Some of the links in this posts might be affiliate links.<\/strong><\/strong> If you click on them and make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you. All opinions expressed are my own and entirely personal: I never recommend anything I haven\u2019t personally tried or genuinely appreciate.<\/p>\n Perched on a promontory nestled between the rivers J\u00fagar and Hu\u00e9car, Cuenca\u2019s old town is a small mediaeval gem. Declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1996, it makes this city an unmissable destination in central Spain.<\/p>\n It is possible to visit Cuenca in just one day, which makes it an excellent choice for a day trip from Madrid. But if you want to explore its surroundings, with their abundant natural treasures, I recommend devoting at least a couple of days to the area.<\/p>\n Here is a walking tour of about three kilometres to visit all the most interesting monuments in Cuenca and discover the places where some of the city\u2019s most curious legends were born.<\/p>\n Let\u2019s start the tour from the Mirador Vistas de Cuenca<\/strong> viewpoint. From here, next to the former Convent of San Pablo, you can enjoy a marvellous view of the Hu\u00e9car River and the city\u2019s main attraction: the Casas Colgadas<\/em>, or hanging houses. In the morning, the sunlight bathes the houses, making them particularly enchanting. Before reaching them, you must cross the Puente de San Pablo<\/strong>, a structure built at the beginning of the 1900s to replace the previous 16th-century bridge. The current bridge is 100 metres long and suspended 60 metres above the ground. Wherever you look, the view is breathtaking, making it a great spot for your pictures.<\/p>\n At the other end of the bridge, we reach the Casas Colgadas<\/strong>. Their name comes from the fact that part of these houses is not supported by solid ground but hangs over the void, with balconies extending above the steep walls of the Hu\u00e9car River canyon. Of all those that existed in past centuries, the Casa de la Sirena<\/em> and the two Casas de los Reyes<\/em> have survived in excellent condition. The first records of these houses date back to the 13th century. You can therefore guess why no others remain standing today! To visit their interiors, step inside the Museo de Arte Abstratta<\/a><\/strong>. It\u2019s a great Spanish abstract art museum with free entrance. It has an interesting permanent collection and part of the ancient hanging house structure still clearly visible.<\/p>\n Cathedral and Plaza Major<\/strong><\/p>\n Passing in front of the Episcopal Palace<\/strong>, one of the very few real palaces<\/em> in Cuenca, we reach Plaza Mayor<\/strong>, the central square of the old town. Here you\u2019ll find numerous houses with colourful fa\u00e7ades, the Convent of Las Petras, and the colonnaded Town Hall. \u201cColonnaded\u201d in the sense that it is suspended, with both pedestrian and vehicle traffic passing right between its columns.<\/p>\n The main attraction of Plaza Mayor, however, can only be the Cathedral of Santa Mar\u00eda y San Juli\u00e1n<\/a><\/strong>. The fa\u00e7ade is imposing and, although the church features interventions from various periods, its history is ancient and the result is quite intriguing. In my opinion, it\u2019s well worth visiting the interior even if there is an entry fee. There are countless chapels and truly a great deal to see.<\/p>\n From Plaza Mayor, take Ronda Juli\u00e1n Romero, one of the two streets that climb up towards the castle. You\u2019ll come across the Posada San Jos\u00e9, formerly the Old College of San Jos\u00e9<\/strong>, dating from the 17th century. A little further on, on the right, a small viewpoint is tucked away: the Mirador de Florencio Ca\u00f1as<\/strong>. And immediately afterwards, in a sort of tunnel that passes beneath the houses, you\u2019ll find the Cristo del Pasadizo<\/strong>, famous for one of Cuenca\u2019s many legends, the tragic tale of the lovers Juli\u00e1n and In\u00e9z. I\u2019ll tell you about it another time, but let\u2019s just say that the story doesn\u2019t end well.<\/p>\n Of the old castle, truth be told, hardly anything remains. A few sections of partially restored wall are still standing, along with the city\u2019s former entrance gate, the Arco Bezudo<\/strong>. From what was once the road leading into the city, you can enjoy an excellent view over both sides of Cuenca.<\/p>\n Just before reaching the castle, we find the building of the Provincial Historical Archive, which in the past served as the scary Palace of the Inquisition<\/strong>.<\/p>\n Let\u2019s make our way back down towards the heart of ancient Cuenca, this time taking Calle San Pedro. But before you start along this street, take a look at the arched passageway on your right (with the castle behind you). This is Calle Trabuco, which runs along a good stretch of the old town on its westernmost side and offers a lovely view over the River J\u00facar and its narrow valley.<\/p>\n The first attraction on Calle San Pedro is, of course, the Church of San Pedro<\/strong>, with its octagonal floor plan. The exterior, with its beautiful fa\u00e7ade and the structure nestled against the surrounding houses, seems more interesting to me than the interior, which is white and almost modern in appearance. Since there is an fee to visit the church, maybe the ticket is not worth it. But it give you access to the tower, though, which you could climb for a nice view over the old town.<\/p>\n A little further along you come across the Centro de Arte, formerly the Jesuit College<\/strong>, and the Hotel Convento del Giraldo, once the Convent of Las Celadoras<\/strong>. Between these two, a covered passageway on the right leads you to the small Plaza San Nicol\u00e1s<\/strong>. From here, if you continue along Calle San Pedro you will reach, on the left, the ruins of the old Iglesia de San Pantale\u00f3n<\/strong> (next to the terrace of a bar that almost seems to claim the ruins of the church as its own), and at that point you\u2019ll have returned to Plaza Mayor.