Aguilar de Codés is a small town in size but rich in history and scenery. Situated on a plateau at the foot of the Sierra de Codés, at an elevation of more than 700 meters, it overlooks the valley and retains the character of villages founded to protect roads, borders, and territory.
It was a secondary route on the Camino de Santiago, and its urban layout bears the imprint of its medieval past. Today, sections of 13th-century city walls can still be seen, along with streets aligned with the old defensive enclosure and numerous houses bearing coats of arms that attest to its historical significance. A stroll through Aguilar is a journey through a sober, well-preserved stone townscape.
The town’s religious heritage complements this historical narrative. Highlights include the Gothic Church of the Invention of the Holy Cross, the heart of the town; and the Chapel of San Bartolomé, one of the area’s Romanesque gems, located on the outskirts next to the road. In addition to these are small chapels and the remains of ancient abandoned settlements that help shed light on the region’s evolution.
The natural surroundings are another of its major attractions. From the town center itself, visitors can enjoy spectacular views of the Sierra de Codés and Mount Ioar, the highest peak in Tierra Estella. It is an ideal place for those seeking tranquility, open landscapes, hiking trails, and an authentic experience of rural Navarre, linked to the Camino, history, and the unhurried pace of life in mountain villages.