The latest survey posed by Lonely Planet to its instagrammers asked them to choose the most beautiful town in the interior of Spain, among a wide list of towns from all over the country, selected for their beauty, the conservation of their heritage and their landscape. More than 48,000 travelers have participated in this macro survey, in which the town of Potes, in Cantabria, in the beautiful Valley of Liébana, has emerged as the winner.
In the voting, the Lonely Planet community of travelers has been choosing their favorite inland town, in a competition based on eliminations: round of 16, quarterfinals, semifinals… until reaching the grand final that has been played by two very close towns. different: Potes (Cantabria) and Besalú (Gerona), both with a great tradition and a well-preserved heritage. In third and fourth position, the travelers chose the towns of Albarracín (Teruel) and Alquézar (Huesca).
The heart of the Liebana
In the middle of a spectacular landscape in the heart of the Picos de Europa, Potes is the capital of mountaineers, but also a town full of history and charm, with an idyllic postcard image, at the confluence of the four valleys of the region. It is called the town of bridges and towers, and it is true that it has many and its towers are the most striking, such as the Infantado and Orejón de la Lama, both from the 15th century. Its old area maintains a great popular flavor, and its narrow streets are full of emblazoned mansions that speak of other times. Potes is also known for its gastronomy: there are many restaurants that boast their big game dishes, their river fish and, above all, the lebaniego stew, one of the culinary stars.
Potes, Cantabria. Dreamstime.
Potes is always lively: if it’s not the farmers who go to the market, it’s the hikers or even the pilgrims who wander between the bridges, towers and mansions. People go to Potes to walk around or ascend to nearby peaks of the Picos de Europa, but many also go to earn indulgences: the Camino Lebaniego leads to the monastery of Santo Toribio de Liébana, just two kilometers away, founded in the 6th century and where the largest preserved fragment of the Cross of Christ is kept, reason enough for Christians to make pilgrimages for centuries.
Potes, Cantabria. Dreamstime.
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