After visiting Ares del Maestrat, we drove 30 kilometers further to see Morella. Unfortunately, we spent too much time exploring the beautiful and well-preserved Castillo de Morella and ran out of time for visiting some other important places in town. But at least we have a reason to visit it one more time. In this post, we’ll show you what we saw and will point out some other places you shouldn’t miss out as we did. So come, let’s discover the best things to see in Morella, Spain.
If you want to escape to one of the most charming towns in the Valencian Community, Morella is the place you are looking for. It’s a small medieval town, located in the north of the province of Castellón. It got the title of one of the prettiest villages in Spain in 2013. And no wonder, because it looks amazing both from a distance and from the inside of the walls.
Morella is wonderfully preserved. Medieval stone walls of almost 2.5 km in length surround it, with an impressive castle at an altitude of over 1000 m above sea level. Morella was declared a Historic/Artistic site in 1963.
Best things to see in Morella, Spain
Viewpoint: Mirador Morella
On the road CV-12, 5.5km before the town, you’ll find the Morella viewpoint which will enchant you with beautiful views, like from a postcard. Check its exact location: CLICK.
Castillo de Morella – Morella Castle
Without a doubt, Castillo is the jewel in the Morella crown. Originally it was a 13th-century fortress of Islamic architecture. But Roman, Arabic, and Iberian cultures have left their mark here through the ages. Its unique and privileged position is unquestionable – from the top, you can enjoy a stunning panoramic view of the surrounding areas which without a doubt was incredibly useful for defense in the past. Since June 3rd, 1931 Morella Castillo is a monument of artistic and historical importance.
Prices. General ticket: 3,50€, reduced ticket: 2,50€
The walls of Morella
The walls date back to the 14th century. The wall perimeter is 2.5 kilometers long with walls between 10-15 meters high and 2 meters thick. It also has a series of towers along its length.
The Archpriest’s Church of Santa Maria la Major
The basilica is one of the most beautiful temples in the Mediterranean. It dates back to the 13th century when the building began. It has a beautiful facade composed of two doors – the door of the Apostles and the door of the Virgins. Inside, take a look at the choir’s staircase, baroque altar, and the monumental pipe organ from 1720.
Prices: General: 3€ per person; Reduced: 2,50€
Convent of San Francisco
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.
You can access the castle and the Convent of San Francisco using the same ticket. Currently (January 2022) it is still closed due to the works being carried out in the cloister.
The historic center
It seems like Morella is made for strolling and wandering through its narrow streets. It has a well-kept town center full of special places to discover. One of the key points in the historic quarter is Calle Blasco de Alagón.
Morella Aqueduct
Also known as Aqueducte de Santa Llucia. You can find it right below the city walls. It’s a Gothic-style hydraulic infrastructure from the 14th century.
How to get to Morella, Spain?
You can only get to Morella by road. If you aren’t traveling in your own car perhaps the second-best option is to rent one. But you can also get there by public bus from Castellón de la Plana. The drive takes about 1.5 h by car and 2 hours by bus.
You can leave the car in this parking, paying 2.5€ for all day.
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?
There is quite a good choice of various accommodations in Morella, from rural houses, private apartments to hotels. Here are some of them:
