Morella is one of the best-preserved medieval walled cities in Spain, a fortified hilltop town of about 2,500 people rising dramatically from the Els Ports highlands of the Valencian Community. The entire old town sits within its original circuit of walls, crowned by a ruined castle perched on a near-vertical crag that dominates the skyline for miles around. Walking the walls and climbing to the castle is the obvious first move, and the views over the surrounding hills and plains are worth every step.
The architectural highlight at street level is the Basilica de Santa María la Mayor, with its remarkable spiral staircase carved from a single column — a piece of Gothic stone-carving that would be famous anywhere else in Europe. Morella also hosts the Sexenni, a festival of sacred polyphonic music held every six years that draws thousands of visitors to this otherwise quiet town. Even outside festival years, Morella rewards a night's stay; the town empties after the day-trippers leave and the medieval streets become properly atmospheric. The Els Ports Natural Park surrounding the town offers good hiking and excellent wildlife.