Things To Do in Nuevalos and Piedra

Nuévalos’s major attraction, the Monasterio de Piedra ♥♥♥ (tel. 97-687-07-00) is a virtual Garden of Eden—it even has a 60m (197-ft.) waterfall. It was here in 1194 that Cistercian monks built a charterhouse on the banks of the Rio Piedra. It is said the original monks moved to this site because they wanted a “foretaste of paradise”; actually, they were escaping the political intrigues at the powerful Monestir de Poblet in Catalunya. The monks left in 1835, but their former quarters are now a hotel.

Two pathways, marked in blue or red, meander through the grounds, and several levels have good overlooks. Tunnels and stairways dating from the 19th century are the work of Juan Federico Mutadas, who created the park. Slippery steps lead down to an iris grotto, just one of many quiet, secluded retreats. You can wander through the grounds from 9am to 7pm, and the monastery is open daily 10am to 8pm (both close earlier in the late fall and winter months, so check the website).

Admission to the park and monastery is 18.50€ for adults, 13€ for seniors and children ages 4 to 11.