# An autumn Sunday at the Monasterio de Piedra and a swim in the Alhama thermal lake

The waterfalls and caves of the Monasterio de Piedra with the park in autumn colours, lunch on site and, in the afternoon, a swim in the thermal lake at Termas Pallarés. An hour and twenty minutes from Zaragoza.

Fuente: https://www.geocalia.com/en/spain/aragon/piedra-monastery/itineraries/autumn-with-thermal-bath-in-alhama · Revisado: 2026-11-12

## El día
- 07:45 · Salida: 1 h 15 by car (from Zaragoza via the A-2, exit 231 Nuévalos – Monasterio de Piedra)
- 09:00 · Historic Garden Park: waterfalls, Horsetail Fall and Iris Cave (Cola de Caballo, Gruta Iris and lakes · 2 h 30 · €20 with the monastery)
  - 3 min on foot
- 11:45 · Cistercian Monastery and Calatayud DO Wine Museum (13th-century cloister and wine museum · 1 h · included)
  - 2 min on foot
- 13:00 · Piedra Vieja Restaurant (Piedra Vieja · menu of the day on the site · €) · Piedra Vieja Restaurant, €
  - 30 min by car, 20,7 km
- 15:00 · The thermal lake at Termas Pallarés, in Alhama de Aragón (Termas Pallarés, 20 min away · afternoon entry €13.50 · bought there)
- 17:45 · Vuelta (from Alhama via the A-2; in Zaragoza around 19:00)

The Monasterio de Piedra park is a forest of waterfalls, caves and lakes tucked into the canyon of the Piedra river, and in October and November the trees turn yellow and red above the water. This plan walks it first thing, sees the Cistercian monastery, has lunch on site and ends the afternoon fifteen kilometres away, in Alhama de Aragón, swimming in a lake of thermal water at 28 degrees while it is cold outside.

## The day, hour by hour

7:45 · Set off. From Zaragoza, about 120 km on the A-2 to exit 231 and the Nuévalos road. Car park next to the entrance.

9:00 · The park. It opens at 9:00. Follow the signed route: the Cola de Caballo waterfall, the Iris Cave from inside, the lakes and the viewpoints. It is about 4 km with steps and damp stretches, around two and a half hours. The ticket, €20 for adults and €14.20 for ages 4 to 11 and over-65s, includes the monastery.

11:45 · The monastery. The 13th-century cloister, the refectory, the convent kitchen with the history of chocolate and the wine museum. An hour, at no extra charge.

13:00 · Lunch at Piedra Vieja. The restaurant on site: set menu, à la carte, combination plates and pinchos at the bar. With your stamped ticket you can leave and re-enter.

15:00 · The thermal lake at Termas Pallarés. From Nuévalos to Alhama de Aragón it is about 20 minutes. The spa's lake is filled with water that wells up from the bottom at 32 °C and settles at about 28 °C. From 15:00, the afternoon ticket costs €13.50 per adult and €8 per child aged 4 to 12; under-4s do not pay. It is bought at the spa itself and closes at 18:00 outside summer.

17:45 · Head home. Alhama is next to the A-2: in Zaragoza around seven; in Guadalajara, in an hour and a half.

## Autumn in the park

The trees in the park change colour in October and November, with fewer visitors than in summer. From 10 November the park opens from 9:00 to 17:30 and the last entry is at 16:00, so it is best to go in early. The floor of the caves and the steps are wet all year: wear shoes with a good sole.

## Cómo llegar

### By car
A-2 from Zaragoza or Madrid. Exit 231 for Nuévalos and the Monastery; for Alhama, exit 204.

### Without a car
There is an AVE to Calatayud, half an hour away, but from there you need a car or taxi for the park and the spa.

## Consejos

### Call the spa before you set off
The website does not publish closing days for the lake: confirm on 976 840 011.

### Put your swimwear in the rucksack
And a towel and flip-flops; it is cold when you get out of the water.

### Enter the park at nine
You see the waterfalls with fewer people and have plenty of time for the afternoon.

## Cuándo no ir

If the lake is not open that day: swap the afternoon for the La Tranquera reservoir or the Colegiata of Calatayud, on the way home.

## Preguntas frecuentes

### How much does the day cost?
Park and monastery, €20; thermal lake in the afternoon, €13.50; plus lunch. Between €45 and €60 per person.

### Do I need to book?
The park sells tickets at the ticket office. The lake is paid for at the spa, with no published prior booking.

### Is it a good plan in the rain?
Yes: the caves and the thermal lake are enjoyable all the same, and the park has more water in the rain. Bring a waterproof.

### Can small children go?
Yes. In the park there are steps, so a carrier is better than a pushchair. At the lake, under-4s do not pay.