Visiting Vilafamés: 10 things to do in Vilafamés, Spain
This post may contain affiliate links. If you use these links to make a purchase or booking, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you! Thank you for your support!
Let’s dive into the best things to do in Vilafamés, a small hilltop village in Spain that’s known for its narrow streets, houses built on red rocks, and panoramic views from its 11th-century hilltop castle – Castell de Vilafamés.
Vilafamés has been awarded the title of one of the ‘Most Beautiful Villages in Spain’, so we knew we wanted to visit this charming place in the Valencia Region. And it did not disappoint.
Vilafamés is easy to enjoy – leave your car in the large parking lot right before the historical center and go for a stroll through the village and up the hill. You’ll only need about 3 to 4 hours to explore all the things to do in Vilafamés. Enjoy!
A few things to know about Vilafamés
With a population of around 1,500 people, Vilafamés is a small mountain village in the Region of Valencia. This historic hilltop village has been inhabited for thousands of years.
The village was built during the Muslim period in the Iberian Peninsula. Later, in the 13th century, it fell under the Spanish rule during the Reconquista.
Vilafamés is known for its pink sandstone, which gives many of the buildings their unique warm color. Many houses in the village are built on this pink rock. La Roca Grossa in the heart of the village is the most famous pink rock in Vilafamés!
You can easily explore Vilafamés in a few hours. If you’re visiting the Province of Castellón or driving around inland Valencia, it’s a great stop for anyone who loves small, charming villages, history, and pretty views!
So, what are the things to do in Vilafamés?
1. Check out the village views from Carrer Sant Ramon
Once we arrived at Vilafamés, we left our car at a parking lot in the lower part of the village, and then started our way up to the old part of the village, sitting atop a hill. That’s where you’ll find all the main attractions in Vilafamés.
There are a couple of streets leading uphill, but we chose the route along Carrer Sant Ramon – one of the most scenic streets in the village, offering panoramic vistas over the lower part of the village as well as picturesque views of the hilltop part.
Just look at those castle views! It was nice to take a good look at the whole village at the start of our visit before we got lost in the maze of its reddish houses and narrow streets!
Location: Carrer Sant Ramon
2. Stop by Mirador del Castillo
Another must-visit place with scenic views is Mirador del Castillo, and you’ll eventually reach this lookout point next to the street if you continue walking uphill from Carrer Sant Ramon.
Mirador del Castillo is less about the castle views and more about the views over the village below. It sits right under the castle at the top of the old town and offers you wide views of the surrounding landscape.
It is the ideal spot to see the dramatic difference between the lower part of the charming town and the upper part – the difference is steep! How on Earth did they build such castles high up on a hill back in those days?
If you’ve traveled around Spain, you’ve probably noticed that many villages, castles, and fortresses were built on hilltops during the Middle Ages to help defend against attacks. Vilafamés is a great example of that!
Location: Mirador del Castillo
3. Explore the Castell de Vilafamés
Now it’s time to climb up to the highest point in Vilafamés – to the Castell de Vilafamés castle, one of the most unique castles you will find in the Valencia Region!
Although the hilltop fortress was originally built by the Moors around the 10th century, the castle was significantly rebuilt, expanded, and reinforced after King James I of Aragon conquered the area in the 13th century.
Today, the oldest elements of the castle date back to the 14th century and were built as part of the defensive system that protected this region during medieval times.
Only parts of the original structure remain, including the defensive walls and a beautifully preserved tower that you can spot from far away.
The castle suffered heavy damage during Spain’s Carlist Wars in the 19th century.
You can visit the castle for free, and it is open at all times, so you can come here at any time you want. We arrived in the morning and basically had the whole territory to ourselves.
But I can also imagine this would be a fantastic spot to visit for sunset, because the castle offers some of the best panoramic views over the surrounding hills, olive groves, and the rest of the red-roofed town below.
Visiting the castle is among the top things to do in Vilafamés.
This is where you can truly feel the village’s medieval past. We spent around 20 minutes wandering around, and then continued on to one of the most beautiful places in the village, El Quartijo.
