15 Best Qué Hacer en Huesca: Cathedrals, Canyons & Pyrenean Peaks

Huesca Cathedral (Catedral de la Transfiguración del Señor)

You come to Huesca Cathedral for the altarpiece. Everything else — the Gothic arches, the 14th-century portal, the soaring nave — is preamble. The main altarpiece, carved by Damián Forment between 1520 and 1534, is a masterpiece of Spanish Renaissance sculpture. Carved from alabaster quarried in the Ebro Valley, it rises three storeys above the high altar, a cascade of biblical scenes, saints, and angels that culminates in a monumental Calvary. Forment worked on it for 14 years, and it shows in every detail — the drapery that seems to move, the faces that express genuine emotion, the architectural framing that creates a theatre of salvation. It's widely considered one of the three greatest altarpieces in Spain, alongside those in Toledo and Burgos cathedrals.

The Cathedral itself was built between the 13th and 16th centuries on the site of the old mosque, which itself stood on the site of a Roman temple. The result is a layered monument that tells the story of Huesca in stone. Don't miss the Museo Diocesano (Diocesan Museum) housed in the cloister and chapter house — it holds an outstanding collection of Romanesque and Gothic art, including the enigmatic 12th-century Crismón de Huesca, a carved Christogram that's become a symbol of the city.

Practical: Open Mon–Sat 10:30–14:00 & 16:00–19:00. Entry ~€5 including the museum. Allow 60–90 minutes. The tower offers city views for those willing to climb.

San Pedro el Viejo (Monastery of St Peter the Elder)

If the Cathedral is Huesca's showpiece, San Pedro el Viejo is its soul. This is one of Spain's oldest Romanesque churches — consecrated in 1121, built on the foundations of a Visigothic church that itself replaced a Roman temple. The church is dark, heavy, magnificent: a triple apse, a wooden roof, and a sense of age that's almost tangible.

The cloister is the highlight — a Romanesque masterpiece whose carved capitals tell stories: the life of Christ, the signs of the zodiac, mythical beasts, and the daily life of 12th-century Aragon. Some capitals are so intricately carved they seem more like ivory than stone. The cloister arcades frame a garden that's been a place of contemplation for nearly 900 years, and the chapter house contains the tomb of King Ramiro II — the "Monk King" of the Bell of Huesca legend, who retired to this monastery after dealing with his rebellious nobles. It's a rare thing: a legend with a documented grave.

Practical: Open Tue–Sat 10:00–13:30 & 16:00–18:00, Sun 10:00–13:30. Entry ~€3. The entrance is easily missed — it's a small door on Plaza de San Pedro.

Plaza de Navarra & the Historic Centre

Plaza de Navarra is Huesca's living room — a broad, porticoed square that's the natural meeting point for the entire city. Cafés line the arcades, children chase pigeons around the central fountain, and on summer evenings the square fills with families taking the traditional paseo. The modernist Casino de Huesca (1902) dominates one side with its ornate façade, a reminder of the city's early-20th-century prosperity. Next door, the Círculo Oscense is another modernist gem worth a look.

From the plaza, lose yourself in the streets of the old town. The area around the Cathedral — particularly Calle de Sancho Abarca and Calle de los Fueros — is a maze of narrow lanes, unexpected squares, and medieval buildings that haven't been prettified for tourism. This is a living city, not a museum, and the old town feels genuinely lived-in: laundry hangs from balconies, old men play cards in doorways, and the tapas bars fill with locals at lunchtime. It's one of Spain's most underrated historic centres precisely because it hasn't been gentrified.

Tip: Duck into Calle de la Imprenta, a tiny alley where Huesca's first printing press operated in the 16th century — the kind of detail you'd miss without looking up.

Museo de Huesca (Huesca Museum)

Housed in the former 16th-century University of Sertoriana (named after the Roman rebel Quintus Sertorius, who made Osca his capital), the Museo de Huesca is a proper provincial museum — modest in scale, excellent in depth. The archaeology section is the star: Roman mosaics, Iberian sculpture, and a collection of Bronze Age artefacts from the surrounding region that tell the story of human settlement in these mountains going back 5,000 years.

The fine arts collection, spread across two floors, covers Aragonese painting from the Romanesque period through to the 20th century, with particularly strong holdings in Gothic altarpieces from the Pyrenean valleys. The building itself — a massive stone block with a Renaissance courtyard — is as interesting as the collection, and it's rarely crowded.

Practical: Free entry. Open Tue–Sat 10:00–14:00 & 17:00–20:00, Sun 10:00–14:00. Allow 60–90 minutes. The Roman section alone justifies the visit.

Parque Miguel Servet

Named after the Aragonese theologian and physician burned at the stake by Calvin in Geneva (a rare case of both Catholics and Protestants wanting him dead), Parque Miguel Servet is Huesca's green lung. It's not a must-see in the way the Cathedral is, but it's a lovely place to spend an hour — mature trees, shaded benches, a small pond, and a bandstand where concerts take place in summer. The park is most atmospheric in autumn when the plane trees turn golden, and in spring when the roses bloom. It's also home to Huesca's bullring (Plaza de Toros), a modest 1920s structure that fills during San Lorenzo.

