Castilla y León wine routes and Loarre castle boost Spanish rural tourism

Spain’s Castilla y León region has created a network of nine certified wine routes – Arlanza, Arribes, Bierzo, Cigales, Ribera del Duero, Rueda, Sierra de Francia, Toro and Zamora – that link vineyards, museums, protected natural areas and rural accommodations. Certified by ACEVIN and part of the national Rutas del Vino programme, the routes attract more than 600,000 enotourists each year, providing a vital second source of income for many rural communities and showcasing the region’s diverse landscapes, from river canyons to mountain terraces.

In Aragon, the 11th‑century Loarre Castle, regarded as the best‑preserved Romanesque fortress in Europe, draws visitors with its medieval architecture and historic significance. Built under Sancho III to defend the Christian frontier, the castle later served religious functions and has been used as a film location. Today it offers a deep‑time experience for tourists exploring the historic town of Loarre and its surrounding scenery.