Inside Spain’s smallest city – where fewer than 300 people live and the streets are too narrow for cars
Skip the tourist crowds in Magaluf and Marbella and instead discover a more picturesque, romantic – and far less crowded – Spain with a trip to the country’s smallest town.
Welcome to Frias. With less than 300 inhabitants, it is the smallest city in the country. Despite its minuscule size, Frias retains the status of city granted in 1435 by King Juan II of Castile.
The streets of this medieval citadel are so narrow that cars cannot drive through them, so visitors must park and use their feet to explore the area.
And there is plenty to see.
There are striking houses clinging to the steep rock faces and on a rocky hill stands a striking castle from the 12th century: the Castle of the Dukes of Frias. From here visitors have a wonderful view of the town and the picturesque surrounding landscape.
Welcome to Frias. With less than 300 inhabitants, it is the smallest city in Spain
The streets of Frias are so narrow that cars cannot drive through them. Visitors must park outside the perimeter and use their legs to explore the streets.
The striking 12th century castle of the Dukes of Frias
The photo shows striking houses hanging from vertical rock faces. Photo courtesy of Creative Commons-
One visitor said the castle offers the chance to ‘travel back to medieval Spain’
The castle can be visited for €2 (£1.70). Children enter for free.
According to Spain’s tourist websiteit ‘has beautiful transept windows and offers breathtaking panoramic views’.
One visitor said the castle offers a chance to ‘travel back to medieval Spain’.
By sharing a review with Tripadvisor, tourist continued: ‘Excellent castle in an unspoilt medieval village. This small village is worth the drive.
‘Great views from the towers and the windy, narrow streets are unforgettable. Plenty of good food in the local restaurants.’
The castle can be visited for €2 (£1.70), children enter free
The Castle of the Dukes of Frias offers visitors a beautiful view of the city and the picturesque surrounding landscape
Other tourist attractions in Frias include the Catholic church Iglesia de San Vicente Mártir (left), the small Alfonso VIII Park and the Frias Bridge (right), which has a defensive tower and crosses the Ebro River.
Another claimed it was ‘worth the trip’, while one visitor said the whole of Frias is ‘spectacular’.
Other tourist attractions in Frias include the Catholic church Iglesia de San Vicente Mártir, the small Alfonso VIII Park and the Frias Bridge with its defensive tower over the Ebro River.
There are also numerous local restaurants, including Restaurante El Albergue, Ortiz Bar Restaurante and Mesón Fridas, all serving Spanish cuisine.
You can stay overnight, with the Hotel Rural Frias in the city centre with rooms from £79 per night.
Frias is located in the Castile and León region, less than a two-hour drive from Bilbao on the northern coast of Spain. The nearest airport is Bilbao, but Brits can also take a ferry from Portsmouth to Bilbao and drive instead of flying. The total journey takes 32 hours by Ferries from Brittany.