The Best Things to Do in Medinaceli A Beautiful Hilltop Village in Spain
Medinaceli is a special hilltop village steeped in a diverse history. Although small, the town has a rich history of Celtic, Roman, Arabic, and Christian influences. Located in the Soria Province of the Castile and León autonomous community of Spain, Medinaceli overlooks the vastness of the Arbujuelo and Jalón valleys.
Medinaceli is blessed to be named one of Spain’s most beautiful villages. Highlights of the pueblo include the only triple Roman arch in Spain, an Arabic castle, original Roman walls with an Arabic gateway, and the Collegiate Church of Santa María la Mayor. The pueblo is now a hub of the arts, and a modern art museum is found in the Ducal Palace on the impressive Plaza Major.
We happened to find ourselves in Medinaceli by chance and spent the morning in the village. This ended up being an extremely memorable day of our off-the-beaten road trip through Spain.
This quick guide to Medinaceli Spain includes the best way to reach the city, all the reasons it’s worth visiting, and a few insights on where to eat and sleep.
Here’s why Medinaceli Spain is worth visiting.
Table of Contents
- How to Get to Medinaceli Spain
- How Much Time to Spend in Medinaceli
- The Best Things to Do in Medinaceli
- Where to Eat in Medinaceli
- Where to Sleep in Medinaceli
- Conclusion | Why Medinaceli Spain is Worth Visiting
How to Get to Medinaceli Spain
Medinaceli is found in the autonomous region of Castile and León in Spain in the province of Soria. This small village sits close to the border of the Castile – La Mancha region.
The easiest way to access the village is by car. If starting in Madrid, Medinaceli is less than 2 hours by car from Madrid.
My mom and I did things differently and included Medinaceli as part of a unique road trip through Spain. Our journey began in the capital of the Basque Country Vitoria-Gasteiz where we continued south to see some of the highlights of the La Rioja region.
After that, we headed south to Soria and the old Roman ruins of Numancia. Medinaceli was a stopping point between our journey to Sigüenza where we spent the night at the Castle of the Bishops of Sigüenza.
⁉️ If you’re an American renting a car, it’s important to have your International Driving Permit
Medinaceli Train Station
Medinaceli has a train station that is located at the base of the village down in the valley. Be mindful that you will need a taxi to reach the hilltop village or take the 30-minute uphill jaunt to visit.
Renfe and run regional trains between Madrid and Medinaceli with an updated schedule here.
It’s also worth noting that Alsa Bus company does stop near the Train Station. Medinaceli is connected to Soria, Pamplona, Madrid, and Zaragoza by Alsa Bus Company.
On Foot
Medinaceli is found on the route of the Camino del Cid. This is less of a Camino route and more of a historical long-distance hike.
El Cid (Rodrigo Díaz de Vivar) was a famous 11th-century medieval knight who fought for both the Christian and Moorish armies.
The Camino del Cid is almost 1500 Km long and follows the epic Poem of El Cid, a romanticized and masterpiece piece of literature about his life. The Camino del Cid follows the poem, based loosely on his life, and starts from his birthplace (Vivar del Cid) near Burgos and ends at Orihuela Alicante, where he died.
How Much Time to Spend in Medinaceli?
The main attractions in Medinaceli could easily be seen in a half-day trip. We spent a few hours casually wandering the medieval streets, seeing the main attractions, and visiting the art museum and archaeological museum. We also stopped for a quick bite to eat and enjoy a coffee at the outdoor terrace.
Overall, we spent around 3 hours exploring Medinaceli and felt like we covered quite a bit of town. We also left mid-day when the village was becoming quite full of day-tripping tourists.
Those looking to explore nearby villages and nature may wish to spend the night in Medinaceli. There are plenty of opportunities like bird watching, hiking trails, and biking routes.
The Best Things to Do in Medinaceli Spain
Here are some of the best things to do in Medinaceli and why the village is worth a visit.
1 | See the Well-Preserved Triple Roman Arch
Medinaceli is most famous for being home to Spain’s only standing Triple Roman Arch. This impressive architectural structure sits on the outskirts of the village and was believed to be constructed during the 1st – 3rd century A.D.
From the triumph arc take in the incredible views of the Jalón valley and beyond.
2 | Wander the Medieval Streets
Medinaceli is a well-preserved village and has tons of history including the influence of Celtic tribes who were later invaded by the Romans. The old Celtiberian settlement was found on the nearby hillside known as Occilis.
Medinaceli was also significant as it historically was on the Christian and Muslim religious border. All four major influences can be seen in the village. The village’s name comes from Medina Salim, which was a Berber family.
The medieval streets are lined with stone homes and the village itself was built to its current-day charm during the 16th century. It was during this century that the construction of Collegiate Church of Santa María de la Asunción started. Other notable landmarks like the Palacio Ducal and the Convent of Santa Isabela were constructed and improved over this time frame.
3 | Visit the Exterior of the Castle
The Castle of Medinaceli was built under Arabic rule and was built on top of an old Arabic citadel. The Castle (Alcazaba) was a significant fortress during the Middle Ages and was used as a strategic lookout. The Castle towers over the nearby valleys and is perched on the hilltop at nearly 4,000 ft (1,200 m).
After the town was conquered by Christians in the 14th century the castle was reshaped to house the city’s leaders. Eventually, the Duke of Medinaceli would move into the Palacio Ducal in the heart of the city.
Today, the castle acts as the town’s cemetery.
4 | Marvel at the Plaza Mayor
Medinaceli has a beautiful square plaza located in the heart of the Plaza. Some of the main attractions of the village can be seen here.
The Alhóndiga is probably the oldest building in the Plaza that was used to trade grain. It was believed the second floor was the Old Town Hall. The building is more recognized by it’s four arches.
