Aranda welcomes the Duero river under its bridges. The Tourist Office organizes visits to underground wineries.
Aranda del Duero is Split down by the Duero River. Its two halves are connected by the Aranda Bridge. Aranda is filled with wine cellars, although this might not be immediately obvious. Cellars in Aranda, and in Ribera in general, are traditionally located underground and the only way you would know that you are near one is by finding the tale-tell chimneys ore “luceros” as they are known that allow the underground cellars to breathe.
In Aranda, you may stroll through its cobbled squares and eat in its renowned asadores (typical restaurants for roasted meat), famous for their roast lamb. You make be surprised by a pleasant walk through its parks along the river Duero. You can also admire the façade of the Church of Santa María or that of San Juan.
There is a complex web of underground tunnels and cellars that crisscross underneath Aranda that house excellent Ribera del Duero wine and about 10 minutes outside of Aranda is Bodegas Portia, one of the most modern wineries in the region.
Aranda del Duero also has some sight-seeing opportunities including the Church of Santa Maria, the Church of San Juan, its town squares, and the many parks that line the Duero river as it crosses through Aranda.
If you drive to Fuentecen on your way to Peñafiel from Aranda de Duero we recommend you look up to the nearby hill you can barely see a small village at the top. Once you make your way up the hill you arrive at the abandoned medieval town of Haza. Because of its strategic vantage point, Haza was once an important garrison in the region, and now lays abandoned. It is worth the trek, if nothing else for the views.