as rentalcars.com or similar.

It's easy to compare prices of rentals with companies that operate at the airport you fly into, or directly in the cities of Zaragoza or Huesca, and all the reputable agencies have online payment for advance booking these days.

You don't have to use the broker. If you prefer, you can check the car hire companies own websites, compare prices, and book direct.