Famed for its cured ham, pottery and dinosaur remains, Teruel is a high-altitude town in the mountains of eastern Spain. It has been nicknamed the “Town of Mudejar” due to its Moorish-inspired architecture, which combines Islamic and Gothic elements, and has seen Teruel designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Things to do in Teruel
In the heart of Teruel is the Santa María de Mediavilla Cathedral, a magnificent church that dates back to the 12th century. It’s topped by one of the oldest Mudejar towers in Spain, which is beautifully decorated with azulejo tile work. Step inside to admire the elaborately painted ceiling that depicts historical figures and fantastical creatures.
Also of architectural significance is the Torre de El Salvador, a 14th-century tower connected to a Baroque church. In addition to offering visitors a rare look at the interior of an Aragonese Mudejar tower, it houses exhibits detailing the history and architecture of the structure. From the top, you can enjoy stunning views across the rooftops of Teruel.
Travelling with kids? Make your way to Dinopolis, which is one of the largest museums dedicated to palaeontology in the world. As you browse the exhibition halls, you can journey back millions of years to discover what life was like on Earth for the dinosaurs. After getting up close to life-like skeletons and models, take advantage of the rides and 4D simulator in the small dinosaur theme park.
Getting around Teruel
Teruel is around 1.5 hours’ drive from Valencia and Valencia Airport, which has flights to destinations across Europe and North Africa. Madrid and Adolfo Suárez Madrid–Barajas Airport are 3.5 hours away. Regular trains connect from Zaragoza to the Teruel railway station while the centre of town is compact enough to explore on foot.