Pedraza, Spain: The Fairy-Tale Town Most Tourists Never Find

If you go beyond, just a little bit, the guidebook, you get to places you never expected to find. One of those places is Pedraza Spain.

A short distance from Madrid, it’s rarely visited by foreigners, maybe better that way, but it’s one of those places that inspires you to be creative, to think differently and keep your mind open. It’s not a must-do or must-see tourist attraction, but for me it’s one of the places that has stayed vividly alive in my memory.

I know, and understand very well, that there isn’t always time. Some people take weekend trips or city breaks with the intention of seeing the biggest attractions, the famous buildings, the well-known restaurants. That’s perfectly fine. Everyone travels differently. What I humbly hope, though, is that small places like Pedraza can inspire you to search for something different, to be curious about things beyond the guidebook, and not follow blindly what others tell you to see. Think of this as an approach to many aspects of life. It will be worth it.

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It was a cold day. A very cold and windy day. So windy that my hat kept flying away. But those of you who can’t stay in one place for too long know there’s no weather, within a normal spectrum of bad weather, that can keep us at home.

I don’t like cold. I could happily snuggle on a sofa with a blanket, a good book and a mug of hot chocolate, or wine, while watching the flames dance on a wood fire. For this, and only for this, I miss grey autumns with rain and wind, when the days are short and the thought of walking outside gives me goosebumps. But when it comes to seeing new places, discovering and travelling, I have to forget that it’s cold, otherwise I’d only ever visit places when it’s hot there. I would miss so much. Because in some places, it’s rarely hot.

So that day it was cold. But it was also a very nice day, because we spent it in a fairy-tale town. I’d been there before, a few years earlier, on a dark winter day, and it was magical. After a freezing walk, an evening with candles, a glass of wine and excellent Spanish food with even better company, I knew it was perfection. Since then, Pedraza hasn’t lost any of its charm. I felt, again, like a character stepping into a fairy tale.

“We live in a wonderful world that is full of beauty, charm and adventure. There is no end to the adventures we can have if only we seek them with our eyes open.” – Jawaharal Nehru

Main things to see in Pedraza

Plaza Mayor: Begin your exploration of Pedraza in the town’s main square, Plaza Mayor, surrounded by charming medieval buildings adorned with colorful flowers. Admire the imposing Tower of the Prison, once used as a jail and now housing a museum dedicated to the town’s history.

Castle of Pedraza: Ascend the hill overlooking the town to visit the majestic Castle of Pedraza, a 13th-century fortress that offers panoramic views of the surrounding countryside. Explore the castle’s interior, including its impressive keep and fortified walls, and learn about its storied past.

Church of San Juan: Marvel at the Romanesque beauty of the Church of San Juan, located at the edge of town. Admire its intricate facade, elegant bell tower, and stunning interior adorned with ancient frescoes and religious artifacts.

Medieval Walls: Take a leisurely stroll along Pedraza’s medieval walls, which encircle the town and offer glimpses of its historic architecture and surrounding landscapes. Pause to admire the views from the various lookout points along the walls, including the picturesque Arco de la Villa.

Gastronomic Delights: Indulge in the culinary delights of Pedraza at one of its traditional taverns or restaurants, where you can sample local specialties such as roast suckling pig, lamb stew, and artisanal cheeses. Don’t forget to pair your meal with a glass of Ribera del Duero wine, produced in the nearby vineyards.

Pedraza is very small- what to do there?

Pedraza is a medieval walled town with a population of only 500. It’s not well known among foreign tourists, but Spaniards visit it regularly. It’s easy to reach and makes a perfect day out where you slow down, relax and escape the heat of the city. The people living there run the hotels, restaurants and small shops, all of which fit the atmosphere of the town so well that they’re sometimes hard to spot, with no big colourful signage. Everything here is discreet, and kept deliberately untouched.

The town is preserved as close to original as possible. You won’t see many signs, and the centre is closed to traffic. Cobbled streets and arcaded houses create a picture-perfect view at every turn. Both times I visited Pedraza, it was almost empty. I felt like someone travelling back in time. You know those family films you watched as a child, where reading a book somehow transports you into the story? That was my first thought stepping into this cobbled town. Being in Pedraza feels exactly like that.

Life here is slow and simple. It’s my kind of escape from a busy city. Well, this and being out in wild nature, which is not my cup of tea in cold, windy weather.

Pedraza is a live proof that fairy tales are real

Although Pedraza is small, it should not be rushed to see it. It is best to be experienced slowly. Sometimes just being, slowing down and enjoying the place without any particular purpose is all you need or can do to have an amazing day.

The town transforms into an even more magical place in the Night of Candles on the first Saturday of July. All the lights are switched off and instead the candles light up this charming medieval town. This is probably the busiest night in Pedraza.

How to get to Pedraza:

Pedraza is located 127 km from Madrid. The best way to visit it is to go there by car. Surely there is many companies that organize one-day excursions to Pedraza and Segovia, but the experience is much better to just slow down there and enjoy the town. If you don’t have much time and want to avoid the hassle, it will be easy to find an organized excursion.

Rent you car in Spain here.

Where to stay in Pedraza:

Even though Pedraza is a short distance away from Madrid and can be visited in one day, it would make an amazing and romantic weekend to stay there for a night. You can find where to stay in Pedraza here or if you prefer you can stay in Segovia, a town nearby, which is bigger and also beautiful.

Book your accommodation in Pedraza or Segovia here. It is truly an out of fairy-tale experience.

What to eat:

Spaniards are proud of their food and often talk about specialties from different regions and towns. They even drive many kilometers to a village for one specific dish that is supposed to be the best. Pedraza is not different. The specialty there is cordero asado (grilled lamb), morcilla (black pudding), guisantes con jamón (green peas with ham), sopa castellana (soup with bread) and judiones  de La Granja (beans).

Thank yo for visiting. What do you think about Pedraza? If you visited some hidden gems during your travels, I would love for you to share it with us. Happy travels, everyone.