Castillo de Montearagón

Eight kilometres east of Huesca, the ruins of Montearagón Castle crown a hilltop with the kind of dramatic silhouette that launched a thousand postcards. Built in 1086 by King Sancho Ramírez as part of the Reconquista's advance into Muslim territory, it was one of the most important fortresses in medieval Aragon — a royal residence, a monastery, and a military stronghold rolled into one.

Today it's a romantic ruin: crumbling walls, a partially preserved Romanesque church, and 360-degree views across the Hoya de Huesca plain that on a clear day stretch from the Pyrenees to the Ebro Valley. The site is free to visit and rarely busy — you might have the entire hilltop to yourself. Go in late afternoon when the light turns golden and the Pyrenees glow on the northern horizon. It's a 15-minute drive from Huesca centre; no public transport, so you'll need a car or taxi.

Sierra de Guara: Canyoning in Europe's Premier Canyon Park

The Sierra y Cañones de Guara Natural Park, 35 km northeast of Huesca, is arguably the best canyoning destination in Europe. The limestone plateau has been carved over millennia into a labyrinth of gorges, ravines, and slot canyons — some wide and family-friendly, others so narrow you can touch both walls at once. The Río Vero, Mascún, and Balcés gorges are the most famous, offering routes for every skill level.

What makes Sierra de Guara special is the combination: canyoning through turquoise water, abseiling down waterfalls, swimming through narrow passages, and all of it surrounded by high-desert scenery and Pyrenean vultures circling overhead. The season runs from May through October, with June–September offering the warmest water. Dozens of local guiding companies operate from Huesca and the village of Alquézar, offering half-day and full-day excursions with all equipment provided. Prices range from €45–80 per person depending on the route.

Don't canyoneer alone. The gorges can be dangerous without proper equipment and knowledge of water levels. Always go with a licensed guide company. The Río Vero walkway (Camino del Río Vero) is a good alternative for non-canyoning visitors — a series of boardwalks and bridges through the gorge that requires no technical skills.

Loarre Castle (Castillo de Loarre)

Thirty-five kilometres west of Huesca, Loarre is simply one of the finest Romanesque castles in Europe. Built in the 11th century by — again — King Sancho Ramírez, it's less a ruin than a perfectly preserved medieval fortress, with a double circuit of walls, eight towers, a royal chapel with carved capitals, and a setting so dramatic that Ridley Scott used it as a location for Kingdom of Heaven (2005).

The castle clings to a limestone outcrop with views across the plains that would have allowed its garrison to spot an approaching army hours before it arrived. The chapel of San Pedro, inside the castle walls, is a jewel of Romanesque architecture — a domed space with an acoustic so perfect that concerts are still held here. Allow 90 minutes to explore fully. It's an easy half-day trip from Huesca, and you can combine it with lunch in the village of Loarre or a visit to the nearby town of Ayerbe.

Practical: Open daily, hours vary by season. Entry ~€6. Guided tours available. Acerca de 35 minutes by car from Huesca on the A-132.

Somontano Wine Route

The Somontano DO stretches across the Pyrenean foothills in a triangle roughly bounded by Huesca, Barbastro, and the mountains themselves. Over 30 wineries are connected by the Ruta del Vino Somontano, and visiting a few is one of the best half-day trips you can take from the city.

Bodegas Enate — one of the region's flagships — is worth visiting for the art alone: the winery's modern building doubles as a contemporary art gallery, with a permanent collection that includes works by Antoni Tàpies, Eduardo Chillida, and other major Spanish artists. Bodegas Sommos is a striking piece of architecture by Jesús Marino Pascual — a glass-and-steel cube that seems to float above the vineyards. Bodegas Laus and Bodegas Blecua offer more intimate, traditional visits. Most wineries require advance booking for tours and tastings; expect to pay €10–20 for a tour with tasting. If you're driving, many wineries sell wine by the glass so you can taste responsibly.

Alquézar: Spain's Most Beautiful Village?

Fifty kilometres east of Huesca, Alquézar is the kind of place that makes you stop the car and stare. Built on a limestone ridge above the Río Vero canyon, its honey-coloured stone houses, arcaded Plaza Mayor, and hilltop collegiate church (Santa María la Mayor, 16th century, with a cloister containing Romanesque frescoes) have earned it a place on Spain's "Most Beautiful Villages" list.

The village is the main base for Sierra de Guara canyoning, but it's worth visiting even if you never put on a wetsuit. The Pasarelas del Vero (Vero walkways) — a series of metal boardwalks bolted into the canyon walls — offer a vertiginous but accessible walk along the river far below the village. It takes about 90 minutes and gives you a taste of the canyon without the technical challenge. The village itself has several excellent restaurants and is a popular day trip from Huesca.

