Villardeciervos (Zamora, Spain)

Villardeciervos is a charming town located in the rural side of Zamora province, just 30 kilometres away from the Portugal border. It has a privileged location, as it is in the countryside surrounded by forest whilst being very well connected to Zamora city and, from there, in a bit more than an hour with Madrid, Spain’s capital city. Its city centre was declared a Site of Cultural Interest in November 2020 and it is formed by picturesque maisonettes, small streets and corners, and a baroque-style church from the XII-XIII century. Its slightly over 400 inhabitants are friendly, open and welcoming to visitors.

Villardeciervos counts with numerous possibilities for leisure and free time. One of its main attractions is being one of the main spots in Europe for the sighting of wolves in the wild, as well as the deer rutting season. At the tourist information building, there is a photography and infographic museum about the wolf and its habitat. There are numerous hiking and cycling paths around the town, crossing forests and mountains, as well as around one of Villardeciervos’ main attractions, the Valparaiso Water Reservoir. Built in 1988, it now counts with the sandy Molinos beach, where a lovely restaurant lies next. Water sports can also be practised at the water reservoir, as a fun approach to go all over its 12 square kilometres surrounded by natural cliffs and pine trees. There is also an airsoft field just 1  kilometre away from the town, where games and competitions are regularly organized. 

It’s a town with a perfect balance between quietness and service, as it offers every facility one may need during its stay, such as a pharmacy, an ATM, a supermarket, a bakery with local cakes, a souvenir shop, three restaurants with a wide offer of local gastronomy and a bar where youth and elders come together in the evenings, especially on wends, when the younger generation comes back to the town from the bigger cities nearby where they have moved due to studying or working possibilities. In regards to childcare, there is a Primary School with 3 rooms and a capacity for 36 students (currently just 7 regular students) and an Environmental Education Center for children with weekly activities. The nearest kindergarten is in the town right next, Mombuey, just 16 km away. Besides, plenty of local people offer themselves as babysitters/nannies. The co-working space is located in a beautiful building built nearly 100 years ago. It was especially reconditioned by the local government to host as many as 17 digital nomads spared on 7 working stations. There is 4G connectivity and they are working on installing fibre, which is planned to be fully set by the end of 2022.

All in all, Villardeciervos offers itself as a perfect destination to work remotely whilst appreciating the peace and stillness of the rural life, resting the mind with countless hikes in nature and at the same time allowing to keep up with basic needs and enjoying a well-balanced cultural and leisure offer.