Tudela

Navarre's second city, with a rich Moorish and Jewish heritage visible in its old quarter and striking Gothic cathedral. It's also a gateway to the Bardenas Reales and known for its excellent regional vegetable cuisine.

Things to do

• Tudela Cathedral — Explore the Gothic-Romanesque Santa María la Mayor cathedral, especially its remarkable carved Puerta del Juicio depicting the Last Judgment.
• Wander the Judería — Stroll the narrow medieval streets of the old Jewish quarter, once one of Spain's most important Jewish communities before the 1492 expulsion.
• Plaza de los Fueros — Relax in Tudela's lively main square, surrounded by cafés and balconied buildings, and the social heart of the city.
• Day trip to Bardenas Reales — Venture into this otherworldly semi-desert natural park of eroded badlands, best explored by car, bike, or guided 4x4 tour.
• Iglesia de la Magdalena — Admire one of Navarre's oldest Romanesque churches, known for its finely sculpted portal.
• Cross the Puente sobre el Ebro — Walk the long medieval stone bridge spanning the Ebro River for views over the city and surrounding orchards.
• Museo Muñoz Sola de Arte Moderno — Visit this small modern art museum housed in a historic building in the old town.

Food to try

• Menestra de verduras — Tudela's signature dish, a rich stew of artichokes, peas, asparagus, and other local vegetables sourced from the fertile Ebro valley.
• Cogollos de Tudela — Sweet, crisp lettuce hearts often served raw with olive oil and anchovies or tuna as a simple regional specialty.
• Alcachofas de Tudela — Prized local artichokes, typically fried or braised, celebrated for their tenderness and flavor.
• Espárragos blancos — Thick white asparagus grown in the region's irrigated fields, usually served chilled with vinaigrette.
• Pochas con codorniz — Fresh white bean stew often paired with quail, a hearty traditional Navarrese dish found in local restaurants.
• Semana de la Verdura — If visiting in September, catch this vegetable festival where restaurants showcase creative dishes built around local produce.

Local customs & good to know

• Midday closures — Many shops and some sights close for a few hours in early afternoon for the traditional siesta break.
• Fiestas de Santa Ana — Late July brings Tudela's main festival week, with bull runs, concerts, and street celebrations, so book accommodation early.
• Bardenas access — The Bardenas Reales has limited public transport, so renting a car or joining a guided tour from Tudela is the practical way to visit.
• Respectful dress in churches — As with most Spanish religious sites, modest clothing is expected when entering the cathedral and other churches.