Welcome to Morella, a charming walled town that is crowned with an impressive, well-preserved castle. White and beige houses, winding streets, almost 2.5km long defensive walls, bullring, towers, and portals create a striking view. Morella looks amazing both from a distance and from the inside. No wonder it was named one of the most beautiful villages in Spain! So if you’re looking for a quiet and picturesque escape in Valencian Community, this town is the place you are looking for. Vamos, let’s discover things to do in Morella, Spain.
Note. You can easily connect your visit to Morella with a trip to the tiny and remote Ares del Maestrat village located only 30km away.
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Morella, Spain FAQ
Morella is a small Spanish town located in the north of the Province of Castellon in the Valencian Community. It sits at an altitude of 1000m a.s.l. Morella is located close to other popular places like Peniscola, Ares del Maestrat, Benicassim with Via Verde del Mar, or Castellon de la Plana.
Of course! Morella is one of the most beautiful places in the Valencian Community. Thanks to its charming old town completely enclosed with stone walls and a well-preserved castle perched atop a hill, Morella captivates its visitors from the first steps.
Things to do in Morella, Spain
Morella Castle
Morella Castle (es. Castell de Morella) is the town’s jewel. Originally it was a 13th-century fortress of Islamic architecture but Roman, Arabic, and Iberian cultures have left their mark here through the ages. The castle can boast a privileged position which was incredibly useful for defense purposes in the past. And now it’s very useful for you, to enjoy magnificent panoramic views of Morella and its surroundings.
Entrance to Morella Castle costs €3.5 for a normal ticket and €2.5 for a reduced one (January 2024). To check current prices and opening hours visit morella.net website. Visiting the castle is a must-have thing to do in Morella, definitely worth its price.
Defensive walls of Morella
Even though the walls of Morella date back to the 14th century they are well-preserved. They have a perimeter of 2.5 kilometers, are 10-15 meters high and 2 meters thick. Along them, there is also a series of 16 towers. The walls of Morella can be admired from many places, but we think that the best views are from the top of the castle and town viewpoint, Mirador Morella.
Morella Old Town
It seems like Morella’s old town is made for slowly strolling through its charming narrow streets trying to uncover all its secrets. There you’ll find many restaurants and small shops, as well as some historic points of interest like Sant Miquel Gate, the medieval prison, and Carrer d’En Blasco d’Alagó – one of the most attractive streets in Morella. While in Morella’s old town, you can also visit one of its restaurants and try one of the delicious cheeses produced in town – they are often served as a starter.
Archpriest’s Church of Santa Maria la Major
Many consider the Archpriest’s Church of Santa Maria la Major (es. Iglesia Arciprestal de Santa María la Mayor) as one of the most beautiful temples in Spain. It dates back to the 13th century and boasts a beautiful facade composed of two doors – the door of the Apostles and the door of the Virgins. While inside, take a good look at the choir’s staircase, baroque altar, and the pipe organ from 1720.
Entrance to church costs €3 for normal ticket and €2.5 for reduced (January 2024). To check current prices and opening hours visit basilicademorella.org website.
Convent of San Francisco
Convent of San Francisco (es. Convent de Sant Francesc) is an old convent of Franciscan monks with a church that dates from the 14th century and remains of the cloister. The convent has several rooms that stand out for the beauty and simplicity of the original Gothic style. In the room of De Profundis, a true jewel of the death paintings can be found: The Dance of the Death.
Currently (January 2024) Convent of San Francisco is closed due to the works being carried out in the cloister.
Morella Aqueduct
Aqueduct of Morella (es. Aqueducte de Santa Llucia) is a Gothic-style hydraulic infrastructure from the 14th century. It’s located just a few steps from Morella’s old town, right below the city walls.
Dinosaurs Museum
Dinosaurs Museum (es. Temps de Dinosaures Museum) is another great attraction in Morella, especially for kids. There, you’ll be able to immerse yourself in a fascinating world of dinosaurs, learn more about their history, and see fossil remains from the area. If you have time, you can also go to an escape room!
Entrance to Dinosaurs Museum costs €2 for a normal ticket and €1.5 for reduced one (January 2024). Museum is closed on Mondays. To check current prices and opening hours visit morella.net website.
Mirador Morella viewpoint
For the views of Morella town in all its glory be sure to visit the viewpoint called Mirador Morella. It’s located only 5km from the old town so it will be a quick but rewarding trip. Postcard views and photos – guaranteed!
How to get to Morella, Spain?
Morella is located about 75km from Peniscola, 95km from Castellon de la Plana, 160km from Valencia, and 170km from Tarragona. The most convenient way to get to the town is by car.
Where to park in Morella?
There is only one parking lot in Morella. It’s located right next to the entrance to the village and is paid between 10AM to 6PM during the high season, holidays and weekends. The highest price you’ll pay is €3 for 8 hours (January 2024).
To Morella by bus
From some places you can also get to Morella by bus. For example, a trip from Castellon de la Plana will take 2h (€7-11) and 3.5h from Peniscola (€8-11). To learn more about bus connections that might interest you visit rome2rio.com website.
Morella camping
If you’re traveling by camper, places like Àrea d’autocaravanes Castell de Morella or Àrea d’Autocaravanas del Forcall might interest you. They are located in or near Morella.
Things to do in Morella, Spain – Summing up
Now you can see that Morella is a truly stunning Spanish medieval town where you’ll feel like you stepped back in time. Winding streets, an impressive castle and defensive walls, magnificent views, delicious food… It all blends perfectly and makes Morella an ideal place to slow down for a bit. There might not be dozens of exciting things to do in Morella, but those the town can offer will make you fall in love with this place. Enjoy your trip!
Our opinion about Morella
For us, a visit to Morella was a day trip from Benicassim where we lived for a few weeks. Our day trip was a combination of a visit to remote Ares del Maestrat, the beautiful white village of Peniscola, and in the afternoon we ended up in Morella. It was September and back then the town was very quiet, we were surprised that we came across only a few people. We liked the town and strolling among its streets was a delight but what we liked most was the castle and the views of the surroundings. What we didn’t like? That we were a bit in a hurry and skipped some spots!
Restaurants, accommodations, and map
Check out various recommended places below.
Where to eat in Morella ?
Here are your best, high-rated options in Morella :
Where to sleep in Morella ?
Hotel Cardenal Ram
Hotel Cardenal Ram is a charming hotel located in the historic walled city of Morella. The rooms are decorated with elegant rustic style and offer views of the surrounding mountains. The hotel also features a restaurant serving traditional local cuisine.
Hotel Rey Don Jaime
Hotel Rey Don Jaime is a charming hotel located in the historic center of Morella, offering comfortable accommodation and excellent service to guests. The hotel features elegantly decorated rooms equipped with modern amenities, including air conditioning and free Wi-Fi. Guests can enjoy a delicious breakfast at the hotel's café or relax on the terrace.
Turismo Rural Morella
Turismo Rural Morella is a charming country house located in a peaceful rural area just outside the historic walled city of Morella. The property features comfortable rooms and apartments with traditional décor, a garden with barbecue facilities, and a terrace with stunning views of the surrounding countryside. Guests can also enjoy a continental breakfast each morning.
Accommodations photos source: booking.com
