Gallocanta: Discover bird migration, the lagoon and culture

There are several ways to plan a trip to Gallocanta: the Laguna de Gallocanta, a saline body of water and bird habitat; a hiking trail in the protected area; and churches and museums. If you are looking for a hotel in Gallocanta, it helps to distinguish seasonal birdwatching from the historic buildings and the different periods in which they were built.

Lagoon and bird migration

The Laguna de Gallocanta is a saline, endorheic body of water in a large basin of the Sistema Ibérico, at an altitude of 990 metres above sea level. As an endorheic body of water, it has no outflow; its water is also saline. Its elevation and setting within the basin are also part of its geographical context.

The lagoon is a stopover and wintering area for numerous bird species; more than 220 different species have been recorded there. During crane migration, an estimated 80 percent of the western population of this species (Grus grus) stops in Gallocanta. Gatherings of more than 60,000 birds have been recorded. The figure of around 80 percent should be understood as a long-term estimate, and seasonal numbers fluctuate. This gives you two distinct perspectives to consider when planning your trip: the area's biodiversity and the seasonal changes in crane activity.

Hiking trail and orientation

The Laguna de Gallocanta protected area's trail network includes the PR-Z 33 Laguna de Gallocanta y Los Lagunazos hiking trail. If hiking is part of your trip plans, this trail is a distinct option alongside birdwatching and culture.

The accessible Centro de visitantes de Gallocanta is in Gallocanta, outside the protected area and its peripheral protection zone. The Observatorio accesible de Gallocanta is one of the observation points at the Laguna de Gallocanta. The two places therefore serve different purposes: one is a visitor centre, while the other is a lagoon observation point.

Churches and historical context

The Iglesia de San Pedro Apóstol was built in the first half of the 17th century; construction may have been completed in 1735. The church is divided into three naves, and its floor plan is shaped like a Latin cross. The naves describe the layout of the church interior, while the Latin-cross floor plan describes the shape of the building as a whole. Beneath the choir loft is a small chapel containing an image of the Virgen del Buen Acuerdo.

The Ermita de la Virgen del Buen Acuerdo de Gallocanta reflects a different historical period. It stands on a small rise in the land, about two kilometres from the centre of Gallocanta and beyond the lagoon. Its origins date back to a Romanesque building from the early 13th century. Compared with the Iglesia de San Pedro Apóstol, the ermita therefore represents a considerably earlier building period.

Bird-related attractions and scheduling

The Museo de las Aves de Gallocanta is housed in a single-storey building and introduces visitors to the main bird families. The Centro de Interpretación de la Laguna de Gallocanta has been renovated, with updated museum displays and new interpretive features. Before your trip, check the current opening hours of the facility you would like to visit.

The first weekend in February is listed as the date for the Festival de las Grullas. If you are planning your trip around this date, check that year's programme.

More destinations

Discover more destinations: Encinacorba, Sos Del Rey Católico, Luesia, Leciñena, Villalba de Perejil, Bijuesca, Herrera De Los Navarros, Bureta.

For the main travel overview: Zaragoza.