Alquézar

A stunning cliffside village crowned by a fortified medieval collegiate church overlooking the Vero River gorge. It's a gateway for canyoning adventures and scenic riverside walkways carved into rock.

Things to do

• Colegiata de Santa María la Mayor — Explore this fortified medieval collegiate church perched on a cliff edge, with its Gothic cloister and faded Romanesque frescoes.
• Pasarelas del Río Vero — Walk the wooden and metal walkways bolted into the gorge walls beneath the village for dramatic views up at the cliffside houses.
• Canyoning in the Sierra de Guara — Join a guided descent through nearby canyons like La Peonera or Cueva Cabrera, rappelling past waterfalls and natural pools.
• Mirador de la Cruz de la Ilesia — Take in the classic postcard view of Alquézar's church and cliffs from this lookout point across the gorge.
• Wander the old town streets — Get lost in the narrow cobbled lanes and stone archways of the medieval quarter below the main square.
• Ermita de la Virgen del Viñedo — Visit this small hermitage a short walk from the village surrounded by vineyards and olive groves.

Food to try

• Ternasco de Aragón — Try this protected-origin roast lamb, a signature dish of the region often slow-cooked with local herbs.
• Migas aragonesas — Sample fried breadcrumbs cooked with garlic, pork, and grapes, a hearty shepherd's dish typical of the Somontano area.
• Vino Somontano — Taste wines from the nearby Somontano DO, known for its mix of native and international grape varieties grown at the foot of the Pyrenees.
• Longaniza and embutidos artesanos — Look for handmade cured sausages sold in village shops, often flavored with local mountain herbs.
• Quesos de Radiquero — Seek out sheep's milk cheeses from the nearby village of Radiquero, a small-scale regional specialty.

Local customs & good to know

• Wear proper footwear — The riverside walkways and old town streets are steep, uneven, and slippery in places, so sturdy shoes are essential.
• Book canyoning guides in advance — Sierra de Guara canyoning trips fill quickly in summer, so reserve with a local outdoor company ahead of time.
• Respect quiet hours in the old town — Many houses in the historic center are still lived in, so keep noise down in the evenings out of respect for residents.
• Visit early or late in summer — Midday heat and tourist crowds peak in July and August, so plan sightseeing for morning or early evening.