A guide to Pedraza- a fairy-tale town in Spain

“We live in a wonderful world that is full of beauty, charm and adventure. There is no end to the adventures we can have if only we seek them with our eyes open.” – Jawaharal Nehru

Searching for hidden gems

If you go beyond, just a little bit, the guide book, you will get to so many beautiful places that were not expected to be found. One of those places is Pedraza. At short distance from Madrid it is rarely visited by foreigners…maybe better, but it is one of the places to inspire to be creative, to think differently and keep the mind open. It is not a must do or must see tourist attraction, but for me is one of the places that stayed in my memory very alive.

I know and understand very well that there is no always time. I know that some people take weekend trips or city breaks with an intention to see the biggest attractions, buildings or restaurants. And this is perfectly fine. Everyone travels differently. What I humbly hope for however, is that small places like Pedraza can inspire you to search for something different, be interested in things beyond the travel guide and not follow blindly what is given and said by others. Think of this as an approach to many aspects of life…it will be worth it.

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Use my favourite travel resources to plan your dream trips

• Booking.com for searching best prices on accommodation.
• Discover Cars is a great website as they search both local and international car hire services, so you can choose the best deal for yourself. Make sure though, that the company has a good reputation and reviews.
• Get Your Guide is my place to go for searching and booking tours and excursions, especially when I travel solo.
• World Nomads travel insurance. I like them because they have quite extensive coverage of different activities.
• Jack’s Flight Club is a service that can save you hundreds of dollars on flights, it works especially well in Europe.
• Trivago where you can search and save on hotels.
• Go City is a perfect site for booking bucket list experiences and attractions all in one to avoid paying for multiple tickets. Easy and saves money.
• Trip Advisor– amazing for good quality recommendations.
• Skyscanner is a perfect website for searching flight routes and comparing prices.

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It was a cold day. A very cold and windy day. So windy that my hat was flying away all the time. But those of you who cannot stay in one place for too long know very well that there is no weather (within a normal spectrum of bad weather that is) that can keep us at home.

I don’t like cold. I could happily snuggle on a sofa with a blanket, a good book and a mug of hot chocolate (or wine…) while watching dancing on wood fire. For this ( and only for this and cannot stress it enough!) I miss grey autumns with rain and wind when the days are short and the thought of walking outside gives me goose bumps. But when it comes to seeing new places, discovering and traveling, I have to forget that it’s cold…otherwise I should have just visit all the places when it’s hot there.  I would miss so much then…because in some it’s rarely hot.

So…that day it was cold. It was however a very nice day because we spent it in a fairy tale town. I was there before a few years back on a dark winter day. It was magical. After a freezing walk, an evening with candles, glass of wine and amazing Spanish food with even better company, I knew it was just perfection. Since then Pedraza did not lose any charm. I felt again like a character from a fairy tale.

Main things to see in Pedraza

Plaza Mayor: Begin your exploration of Pedraza in the town’s main square, Plaza Mayor, surrounded by charming medieval buildings adorned with colorful flowers. Admire the imposing Tower of the Prison, once used as a jail and now housing a museum dedicated to the town’s history.

Castle of Pedraza: Ascend the hill overlooking the town to visit the majestic Castle of Pedraza, a 13th-century fortress that offers panoramic views of the surrounding countryside. Explore the castle’s interior, including its impressive keep and fortified walls, and learn about its storied past.

Church of San Juan: Marvel at the Romanesque beauty of the Church of San Juan, located at the edge of town. Admire its intricate facade, elegant bell tower, and stunning interior adorned with ancient frescoes and religious artifacts.

Medieval Walls: Take a leisurely stroll along Pedraza’s medieval walls, which encircle the town and offer glimpses of its historic architecture and surrounding landscapes. Pause to admire the views from the various lookout points along the walls, including the picturesque Arco de la Villa.

Gastronomic Delights: Indulge in the culinary delights of Pedraza at one of its traditional taverns or restaurants, where you can sample local specialties such as roast suckling pig, lamb stew, and artisanal cheeses. Don’t forget to pair your meal with a glass of Ribera del Duero wine, produced in the nearby vineyards.

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See also: 

5 best places to eat chocolate con churros in Madrid

Highlights of a road trip through Galicia, Spain.

Spain for foodies. 10 dishes you must try while in Spain.

5 underrated cities for a weekend break in Europe

19 most beautiful castles in Europe you must visit

Pedraza is very small- what to do there?

Pedraza is a medieval walled town with the population of only 500. It is not very well known among the tourist from other countries, but the Spaniards regularly visit it. It’s easy to reach and makes a perfect day out where you slow down, relax and escape the heat in the city. The people living there run hotels, restaurants and small shops. All of them perfectly fit the atmosphere of the town and are sometimes hard to  spot due to lack of big colourful signs. Everything is discreet and with an intention to keep it untouched.

The town is kept as original as possible. You won’t see many signs there and the center is closed for traffic. The cobbled streets and arcaded houses create a picturesque view. Both times I visited Pedraza it was almost empty. I felt like someone traveling in time. You know those family tv films you watched as a child when while reading a book magic happens and you transport yourself into the story in the book? The first thought I had when I stepped into this cobbled town was that it looks like a film set of a film based on a fairy tale. That’s exactly what being in Pedraza is like.

The life there is slow and simple. My kind of escape from a busy city. Well this and being in wild nature, which is not my cup of tea in cold and windy weather.

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This town is a live proof that fairy tales are real

Although Pedraza is small, it should not be rushed to see it. It is best to be experienced slowly. Sometimes just being, slowing down and enjoying the place without any particular purpose is all you need or can do to have an amazing day.

The town transforms into an even more magical place in the Night of Candles on the first Saturday of July. All the lights are switched off and instead the candles light up this charming medieval town. This is probably the busiest night in Pedraza.

Mindful moment

Spontaneous discoveries. Nowadays the time is filled with many distractions, many of them in the form of social media, mobile phones, Instagram updates. It is difficult to switch off and be present, even more difficult, I would suspect, with so many distractions. Mindful traveling can surprise you in many ways, for example how many things you spot when you intentionally focus your attention to the resent moment. Observe the tiles or stones on the pavement, the owners of small, local shops performing their daily tasks, an old lady knitting sweaters on a cobbled street to be sold as souvenirs. Those little moments, small details of the world make the traveling better and more meaningful.

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How to get to Pedraza:

Pedraza is located 127 km from Madrid. The best way to visit it is to go there by car. Surely there is many companies that organize one-day excursions to Pedraza and Segovia, but the experience is much better to just slow down there and enjoy the town. If you don’t have much time and want to avoid the hassle, it will be easy to find an organized excursion.

Rent you car in Spain here.

Where to stay in Pedraza:

Even though Pedraza is a short distance away from Madrid and can be visited in one day, it would make an amazing and romantic weekend to stay there for a night. You can find where to stay in Pedraza here or if you prefer you can stay in Segovia, a town nearby, which is bigger and also beautiful.

Book your accommodation in Pedraza or Segovia here. It is truly an out of fairy-tale experience.

What to eat:

Spaniards are proud of their food and often talk about specialties from different regions and towns. They even drive many kilometers to a village for one specific dish that is supposed to be the best. Pedraza is not different. The specialty there is cordero asado (grilled lamb), morcilla (black pudding), guisantes con jamón (green peas with ham), sopa castellana (soup with bread) and judiones  de La Granja (beans).

Thank yo for visiting. What do you think about Pedraza? If you visited some hidden gems during your travels, I would love for you to share it with us. Happy travels, everyone.

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