If you are looking for a getaway that combines history, architecture, science, and gastronomy, Teruel is an ideal city. From Go Aragón, we have prepared this weekend plan designed to make the most of the city from Friday afternoon to Sunday afternoon, although you can adapt it according to your time.
With a little over 35,000 inhabitants, Teruel surprises those who expect a larger city, but its size makes it possible to explore on foot and enjoy many corners in a short amount of time.
Arriving on a Friday afternoon, the first landmark is the Plaza Carlos Castel, better known to everyone as Plaza del Torico, the heart of the historic center. There stands the statue that gives the Plaza its name, crowning the kilometer 0 of the city from atop a column surrounding a fountain. The symbol of Teruel measures approximately 45 centimeters long (from tail to mouth) and around 37 centimeters high from the base to the horns, and it weighs about 55 kilograms.
Modernism in Teruel
From the plaza, you can start to traverse the historic center and discover the modernist buildings, an element that distinguishes Teruel along with Mudejar architecture. Among the most representative are the Casa el Torico, the headquarters of Caja Rural de Teruel, from whose balcony the long-awaited meeting between Diego and Isabel occurs during the annual celebration of the Bodas de Isabel de Segura. There is also Casa Ferrán, with its ceramic-decorated façade and wrought iron balconies; Casa La Madrileña, which combines modernist elements with Aragonese regionalist influences; Casa Escriche or Doña Blanca’s house, and Casa ‘Bayo’. These are examples of the influence this architectural style had in the city during the first two decades of the 20th century, with Pablo Monguió as the principal reference.
Next, you can go down to the Escalinata, designed by the civil engineer José Torán de la Rad, built between 1920 and 1921, which combines architectural elements of Neo-Mudejar and modernism. In addition to being a functional point for ascending and descending from the center to the train station area, the Escalinata, declared a Cultural Asset of Interest, offers panoramic views of the city, making it a popular spot for strolls and photographs.
Your first day in Teruel can conclude with dinner at a restaurant in the center, in Plaza del Torico, Plaza San Juan, or Paseo del Óvalo, trying local dishes such as Teruel D.O.P. ham accompanied by a good Aragonese wine.
History and Mudejar: Cathedral, Town Hall, and Museum of Teruel
Saturday begins at the Catedral de Santa María de Mediavilla. Its construction started in the late 13th century and extended into the 17th century, giving it a combination of styles, although Mudejar is the predominant one. Its tower, made of brick and polychrome ceramics, stands out as a landmark in the city and visitors can climb it to enjoy panoramic views. The interior also retains a polychrome Mudejar coffered ceiling, considered one of the most beautiful in Spain, with wooden beams decorated with geometric motifs and bright colors. Additionally, the cathedral houses Gothic and Renaissance altarpieces, and the main altar stands out for its sober elegance.
In the same square as the cathedral, you can see the town hall building, which dates back to the early 20th century, combining modernist and Neo-Mudejar elements visible in the façade decorated with exposed brick, ceramics, and geometric details.
A short walk away, in Plaza Fray Anselmo Polanco or Plaza de la Marquesa, is the Museum of Teruel, housed in a 16th-century Renaissance building that retains its brick and stone façade and an interior patio with original arches and columns, integrating history and architecture. Notably, la Lonja, a porticoed area that originally served for trade, now hosts temporary exhibitions and cultural activities. Inside, the museum houses collections of archaeology, fine arts, and ethnography, with pieces dating from the Bronze Age to Mudejar art.
Saturday morning can continue with a visit to the Mausoleum of the Lovers, which commemorates the story of Diego and Isabel. The space allows viewing the original burial remains within a small stone and iron tomb, as well as explanatory panels narrating the history, historical context, and various versions of the legend. Additionally, the architecture of the mausoleum features Gothic and Renaissance elements and allows you to walk through the chapel that houses it.
Next to the Mausoleum is the Church of San Pedro, one of the main examples of Mudejar art in Teruel, and part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site. Built between the 13th and 14th centuries, it is notable for its brick tower decorated with ceramics and blind arches, pointed arches, lateral chapels, and Baroque altarpieces.
Towers, Walls, and Tourist Train
Afterward, it is advisable to visit the Mudejar towers from inside: Torre de San Martín, which allows you to ascend to its viewpoint and tour its restored interior, displaying information about its construction and Mudejar architecture; and the Torre de El Salvador, which combines a museum and tower, with explanatory panels about the history of Teruel and views from the top.
It is also recommended to stroll through the Portal de Daroca and the remains of the medieval wall, which allow you to imagine how the city was protected during the Middle Ages.
At noon, the Tourist Train of Teruel offers a tour of about 45 minutes, departing from the historic center and passing by the main points of interest: Mudejar towers, the Aqueduct of the Arches, the New Viaduct, and Paseo del Óvalo, with included explanations. It is a convenient way to get to know the city without missing important details.
In the afternoon, you can leave the city center and explore other neighborhoods, such as the Ensanche, where you will find the main green space of Teruel: the Parque de los Fueros. Or you can head down to the riverside promenade that runs parallel to the Turia River, also known in Teruel as Guadalaviar.
Dinosaur and Gastronomy
Sunday can be dedicated to visiting Dinópolis, the theme park about dinosaurs that combines science and entertainment for all ages, showcasing the paleontological history of the province and offering a different experience from urban visits. It features a museum with fossils and