Ordesa y Monte Perdido National Park

Fifty kilometres north of Huesca lies one of Europe's great natural spectacles. Ordesa y Monte Perdido National Park — a UNESCO World Heritage site since 1997 — is a glaciated limestone landscape of staggering scale: four deep valleys, peaks exceeding 3,300 metres, and some of the most dramatic hiking in the Pyrenees.

The Ordesa Valley is the classic day hike. From the Pradera de Ordesa parking area, a well-maintained trail follows the Arazas River through a valley whose walls rise 800 metres on either side — sheer limestone cliffs striped with waterfalls, forests of beech and silver fir, and meadows that explode with wildflowers in June. The full out-and-back to the Cola de Caballo (Horse's Tail) waterfall is 11 km (about 3–4 hours) with minimal elevation gain, making it accessible to anyone with reasonable fitness. Along the way you'll pass the Gradas de Soaso — a series of cascading terraces — and, with luck, spot chamois grazing on the high slopes and lammergeier vultures riding the thermals overhead.

For more ambitious hikers, the Faja de Pelay is a high-level path carved into the cliff face 600 metres above the valley floor — not for vertigo sufferers, but the views are some of the best in the Pyrenees. And the Cañón de Añisclo, a parallel valley accessible from the Escalona side, offers a wilder, less-visited alternative to the main Ordesa trail.

Important: During peak season (July–August, Easter, and some weekends), private vehicles are banned from the Pradera de Ordesa. You must park in the village of Torla and take the shuttle bus (€5 return). Arrive by 8:30 am to get a parking spot, or better yet, start your hike from Torla and walk up.

Skiing in the Pyrenees

Huesca is an ideal base for Pyrenean skiing — you get the slopes without the resort prices. The nearest resorts are:

• Formigal-Panticosa: The largest ski area in the Spanish Pyrenees (180 km of pistes), about 1 hour 15 minutes north of Huesca. Modern lift system, good snowmaking, and terrain for all levels including extensive off-piste. The Marchica apres-ski scene is legendary.
• Candanchú: Acerca de 1 hour north, near the French border. One of Spain's oldest ski resorts (opened 1928), with 50 km of pistes and a more traditional, family-oriented atmosphere than Formigal.
• Astún: Adjacent to Candanchú, slightly smaller (50 km) but with excellent snow reliability due to its high base elevation.
• Cerler: Acerca de 1 hour 30 minutes northeast, in the Benasque Valley. The highest resort in the Spanish Pyrenees, with 79 km of pistes and spectacular views of the Aneto massif.

Staying in Huesca and driving up for the day saves you €50–100 per night compared to slope-side accommodation. The road to Formigal (A-136 then A-2605) is well-maintained and passes through the stunning Tena Valley. In winter, carry chains and check the road conditions before departing.

Vía Verde de la Hoya de Huesca

The Vía Verde (Green Way) is a 20 km cycling and walking path following the route of a disused railway line through the Hoya de Huesca plain. It's gentle, flat, and suitable for all ages — a lovely half-day activity that takes you through farmland, almond groves, and small villages, with the Pyrenees as a permanent backdrop. The path is gravel-surfaced and well-maintained. Bike rental is available in Huesca; several companies offer half-day and full-day rentals including helmets and route maps. The full route takes about 2–3 hours by bike, or you can walk a shorter section.

Jaca: The Original Capital of Aragon

Seventy kilometres north of Huesca on the road to the Pyrenees, Jaca is worth a day trip for history enthusiasts. It was the original capital of the Kingdom of Aragon (before Zaragoza was reconquered), and its Ciudadela — a pentagonal 16th-century citadel built by Philip II to guard against French invasion — is one of Spain's best-preserved military fortifications. The Cathedral of San Pedro (11th century) is one of the earliest Romanesque cathedrals in Spain, with a carved south portal that influenced church architecture across the Pyrenees. Jaca also has a lively tapas scene and a more mountain-town atmosphere than Huesca — cooler, greener, ringed by peaks.

Getting there: Acerca de 50 minutes by car on the A-23. Buses run regularly from Huesca bus station (about 1 hour).

Zaragoza Day Trip

If you're based in Huesca for several days, Zaragoza makes an excellent and easy day trip. Aragon's capital is just 72 km south — 30 minutes on the AVE high-speed train or about 45 minutes by car. The Basílica del Pilar is one of Spain's most important religious sites, a Baroque colossus on the banks of the Ebro that houses a pillar said to have been left by the Virgin Mary herself. The Aljafería Palace is one of the best-preserved Islamic palaces in Spain — an 11th-century fortified palace that later served as the seat of the Aragonese kings and the Inquisition. And Zaragoza's tapas district, El Tubo, is a warren of streets where you can eat exceptionally well for very little money.

AVE tip: Book train tickets in advance on the Renfe website for the best prices (as low as €12 one-way on the Avlo low-cost service). The Huesca AVE station is a 15-minute walk from the city centre.