Navarre - The Southern tip of Navarre, desert and change of scenery

Bardenas Reales Natural Arc

Arguedas is an area of La Ribera, the nearest town, considered to be the gateway to the Bardenas (you will also see the Bardenas Interpretation Center there, to visit before your getaways). It is a cute village, surrounded by a cultivated plain (in particular of rice), there are the caves of Arguedas which are worth the detour. These are not prehistoric caves, but many dwellings that date from the 19th century. The penniless villagers took refuge in the mountains where the friable walls made it possible to dig crevices. They were more than 52 families to stay there until the middle of the XXth century, where social housing replaced the semi-troglodyte dwellings of fortune. Nature and bird lovers will be delighted to go for a walk at the Biological Station, a spacefor interpretation of nature and a bird watching center. Wine lovers will be happy to discover wine tourism in this region where the vines are full of sun. Doesn't that interest your children ? Perhaps they will prefer a visit to Sendaviva, the largest leisure park in Spain : 120 ha of games, rides, attractions, shows, animals (in a zoo), nature. At the top of the giant Bobsleigh track, there is a magnificent view of the landscape. Fleeting, but magnificent !

Spectacular rock formations

Breathtaking landscapes

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On the way to Tudela

Tudela is the second largest city in Navarre, about as large as Pamplona. It is a city of Islamic origin, and you just have to walk around to understand that a multitude of cultures have left their mark on the architecture and art of the city. It is a teeming and pleasant city to land there for a few days, gastronomy is matched only by the sweetness of living there. Everything is green around, it is the Ebro river which sprinkles the plain from which come out wonderful vegetables to be tasted in the quality restaurants of the city. Artichokes, asparagus, lettuce, you will reconcile with the green ! It is also towards the end of April that a great celebration of gastronomy and vegetables takes place in Tudela. We eat and we also drink good beer. Admire the beautiful bridge over the Ebro and its 17 arches. Continue to discover the Cathedral of Santa Maria and the other large churches in the city. There are also 4 convents and chapels. Lovers of beautiful homes will stroll to the Palace of the Marqués de San Adrian, the cultural center and the museum of modern art Muñoz Sola.

Tudela bridge over the Ebro river

Santa Maria Cathedral

If you like Baroque art, head to Corella, further west. Queen Marie-Louise found there enough to cure her tuberculosis, thanks to the garlic and the fresh air of the region. Stroll to the parish church of San Miguel, the oldest in the city, as well as the Nuestra Señora del Villar sanctuary. Manors, mansions all clad in bricks, wrought iron structures, look up and appreciate the rich civil and religious architecture of Corella.

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In Fitero, in the Alhama Valley, there is a spa. It is not the most attractive in the region, but it has the merit of being fed by two relaxing sources. The facilities are pretty and tired travelers will find something to relax. In the same city, go see the old listed monastery and its magnificent abbey, its two cloisters and the pretty little hiking trails that start from it. Climb to the belvedere of the city which offers a beautiful point of view.  

Here we are at the end of our trip to Navarre. Have you explored the 4 entities that make up this magnificent region and are you looking forward to continuing your journey ? Let's continue together towards Guipùzcoà, starting with its sandy beaches full of history…

Fitero