Independent Touring for Heritage Lovers
in Spain & Portugal

A treasure chest in Inland Spain

With 14 Unesco World Heritage Sites, out of 48 listed in the country, Inland Spain is a top destination for heritage lovers.

Crossed by the Camino de Santiago and the Via de la Plata, Castilla y León (historically known as the Old Castile) showcases an extensive set of heritage sites. As Spain’s largest autonomous community, it is a land of contrasts where the traces of its long history, dating back as far as the prehistoric times, have survived over the centuries. Ávila´s walls, Cathedral of Burgos and León, Visigoth and Romanesque imprints in Palencia, Salamanca and its magnificent array of monuments, Segovia´s aqueduct and Alcázar, Medieval castles, villages and churches of Soria, Valladolid´s historic sites and Zamora´s religious heritage…you will definitely get amazed by its infinite charms!

• Burgos – home to a truly awe-inspiring cathedral.
• Atapuerca & the Museum of Human Evolution – origins of Europe’s earliest humans.
• Leon´s Cathedral of Santa Maria – famous for its beautiful stained glass.
• Leon´s Colegiata de San Isidoro – said to house the true Holy Grail.
• Lovely Astorga – with a remarkable Gaudí-designed palace.
• Ponferrada – dominated by its impressive Knights Templar castle.
• Villafranca del Bierzo – historic gem on the Camino de Santiago.
• Salamanca – truly monumental university city.
• Las Medulas, Sierra de Gredos, Sierra de Francia & Guadarrama – dramatic natural landscapes and mountain ranges.
• Tordesillas, Toro & Zamora – towns steeped in history.
• Ávila – famous for its magnificent, World Heritage-listed medieval walls
• Segovia – Roman Aquaduct, Moorish Alcazar, Cathedral and large Jewish Quarter.
• Pedraza & Cuellar – beautifully preserved medieval towns.
• Soria – rich in historic monuments and Romanesque churches.
• Burgo de Osma & Calatañazor – full of old-world charm.
• San Esteban de Gormaz – spectacular C10th Arab castle.
• La Granja de San Ildelfonso – the Spanish Versailles.
• Peñafiel – castle, wine museum and historic town.
• Historic Lerma and Valladolid´s old quarter – full of heritage and architectural character.

The undiscovered gems of Inland Spain 

A surprisingly undiscovered community, Extremadura offers an extraordinarily rich historical and archaeological heritage dating back to Tartessus and beyond. Between Castilla and the Portuguese border, and among its extensive "dehesa" landscape, you will discover medieval villages and ancient settlements largely untouched by the passage of time.

It boasts three World Heritage Sites -the Old Town of Cáceres, the Archaeological Ensemble of Mérida and the Royal Monastery of Santa Maria de Guadalupe- and many other historical and cultural sites of great interest. 

Mérida, the former capital of the Roman province of Lusitania, boasts one of Spain’s finest ensembles of Roman remains, comprising the beautiful Roman Theatre, stage to a famous classic theatre festival every year, the imposing Amphitheatre and the National Museum of Roman Art. As you walk through the streets, the city will unveil its other well-kept treasures, such as the Roman Temple of Diana, the Alcazaba, the oldest Muslim fortification on the Iberian Peninsula, or the imposing Roman Bridge. Just to mention a few...

In the Old Town of Cacéres, known as the city of the storks, you will feel like in a living museum. Roman, Moorish, and Renaissance influences blend harmoniously here, offering a glimpse into centuries of history within its golden walls. And don´t miss Trujillo, "the Cradle of the Conquistadors", which reveals its glorious past through its several churches, castles and noble houses centred around the Main Square. Hervás, Llerena and Plasencia are also worth a visit.

To combine the region´s historical heritage with its natural wonders, take a day trip to Monfrague Natural Park, Jerte Valley or Sierra de Gata. 

