What to do in La Alberca

La Alberca is one of the most beautiful villages in Spain, nestled in the Sierra de Francia (Salamanca). It was the first Spanish village declared a Historic-Artistic Site in 1940. Its cobblestone streets, carved wooden balconies, arcades and stone-and-timber facades create a scene seemingly frozen in time. The arcaded Plaza Mayor is the heart of the village, with its stone cross and traditional mountain architecture. Living traditions set La Alberca apart: the Lunes de Aguas festival, the Ofertorio and the Pig of San Antón (a pig roaming the streets fed by the neighbours) are unique in Spain. The natural surroundings are exceptional: the Batuecas-Sierra de Francia Natural Park encircles the village, with hiking trails to the Batuecas cave paintings, the Alagón river meander and viewpoints over the valley. Local mountain gastronomy (Iberian ham, hornazo pie, limón serrano) rounds out the experience.