What to visit in Frías, the smallest city in Spain
Panoramic image of Frías. Photos: Miguel Zaballa
They say that the best essences are kept in small bottles. And Frías perfectly fits this premise. We are facing the smallest city in Spain located in the north of Burgos. A small and charming medieval town that has known how to rejuvenate like no other over the years. Let’s discover what to visit in Frías. We can say, without fear of being wrong, that it is one of the most beautiful villages in the province.
Frías, the smallest city in Spain
How is it possible that this small town in Burgos’ Comarca de Las Merindades has the title of city?. This was granted by King Juan II of Castile in the year 1435. An honor that it has never lost. Therefore, we can say, without fear of being wrong, that it is the smallest city in Spain.
Currently, in addition to the fact that the historic center of Frías was declared a Cultural Heritage Site in 2005, it is also a well-deserved member of the Association of the Most Beautiful Villages in Spain. Did you know that in the province we have 4 villages considered the most beautiful in Spain?. In addition to Frías, you can’t miss a visit to Covarrubias, Lerma, and Caleruega.
Must-see places to visit in Frías
Small but with an impressive concentration of monuments and points of interest. This is how this small town in Burgos is. Therefore, let’s take a complete tour of the must-see places to visit in Frías.
The castle of Frías
Also known as the Castle of the Dukes of Frías or the Velasco Castle, it is a defensive construction dating back to the 12th century. However, the monumental complex that we can see today was completed over the following centuries. Today it is one of the most recognizable symbols of the city of Frías due to its spectacular location. And, from a distance, it seems like the castle is performing acrobatics to stand on a rocky outcrop called La Muela. And the views from the top of the Homage Tower… are breathtaking.
The hanging houses
Nothing to envy from the city of Cuenca. Frías has its own hanging houses and they are spectacular. Again, we refer to La Muela, the large rock on which part of the city is built. The space it provides is limited but human ingenuity is unlimited. That is how these beautiful houses literally hanging over the cliff were born. The best views of the whole ensemble are obtained on the south side of Frías.
The Church of San Vicente Mártir
Undoubtedly, one of the most beautiful and prominent temples in the city. It is located at the highest part of Frías, next to the castle. Little remains of its Romanesque past, but inside it holds a lot of jewels and several chapels in Gothic and Renaissance styles. In addition, the esplanade on which it is located is a great natural balcony. Get comfortable and enjoy the views.
Strolling around, strolling around, and strolling around
We are facing one of the most beautiful medieval towns (cities, to be more precise) in Spain. And one of its main attractions is the historic center itself as a whole. Don’t forget the most comfortable footwear you have in your closet because you will have to go up and down steep cobbled streets. In Frías, every corner and alley is more beautiful than the previous one. It boasts a perfectly preserved urban ensemble of traditional architecture. Those houses made of tuff and wooden structure that will steal your heart at first sight.
The Medieval Bridge
We move away from the interior of the walled city to discover another of the points to visit in Frías. We are facing a Romanesque structure that was rebuilt several times during the Middle Ages. The dimensions of the bridge are spectacular. Not less than 9 arches and 139 meters in length to cross the course of the great Ebro River. In addition, in its central part, it has a slender defensive tower and you can still see the remains of the Roman road that connected the Cantabrian coast with the Castilian plateau.
What to see near Frías
The journey doesn’t end here. Las Merindades is a bottomless pit of top-quality tourist resources. And you don’t have to go far. Just 2 kilometers away, in the tiny town of Tobera, we have a magnificent example. An urban ensemble in which the beautiful hermitages of Santa María de la Hoz and Cristo de los Remedios stand out, marked by the course of a small stream that leaves us unforgettable images. The river crosses the entire town in the form of waterfalls and super photogenic waterfalls.
Also very close to Frías, about 20 kilometers away, we have the town of Oña. Among other monuments, the impressive Monastery of San Salvador de Oña stands out here. Another one of those towns that will make you come back again and again to visit the province of Burgos.
What do you think of this trip to Frías?. Isn’t it wonderful?. From the Hotel Ciudad de Burgos, we want to recommend you to visit this place outside of high season and holidays. It is one of the most visited points in Las Merindades and the entire province of Burgos, and we want you to enjoy your getaways to the fullest.
If you want to learn more about the Comarca de las Merindades, we leave you with these fantastic articles about the area.