Centro de Interpretación de la Miel

The Honey Interpretation Centre (Centro de Interpretación de la Miel) is a small beekeeping museum in Sagallos, a hamlet within the municipality of Manzanal de Arriba, in the province of Zamora, right in the heart of the Sierra de la Culebra. The area has lived off beekeeping for generations, and the centre exists to preserve that tradition and share it with visitors.

Where exactly is it?

The building sits on Calle Carretera 10B in Sagallos, only a short drive from the Portuguese border and not far from the Lago de Sanabria Natural Park. The surrounding countryside is dotted with reservoirs, and the Sierra de la Culebra is known for hosting one of the largest wolf populations in Europe, alongside wild boar and deer — making the area a draw for nature lovers well beyond anyone interested in honey.

How do you get there?

A car is the most practical option. Manzanal de Arriba lies off the main routes, in the western part of Zamora province close to the Portuguese frontier. From the city of Zamora, the drive takes roughly ninety minutes along local roads via Puebla de Sanabria. It's worth calling the town hall (Ayuntamiento de Manzanal de Arriba) ahead of time to confirm opening hours and arrange a guide, particularly outside the summer months.

What will you see inside?

The building was designed to blend into the landscape and today serves a double purpose: a training and knowledge-sharing space for local beekeepers, and a stop for visitors. A typical visit covers:

• a museum devoted to the region's beekeeping history and techniques,
• a traditional wax press used to extract honeycomb,
• a supervised visit to live beehives,
• food-tasting workshops built around honey,
• sessions on medicinal plants and turning beeswax into creams,
• activities for children, including storytelling, games, and craft-making with a beekeeping theme.

Guided tours run in Spanish, English, and Portuguese, which makes the centre easy to visit for travellers from neighbouring Portugal as well as international guests.

When should you visit?

The main season runs from May to mid-October, when the centre keeps regular opening hours. Between October 15 and April 30 it closes to walk-in visitors and only opens for pre-booked groups of more than 15 people. Outside summer, a phone reservation is the only way to get inside.

Practical information

For bookings, call the town hall on 980 625 648 or the mobile number 690 708 708; groups of more than 15 visiting off-season can also reach 649 506 778. The address is C/ Carretera 10B, Sagallos, 49594 Manzanal de Arriba, Zamora.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need to book in advance? During the summer season you can simply show up within opening hours, but from October 15 to April 30 a visit is only possible with a prior phone booking, especially for groups.

Is the tour available in English? Yes — guides lead tours in Spanish, English, and Portuguese, so the language barrier shouldn't be an issue.

Is it suitable for children? Yes, there are dedicated activities for kids, including storytelling, beekeeping-themed games, and craft workshops.

What else can I combine this visit with? The nearby Lago de Sanabria Natural Park and the Sierra de la Culebra, famous for its wolf population, make it worth planning a longer stay in the region and pairing the centre with a trip into the mountains.