Free walking tours in Aínsa and what to see

Must-sees

Aínsa stands on a hilltop above the meeting of the rivers Cinca and Ara, with the Pyrenees in the background. Its old town is small and well preserved. The centre is the large arcaded Plaza Mayor, surrounded by stone houses. From there you can quickly explore the cobbled streets that keep their medieval layout, with stone façades and slate roofs.

Next to the square is the castle, whose walls you can walk and which now houses exhibition spaces on the area's nature. The Romanesque church of Santa María has a crypt and a tower you can climb to see the valley and Peña Montañesa. Outside the walls, the lower part of town concentrates the services and acts as the gateway to the Sobrarbe.

Free tours and guided visits

There are no regular free walking tours in Aínsa. The usual offer is guided visits to the historic centre, normally run in season, which tell the story of the old kingdom of Sobrarbe. If they do not coincide with your trip, the town is easy to explore on your own in a short time, with the help of the information panels and the tourist office.

Aínsa's value lies in its surroundings, and many guided excursions start from here. The most popular go to the Ordesa y Monte Perdido National Park and the Añisclo canyon. There are also canyoning, rafting and walking routes in the Sobrarbe-Pirineos Geopark, with local guides who know the terrain well.

How long to spend

Two or three hours are enough to see the town: the Plaza Mayor, the castle, the church and a stroll through the streets. But it is usually used as a base for two or three days. That way you can spend a day in Ordesa, another in Añisclo or on an adventure activity, and come back in the evening to dine in the old town.

Where to stay

Sleeping in the old town lets you enjoy the square once the day visitors leave, although rooms are few. In the lower part you will find more hotels and apartments, easy parking and supermarkets, practical if you are going on excursions. The two areas are a short uphill walk apart, so either works well.