The best of Spanish medieval heritage
Inhabitable castles
Some villages don't just have a castle: they are inside it. Pedraza, Peñafiel, Manzanares el Real, Olite. Keep towers, moats, battlements and, in many cases, dramatised tours.
Complete walled enclosures
Ávila (the most complete walls in Europe), Morella, Albarracín, Besalú. Villages where you still enter through the original gates from the 12th or 13th centuries.
Jewish quarters and historic neighbourhoods
Hervás, Ribadavia, Córdoba, Girona. The Jewish quarters (calls, juderías) preserve a unique atmosphere: narrow streets, courtyards, synagogues converted into museums.
Medieval markets
Many of these villages hold annual medieval markets: Aínsa, Sigüenza, Toro. Dates that transform the streets into 15th-century scenes with period crafts, music and gastronomy.
Tip: Medieval villages usually have irregular cobbled streets. Wear comfortable footwear. In summer, get up early: the midday sun on stone can be intense.