• Lose yourself in the Jewish Quarter of Hervás – one of the best-preserved in Spain.
• Visit Candelario and Béjar – two authentic mountain gems.
• Plasencia – a key stop along the historic Vía de la Plata.
• Cáceres & Trujillo – historic towns crowned with imposing fortresses.
• Make a pilgrimage to Guadalupe – home to an important monastery and shrine.
• Alcántara – admire its magnificent 2nd-century Roman bridge.
• Mérida – boasting some of Spain’s most remarkable Roman remains.
• Zafra la Bella – renowned for Zurbarán’s paintings and rich heritage.
• Jerez de Los Caballeros – town of the Conquistadores.
• Monfrague Natural Park – a haven for wildlife and stunning landscapes.

The New Castile - homeland of Don Quijote 

Once part of the New Castile and homeland of Don Quijote, Spanish literature´s most famous character, Castilla La Mancha is dotted with crumbling castles, windmills and sleepy villages which bear witness to the region´s glorious past.

Its historic capital Toledo is known as ‘the city of the three cultures’ due to the influence and peaceful coexistence of the Christian, Muslim and Jewish communities. Adopted hometown of the famous El Greco artist, it is a real open-air museum.

From the iconic windmills of Consuegra, Almagro’s impressive Plaza Mayor and it’s fine collection of Renaissance palaces, Chinchón with its wonderfully evocative main square and Cuenca´s famous hanging houses to its four Archaeological Parks, Castile La Mancha has a wide array of hidden gems waiting for you to discover the essence of what many call the “Real Spain”.

• Toledo, “the city of three cultures” – a spectacular open-air museum of history and art.
• Consuegra – renowned for its iconic windmills.
• Almagro – elegant main square and splendid Renaissance palaces.
• Cuenca – famous for its dramatic hanging houses and winding medieval quarter.
• Carranque, Recópolis, Segóbriga & Alarcos-Calatrava – four exceptional archaeological parks.
• Oropesa, Guadalajara & Sigüenza – towns rich in castles, palaces and medieval charm.
• Calatrava castle – headquarters for the Calatrava Knights, Spain´s oldest military order.
• Ciudad Real – a city of churches and cathedrals.

Moorish heritage - the reign of Al-Andalus

Due to the long presence of the Moors in the Iberian Peninsula, especially in Andalucia, where they established their centres of power, the Moorish heritage in Spain is one of the most remarkable legacies of Islamic civilisation in Europe. From the 8th to the 15th century, Muslim rulers transformed the region into a landmark of art, science, and architecture. This influence is visible in the amazing palaces, unique mosques, and colourful gardens still preserved in cities like Granada, Córdoba, and Seville.

Icons such as the Alhambra in Granada, the Mezquita-Catedral in Córdoba, and the Alcázar of Seville (just to mention the best-known ones) showcase the Moors’ mastery in calligraphy, geometry and water-based designs. Not only in architecture, their impact endures in Andalucía’s language, cuisine, irrigation systems, and even its music. Together with the Christian and Jewish traditions, the Moorish heritage helped shape the unique cultural identity of southern Spain that continues to fascinate visitors nowadays.

But Andalucia is not only about the Moorish influence. The Renaissance splendour of Úbeda, Baeza and Osuna, and the modern cultural delights of Málaga, the 'city of museums' on the glittering Mediterranean sea, Cádiz and its "White Villages" and "Sherry Towns", are also to take into account when travelling around the region.

• Cathedral and Alcázar of Seville – masterpieces of Gothic and Mudéjar splendor.
• Sevilla´s Giralda Tower – the city’s iconic minaret turned bell-tower.
• Great Mosque of Córdoba – an unparalleled monument of Islamic architecture.
• Medina Azahara – evocative ruins of the Umayyad caliphal city. 
• The Alhambra Palace – city of the Nasrid Sultans.
• Atmospheric Albaicin - best nighttime views to the Alhambra.
• Málaga – Mediterranean style and seaside vibrancy.
• Úbeda and Baeza – Renaissance jewels of Andalucia.
• Sanlúcar de Barrameda – gateway to Doñana National Park.
• Grazalema, Ronda & the Pueblos Blancos – dramatic landscapes and whitewashed villages.
• Carmona – Seville in miniature, full of charm and history.
• Sierra Subbética – Priego de Córdoba & bike the Via Verde of Cabra.
• Alcalá la Real – magnificent Moorish fortress town.
• Osuna – historic seat of the powerful Duques de Osuna.
• Lucena – a town with deep Jewish heritage.
• Roman sites at Itálica, Puente Genil and Baena – remarkable remnants of Hispania’s past.

