Spanish squares full of charm and colour

The most colourful squares in Spain could well be the setting chosen for a postcard, as their beauty makes them a perfect background which brightens up any city. Some of these squares are unknown, selected for the colours of the buildings around them, for their painted balconies or for the flowers that fill them with charm. How many of them have you been to?

Squares full of life and full of colour

Plaza de Armas, Hondarribia

In the province of Gipuzkoa you can find the beautiful Hondarribia, a town with a historic centre declared a Monumental Site. The municipality preserves part of its walls, buildings with iron balconies and its cobbled streets. The so-called Plaza de Armas is in the highest part of the city, where you can also find the Castle of Carlos V and the parish church. It is one of the most colorful squares in Spain, with painted houses and balconies full of flowers. 

Moreover, the Plaza de Armas was used for the practice of weapons and popular festivities. Here takes place the Alarde de Hondarribia, celebrated since 1639 every 8 September. On this day, a very striking parade of weapons is held to commemorate the end of the two months of siege suffered by its neighbours at the hands of the French, who were besieging the city. Thus, they fulfill the vow made to the Virgin of Guadalupe, since it is believed that thanks to her the victory was achieved. 

In June the Medieval Market also takes place here, where the square and the old town are set back to the Middle Ages.

In addition, the Zuloaga Palace and the Ermita de Guadalupe are other reasons to visit the town. The latter has several gardens in which to have a picnic.

Plaza de La Glorieta, La Palma

Plaza de La Glorieta or Plaza de Los Cuatro Caminos is one of the most colourful squares in Spain and also one of the most unknown. Located on the island of La Palma, in Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Plaza de La Glorieta surprises us with its striking colours and drawings.

The town of Los Llanos de Aridane has the pleasure of having a square with a spectacular mosaic floor. In it, native plants stand out, embracing the local flora. The artist Luis Morera was in charge of designing this amazing square or viewpoint between 1993 and 1996. In addition to the mosaics, there are pergolas with benches covered with ceramic tiles. A curious picture made of lava stones.

Once in Los Llanos de Aridane, you can enjoy the beautiful and wide Plaza de España. This is the centre of this town in La Palma. Here we will be able to see 11 spectacular specimens of laurels of Indies as well as royal palms in its surroundings. Both were brought from Cuba by the migrants during the 19th century with the aim of decorating their natal village. Now they are a symbol of the municipality.

Plaza Mayor in Chinchón

If Chinchón, in the Community of Madrid, is known for anything it is for its colourful Plaza Mayor. It dates back to the 15th century and is one of the Spanish most colourful squares with medieval origins. It is worth noting that it contains no less than 234 balconies that have witnessed a long list of events in which the square has been the common axis. 

Scene of multiple battles, this is a town that was ruled by the Romans, Visigoths and the Arabs. Nevertheless, in 1139 Alfonso VII reconquered Chinchón. Many of the streets of the municipality converge at the Plaza Mayor, proving its importance. In the subsoil of what was once a village, the existence of a large number of wineries is surprising.

Besides the Plaza Mayor, it is also interesting to visit the Monastery of the Clarisas, from the 17th century. You cannot miss the cloister and the mausoleum of the Counts of Chinchón. In the convent itself you can buy homemade pastries made by the nuns.

The Castle of the Counts is another mandatory stop. It currently belongs to the Counts of Chinchón, descendants of those who built it in the 15th century. Although it is now in a ruinous state, it retains some of the magnificence of its structure. As a curiosity, it was used as a liquor factory in the 20th century.

Plaza de Ramón Pelayo, Santillana del Mar

The flowers stand out on the buildings in the Ramón Pelayo square, formerly called Plaza Mayor. The balconies of the houses that surround the square are filled with flowers that make this mythical Plaza Mayor in the charming village of Santillana del Mar, in Cantabria, so joyful. 

Around the square are some of the most important buildings to see in Santillana del Mar. To one side, the Casa del Águila and the Casa de la Plaza. On the other side, the two most outstanding towers of the town, Merino Tower and the Don Borja Tower. With a traditional style, Ramon Pelayo square maintains its essence thanks to the cobbled streets and the houses from the 14th to 18th centuries.

Taking a walk through the rest of the town, we find the Collegiate Church of Santa Juliana. Declared a national monument, it is a Romanesque temple from the 12th century with a great structure and powerful charm. In its interior are the remains of Santa Juliana.

Plaza Mayor in Almagro, Ciudad Real

The Plaza Mayor of Almagro, in Ciudad Real, is one of the most beautiful medieval squares in Spain. During the 16th century the square underwent an interesting transformation in which new buildings were constructed around it. At this time emerged the glass galleries that characterize the Plaza Mayor of Almagro, located on both sides of the main square. 

In its many years of history, it has also been known as Plaza de la Constitución, Real, Plaza de la República or de España, when the Civil War took place. In order to return the square to its former splendor, an exhaustive restoration process took place from 1960 to 1967. The date of completion of the restoration can be read on the plaque located in the Town Hall building.

Besides being the centre of urban life, the Corral de Comedias is located in the Plaza Mayor of Almagro. It is an inn to which a stage was added to the courtyard. Built at the beginning of the 17th century, it is the site of the Classical Theatre Festival. To the north of the square is the Palacio Maestral, where the National Theatre Museum is now located.

You cannot miss…

We know that there are real wonders in Spain as far as squares are concerned. Even many of them are unknown. This is the case of the Plaza Alta in Badajoz, with its Mudejar-style arches and beautiful colours. This and other of the most colourful squares in Spain, such as the Plaza de la Corredera in Córdoba, can be found at the following link: The most spectacular squares in Spain.