The charming little town that feels ‘frozen in time’ and is calling out for more visitors
- Our Hidden Earth
- Oct 14
- 2 min read
One of Spain’s most beautiful medieval towns is appealing for tourists to return after huge wildfires destroyed the nearby countryside and caused visitor numbers to drop sharply.
This hidden gem, a walled village in Castilla y León known for its Renaissance castle, cobbled streets and flower-decked balconies, saw tourist arrivals fall by 40% in August after fires swept through the Zamora province.
The Molezuelas wildfire, which began on August 10, became the largest in Spain’s recorded history, burning nearly 39,700 hectares of the Sanabria forests and countryside that usually attract hikers and nature lovers.
A 37-year-old man tragically lost his life while trying to fight the fire, suffering severe burns, and another man aged 35 also died.
Puebla de Sanabria, one of Zamora’s oldest towns, sits around 3,150 feet above sea level where the Castro and Tera rivers meet. Although the historic centre was spared from the flames, tourism has suffered greatly.
According to The Olive Press, the local mayor confirmed that visitor numbers have dropped dramatically compared to last summer.
Now, with autumn approaching, local businesses are encouraging British and European travellers to visit and support the town once again.
This time of year is especially beautiful, as the mix of Atlantic and Mediterranean climates brings out stunning autumn colours across the surrounding hills, and the weather remains pleasantly mild for exploring.
The old medieval quarter, topped by the Castle of the Counts of Benavente, has been perfectly preserved and is ready to welcome visitors.
From the keep tower, known locally as El Macho, tourists can take in sweeping views of the slate-roofed houses, the winding Tera River and the Culebra and León mountain ranges.
In the distance sits Lake Sanabria, the largest natural lake on the Iberian Peninsula, shaped by ancient glaciers.
The 15th-century castle-palace, which has been carefully restored, stands proudly on a granite ridge at the highest point of the town, watching over its charming streets below.
Discover more hidden gems with our interactive map!
Did you know we have a Hidden Gem Finder on our website? This handy little map shows over 12,000 hidden gems across the entire world with their exact co-ordinates available to view on Google Maps as well as an image/description for each one!
Comments