Your travel radar has picked out Aragon as your next destination. And you’re in the mood for a bit of everything: city streets, culture, open roads, rural scenery and great food. Sound impossible? Not at all. Three days driving from Zaragoza to Teruel are proof that you really can have it all.

This is the city of the Ebro, the Fiestas del Pilar, the relentless cierzo wind when it blows, tapas in El Tubo, the murals of the Festival Asalto, the bridge designed by Zaha Hadid for Expo 2008, or stopping to watch the sunset from another bridge, the Stone Bridge, with views of the Basilica del Pilar.

In fact, the Basilica del Pilar should be your first stop because, impressive as its exterior is, the inside is every bit as remarkable. And how could it not be, when it houses works and frescoes by Goya and even has a viewing tower offering panoramic views over Zaragoza?

We wouldn’t blame you for wanting to stay up there forever, but the city is calling. You still haven’t visited the Aljafería, a pleasure palace built for the Muslim rulers which today houses the Parliament of Aragon and dazzles visitors with its Mudéjar art.

When it’s time to rest, head to Sercotel Plaza Feria, an ideal choice for anyone travelling to the city by car thanks to its parking facilities and electric vehicle charging points.

Thanks to its location, with easy access to the A-23, the road you’ll follow towards your destination, we can think of few better starting points for this journey than Sercotel Plaza Feria. Teruel is less than two hours away, making it the perfect distance to put into practice that old saying that the journey matters just as much as the destination.

There are plenty of towns and villages that will tempt you to take a detour along the way. One worth stopping at is Daroca, where you can discover its medieval charm. Its city walls tell the story of a town that once stood on the frontier between kingdoms. Walking alongside them and discovering their impressive towers and imposing gateways is one of the absolute musts of any visit. Make your way up to the castle to admire the views and see how the splendour of another era still lives on in the grand houses and religious buildings dotted throughout its streets.

Albarracín, with its reddish houses, narrow streets and impressive city walls climbing up the mountainside, is another stop you’ll be glad you didn’t miss. Built on a rocky outcrop in a meander of the River Guadalaviar, ask about the walking route that follows the river. A beautiful experience to remember before Teruel surprises you with charms of its own.

Head out for a walk and let yourself be surprised by the strong presence of Mudéjar art wherever you look. The towers of San Martín, San Pedro and El Salvador are perfect examples, as is the tower of the cathedral. Some of the main Mudéjar features of these monuments form part of the Mudéjar Architecture of Aragon, which is recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

By now, you may well be wondering about Diego de Marcilla and Isabel de Segura. Well, perhaps not about them specifically, but certainly about their story: that of the Lovers of Teruel. Head to the Mausoleum of the Lovers, where the mummified remains attributed to the famous lovers are laid to rest. And after all that walking, you may also be ready for a break. Remember, you’re right in the centre: find a hotel where you can relax before continuing to explore Teruel.