Ares del Maestrat

Ares del Maestrat, in Castellón, is a wonderful place to delve into some of the earliest chapters of our history. Its surrounding countryside is another highlight, with walking trails running through landscapes that are well worth exploring. Discover one of the most beautiful villages in l’Alt Maestrat with this practical, comprehensive guide. 

What to see and do in Ares del Maestrat 

Make a note of these stops for your visit to Ares del Maestrat. We have put together a route so you can see all the main sights. 

Historic centre of Ares del Maestrat 

• Plaça Major is a good place to begin exploring the historic centre. Here you will find the former prison and the old market hall, which now houses the town hall. Both date from the 13th century and were built in the Gothic style. The market hall’s pointed arches are particularly striking.

• Visit the 18th-century Baroque Parish Church of the Assumption of Our Lady and its bell tower. The tower is smaller because it is all that remains of an earlier Gothic church. The medieval Casa Abadía is also worth seeing for its solid, understated façade. 

• Small traces of Ares del Maestrat’s former walls can still be found throughout the town, including along Carrer del Forn. 

• Plaça de la Bassa stands on the site of an old reservoir that once collected spring water. 

• The public washhouse and the Font dels Regatxols, dating from 1810, are among the best-known sights in Ares del Maestrat. A nearby path leads to the 16th-century Nevera dels Regatxols, a former ice house. 

• The streets built up against the mountainside are incredibly photogenic, so make sure you leave time to explore them. 

Where is Ares del Maestrat Castle and how can you visit it? 

The remains of this medieval fortress stand on a rocky plateau at the highest point of the town. The castle was built over the remains of an earlier Roman structure, and the views from the top are exceptional. 

Beside the castle, a collection housed inside an old cave offers more insight into the town and its history. 

Places to visit and walking routes around Ares del Maestrat 

• One of the essential excursions during your visit leads to the Barranc dels Molins, where you can see an 18th-century hydraulic engineering complex made up of five flour mills. 

• The hermitages of San Antonio de Padua and Santa Elena can also be visited as part of a pleasant stroll around the area. 

• You can also visit the fortified Torre Beltrans farmhouse and admire its original 16th-century structure, or look for the remains of former airfields. 

• To explore the surrounding landscape, follow the GR 7 E28 towards Culla or choose one of the local walking trails. 

• Lastly, make time for the viewpoints around Ares del Maestrat, which offer sweeping vistas that promise to stop you in your tracks. 

Rock art in Ares del Maestrat 

The Valltorta Museum is the main centre for arranging visits to the Levantine rock art sites preserved in Ares del Maestrat, including Cova Remígia and Cingle de la Mola Remígia. 

With so much to see, now is the time to plan your trip to Ares del Maestrat and discover a place where history can still be felt at every turn.