A land of wonders - natural and cultural heritage closer to the sky

Natural Heritage

We should probably focus only on the cultural richness of the Spanish Pyrenees, as there is no need to mention its vast natural heritage, but we can´t avoid it! 

Its grandness is marked by the Ordesa y Monte Perdido National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, known for its canyons, peaks, and biodiversity; Aigüestortes i Estany de Sant Maurici National Park, celebrated for its lakes and glacial landscape, and the Posets-Maladeta Natural Park, which features high-altitude environments with glacial remnants. Last but not least, Sierra de Guara Natural Park, with its limestone canyons, and the Valles Occidentales Natural Park, featuring valleys, forests, and rivers, are also part of this blessed region.

To the West, the Navarran Valleys of Baztán, Roncal and Salazar, verdant and almost mystic in the north-west; the deep gorges of Arbayun and Lumbiers with their resident vulture colonies; the immense native woodlands of Irati and the rocky high peaks of the north-east are also a wonder you don´t want to miss if you are a nature lover. The lovely villages scattered throughout these valleys, with their distinctive architecture, long-rooted traditions and fine gastronomy, will accompany you through the journey. 

Cultural Heritage

Once a mighty kingdom, Aragon reached its height of power in the 15th century. During the medieval era its borders with Castilla and Navarra were hard fought and before that the Pyrenees, in the north, formed a natural barrier to the expanding Moorish empire, all of which left a rich heritage which can still be enjoyed to this day. Not to be missed are the magnificent castles of Loarre and Javier, the medieval towns of Ainsa and Alquezar, the great Cathedrals at Jaca and the nearby Monasterio de San Juan de la Peña, Huesca and of course Zaragoza, but wherever you go you'll find a treasure trove of early Romanesque architecture and perfectly preserved towns and villages.

The Catalan Pyrenees also treasures a remarkable cultural heritage. Combining centuries of history with stunning mountain scenery, the region is dotted with ancient Romanesque churches featuring a peculiar Lombard style and original mural paintings and sculptures, such as those in the Vall de Boí—declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. They are the expression of the region’s deep artistic and spiritual traditions. The Monasteries of Ripoll and Sant Joan de les Abadesses as well as the Monastery of Santa María de Poblet are other notable examples of the mix of architectural styles. Stone villages, medieval bridges, and traditional festivals reflect the Pyrenees’ strong local identity and way of life, preserved through architecture, crafts, local cuisine and customs that continue to form the culture of the area nowadays.

• Baztan, Bidasoa, Roncal and Salazar Navarran Valleys.
• Ochagavia & Isaba; Ori, your first 2000m mountain.
• Irati forest & Gorges of Lumbier & Arbayun.
• Medieval Olite with its spectacular fairy-tale castle.
• Fortress villages of Ujué & Artajona.
• Roncesvalles, start for the Camino de Santiago.
• Spaghetti-western desert landscape of Las Bardenas.
• Monasterio de Leyre & Castillos de Javier y Olite.
• Romanesque delights of Uncastillo & Sos del Rey Católico.
• Castillo de Loarre & Mallos de Riglo rock formations.
• Cathedral- Basilica of Zaragoza.
• National Parks Ordesa, Monte Perdido & Posets-Maladeta.