Location: Castell de Vilafamés
4. Find the most beautiful streets in El Quartijo
El Quartijo is the oldest part of Vilafamés and one of the most atmospheric corners of the village. It is super charming with all the flower pots, wooden doors, stone houses, and narrow streets.
This little neighborhood sits just below the castle and is considered the original medieval core of the town. Walking around here feels a bit like stepping back in time, with a maze of narrow stone streets that twist around the hillside.
This area dates back to the 13th century, right after the Christian reconquest, and many of the buildings still show a mix of medieval and Gothic details along their stone facades.
After exploring the castle, El Quartijo was the perfect place for a scenic, slow walk. In El Quartijo, you’ll find quiet alleyways, traditional homes, and small viewpoints overlooking the countryside.
If you enjoy wandering through historic neighborhoods, this is one of the best places to explore in Vilafamés. This is, for sure, the place that gives the village its charm.
Besides, I challenged myself to find the most beautiful and charming streets in El Quartijo. Do you think I succeeded with my challenge? My favorite was definitely Carrer Pilar Street!
Location: El Quartijo
5. Peek inside the majestic Santa María de Vilafamés
One of the top things to do in Vilafamés is visiting the Iglesia de la Asunción de Santa María, or Santa María de Vilafamés, which you’ll come across as you walk further down the street from Mirador del Castillo.
This church dates back to the 16th century and was built in a Baroque style, right on top of older structures. It sits at one of the highest points in the village.
I have to say that the church sometimes stands out more than the castle, if you look at the old town from afar.
We went inside by leaving a small donation, and I’m really glad we did. The interior is beautiful but still quite simple, with a peaceful atmosphere.
But honestly, the views from the square right in front of the church are just as beautiful.
From here, you can see the surrounding countryside and rooftops, which makes it a really nice spot to stop for a minute while exploring.
Even if you don’t want to explore the interior of the church, you have to come over here for the views!
You’ll likely pass this place anyway, so stop by and enjoy the scenery!
Location: Santa María de Vilafamés
6. Explore the Museo de Arte Contemporáneo de Villafamés
There’s one more place you need to visit in the old part of the village before heading back downhill, and it is a visit to the Museo de Arte Contemporáneo de Villafamés!
The village’s Contemporary Art Museum, known as MACVAC, was a surprise!
I definitely didn’t expect a tiny hilltop village to have such a large and impressive art collection. There are hundreds and hundreds of pieces inside!
The museum is located inside the historic Palau del Batlle, a beautiful 15th-century palace that once belonged to a noble family.
And walking through the rooms is an experience on its own, with stone walls, wooden ceilings, and old architectural details that contrast with the contemporary art.
I’m going to be honest with you – we almost got lost in there! So many rooms!
The museum houses hundreds of works from Spanish and international artists, including paintings, sculptures, and other creative pieces that I do not know how to call, haha.
It also features a small garden with panoramic views of Vilafamés village below.
If you get overwhelmed by the amount of art and countless rooms, find your way to the garden – it is definitely a nice oasis where you can relax!
If you enjoy art, this museum is worth a visit. It’s quiet, easy to explore, and gives you a nice break from walking the steep streets of the old town. Plus, the palace views are fantastic!
Location: Museo de Arte Contemporáneo de Villafamés
7. Pass by La Roca Grossa
One of the most noticeable features of the village is that many houses and streets are built over red rocks, and also many buildings are in this reddish tone. It is due to the local stone called ‘rodeno’.
And there is one especially unique specimen you have to visit in Vilafamés!
La Roca Grossa, a huge natural boulder, is one of the most unique sights in the village. What makes it special is that the boulder rests on the slope just below Vilafamés church, and it looks like it shouldn’t be able to stay in place, but it does.
La Roca Grossa, or the Big Rock, is located in Carrer la Font street in Vilafamés. It hangs right next to the street, so you can easily walk up to it and check out the reddish rock up close.
The rock weighs over two thousand tons and has been hanging over here for thousands of years, becoming a part of the village, so a visit to this iconic rock is one of the top things to do in Vilafamés!
