Campillo de Ranas is one of the many “pueblos negros” (black villages) around Madrid. If you want to know things to do in Campillo de Ranas, keep reading.
Campillo de Ranas is part of the network of black villages near Madrid. They are called this way because of the dark color of the materials used in the construction of houses and other buildings.
Although there are many black villages near Guadalajara, in this article we will focus on our visit to Campillo de Ranas.
💯 Are you looking for other places to visit around Madrid? Check out these recommendations on what to visit near Madrid.
What route to take through the black villages of Guadalajara?
When planning a route through the Black Villages of Guadalajara, Campillo de Ranas is one of the must-visit stops. Other villages you shouldn’t miss are:
- Valverde de los Arroyos
- Umbralejo
- Tamajón
- Roblelacasa
- Robleluengo
- Majaelrayo
But there are not only “black villages” in this Spanish province, but also in Segovia and Madrid. For example, Patones de Arriba is another village with this characteristic.
How to explore the black villages of Guadalajara?
The best way to explore these black architecture villages is by car. If you don’t have your own, you can rent one in Madrid or the city where you are, and do the route at your own pace. From Madrid it’s less than a 2-hour drive.
Why are they called the black villages?
Slate is the material used for construction, not only for houses (walls and roofs), but also for bridges, planters, cisterns, fountains, and others. It contains mineral compounds in shades of gray, blue, brown, silver, and black.
Moreover, it is placed horizontally, which enhances the dark color and gives everything a more picturesque look. It can be easily found in abundance in the Sierra de Ayllón, between Guadalajara, Segovia and Madrid, and in the Sierra de Alto Rey in Guadalajara.
Things to do in Campillo de Ranas
The meeting point for any visitor is the Main Square and the Church of Santa María Magdalena, with its bell tower, which is one of the highlights to see in Campillo de Ranas. We also passed by the Town Hall.
The village became internationally known thanks to a documentary by a couple from Iceland whose dream was to get married in Campillo. This documentary is called “Campillo, sí quiero”.
Campillo de Ranas is a village to enjoy the surrounding nature, taking some of the many hiking trails available.
You can visit ruined houses, where trees and plants have taken over again. In fact, most of the so-called black villages have no more than 100–200 inhabitants, and some are even completely abandoned.
Another thing to do in Campillo de Ranas is to relax in the quiet streets and taste some delicious homemade food.
Where to stay in Campillo de Ranas?
You can stay in one of the rural houses available, to disconnect from the big city and rest. Some options we recommend are:
- Casa rural El Abejaruco: in Campillo de Ranas, a rural accommodation that preserves the original architecture, with elegant room décor.
- Casa Rural y Spa El Huerto del Abuelo: in Almiruete, featuring a small spa to relax, a vegetable garden and beautiful views from the property.
- Casa Rural La Casa Del Sol: in Campillo de Ranas, this rural house is wonderfully run by its owner. Lots of comfort and an excellent homemade breakfast.
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