Deep in the hidden valley of the Pyrenees lies Benasque. This village in the Ribagorza region (Huesca) is the ultimate rural destination, hidden between the peaks that separate Spain and France.
What can you see there? We can start by taking a stroll along the main avenue of the town, the Calle Mayor, which will take us to the Palace of the Counts of Ribagorza. It is a Renaissance building that has had different functions throughout history, but today it is the Cultural Centre of Benasque. If we continue along the street we will reach the centre of the village, the Town Hall square, where we find the church of Santa María la Mayor, in Romanesque style from the 11th century.
Come on, come on, we must continue. We will have to walk a little further to find the tower of the Casa Juste, which is 18 meters high and can be seen from almost any point in Benasque. Finally, we will make our last stop at the Visitor Centre, dedicated to inform about the Posets-Maladeta Natural Park through audiovisual exhibitions.
Are you ready? Because now it's time to leave the village. And now that you know everything about your next destination, you can explore the Posets-Maladeta Natural Park freely.
It is a large, protected area in the Pyrenees, where snowfalls are frequent. Even so, it is perfect for sports such as skiing or mountaineering, if you dare to climb the 2,812-metre-high Aneto Peak.
Another quieter plan is to do some hiking. The Forau de Aigualluts route leads directly to a waterfall also called The Forau de Aigualluts, and is perfect for children.
What else can you do? The neighboring villages of Anciles and Cerler are not to be missed. The latter is especially known for its ski slopes and for being the highest village in the Aragonese Pyrenees.
And if you get cold, any of the local tascas will be happy to serve you a hot dish. Local specialties include braised wild boar with... chocolate sauce! You read that right, chocolate sauce. Another typical dish is the "olla benasquesa". To explain it... Let's say that if you like stew, you'll like this spoon dish, as it also contains pulses and various meats.
If you like rural folklore, you should stay to enjoy the patron saint's festivities of San Marcial. Every 30th of June, the streets are filled with colours, music and dances for two days: the first day is the Ball dels Omes, while the second day is the woman’s turn who perform the Ball de les Donnes.
We know that all this sounds tiring, but it will be a rewarding fatigue which you can recover from in any of the hotels and hostels that the town has to offer. Try to recharge your batteries and leave no corner of Benasque unexplored on this rural tourism holiday.
