Free walking tours in Alcañiz and what to see

Must-sees

Alcañiz, capital of the Bajo Aragón, is dominated by the castle of the Order of Calatrava, now a parador. It keeps a keep with Gothic wall paintings and a cloister, and from its hill you see the whole old town and the river Guadalope. Heading down you reach Plaza de España, the heart of the city, where the Gothic Lonja and the Renaissance town hall form one of the finest civic ensembles in Aragon.

Next to the square rises the collegiate church of Santa María la Mayor, with a great Baroque façade and a Gothic tower. Beneath the centre lies a network of underground passages, old ice houses and cellars, which can be visited. Alcañiz is also known for the Motorland circuit, on the outskirts, and for its Holy Week of drums and bass drums, part of the Bajo Aragón Drum Route.

Free tours and guided visits

Pay-what-you-like free walking tours are rare in Alcañiz. The norm is guided visits to the castle, the collegiate church and, above all, the underground passages, which can only be explored with a guide. Some routes combine several of these spaces in a single walk. From here you can take trips to Calanda, birthplace of Luis Buñuel, and the Matarraña area, with villages such as Valderrobres. If motorsport is your thing, Motorland offers visits and activities at the circuit.

How long to spend

You need a day to see Alcañiz at a relaxed pace. Start in the morning at the castle and then head down to Plaza de España and the collegiate church. Keep the afternoon for the underground passages and a stroll round the old town. If you want to see the Matarraña or Calanda, add a second day and use Alcañiz as a base, as it has a good range of services.

Where to stay

The best area is the old town, near Plaza de España. There the monuments are a few steps away, with good places to eat and a lively but not noisy atmosphere. Sleeping in the castle parador gives you views over the city and the plain, in exchange for a climb on foot. On Motorland race dates occupancy soars, so book well ahead.