Free walking tours in Alquézar and what to see

Must-sees

Alquézar looks out over a canyon of the river Vero, in the heart of the Sierra y Cañones de Guara. The village is explored on foot along steep, narrow streets climbing to the arcaded Plaza Mayor. At the very top is the collegiate church of Santa María la Mayor, built over an old Moorish fortress. Its cloister keeps mural paintings and Romanesque capitals, and from the walled enclosure you can see the whole valley.

The other big visit is the river Vero walkway route, a circular trail that drops to the bottom of the canyon and runs along metal walkways fixed to the rock. The area also has Vero rock art, part of the Rock Art of the Mediterranean Basin World Heritage Site. Alquézar is also in the Somontano district, known for its wineries and designation-of-origin wines.

Free tours and guided visits

In a village this size, free walking tours are rare. The usual options are guided visits to the collegiate church, which let you understand its history and see the cloister at leisure, and the excursions that start here. Canyoning in the Sierra de Guara is the star activity, with canyons of different levels and always with a guide. There are also guided visits to the Vero rock art shelters and tastings at Somontano wineries.

How long to spend

A full day is enough to see the village and the collegiate church and do the walkway route. Spend the morning on the walkway, which takes two to three hours, and the afternoon on the old town and the collegiate church. If you want to do a canyon or visit the rock art shelters, add another day. With a long weekend you can add a visit to Barbastro and a Somontano winery without rushing.

Where to stay

Sleeping inside Alquézar's old town is appealing, especially in the evening, when the day visitors leave and the village falls calm. Bear in mind that the streets are steep and you cannot drive to the door. You have to park at the entrance. If you want more space or are travelling with children, the rural places to stay in the surroundings are a good option and only a few minutes away.