Alquézar, a village high above the Vero canyon.

Alquézar is a stone village on top of a spur above the canyon of the River Vero, with a collegiate church set in a castle at the tip. It is the southern gateway to the Sierra de Guara and the place in the Somontano that people come to for three things: the route of walkways hung above the river, the canyons and the rock art of the Vero, a World Heritage site. It is about 50 minutes from Huesca and can be done in a day, although a night lets you add a canyon or the paintings without rushing.

How do I get to Alquézar from Huesca, Zaragoza or Lleida?

By car. From Huesca, Turismo de Alquézar indicates the A-22 towards Barbastro and, about 15 km later, the exit for the A-1229 towards Abiego and Alquézar; from there it is about 20 km. Allow about 50 minutes. From Zaragoza you go up to Huesca on the A-23 and continue the same way, or go via Barbastro: about an hour and three quarters. From Lleida, the A-22 to Barbastro and then the Aínsa road, with the turn-off to Alquézar by the A-1232: a little under an hour and a half.

By public transport it is complicated: you have to reach Barbastro by bus and from there there is no practical connection for a day trip. This is a trip by car.

Where do I park?

The streets of the old town are narrow and steep. Leave the car in the public car parks at the entrance and in the Arrabal and walk up. The Hotel Villa de Alquézar is one of the few places to stay with its own covered parking.

What is there to do in Alquézar?

First are the Vero river walkways: 3 km circular in one direction, about two hours and 175 m of ascent, with seven sections of walkway anchored to the rock. It starts opposite the town hall and has access control: €5 from age 12, with an online ticket put on sale month by month. Under-11s don't pay, but need their own ticket.

At the top is the collegiate church of Santa María, with an entirely painted Romanesque cloister, from the 14th to the 18th centuries, and a museum of altarpieces. To understand the village, the guided visit to the medieval village from the tourist office lasts an hour and a half and ends at the Casa Fabián ethnological museum; it costs €8.

The River Vero flows below the village and its lower stretch is the area's beginner canyon, from €56 with a guide. About 10 km away, the Colungo centre organises visits to the rock art of the Vero, in shelters such as Arpán or Mallata. And half an hour away, towards Barbastro, the wineries of the DO Somontano begin, such as Enate, with its art collection.

How much time do I need?

A day covers the walkways in the morning, lunch and the collegiate church or the guided visit in the afternoon. With a night you add a canyon, the rock art or a winery, and you see the village at night, when the visitors leave. Two nights, if you want to combine canyons and wine.

When should I go?

In spring and autumn: the temperature is good for walking and the Vero carries water. In summer the final climb of the walkways is in the sun and it is best to go in first thing; it is the high season for canyons and the village fills up at weekends. In winter there is less going on, the tourist office runs guided visits only at weekends and many restaurants cut their days.

Where do I eat on Sunday?

Casa Pardina is open on Sunday at midday all year: a €49 menu with oil tasting and Somontano wines, and the house's low-temperature ternasco lamb. The Mesón del Vero, in the Arrabal, is open every day except Wednesday, with charcoal-grilled ternasco, a terrace and a children's menu. La Cocineta has a set menu of the day and a terrace; call first, because it doesn't publish its hours.

Where do I sleep?

With a car and family, the Hotel Villa de Alquézar, with a pool, spa and parking. As a couple, the Hotel Vinoteca, adults only. On a small budget, the Albergue Rural de Guara. And for canyons, motorhomes or winter, the Camping Alquézar, open all year.