• San Juan de la Peña monastery, the spiritual heart of Aragon.
• Romanesque Cathedral of Jaca.
• Moorish Alquézar & Christian Ainsa – two charming medieval villages.
• Parc Nacional d’ Aiguestortes i Estany.
• Romanesque route of the valleys of Boí and Aran.
• Santa Eulalia d’Erill la Vall.
• Romanesque paintings in Sant Climent de Taüll Church.
• Vall de Nuria - Queralbs and its early Romanesque church.
• Sanctuary of the Virgin of Nuria.
• Romanesque Cathedral of La Seu.
• Medieval Santa Pau and Besalú’s Jewish quarter.
• Cuina Volcanica - La Garrotxa Volcanic Park.

Apart from its sandy beaches, charming Pyrenean and medieval villages, unique language and, of course, its famous bustling capital Barcelona, Catalonia has much more to offer. It is the perfect destination for history and culture lovers. The origins of this historical region date back to the Carthaginians, Romans, Moors and Templars (even the Napoleonic troops left their mark) so it is not surprising to find a rich and diverse heritage here.

In the sunny province of Tarragona in the Costa Dorada, at a step back from the golden beaches, you will find breathtaking Roman remains. Tarraco (now Tarragona) itself is an open-air museum. Roman legacy is evident here as the remains are interwoven into the fabric of the city. Don´t miss the amphitheatre overlooking the coast!

In nearby Reus, birthplace to Gaudi, as in Barcelona city, the fans of Catalan Modernist architecture will be certainly delighted and, just a little further you’ll go back in time in Medieval Montblanc and the Cistercian Monasteries.

The Greco-Roman settlement of Empúries, from which the Empordá region takes its name, is well worth a visit as Girona city, the provincial capital, is. It has a rich history with remains from Roman and Moorish times as well as a fascinating Jewish heritage. The Costa Brava also boasts some of the prettiest medieval villages in Spain including Pals, Begur and Peratallada and the magnificent 10th century monastery of San Pere de Rodes.

Barcelona with its Old Town´s fascinating history, the Eixample as evidence of another boom in the late 19th century, Gaudi´s amazing Sagrada Familia and many other buildings and parks, deserves a whole section (check our blog articles for more information) so let´s talk about the unfairly overlooked Barcelona province…

Just inland lies Montserrat, Catalonia’s spiritual heart with its magnificent monastery set in unique, striking mountain scenery. Further north, the awesome, medieval Castle of Cardona (now the Parador) was built with wealth from the local salt mine and stands testament to the power of the local overlords.

• Barcelona – Catalonia’s vibrant, culture-filled capital.
• Gaudí’s masterpieces – iconic modernist architecture at its finest.
• Dalí’s Theatre-Museum in Figueres & house in Cadaqués – a journey into surrealism.
• Escaladei Carthusian Monastery – the spiritual cradle of Priorat.
• Montserrat & Cardona Castle – two of Barcelona province’s most spectacular landmarks.
• Medieval villages in La Garrotxa Volcanic Park - Santa Pau and Besalú’s Jewish quarter.
• Aigüestortes i Estany de Sant Maurici National Park – soaring peaks and crystalline lakes.
• Tarragona – extraordinary Roman remains and World Heritage splendour. 
• The Priorat & Montsant – breathtaking landscapes and world-class wines.
• Girona – home to one of Europe’s most atmospheric Jewish Quarters.
• Reus – birthplace of Gaudí and home of Vermouth.
• Costa Dorada – dotted with charming little seaside towns.
• Camí de Ronda – scenic coastal trail along the Costa Brava.
• Vall de Boí & Aran Valley – remarkable Romanesque churches in stunning mountain settings.

Portugal´s heritage is the result of centuries of encounters between the cultures that inhabited the region since its origins. From ancient Iberian tribes and Romans, to Moors and Medieval kingdoms, the influences are diverse. The country is dotted with archaeological sites, fortified towns, lovely cities and iconic monuments. Roman bridges and roads, Moorish castles perched on hilltops, and early Christian churches showcase how each period has left behind layers of influence to shape the strong cultural identity that remains visible across the nation.

Portugal boasts a Roman heritage of unique importance in the Iberian Peninsula. As you travel through the country, you will find remarkably preserved ruins, engineering works and cultural influences that endured long after the Empire´s fall. The ancient city of Conímbriga (just south of Coimbra) and Évora, in the Alentejo, enjoy invaluable archaeological sites with mosaics, thermal baths and perfectly planned urban layouts. 

