Alar del Rey is a clear starting point for understanding the northern branch of the Canal de Castilla: its kilometre zero is here, and at La Veguilla the canal receives water from the Pisuerga. Alongside the canal heritage, the town’s attractions include a striking parish church, murals in Plaza de la Barcaza and a described route along the riverbank. These distinctions can help you decide what brings you to the area before looking for a hotel in Alar del Rey.

The Canal de Castilla and its heritage

The northern branch of the Canal de Castilla runs from Alar del Rey to Ribas de Campos and is 207 kilometres long. Another point of interest along the canal is the triple lock at Calahorra de Ribas: the northern branch has 24 locks. The first weir in the Alar del Rey area is known as Puente de la Coneja. There is also a dock on the Canal de Castilla at Alar del Rey.

The canal heritage also includes the former penal cells, known as mazmorras. Together with the locks and the weir, these structures give the canal a tangible historical dimension. It is important to note that the named places refer to different points along the canal: Alar del Rey is its starting point, Calahorra de Ribas is home to the triple lock, and Ribas de Campos marks the end of the 207-kilometre northern branch.

Church architecture and murals

The parish church, Iglesia de Nuestra Señora del Carmen, was built in 1898, after the population grew substantially in connection with construction work on the Ferrocarril de Isabel II railway and shipping on the Reales Canales de Castilla. Architecturally, it combines a Neo-Romanesque church building with a later Art Nouveau bell tower by Jerónimo Arroyo. The square tower rests on three arches with figurative capitals; the arches form the entrance to the main doorway.

A different, contemporary side of the town can be seen in Plaza de la Barcaza. In August 2025, it was transformed into a large, community-created mural. The murals form a walking route whose subjects tell the story of Alar del Rey’s identity. A total of 162 different bird species are also recorded for Alar del Rey.

Routes along the canal and the Descenso

The towpath on the right bank of the Canal de Castilla leads from Alar del Rey to the first lock in Barrio de San Vicente, two kilometres away. By contrast, during the Descenso Internacional del Pisuerga, Alar del Rey is the finish line of a 17-kilometre route that starts in Olleros de Pisuerga. The two kilometres of the towpath and the 17-kilometre paddling course therefore refer to different routes and activities.

The Descenso Internacional del Pisuerga is a sporting and popular festival held in the province of Palencia since 1965 and recognised as a Fiesta de Interés Turístico Regional. Along the route, paddlers pass five weirs: Mave, Becerril, Nogales, La Fábrica de Campos and El Soto. The course length, start and finish points, and weirs define a clearly mapped route; you should check the specific event date separately when planning your trip.

Getting there and finding accommodation

Alar del Rey can be reached by train or road. The road connections mentioned include the N-611, the road from Santander and the P-610. If you plan to travel by train, check the timetable for your travel date.

When choosing a hotel, it helps to decide what you want to focus on during your stay: will your trip be mainly about the canal heritage and its structures, the architecture and murals, or the Descenso? Use that focus to guide your search for hotels in Alar del Rey, then compare the location and amenities of the options to suit your personal requirements.

Discover more destinations: Cevico De La Torre, Triollo, Polentinos, Monzón De Campos, Villoldo, Ribas de Campos, Vallejo De Orbó, Guaza De Campos.

Go to the main travel overview: Palencia.