It has now been announced that the successful program “Spanish Village” will be filmed in Zara, located in the hinterland of the province of Valencia in the Valencia region. Of course you should not confuse the name of the village of Zara with the Spanish clothing brand Zara, but what is there to see and do in Zara? We got it right and it’s at least a little more tourist friendly than the previous Polopos with some great sights.
Zarra is located in the Valle de Cofrentes-Ayora region, in the province of Valencia, about 140 km from the city of Valencia and about 120 km from the city of Alicante. An ideal destination for lovers of rural tourism, nature and culture. You’ll still find peace and space in Zara because there are fewer than 400 residents, something that may change with the attention this small village is now getting from the Dutch TV show.
Zara has many places of interest in the historical center. The steep streets exude a medieval atmosphere, and Santa Ana Church, dating from 1760, is well worth a visit. Also take a look at the clock tower where the bells are still being rung manually, walk through the central square and discover where the public wash is.
mural
In the narrow streets of Zarra you will find amazing murals that immediately catch your eye. There is a cultural trail (Ruta del Arte) through the village that leads you past some amazing works of art. Frescoes covering the entire walls adorn the most emblematic place in Zara. These large drawings make many passers-by stop to admire, for example, Mona Lisa (Da Vinci), Las Meninas (Velasquez), Paseo Orillas del Mar (Sorolla) and La Maja Vistada (Goya). In the pictures below you can see some examples of this particular street art, which decorates the streets of Zara like giant graffiti.
The Enchanted Forest
The Enchanted Forest (Bosque encantado) in Zarra is a real attraction and part of the approximately 14 kilometer ‘Ruta de la Hoz’ that contains our website It has (in Spanish only). It is a special place both for locals in Zara and the surrounding villages and for visitors from all over the Valencian region. The trees are uniquely decorated with colorful crochet sweaters that wrap the tree trunks. The vibrant color palette combined with the calmness of the forest gives it a special touch. This unique initiative attracts many visitors to the charming Zara.
walking path
The La Hauz region, in addition to an extensive forest, contains a primary water source deeply rooted in the history of Zara. You will find some historic homes, now uninhabited, and the piping system of the old water mill. After picnicking, the Zara Dam picnic area is an ideal place for families. With a barbecue, fountain, and restrooms, it’s a great location for a day outdoors. A hiking trail of approximately 14km with elevation differences is PR-CV 463 shown in weeklock .
Also worth seeing
An Iberian necropolis was discovered near Zara on the ‘Cerro del Tesoro’, indicating that this area was inhabited centuries ago. The places that you should definitely visit are the dam in the Zarra River gorge, the Rentón Dam and of course the Zarra River itself. You’ll discover caves, springs, canals, and mills, ideal for hiking or cycling. Don’t forget to enjoy cherries (depending on the season) and other local delicacies during your visit.
Gastronomy and food presentation
There are currently three catering establishments according to the website of the Municipality of Zara: Bar Paquete, Bar Iván and Asador Casa Arrendador (outside the village, along road CV445). Here you can drink or eat something, but pay attention to the opening times.
Although the village of Zarra is part of the Valencia province of Comunidad Valenciana (Valencia region), the local culinary traditions are strongly influenced by the autonomous region of Castilla-La Mancha. This is reflected in dishes such as Manchego cheese, gazpacho, potage, and gagamega. Local pastries feature delicacies such as tortitas, honey rolls (rolos de miel) and Zara’s special sandwiches (tonia zarinas). Cherries (cerezas), which grow in the shade of the mountains, are a local masterpiece. In addition, the village is known for its handmade sausages and ham, which are appreciated throughout the valley.
Overnight
According to Booking.com, there are two “Casas Rurales” where you can spend the night. Casa Arriba and Casa Rural El Encanto. Either way, you rent an entire house, so they’re not B&Bs or hotels, but dogs are allowed. It is also possible to spend the night in the aforementioned Asador Casa Arrendador restaurant, as it is also a small hotel with basic rooms.
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