Manhattan is quite literally everywhere…from Italy’s Tuscany region to England’s southeast corner to even, the gorgeous Catalonian region of Spain?!
That’s right—there’s a tiny town nestled in Spain’s wine country that’s being dubbed the “Rural New York,” and the photos truly speak for themselves.
La Vilella Baixa, perched along a deep gorge in Catalonia’s Priorat region, is just as jaw-dropping as it is unexpected.
With homes that look stacked on top of one another, vertical cliffside streets, and a bridge connecting two rocky halves of the village—it’s basically Manhattan reimagined by Mother Nature.
Let’s take a stroll through this gravity-defying Spanish village, shall we?
Why is La Vilella Baixa called the “Rural New York”?
The nickname “Rural New York” was first coined by Spanish publications who couldn’t help but notice that La Vilella Baixa’s dramatic, multi-level layout felt like a rustic version of Manhattan’s towering cityscape.
The homes appear to rise on top of one another, clinging to the rockface like stacked Lego blocks.
The narrow streets twist up and down the mountainside, connected by staircases and bridges—making it the kind of place where a front door could be five stories above your head, with entry via a winding staircase or elevated bridge.
It gives off the same energy as neighborhoods like the Lower East Side or West Village, where buildings stack, streets squeeze together, and walking is the only real way to navigate. Just swap bodegas for bakeries, delis for vineyards, and brownstones for medieval stone homes.
In fact, standing on La Vilella Baixa’s Carrer del Pont (more on this later), it feels like you’re looking up at a natural version of the NYC skyline—less One Vanderbilt, more “Stone Age Flatiron.”
What makes this architecture so wild?
One of La Vilella Baixa’s most iconic features is its 17-meter stone bridge, Carrer del Pont, that stretches across a steep ravine, linking both sides of the town. From the middle of the bridge, you’ll catch surreal views of homes seemingly stacked on top of each other, balancing over the edge.
It’s often described as “hanging off a cliff”—and when you see it in person, you’ll understand why.
Much of the architecture had to be adapted to the terrain. Floors are added vertically rather than outwards, with some buildings climbing five stories straight up. Add in the rugged stone façades and zig-zagging staircases, and you’ve got a town that quite literally defies gravity.
So where exactly is La Vilella Baixa and how old is it?
La Vilella Baixa dates back more than 800 years, first recorded in documents from the 13th century. It’s part of the Priorat comarca (aka county), tucked away in Tarragona, a province in Spain’s Catalonia region.
While it might not be packed with skyscrapers, it is surrounded by towering cliffs, lush terraced vineyards, and medieval charm at every turn.
With a population of under 200 people, it’s as peaceful and untouched as they come—but filled with character.
The entire Priorat area is known for its award-winning wines and dramatic topography, making La Vilella Baixa the perfect hidden gem to stumble across between tastings.
Visiting La Vilella Baixa: What to do while you’re there
If you’re dreaming up a Spanish summer escape, this lesser-known Catalonian treasure might just make your list. Here are a few things not to miss while visiting La Vilella Baixa:
- Walk Carrer del Pont: Snap a photo from the stone bridge and take in views of the stacked buildings above the riverbed—it’s one of the most surreal sights in Spain.
- Hike the rugged landscape: There are scenic trails all around the village that wind through olive groves, vineyards, and forested hills.
- Taste local wines: La Vilella Baixa is located right in the heart of DOQ Priorat, one of Spain’s most prestigious wine regions. Don’t skip a tasting.
- Stay overnight: Local guesthouses like Casa La Castellana offer a cozy way to soak in the scenery (without the NYC chaos).