Some people enjoy weekend breaks in medieval villages – others dream of living in one or buying a second home. If that sounds like you, read on. Here we highlight a selection of medieval villages with affordable houses for sale.
Alpuente, a town that was once a Taifa and was defended by El Cid
Alpuente is a town in the north-west of the province of Valencia, bordering Teruel and lying south of the Sierra de Javalambre. Its origins are uncertain, though there is evidence of Roman settlement as well as Bronze Age remains.
During the Muslim period, Alpuente was a strategic stronghold dominated by its castle, which guarded the Royal Road of Aragon. Following the abolition of the Caliphate of Córdoba from 1009 onwards, the Taifa of Alpuente emerged, ruled by the Beni Kasim dynasty until the late 11th century. In 1089, it came under the protection of El Cid.
In the early 13th century, Valencian territory was divided between the independent Kingdom of Valencia, the Alzira–Játiva–Dénia area and the Segorbe region, to which Alpuente belonged. Its governor, Abu Zayd, under pressure from internal strife and external attacks, reached an agreement with James I in 1229, placing key castles, including Alpuente, under his vassalage. After ceding his rights over Valencia in 1232 and converting to Christianity in 1236, he consolidated his alliance with the Aragonese monarch.
After capturing Valencia, James I advanced along the Turia river towards Llíria and Alpuente, which was likely taken around 1240. Soon afterwards, the king granted a charter of settlement and repopulated the area with Christians from the Kingdom of Aragon.
Today, the town boasts numerous sites and historic buildings that reflect its long past, including the castle, as well as important palaeontological remains and dinosaur footprints.
According to listings on idealista, the current average asking price for homes in Alpuente is €375 per square metre – making it one of the cheapest places in Spain to buy a property.
The town offers some fantastic properties for sale, including this fully operational and licensed rural house. It provides 232 m² of living space over two floors, with five bedrooms and five bathrooms, set on a 215 m² plot.
Cacabelos, a town in the heart of El Bierzo
Cacabelos, in the heart of the El Bierzo region in the province of León, lies amid mountains and vineyards along the Cúa river. The area has been inhabited since the Palaeolithic era and is rich in Bronze Age and Castro culture remains, particularly at Castro Ventosa, traditionally identified with the pre-Roman Bergida mentioned in classical sources.
Romanisation left a deep imprint with the rise of Bergidum Flavium, the administrative centre for the gold mines of El Bierzo. In the Middle Ages, Cacabelos appears in 10th-century records and was rebuilt in the early 12th century by Archbishop Diego Gelmírez.
In 1138, the town passed permanently to the Diocese of Santiago, remaining under its jurisdiction until 1890. Its position on the Camino de Santiago encouraged steady growth and the construction of churches and hospitals. In the 15th century, it became part of the Marquisate of Villafranca. Following the abolition of feudal estates, it emerged as an independent municipality.
Points of interest include the Plaza de San Lázaro, the Hermitage of San Roque – rebuilt several times since the 16th century – and the historic Calle Santa María, the main axis of the town since medieval times.
According to listings on idealista, the average asking price in Cacabelos stands at €693 per square metre.
In this town, you can find properties to renovate starting from €16,000 or detached houses with plenty of character. For example, this stately villa with a tower is available for €299,000. The property comprises 382 m², three bedrooms, one bathroom, and a 676 m² plot.
Fuente Obejuna, the town immortalised by Lope de Vega
The next medieval town – though there is evidence of much earlier settlement – is Fuente Obejuna, in the province of Córdoba. While it has many notable features, it is best known for Lope de Vega’s play Fuenteovejuna, published in 1619.
The play recounts a true historical episode – the uprising of villagers against the tyrannical Commander Fernán Gómez, who abused his power and the women of the town. The villagers united and killed him. When questioned by the Catholic Monarchs, they famously replied, “Fuente Ovejuna did it,” shielding one another and ultimately receiving a royal pardon for defending their honour and freedom.
The surrounding area is rich in archaeological remains, from the La Sierrezuela dolmens to early pre-Roman mining settlements linked to La Pava and La Loba. After centuries of scattered habitation, Christian repopulation in the 13th and 14th centuries established the first medieval nucleus, although few traces survive – including the ruined Visigothic church of San Bartolomé and several Andalusian cisterns. The town is documented in 1315 and soon became involved in disputes between Córdoba and the Order of Calatrava.
Fuente Obejuna is one of the cheapest towns to buy a house. According to properties listed on idealista, the average price is €398/m².
Among current listings is a single-storey detached villa with 121 m² of built space, three bedrooms and one bathroom, on the market for €35,000.
Peñafiel, a perfect town for wine lovers
Peñafiel, in the heart of the Ribera del Duero wine region in Valladolid, is one of Spain’s most recognisable medieval towns thanks to its spectacular ship-shaped castle. This 10th-century fortress crowns a narrow hill above the valley. Although its medieval profile dominates, the area has been inhabited since Roman times.
The town played a crucial role on the frontier between the Christian kingdoms and Al-Andalus in the 9th and 10th centuries. After being repopulated in the 11th century, it prospered through trade, viticulture and its strategic position. The Plaza del Coso, documented since the Middle Ages and famed for its traditional houses with wooden balconies from which bullfights have long been watched, remains intact in its original layout.
In addition to the castle – now home to the Provincial Wine Museum – notable landmarks include the church of San Pablo, a former Dominican convent, and the church of Santa María, which houses an important Gothic altarpiece.
According to listings on idealista, the current average asking price stands at €777 per square metre.
If you are searching for affordable village homes with potential, this property in Peñafiel could fit the bill. The 78 m² villa offers four bedrooms, one bathroom and a 223 m² plot – ample space for a pool or barbecue area. It is on the market for €88,000.
Frías, a town that is a city
We end our tour in Frías, a municipality in Burgos that officially holds city status and is listed by National Geographic as one of the most beautiful towns in Spain.
Frías occupies a strategic position overlooking the Ebro River, a crossing used since Roman times. It is first mentioned in 867 during the Christian repopulation. In the 11th century, it passed to Count Sancho García and, after his death, to the Kingdom of Pamplona–Nájera.
In 1202, Alfonso VIII granted the Charter of Logroño, stimulating economic growth and the establishment of a Jewish quarter. It later came under Castilian rule and extended its influence into the Tobalina valley. In the 14th century, a tower was added to the bridge to strengthen toll collection.
In 1435, John II of Castile granted Frías city status to hand it over to the Count of Haro – a decision that sparked local resistance and a prolonged siege. In 1492, the Catholic Monarchs created the Duchy of Frías and granted it to the Velasco family.
The medieval centre of Frías, declared a historic-artistic site, retains its original layout and buildings that blend into the rocky landscape. Highlights include the famous hanging houses, the Castle of the Dukes of Frías – a 12th-century fortress with keep, moat and battlements overlooking the valley and the Ebro – and the parish church of San Vicente. The medieval bridge, ancient walls and remnants of the Roman road linking the Castilian plateau with northern Iberia further underline its strategic and cultural importance.
According to listings on idealista, the average asking price in Frías is €607 per square metre.
You can find this detached villa for sale, in need of renovation, for €48,900. Due to its size, it offers many possibilities. It has a surface area of 300 m², four bedrooms, one bathroom and a plot of 30 m².
