Aragon - Pyrenees

Map of Aragon - Pyrenees } Map of Spain

Zaragoza, Aragon - San Salvador

Zaragoza, Aragon - El Aljaferia

Huesca, Aragon - cathedral

Huesca, Aragon

Aragon - Pyrenees

Jaca, Aragon

Jaca, Aragon - Pyrenees view

Teruel, Aragon - Easter parade

Teruel, Aragon - Santa Maria de Media Villa

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9

Monumental Cities and Towns
History and Geography
Cuisine
Festivals
Itineraries that feature this region
Accommodation in this region

ARAGON - This former kingdom in Northern Spain, which once ruled the Mediterranean, is of great interest and is marked by contrasts and magnificent countryside. It is a region rich in folklore and traversed by the highest mountains peaks on the Iberian peninsula, the Pyrenees. Here are many of Spain’s best ski resorts and prime hiking trails. Apart from it´s many different landscapes Aragon also has a rich diversity of gastronomy, culture and people.

See below for Pyrenees Accommodation information.

Monumental Cities and Towns

Zaragoza: the landmark of the city is the impresive 17th century Basilica del Pilar. Some of the best Mudejar art can be seen here including the Aljaferia Castle/Palace, the Cathedral of La Seo, and the churches of San Gil and San Miguel.
Huesca: capital of Alto Aragon with a remarkable Gothic Cathedral (Mudejar features) and a Renaissance Town Hall.
Jaca: gateway to the Pyrenees and popular ski resort, has a well preserved 12th century Castle, the Romanesque Cathedral of San Perdro and the Church of Santiago.
Teruel: the least populated city in Spain, here you find the 13th century Cathedral of Santa María de Media Villa and the mudejar church of San Pedro.

History and Geography

The Kingdom of Aragon has its origin in the 9th century and was once part of Navarra and Catalonia until its independence in the 11th century. Today Aragon is made up of three provinces: Huesca, Zaragoza and Teruel. The capital of the region is Zaragoza.

Aragon lies in the north eastern part of the Spanish mainland. It borders France in the north, Catalonia and Valencia in the east, CastillaLa Mancha in the south, and Castilla y Leon, La Rioja and Navarra in the west. The region can be separated into three different areas: the central area consisting of the Ebro basin, the northern area where the Pyrenees lie, and the area made up of the Iberian mountain range. The population is about 1.2 million with the biggest concentration being in Zaragoza (around 800,000 inhabitants). The complex mountain ranges of Aragon are the reason why there are so many different climatic changes in the region. Severe winters and hot summers are the most common characteristics.

Cuisine

The gastronomy of Zaragoza just as the cooking throughout Aragon, is frugal and full of quality ingredients. Zaragoza has one of the freshest vegetable cultivation in all of Spain. Meat is also of an excellent quality in Zaragoza especially lamb, and above all suckling lamb called 'ternasco' that has its own Denomination of Origin status.

Desserts comprise of nougat, roscon (large ring shaped sweet bun) and mostillo (a type of biscuit that is made from grape juice). Fried breadcrumbs, pinto beans from Monflorite, river crab, trout, sardines and pork are all typical fare from Huesca. Hams and other pork derivatives are traditional in Teruel.

Festivals

May: Jaca (Huesca). Festivities marking the first Friday in May.
October: 12th Nuestra Senora del Pilar in Zaragoza. One of Spain’s keynote events.

Itineraries that feature this region

Themed Spain Tours

Spain Tours by Region

Accommodation

Please click on the symbol to see the Spanish Hotels in this area and obtain information about each.