National Network · Aragon

Fifteen Aragonese towns join forces: the association “Los Pueblos Más Bonitos de España” (Spain’s Most Beautiful Towns) is launched in Aragon

Albarracín, Aínsa, Alquézar, Sos del Rey Católico, Valderrobres… The fifteen Aragonese municipalities certified by the national network signed the charter establishing their own regional association today in Zaragoza. It is the second such association in Spain, after Cantabria, and was founded with a very specific goal: to give small towns their own voice when it comes to tourism, heritage, and depopulation.

July 16, 2026·Zaragoza

There is a simple idea behind what happened today in Zaragoza: fifteen small towns, spread across the three Aragonese provinces, are much stronger together than they are apart. With that conviction, the fifteen municipalities in Aragon that are part of the “Los Pueblos Más Bonitos de España” network have established the “Los Pueblos Más Bonitos de España” Association in Aragon, a dedicated organization to work side by side on issues that affect them all: sustainable tourism, heritage preservation, and the fight against depopulation.

The event was supported by the Government of Aragon, represented by the Regional Minister of Environment and Tourism, Luis Francisco Biendicho Gracia, and attended by the president of the national association, Francisco Mestre.

What exactly is this new association?

It is not an association open to just any municipality. Only Aragonese towns that already hold certification from the national network can join—a seal granted after meeting stringent criteria for heritage, urban planning, and tourism quality.

The new entity has its own bylaws and legal status at the regional level, but it is integrated into the national association, on whose structure it depends. The approach aims to achieve something very practical: bringing the network closer to the local level and maintaining direct dialogue with each regional government—something that is difficult to achieve through a purely national structure.

Aragon thus becomes the second autonomous community to take this step, following the establishment of the association in Cantabria on June 9, 2026, which brings together seven municipalities.

The fifteen towns, province by province

Nine are in Teruel, four in Huesca, and two in Zaragoza. Together, they form one of the most significant regional presences within a network that currently includes 126 certified municipalities across 17 autonomous communities.

Huesca: 4 towns

Aínsa — a medieval town in Sobrarbe, a landmark of Romanesque architecture and mountain tourism.
Alquézar — a village in the Somontano region, nestled between the mountains and the ravines.
Ansó — a Pyrenean valley with traditional architecture and a strong cultural identity.
Roda de Isábena — in Ribagorza, home to the ancient Cathedral of Saint Vincent the Martyr, a jewel of Lombard Romanesque architecture.

Teruel: 9 villages

Albarracín — one of Spain’s most iconic historic sites.
Calaceite and La Fresneda — in the Matarraña region, with historic centers marked by a distinct Renaissance character.
Valderrobres — also in the Matarraña region, with its castle and one of the province’s top tourist destinations.
Cantavieja and Mirambel — in the Maestrazgo region, featuring their arcaded squares and the famous Portal de las Monjas, respectively.
Linares de Mora, Puertomingalvo, and Rubielos de Mora—in the Sierra de Gúdar, examples of traditional architecture and historic towns with a strong sense of identity.

Zaragoza: 2 villages

Anento—with its unique hanging gardens and its natural and historic surroundings.
Sos del Rey Católico—a walled medieval town and one of the most complete historical and artistic complexes in Aragon.

Joining Forces from the Rural World

The fifteen municipalities share a common reality: they are small local entities that, by acting in a coordinated manner, gain greater influence and capacity to carry out projects. The association was created to jointly address challenges that none can solve alone:

To develop cultural and sustainable tourism that contributes without causing harm.
To combat depopulation and regional imbalance.
To preserve historical, natural, and landscape heritage.
Revitalizing rural life.
Gain access to regional grants, programs, and projects.
Maintain direct and stable communication with the Government of Aragon and other administrative bodies.

What They’ve Said

“The establishment of the Aragonese association consolidates a model that strengthens the network from the local level: the towns gain their own voice with their regional government without losing the support and brand of the national network.”
Francisco Mestre · President of the Association of Spain’s Most Beautiful Villages

“The Government of Aragon supports this initiative, which recognizes the heritage and tourism value of our towns and facilitates more direct collaboration between the regional government and the municipalities that best represent the excellence of rural Aragon.”
Luis Francisco Biendicho Gracia · Regional Minister of Environment and Tourism for the Government of Aragon

Board of Directors and Headquarters

During the event, the bylaws of the new organization were approved and its board of directors was appointed:

President: Mayor of Linares de Mora (Teruel)

Secretary: Mayor of Albarracín (Teruel)

Treasurer: Mayor of Aínsa (Huesca)

Member 1: Mayor of Anento (Zaragoza)

Member 2: Mayor of Calaceite (Teruel)

The association’s headquarters are located in Linares de Mora, one of the fifteen member municipalities.

A New Chapter Begins

With the association up and running, the fifteen Aragonese towns are embarking on a new phase of collaborative work: shared projects, higher-quality tourism, and, above all, a commitment to retaining residents and economic activity in rural areas. They will do so in coordination with the Government of Aragon and the entire national network. Because behind every beautiful town, there are people who want to continue living there.