The Age of Discoveries (15th - 17th centuries) led to a period of both economic and cultural growth for Portugal. The riches brought by the maritime explorers, who ventured across Africa, Asia, and South America, also meant a definite boost to the local development of architecture, art, science, cuisine and language. Many symbols of this flourishing time are still waiting for you to discover!

Cultural heritage in Portugal is also deeply rooted in music, food and wine, and everyday customs. Fado, the country’s soulful traditional music, expresses themes of longing and nostalgia, and is still performed in many cities. Portuguese cuisine, shaped by both local produce and centuries of global influence, is another central part of its cultural identity. Together, these elements create a living heritage that continues to shape modern Portugal while honouring its past.

• Porto Historic Centre – A UNESCO World Heritage Site.
• Dom Luís I Bridge in Porto – Designed by a student of Gustave Eiffel, linking Porto and Vila Nova de Gaia.
• Guimarães Historic Centre – Considered the “birthplace of Portugal”.
• Braga - One of Portugal’s oldest cathedrals and Roman ruins.
• Bom Jesus do Monte in Braga – Famous for its grand Baroque staircase and panoramic views.
• Ponte de Lima – Portugal’s oldest chartered town, known for its Roman-medieval bridge and traditional manor houses.
• Viana do Castelo’s Santa Luzia Basilica – An amazing early 20th-century monument with sweeping views over the Minho region.
• Peneda-Gerés National Park - Declared a UNESCO biosphere reserve.
• "Espigueiros" in striking Soajo - more than 100 traditional grain stores.
• The Côa Valley Archaeological Park – Home to thousands of open-air Palaeolithic rock carvings.
• Amarante’s São Gonçalo Church and Bridge – A riverside complex with deep historical and cultural significance.
• Douro Valley Wine Region – A UNESCO site famous for its terraced vineyards, traditional wine estates (quintas), and the birthplace of Port wine.

• Coimbra University – One of the oldest universities in Europe.
• Conímbriga Roman Ruins – Exceptionally well-preserved Roman houses, mosaics, and baths.
• Fortress towns and Jewish legacy in the Planalto – Its traces survive in Trancoso, Belmonte, Guarda and Castelo Rodrigo.
• Batalha Monastery – A stunning Gothic and Manueline monastery, UNESCO-listed.
• Alcobaça Monastery – Known for its impressive medieval architecture and the tombs of Pedro and Inês.
• Tomar’s Convent of Christ – A former Templar stronghold with remarkable architectural styles.
• Óbidos Medieval Village – A walled town with narrow streets, white houses, and a historic castle.
• Aveiro’s Art Nouveau District – Colourful buildings and traditional moliceiro boats along the canals.
• Serra da Estrela Villages – Traditional mountain villages preserving rural culture and crafts.
• Viseu Historic Centre – A charming old town with a cathedral, museums, and granite streets.

• Belém Tower & Jerónimos Monastery in Lisboa – Manueline monuments and UNESCO sites.
• Alfama District – Lisbon’s oldest quarter, full of historic lanes and viewpoints.
• São Jorge Castle – A medieval castle with panoramic views.
• Chiado & Bairro Alto – Historic districts with theatres, cafés, and old streets.
• Baixa Pombalina – Elegant 18th-century downtown rebuilt after the 1755 earthquake.
• Cascais Historic Centre – Seaside old town with traditional houses, forts, and museums.
• Pena Palace in Sintra – Colourful Romantic palace surrounded by forest.
• Évora Historic Centre – A UNESCO-listed city with Roman, medieval, and Renaissance heritage.
• Elvas Fortifications – Impressive star-shaped military defences, also UNESCO-listed.
• Monsaraz – Whitewashed village overlooking the Alqueva lake.
• Marble towns - Estremoz, Borba and Vila Viçosa.
• Vila Viçosa Ducal Palace – A grand Renaissance palace of the Braganza dynasty.