The best towns tourist attractions in the world have just been revealed to the world: the World Tourism Organization, which launched this contest last May, has published a list of 44 towns from 32 countries of the five regions of the planet. “All of them are characterized by their natural and cultural resources, its innovative and transformative approaches, and its commitment to tourism development, in line with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG)”, explain those responsible.
Among these excellent towns, two Spanish ones have slipped in: Morella, in Castellón, and Lecumberri (Lekunberri in Basque), in Navarra.
MORELLA, MEDIEVAL VILLAGE
One of the most beautiful towns not only of the Valencian Community , but also from all over Spain. That is Morella, impassively anchored to the passage of time, protected by the presence of a hamlet at the top and for its more than two kilometers of wall still standing.
Throughout history, this medieval town has seen multitude of cultures whose clues we guess when strolling through its narrow Cobbled streets and taste its most popular dishes, such as morellana or stew. They also fall in love with the many hiking trails offered by the surroundings.
Morella, in Castellón
LEKUNBERRI: LIFE IN THE SHADOW OF THE SIERRA DE ARALAR
Nestled in the center of the Larráun Valley , and halfway between Pamplona and San Sebastián, Lekunberri has all the charm of typical Navarran farmhouses. Your name means " good new site ” for a simple reason: due to its border situation, it was devastated and rebuilt countless times throughout its history.
See photos: The most popular towns in Spain for rural tourism
It deserves to stop at old train station —now converted into a tourist office— to discover the Plazaola Greenway , an old and winding railway line that joined the Navarran capital with San Sebastian for more than 50 years, avoiding and crossing the mountains of the Pyrenees. exist already 45 kilometers of track prepared for exploration, and can be explored on foot, by bicycle or by electric bicycle.
Lekunberri stands out for its excellent natural attractions
THE COMPLETE LIST OF THE BEST TOURIST VILLAGES OF 2021
The recognition of Best Tourist Towns Its purpose is to identify the municipalities that are outstanding examples of rural tourism destination with recognized cultural and natural assets, that preserve and promote rural and community values, products and lifestyles and that defend a manifest commitment to innovation and sustainability in all its aspects –economic, social and environmental–.
Thus, in addition to the two Spanish towns mentioned, on the list are:
- Bekhovo (Russian Federation)
- Bkassine (Lebanon)
- Bojo (Philippines)
- Caspala (Argentina)
- Castle Rodrigo (Portugal)
- Cuetzalan del Progreso (Mexico)
- Cumeada (Portugal)
- Gruyeres (Switzerland)
- Batu Puteh (Malaysia)
- Kaunertal (Austria)
- Le Morne (Mauritius)
- Peanut (Mexico)
- Misfat Al Abriyeen (Oman)
- Miyama (Japan)
- Mokra Gora (Serbia)
- Mustafapaşa (Turkey)
- Nglanggeran (Indonesia)
- Niseko (Japan)
- Nkotsi Village (Rwanda)
- Old Grand Port (Mauritius)
- Olergesailie (Kenya)
- Ollantaytambo, (Peru)
- Pano Lefkara (Cyprus)
- Pica (Chili)
- Pochampally (India)
- Puerto Williams (Chile)
- Radovljica (Slovenia)
- Rijal Alma'a (Kingdom of Saudi Arabia)
- Testo Alto (Brazil)
- Saas Fee (Switzerland)
- San Cosme and Damian (Paraguay)
- San Ginesio (Italy)
- Sidi Kaouki (Morocco)
- Solčava (Slovenia)
- Souffli (Greece)
- Tarakli (Turkey)
- The Purple Island (Republic of Korea)
- Ungok Village (Republic of Korea)
- Valposchiavo (Switzerland)
- Wonchi (Ethiopia)
- Xidi (Chinese)
- Yucun (Chinese)