The Ducal Palace also sits in the Plaza Mayor. From the large plaza the large tower of the Colegiata de la Asunción de Nuestra Señora sits in the backdrop.
What is fascinating is that during the 1980’s it was discovered that the Plaza Mayor and Medinaceli in total were built on top of a Roman settlement. During an excavation, a large mosaic panel was found dating back to the 4th century. Currently the mosaic art panels found under the Plaza Mayor are not on display.
5 | Gaze at the Original Roman Mosaic Streets
While it’s not possible to see the original mosaic Roman Streets found in the Plaza Mayor, it is possible to see an excavated mosaic in Medinaceli.
Head to the Plaza de San Pedro. Here you can see a conserved mosaic that is protected by a glass cover. Take the staircase down to get the best view.
6 | Spend Time at the Palacio Ducal de Medinaceli
Originally a Palace for the Dukes of Medinaceli, the Palacio Ducal is now a cultural and art center. Officially known as Fundación DEARTE, the building hosts artwork, and concerts, and houses a fantastic Roman Mosaic.
A gem inside the palace is the open Renaissance patio, which is now covered by a glass dome. Concerts are also held inside the space including sponsoring a Jazz Fest, Opera Fest, and Folk Fest. Alongside festivals, DEARTE also hosts a theater festival.
Make sure to tour the section dedicated to the Roman mosaics. This small room contains the actual recovered mosaics alongside the process by which they were recovered.
Fundación DEARTE | Find it Here: Plaza Mayor, 4 | General Admission: €5 (Suggested Donation) | Open: Thur – Mon, 10:00 – 14:00 / 16:00 – 20:00 | Facebook Page
7 | Visit the Free Archaeological Museum
Another place to see in Medinaceli is the Archaeological Museum (Aula Arqueológica). This free museum does a great job showcasing the prehistoric history of the region, the influence of the Romans, and how the Muslim and Christian cultures influenced the area.
Aula Arqueológica | Find it Here: Pl. Mayor, 5 | General Admission: Free | Museum Hours: Mon, Thurs – Sun: 10:30 – 14:30 / 16:00 – 20:00, Closed Tues & Wed
8 | Walk Around the Old City Walls
One of the most beautiful places to see in Medinaceli is tucked into the old Roman walls of the city. On the western side of the city is one of the original Roman entrance gates. During the Arabic rule, the door was slightly modified, but still stands.
This beautiful gateway is simply known as the Arab Door (Puerta Árabe). Around the entrance is one of the most well-preserved sections of the old city walls.
9 | Simply Enjoy One of Spain’s Most Beautiful Pueblos
Medinaceli is officially included in Spain’s “Los Pueblos Mas Bonitos de Espana.” This list of beautiful villages contains 116 towns that span across the diverse regions of Spain. To qualify for the list, villages must have under 15,000 residents, offer green spaces, limit traffic, and have cultural and natural significance.
There is no denying the cultural significance of Medinaceli. Traces of the Celts, Romans, Arabs, and Christianity can be seen throughout the city today.
I’ve had the privilege to visit a few villages from this list (including Peñalba de Santiago in Castile and León) and couldn’t agree more.
Medinaceli is one of Spain’s most beautiful pueblos.
Where to Eat in Medinaceli
There are quite a few different places to eat in Medinaceli.
Those seeking a sit-down meal will want to eat at Asador de la Villa el Granero. This restaurant is famous for its lamb and black pudding. Another popular place to eat in the Plaza Mayor is at El Foro which is known for its delicious rice dishes and vegan options.
Restaurante Bavieca is a popular place to eat that will more than likely require a reservation. They also offer a hotel, Hotel Bavieca. Nearby, El Aljibe is another fabulous restaurant option with an outdoor terrace.
We arrived early and just enjoyed a few tapas at El Rincón de la Villa. This is an ideal place to sample Torreznos, a staple dish from the Soria province. Torreznos are dried and marinated pork belly that is then fried and finished in olive oil.
If looking to enjoy and relax with a coffee or beverage, head to Bar el Kiosko where you can sit in a large open green space and watch the world pass by.
Where to Sleep in Medinaceli Spain
Medinaceli offers a few different accommodation options. We visited Medinaceli like most people do and took a short but sweet day trip. However, there are plenty of things to see and do nearby, so it might be worth spending a night to enjoy the village in quiet.
➜ Hostal Nicolás is a budget-friendly accommodation option located near the train station of Medinaceli
➜ Hotel Rural La Cerámica offers a rustic hotel with all the amenities.
➜ LasCasasYArte Hotel is located in a refurbished building and has rooms with balconies.
➜ Hotel Posada Las Retajas is a highly-rated hotel located in the Plaza el Hospital
➜ Hotel Medina Salim is a spectacular boutique hotel located steps away from the Roman Arch
➜ Browse all the best places to stay in Medinaceli Spain
Conclusion | Why Medinaceli Village is Worth Visiting
In short, this is a quick guide on why it’s worth visiting the small hilltop village of Medinaceli. This beautiful village is found in the Soria province of the Castile & León region of Spain and sees little international tourism.
Medinaceli village is a spectacular historical city where there are traces of Celtiberian, Roman, Arabic, and Christian influence. In Medinaceli it’s possible to see the only remaining triple Roman arch in Spain. For me, a highlight of the visit was seeing the well-preserved Roman mosaic tiles.
This quick guide includes how to best visit this “out of the way” village, what to see and do in Medinaceli, and reasons to add this hidden gem to your Spain itinerary. From history to the arts, there is something for everyone in this beautiful pueblo.
Have you visited Medinaceli? What did you think of this historical city? Let me know in the comments below!
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