The Comarca del Maestrazgo, located in the north-east of the province of Teruel, is a unique territory where nature, history and traditions have shaped one of the most authentic cultural landscapes in Aragón. Its spectacular mountain ranges, deep canyons, extensive forests and picturesque villages make it an ideal destination for those seeking to discover the essence of the rural environment and enjoy experiences in contact with the surroundings.
Across its more than 1,200 km², its historical and artistic heritage is reflected in urban ensembles of great beauty, churches, hermitages, manor houses and remains of its important medieval past. Municipalities such as Cantavieja, Mirambel, La Iglesuela del Cid and Castellote preserve an exceptional architectural legacy that transports visitors to other eras and turns every route into a journey through history.
The territory is home to the Maestrazgo Geological Park, recognised by UNESCO as a Global Geopark, a benchmark site for understanding the geological evolution of the Earth through impressive geological formations, palaeontological sites and landscapes of extraordinary value. This important heritage is complemented by several shelters featuring Levantine Rock Art, declared World Heritage, and by spectacular cultural landscapes shaped over centuries through the dry-stone technique, also recognised by UNESCO as Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. All of this is complemented by an extensive network of trails and routes for hiking, cycle tourism and other outdoor activities, allowing visitors to discover the natural, cultural and scenic richness of the comarca.
Popular culture, traditional festivities, craftsmanship and gastronomy based on high-quality local products form part of the identity of the Maestrazgo. The hospitality of its inhabitants, the silence of its landscapes and the authenticity of its villages make this destination a place to enjoy genuine experiences, connect with nature and discover a territory that preserves its essence intact.
| Incorporation into the Smart Destinations project |
The Comarca del Maestrazgo obtained the Diagnostic Report and Action Plan for its transformation into a Smart Tourism Destination in June 2026 |
| Highlighted initiatives |
- The destination has developed the Tourism Sustainability Plan for Destinations “Border Territory”, an ambitious initiative aimed at improving public spaces, beautifying municipalities, enhancing heritage and creating new sustainable tourism products.
- The comarca has held the certification of the European Charter for Sustainable Tourism (ECST) since 2017, in recognition of its commitment to conservation and the responsible management of the territory. This distinction is based on the richness of its four Natural Monuments: the Crystal Caves of Molinos, the Fonseca Natural Bridge, the Órganos de Montoro and the source of the Pitarque River, as well as the presence of numerous protected areas included in the Natura 2000 Network through SAC and SPA designations.
- The destination is working on the development of a smart tourism model through the implementation of the STD project (Smart Tourism Destination) and strategic planning aimed at improving competitiveness, sustainability and the visitor experience.
- Tourism quality is one of the territory’s main hallmarks. Since 2008, the destination has promoted the participation of tourism companies and services in the Integral System for Tourism Quality in Destinations (SICTED), consolidating an offering committed to excellence.
- Tourism governance is structured through the Maestrazgo Destination Board, a joint working space involving key entities such as Maestrazgo Asociación Turística (MAT), the Association for the Development of Maestrazgo (ADEMA), the Maestrazgo Cultural Park and the Maestrazgo UNESCO Global Geopark, among others.
- The territory has developed a broad portfolio of tourism products that allow visitors to discover the Maestrazgo from different perspectives:
- The Silent Route. One of the most spectacular scenic roads in Spain, crossing some of the territory’s most rugged and lesser-known landscapes. Now a benchmark for road tourism and motorcycling enthusiasts, it received the Award for Best National Motorcycle Tourism Route in 2022.
- Territory of the Carlist Wars. A cultural and historical tourism project that recovers and disseminates the legacy of a decisive period for understanding the history and identity of the Maestrazgo.
- DE Tronchón. Destino Etnológico Tronchón highlights the extraordinary ethnographic heritage of this locality through such unique resources as the former poor hospital, ceramic kilns, the traditional rabbit-fur hat industry, the gallows, the aromatic plant still, the historic school and the old dungeon.
- Camino de los Pilones. A historic itinerary linking Teruel with the former Kingdom of Valencia along a route marked by hundreds of stone pillars that guided travellers during harsh winters. Currently signposted as GR 265, it allows the territory to be explored stage by stage through a passport and rewards system for walkers.
- White Paper for the Beautification of the Villages of the Maestrazgo. A pioneering project that establishes common criteria for the conservation, restoration and aesthetic improvement of urban centres, as well as for the night-time lighting of heritage sites.
- Safeguarding Plan for Masovero Heritage. An initiative aimed at protecting, recovering and disseminating one of the territory’s most representative cultural heritages through research, publications, technical seminars and awareness-raising actions.
- The tourism offer is complemented by various thematic brands that allow visitors to enjoy nature and heritage from different approaches:
- Walking through the Maestrazgo. An extensive network of certified short- and long-distance trails connecting landscapes, villages and heritage resources. Its most emblematic routes include the Guadalope Walkways, the source of the Pitarque River and the Dry-Stone Route.
- Cycling through the Maestrazgo. A proposal that brings together mountain biking, gravel and cycle tourism routes to discover some of the comarca’s most spectacular corners and climb its toughest and most beautiful mountain passes.
- Birdwatching in the Maestrazgo. A specialised birdwatching tourism product that includes routes, observatories, viewpoints and informative materials to discover the territory’s extraordinary birdlife.
- Mushrooming in the Maestrazgo. An initiative linked to mycological tourism that encompasses the comarca’s mycological reserve, educational activities, specialised events and the Mushroom Trail, an interpretive space dedicated to the fascinating world of fungi.
- Santolea Beach. A recreational area located next to the Santolea reservoir, where visitors can enjoy swimming, water sports and contact with nature in a setting of great scenic beauty.
- The Crystal Caves of Molinos are one of the territory’s main tourism resources and a magnificent example of the action of water on limestone rock over millions of years.
- Traditional gastronomy and local agri-food products are an essential part of the Maestrazgo tourism experience, helping to preserve the cultural identity and authentic flavour of the territory.
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Technical data
VAT number:
P4400024H Address: Calle de Las Tres Baylías, 7 Postal code: 44140 Telephone: 964 185 242 Region: Aragón Province:
Teruel Population:
Cantavieja Country:
España Local entity type: Comarca Date of membership:
20231220 Diagnosis: Sí Diagnosis date:
10/06/2026 Destination Type:
Rural de interior Population:
3,209 Area (km²):
1,204.30 Density (inhab/km²):
2.59
Level in the Network: Nivel 3
