Zero-degree Celsius summer in Spain’s second highest village
Crossing the borders of the municipality of Griegos, which stands 1604 metres above sea level, feels like travelling to Narnia… or going into a freezer. While Sevilla endures temperatures of 35 °C, they remain below 10 °C here. This village in Teruel reaches minimum temperatures of 0 °C in the summertime with an annual average temperature of 7.5 °C, and 8 °C in the summer months. Spending a heatwave in this locality can be the best choice.
Spain’s second highest village
Not only is Griegos one of the coldest villages in Spain, but it is also one of Spain’s highest villages, being the second in the ranking. Obviously, this feature is related to the low temperatures it experiences throughout the year. Its height is also linked to its enviable location, at the foot of the Mela de San Juan in the Sierra de Albarracín, which belongs to the Montes Universales. Since it is such a cold place, Griegos offers ski slopes.
Forests and natural water fountains sprout everywhere near the village, whose medieval layout borders with the Alto Tajo Natural Park. Actually, around 10 kilometres near the area, await the sources of two popular rivers, the Tajo and the Turia. All these features make Griegos a perfect place for hiking lovers, whose route to the viewpoint of Muela de San Juan should be highlighted since it allows to observe Griegos’ incredible beauty from a higher spot.
Griegos, a place to relax
Besides the natural richness that can be found in this village, Griegos offers many other tourist attractions. The Casa de las Mariposas is the most evident, and it is home to a collection of more than 2,000 insects. On the other hand, the village, where barely 138 people lived in 2021, includes remarkable religious buildings. The San Pedro Church is one of them, originally built in the 16th century, and the San Roque hermitage is the other.
Besides, the El Cuarto necropolis awaits near Griegos. In this archaeological site located at the foot of the Muela de San Juan near Guadalajara, many bronze, iron, and mud items were found. A bronze shield believed to have belonged to a Celtiberian warrior is the most outstanding piece. This is the perfect summer getaway to escape the heat while visiting a nice spot.
You can also read this article in Spanish here.
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