We’ve all heard or read the saying “there are things money can’t buy”—in commercials, in movies, on a sugar packet, while having a few beers with friends, or in a meeting with your boss. Folk wisdom is very wise, and the truth is that there are luxuries that have nothing to do with money or material possessions. Sleeping in August at temperatures below 10 degrees is one of those privileges that very few towns can boast of, and even fewer can do so by a lake surrounded by medieval architecture.
In the heart of the Pyrenees, tucked away in a valley beneath Mount Argualas, lies the town of Lanuza— a small medieval village that lends its name to the reservoir beside which it rests, and which has recorded temperatures below 5 degrees even in summer. This unusual climate for our country is due to its elevation above sea level, the protection afforded by the mountains, and the natural setting in which it is located.
An ideal destination to escape the heat and discover the history of a town whose historic center dates back to the Middle Ages (13th century). Plus, as you explore its historic sites and stroll through its streets, you’ll come across the “chamineras”—centuries-old chimneys that were built to ward off witches.
Furthermore, its privileged location on the edge of the reservoir and at the foot of the Pyrenees makes the landscape and views well worth photographing.
Things to Do in Lanuza: Water Activities, Hiking Trails, and the Largest Festival in the Pyrenees
If you thought Lanuza was your typical village where there’s nothing to do beyond admiring the scenery and sitting out in the cool air, you were wrong. The best example is the Pirineos Sur International Festival of Cultures, the most important music event in the entire mountain range, which this year drew more than 42,000 people to its various concerts.
Of course, you can also visit the boat dock and enjoy all kinds of water activities: kayaking, canoeing, windsurfing, sailing, paddleboarding, or simply swimming in the reservoir. It’s the perfect activity for the sunniest hours of the day, when the heat really starts to kick in.
And if you want to immerse yourself in the local natural surroundings, there are many hiking trails where you can lose yourself in the landscapes of the Tena Valley—some more challenging, but others very easy and popular, such as the trail to the Sierra Plana Viewpoint or the loop around the Lanuza Reservoir and the San Mamés Viewpoint.