The Carrer la Font street in Vilafamés is one of the main streets in the village, so it can get busy during the day. There are also some bars, gourmet shops, and cafés to check out along the way.
Here’s a tip! La Roca Grossa is not the only place where you can admire this reddish rock as part of the village architecture. Check out the photos above, where I found other spots throughout the historic center with houses built into the red rock.
Location: La Roca Grossa
8. Go souvenir shopping and enjoy local food
Once you’re done visiting all the main sights in Vilafamés, it’s time to check out the small local shops and try some of the food in the area. Carrer la Font street, where you just admired La Roca Grossa boulder, is the perfect place to do just that!
The village is known for its ceramics and artisan products, so you’ll find a few small shops selling handmade pottery, decorative pieces, and local crafts. These make for really nice souvenirs!
Another thing the village is known for is its wine – you’ll see some shops and bars offering wine tastings.
When it comes to food, there are a few local restaurants where you can try traditional dishes from the region. Expect simple, hearty meals with local ingredients – it’s a good idea to take a break here, sit down, and enjoy the slower pace of the village.
Some of the best restaurants in Vilafamés are:
- La Vinya, Tapes i Vins
- Mesó Vilafamés
- Restaurante El Rullo
- Cafetería Rafael Galindo (for coffee, pastries & quick snacks)
9. Peek inside the village’s Safareig
There’s one more spot you should stop by as you wrap up your visit to Vilafamés – the Safareig!
It is one of those small but meaningful places that shows what daily life used to look like in Vilafamés. So what exactly is it?
It used to be an open-air communal washing area where villagers gathered to wash clothes, chat, and share news, making it an important social spot in the past.
The Safareig is located just outside the historic center, close to the main parking lot. This was actually the first place we stopped by once we arrived in Vilafamés!
The stone basins and simple layout have been preserved, so you can clearly imagine how locals used it before running water was available in homes over a hundred years ago.
It’s a quick stop, but it adds a nice historical touch to your visit and helps you understand how life in Vilafamés looked before modern conveniences arrived. It will be especially interesting if you’ve never visited such a place before.
Location: Safareig
10. Find a viewpoint to see Vilafamés from above
Once we walked back down from the old town, we turned onto Carrer Sant Antoni street and started hiking up the opposite hill on the other side of the village. Carrer Sant Antoni street leads up the hill to the Vilafamés cemetery.
Of course, the cemetery wasn’t our destination, but there’s a beautiful viewpoint along the way where you can see panoramic views over the village. That’s where we were heading.
From there, you get the classic view of the clifftop fortress with the castle and the church rising above the rooftops. You can’t see this kind of overview while walking inside the village, so it was great to find a spot that shows everything from a different angle.
When we visited, the viewpoint also had the Cadira Turística Roja, a massive red chair, which is part of a local art project that brings modern creative elements into traditional spaces.
If you prefer a longer walk or want to burn some of the calories you ate in one of the restaurants, I highly recommend walking to the Rocas de Mallassen viewpoint.
You can get there via a paved road from the village, which leads to a beautiful lookout spot with large boulders and panoramic views of the surrounding area, including the village of Vilafamés.
There is actually a hiking trail from here that leads to cave paintings or petroglyphs in the nearby rocks, but we weren’t prepared for a hike, so we only checked out the views.
Because this viewpoint is higher, you get a much better overview of the village than from the previous viewpoint. However, getting here is a bit harder because you have to climb higher.
But you know what they say – the best view comes after the hardest climb! 🙂
Location: Cadira Turística Roja – Rocas de Mallassen
Happy exploring!
We really enjoyed exploring Vilafamés. It’s one of those villages that might not be very big, but there’s still plenty to see once you start walking around.
From the castle and the church to the red rock formations built into the houses and the nearby viewpoints, there’s a nice mix of history, views, and unique details that make this place stand out.
What I liked most is that everything is within walking distance, so you can just take your time, wander through the streets, and stop whenever something catches your eye.
I hope this guide helps you plan your visit and discover some of the best spots in Vilafamés. It’s definitely a place worth adding to your itinerary if you’re in the area!
PIN FOR LATER!
