The Route in 3 days
1 day in Alcañiz
10 AM: A start with views from the Castle of the Calatravos
We will start the day from the highest point of Alcañiz, enjoying sensational views over the city and the Guadalope River, but, above all, visiting its most emblematic monument: the magnificent Castle of the Calatravos. This large construction is a Convent-Palace built on the Puis Pinos hill, and houses one of the most interesting sets of Gothic mural paintings in all of Aragon, its original keep, and the Palace of the Commanders, among other attractions.
12 PM: Descent to the heart of Alcañiz
But visiting Alcañiz has a lot of history, and to continue discovering it, we recommend descending to the central point of the city's social life: Plaza España, where you can contemplate the Historical-Artistic Interest Site formed by the Town Hall building and the Lonja. Very close by is the Tourist Office, in whose lower floors one of the city's best-kept secrets is hidden: the underground passages of medieval origin.
2 PM: At the table to enjoy the gastronomy of Alcañiz.
It's time to eat and we invite you to explore the historic center in search of a corner where you can rest and enjoy some of the gastronomic specialties of Alcañiz. Meats and stews are some of the most typical delicacies, along with a good sample of garden products and a plate of Teruel ham with olive oil from Bajo Aragón. And for dessert? Sweet lovers will have a hard time deciding between the numerous local proposals, but let's not forget the fruit, because the Calanda peaches have nothing to envy from the best pastries.
4 PM: A church that speaks of history.
We will start the day from the highest point of Alcañiz, enjoying sensational views over the city and the Guadalope River, but, above all, visiting its most emblematic monument: the magnificent Castle of the Calatravos. This large construction is a Convent-Palace built on the Puis Pinos hill, and houses one of the most interesting sets of Gothic mural paintings in all of Aragon, its original keep, and the Palace of the Commanders, among other attractions.
6 PM: The greenest and most refreshing Alcañiz.
At this point in the day, you will have already realized the historical and cultural interest of the city of Alcañiz, but to continue the day we now propose you to discover its natural heritage. To do this, we will move about 4 kilometers away from the urban center until we reach the La Estanca reservoir, a large lagoon that drinks from the Guadalope River. With its surroundings repopulated with pine trees, it has become one of the favorite recreation spaces for the people of Alcañiz, a place to enjoy wonderful views and an ideal enclave for practicing water sports, cycle tourism, hiking, horse riding, and fishing.
More…
The day is falling and perhaps it is time to head towards the next stage of the Route of the 3 Kings. But for those who still want to steal a little more time from the day, a last proposal: discover Las Saladas. It is a set of 30 water tanks, with a very high concentration of salt, a unique phenomenon in Europe but which is repeated in the Bajo Aragón area and which is explained by remembering that, millions of years ago, the Iberian Peninsula was covered by sea. They are located about 2 km from La Estanca.
1 day in Morella
10 AM: Entering Morella through the Towers of San Miguel.
The Towers of San Miguel are, without a doubt, the most popular point of access to Morella. And it is not surprising, these twin towers built in the 14th century have become an attraction in their own right. And it is that inside they house several surprises: an exhibition on carved stone works and another of antique miniature cars, but also a model of the Morella complex thanks to which the visitor will begin to sense the surprises that await him in one of the most beautiful towns in Spain. In addition, those who access the towers can go out to the bridge terrace and take a section of the Paseo de la Muralla, which will take them to discover the door of the Antigua Nevera.
11 AM: Visit to one of the most important fortresses in the Mediterranean.
But surely what you will be waiting for is the moment to visit the jewel in Morella's crown… its impressive castle and its magnificent fortress! So we won't make you wait any longer, we leave the towers to go find Calle del Castillo that will take you to the mola on which this construction stands. Once there, nothing better than enjoying a walk to its Plaza de Armas and a visit to the Governor's Palace.
1 PM: A stop at the Town Hall.
After an intense morning at the castle, you will have worked up an appetite. That is why we suggest you go back towards the center of the town, but not before making a stop at the Town Hall. Here you will be greeted by Seidia, Artal, Rosella and Abusaid, the four giants of Morella who live in the town hall, a building that masterfully combines the current activity of the Town Hall with respect for the history of the building. So much so, that its rehabilitation project won a Europa Nostra Award for architectural recovery of Heritage. Even today, you can visit the old Gothic rooms and the prison here.
2 PM: A small break with a taste of truffle.
And now, it's time to sit down at the table. The gastronomic offer of Morella is wide and varied, with establishments where you can enjoy the most traditional cuisine, tapas and wines, or modern proposals. Whatever your choice, the truffle has long become the queen of Morella's gastronomy and opting for a proposal that works with the ingredient will always be a good option. And for dessert? Tradition dictates: the flaó is a must.
