Fairytale pink town in Europe once named the country's prettiest that tourists always overlook

The Irish Sun

21-04-2025

IN THE hills of central Spain is the pretty pink town of Albarracín.
With medieval walls and the remains of castles, it's even been said to look like a scene from a fairytale.
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Albarracín is a town found in the province of Teruel
Credit: Alamy
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Medieval architecture, including old castle walls and bell tower, remain standing
Credit: Alamy
With every building being a shade of terracotta, when the sunlight hits it at the right hour, the town turns a different colour.
Albarracín is a quiet town and in the centre is the main square, Plaza Mayor.
There's also a fountain surrounded by old buildings with wooden balconies.
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Albarracín dates back over 8,000 years, but many of the buildings were first built in the Middle Ages.
Surrounding the town are the ruins of the old wall that was once used as its defence.
Santa María Church is one of the oldest churches in Albarracín, and its bell tower stands tall, looking over the town. The inside is decorated with detailed paintings.
The 16th-century Catedral del Salvador features a bell tower built on the remains of a Romanesque temple.
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You'll also find the old Andador Tower there, built in the 10th century and serving as a defensive outpost.
Around the town is the Guadalupe River, which is the fifth-longest river in the Iberian Peninsula and the second-longest river with its entire length in Spain.
Villajoyosa the Spanish town that smells like chocolate
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Albarracín is one of the most beautiful towns in Spain
Credit: Alamy
While Albarracín is not a sought-out holiday destination, it was voted the most beautiful town in Spain in 2018.
When it comes to food, certain dishes have a Muslim influence since the area was under Muslim rule during the Middle Ages.
For anyone wanting to take a deeper dive into the town's history, visit the Museo de Albarracín to discover its archaeological and historical past.
It has also been noted that, as the town is so small and fairly isolated, most residents do not speak English.
Getting there is a tad complex. From the UK, you'll need to get to Castellón de la Plana.
You can get a direct flight from
From Castellón de la Plana, it is a two-and-a-half-hour drive to Albarracín.
Plus, the
And the
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The white sand beaches are pristine, which are the main attraction of the town. But due to its location, it is also known as being one of the windiest towns in Europe too.
This means kitesurfers flock to the area, and is a great spot to watch or even try it yourself with a local-run lesson.
There is also the 800-year-old Tarifa Castle, between the old Town and seafront which is worth a visit. Otherwise the Old Town itself is lined with bars and restaurants, with a mix of both Spanish and
This is the same for the stalls too, attracting a range of African and Moroccan souvenirs. Otherwise you can walk between both the Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea with a long pathway between the two.
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Albarracín is a town that turns pink in the sunlight
Credit: Alamy