Three Spanish towns, Sigüenza, Oñati and Cantavieja, in the provinces of Guadalajara, Gipuzkoa and Teruel, respectively, have been recognized by the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) with the 2023 Best Tourism Villages seal. The award given by this organization dependent on the United Nations rewards towns that stand out for a tourism proposal that contributes to preserving cultures and traditions, safeguarding biodiversity and empowering local communities, protecting their values and gastronomy.
The three towns can boast of being part of the select group of 54 rural tourist destinations from 29 countries selected this year from almost 260 candidates from the five continents. All of them have in common that they are communities committed to innovation and economic, social and environmental sustainability. The selection, carried out by an independent multidisciplinary advisory board, has also included another 20 towns in the improvement programme.
According to the Secretary General of the UNWTO, Zurab Pololikashvili, "tourism can be an engine of inclusivity, empowerment of local communities and distribution of benefits in all regions." For this reason, he adds, the initiative recognizes people who "have turned to tourism as a catalyst for their development and well-being."
In this year's edition of the Best Tourism Villages, Ordino has also been recognized, in one of the most iconic towns in the Principality of Andorra which, in addition to skiing, stands out for its interesting cultural offering. House museums such as the Areny Plandolit or the Rossell house recall the way of life in the area since the 15th century, or facilities such as the Postal Museum reveal cultural aspects through the typical Pyrenean slate constructions with colorful balconies decorated with flowers.
Located in the province of Guadalajara, just over 70 kilometers from the capital of the province, Sigüenza is a beautiful town of 4,300 inhabitants with an impressive heritage, declared a historical-artistic site. In it, the medieval city, the Renaissance, the enlightened and baroque, and the neoclassical coexist, a delicious amalgam that makes it an excellent destination for a getaway.
Known as “Ciudad del Doncel” – it houses the tomb of Doncel, considered one of the best funerary monuments in Europe – it frequently appears in lists of the most prominent towns on the Peninsula. Without going any further, in 2016 it was chosen by Internet users as one of the seven rural wonders of Spain and, the following year, as the capital of rural tourism.
The postcard of Sigüenza, which is part of the Don Quixote route, features its imposing castle, installed in an Arab citadel - today converted into a tourist hostel -, the cathedral and its Plaza Mayor full of historic buildings. In addition to the architectural heritage, it has an interesting offer of rural and gastronomic tourism. Its cuisine, typically La Mancha, delights with dishes such as migas seguntinas, Castilian soup or roasts, always washed down with a good local wine.
A little more than 40 kilometers separate it from Vitoria, 75 from San Sebastián and a little less from Bilbao, which allows us to affirm that this town of eleven thousand souls in the Deba Garaia region is located in the heart of the Basque Country. Located at the foot of Mount Aloña, surrounded by mountains and small hills, it is one of the most monumental towns in Euskadi. Not in vain, it has earned the so-called "Basque Toledo", a nickname that the painter Ignacio Zuloaga coined in his day.
Oñati is, above all, beautiful, with an old town dotted with stately buildings, palaces, churches and other historical buildings that contrast with the avant-garde art of the Arantzazu sanctuary, a modern and monumental complex built in the surroundings. The Bidaurreta monastery and hospice, from the early 16th century; the Plaza de los Fueros; The church of San Miguel, in Gothic style and the neo-Gothic one of the Lateranians, or the University of Santi Spiritu, which dates back to the 16th century and remained active for more than five centuries, are its most significant monuments. Although, without a doubt, the latter is its most precious treasure: with a Plateresque Renaissance-style façade, it is one of the most important buildings of the Basque Renaissance.
Oñati is an ideal location for hiking and other outdoor activities. One of the most picturesque corners is the Arrikrutz karst cave, inside which the first cave lion skeleton discovered in Spain was found. When visiting the Arantzazu sanctuary, it would be unforgivable not to visit one of the cider houses in the surrounding area. Those with a sweet tooth have their appointment at Txokolateixia, a chocolate interpretation center that occupies the former headquarters of the Orbea Chocolate Factory.
Surrounded by a rugged landscape, in the heart of the Iberian System, at 1,200 meters above sea level, Cantavieja is a tiny town with less than 800 residents of Alto Maestrazgo, close to the province of Castellón. It is located at the top of a limestone promontory, at 1,300 meters above sea level, which allows you to enjoy spectacular views from its viewpoints.
Its privileged location has conditioned a past in which Templars, San Juanistas and Carlists played a prominent role, something that can be seen through a good number of buildings. The best way to discover the secrets it hides is by walking through its medieval framework, declared a historical-artistic site in 1981. The extraordinary arcaded Plaza Mayor stands out, where the Baroque-style church of the Assumption of Our Lady and the Town Hall stand. , Gothic style, among other buildings.
Its surroundings do not disappoint visitors either, with places such as the Tarayuela viewpoint, which is accessed through a perfectly signposted 5.5 kilometer path, the Faldrija fountain or the Cantavieja river, whose walks along the shore are a delight Its tourist office is the issuing and sealing point of the Camino del Cid. Visiting the town is an excellent opportunity to taste the gastronomic delights of the area, with cheese as one of its stars, without forgetting the truffle, ham, honey or its excellent wines.