4 PM: The Morella that breathes peace.
With renewed energy, we suggest you go out to discover one of the most charming spots in Morella: the Garden of Poets, a small and quiet place where you can discover the most beautiful verses of the main poets of the territory. We will continue with a walk that runs through places full of peace, such as the one that is breathed inside the Basilica of Santa María la Mayor and in the Convent of San Francisco, the latter currently closed to the public for works.
6 PM: Journey to the time of the dinosaurs.
The time is coming to direct our steps to the point where just a few hours ago we entered Morella for the first time. But on the way back to the Towers of San Miguel there is another must-see in the city: the Dinosaur Museum, where you will get to know one of the oldest residents of the town, the Iguanodon.
And an extra for those who still don't want to leave…
Perhaps for many it is already time to end the day and head to the next stage of the Ruta 3 Reyes, but for those who still want to take advantage to enjoy a little more of the charm of Morella, we propose to do so with a postcard walk through the Paseo de Ronda or Segunda Alameda, an easy circular route that offers attractive panoramic views of the surroundings of Morella and the Els Ports region.
1 day in Tortosa
10 AM. Following the Ebro towards the Cathedral of Santa María.
Arriving in Tortosa, wherever you arrive, our first recommendation is to go in search of the Ebro River and start getting to know the city following its route. Of course, we will not do it aimlessly, our proposal is that you accompany us until we meet the Cathedral of Santa María, the main religious building of the capital of the Tierra del Ebro and one of the most notable exponents of Catalan Gothic. From the outside, its monumental baroque facade stands out and the Puerta de la Olivera, and inside, the Capilla de la Cinta. In addition, you can also visit the permanent exhibition of the cathedral.
Very close to here is Tortosa Cota 0, a space where you can discover the footprint that Romans, Visigoths, Andalusians, and medieval and Renaissance Christians have left in Tortosa.
without a doubt, the most popular point of access to Morella. And it is not surprising, these twin towers built in the 14th century have become an attraction in their own right. And it is that inside they house several surprises: an exhibition on carved stone works and another of antique miniature cars, but also a model of the Morella complex thanks to which the visitor will begin to sense the surprises that await him in one of the most beautiful towns in Spain. In addition, those who access the towers can go out to the bridge terrace and take a section of the Paseo de la Muralla, which will take them to discover the door of the Antigua Nevera.
11:30 AM. Ascent with stops to the Castle of La Zuda
Now yes, it is time to ascend through the city to the top of the central hill of Tortosa, where we will find the Castle of La Zuda, of Andalusian origin, perhaps the best-known monument in the city, and without any doubt, a wonderful viewpoint. But before arriving, we suggest you enjoy the road and take advantage of the ascent to get to know the charming open-air museum of sculptures of The Prince's Gardens and review the city's most illustrious neighbors with the 15 characters that you will find along the Paseo de las Culturas.
go to visit the jewel in Morella's crown… its impressive castle and its magnificent fortress! So we won't make you wait any longer, we leave the towers to go find Calle del Castillo that will take you to the mola on which this construction stands. Once there, nothing better than enjoying a walk to its Plaza de Armas and a visit to the Governor's Palace.
2 PM. Time to get to know the gastronomy of Tortosa.
After a morning touring the city, it is time to discover its cuisine. The gastronomic offer is numerous and varied, but if you want to know the authentic flavor of the capital of the Tierras del Ebro, nothing like opting to try local recipes such as a good Delta rice, some specialty of abadejo (cod) and the baldanas. And for desserts? The proposal is extensive and the pastissets of cabello de ángel and the menjar blanc the most popular.
4 PM. Strolling through the old town towards the Reales Colegios.
We will take advantage of the first hour of the afternoon to stroll through the old town of Tortosa, stopping to discover some spaces as characteristic of the city as the Calle de la Rosa and the Portal del Romeu. Enjoying the contrast of eras and styles offered by the buildings we come across, we will arrive at the Reales Colegios, where we cannot miss its Renaissance cloister and the exhibition on the city and the Renaissance Festival.
6 PM. Pier – Municipal Market (modernism).
We now head towards one of the exponents of modernist architecture in the city: the Municipal Market, a building that impresses both the exterior and the interior. After contemplating its facade (and the interior iron structure and the activity of the stalls if it is in the morning), Again we look (to look at the river) and we will go towards the pier that is located just in front of the market to enjoy one of the most unique experiences that the city offers us: discover it sailing the Ebro aboard Lo Sirgador, a lute from which to learn about the history of the city and the nature that surrounds it.
After the cruise…
It is up to you to decide if you want to discover a little more of Tortosa or if it is already time to head towards a new stage of the Ruta 3 Reyes. But if you like to hurry the day and Tortosa still asks you to accompany it a little longer, we propose to do so by crossing the colorful Puente del Ferrocarril, today converted into the starting point of the Vía Verde that connects the city with Alcañiz and Puebla de Híjar; walking through the Municipal Park and approaching to know the Medieval Lonja, which houses the giants, big heads and court of beasts of the city; and of course, returning to the center to enjoy a last refreshment while the day is falling.