<\/p>\n From Plaza San Nicol\u00e1s, you might take advantage of a short detour for a pleasant walk and to see the location of a rather unsettling legend. Go down the steps from the square and follow the little lane that bends to the right. You won\u2019t have to walk far before you come to a building on the left that appears abandoned. In the garden, behind an iron gate, stands the Cruz del Diablo<\/strong>, the focal point of the legend of a handsome young man, a beautiful yet mysterious girl and, of course, the Devil. Spoiler: the Devil always loses!<\/p>\n A little further on you will find the small Hermita de Nuestra Se\u00f1ora de las Angustias<\/strong> (the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Sorrows). It\u2019s tiny, with a lovely portal and, unfortunately, often closed.<\/p>\n Returning to Plaza Mayor, we walk beneath the Town Hall to find ourselves in a rather charming little square. A few pretty houses look onto it, as does the Convent of Las Esclavas, an old building with a delightful mosaic beside its portal. Take the uphill passage next to the Convent to reach Plaza de la Merced<\/strong>. Aside from the fact that these little lanes are utterly adorable, I find it amusing that widening by just a couple of metres immediately turns them into squares<\/em>. Plaza de la Merced, in fact, is not a crossroads but simply a small open space. In just a few square metres you\u2019ll find the Science Museum, the Church of La Merced and the building of the Conciliar Seminary.<\/p>\n Continuing along Calle Santa Mar\u00eda, we arrive at a rather curious open area. First of all, it is smoke-free! The signs encourage you not to smoke, even though you\u2019re outdoors. In the centre rises the Torre de Mangana<\/strong> (Mangana Tower). There are drawings and accounts of this square-based tower dating back to the 16th century. Of the original tower, only the lowest part remains; the rest has been more recently reconstructed. The square also features a work of contemporary art, \u201cHomenaje a la Constituci\u00f3n<\/strong>\u201d (\u201cHomage to the Constitution\u201d) by Antonio L\u00f3pez Garc\u00eda. It is a giant cube suspended several metres above the ground. In my opinion, it\u2019s not particularly photogenic because it doesn\u2019t suit the surrounding architecture in the slightest. Or maybe I couldn\u2019t find the right angle to frame it.<\/p>\n The square contains several information panels highlighting remnants of the medieval city. You can find ruins of the ancient Arab wall, a couple of cisterns belonging to the now-vanished mosque, niches and walls of the synagogue, and more. Another reminder of the Jewish presence in this district is the Casa de los Abulafia, on the north-east corner of the square.<\/p>\n Last but not least, the view. This square is built on two levels, and for that reason it offers a panorama over much of the city and the River J\u00facar.<\/p>\n To finish our tour of Cuenca, we head down towards Plaza del Carmen to visit a few more little gems. Here you\u2019ll find one of the access points to the Tunnel Alfonso VIII<\/strong>, underground spaces used as air-raid shelters. Unfortunately, they are currently (spring 2025) closed to the public, but they may reopen. On the same Calle Alfonso VIII<\/strong> there are a couple of interesting mansions (the Casa del Corregidor and the Casa de Arostegui), but this street is particularly striking for its houses built \u201cdownwards\u201d. If you look at the doorbells, you\u2019ll notice that the floors are labelled as 1, 2, 3 as well as \u20131, \u20132, \u20133. The old town is so perched on the hillside that the second floor of one street is the \u20132 of the higher, parallel street! And for convenience, these buildings have entrances on both sides.<\/p>\n If you take the little lane next to the Church of San Felipe Neri, the very narrow Calle Caballeros, you emerge into the modern Jard\u00edn de los Poetas<\/strong>, with a lovely view over the city. If instead you continue along Calle Andr\u00e9s de Cabrera, you reach the Puerta de San Ju\u00e1n<\/strong>, one of the ancient gates of the city. It is famous, as usual, for a legend, one of my favourites. Have you ever heard of a blind guard? Yes, a blind man checking who passes through. A brilliant idea, isn\u2019t it? Obviously it doesn\u2019t end well, as you can imagine!<\/p>\n From here we can descend towards the new town for one last stop. We pass in front of El Almud\u00ed<\/strong>, the former royal granary, and reach Calle de los Tintes<\/strong>. The name derives from the guild of textile dyers that was based in this area. This street runs alongside the River Hu\u00e9car, offering a lovely walk beneath the trees, among photogenic little bridges, low colourful houses, cats and ducks relaxing in the sun, and the gentle flow of the river.<\/p>\n Cuenca is truly lovely, small but full of character and dotted with curious little corners. I recommend exploring also its surroundings, which offer no shortage of natural and cultural attractions. Here are three suggestions that are easy to visit in a day, provided you have your own transport. Otherwise, rely on one of the many agencies, such as Civitatis<\/a><\/strong>, that organise these excursions in fairly standard packages. <\/p>\n One of the most popular attractions in Castilla-La Mancha is undoubtedly the Ciudad Encantada. Just 30 km from Cuenca, you can visit this park of unique and wonderfully odd rock formations. These rocks, originally submerged under the Tethys Ocean, have undergone a slow process of erosion for 90 million years. Their uneven morphology and chemical composition make some parts more resistant than others, resulting in the almost artistic shapes we see today. Observing each formation from the right angle, you will spot giant ships, human faces, animals and architectural structures.<\/p>\n The route is just under three kilometres long, flat, but not accessible for pushchairs or wheelchairs. For opening times and prices, consult the official Ciudad Encantada<\/a><\/strong><\/strong> website, where you can also find a charming map of the route<\/a><\/strong> (in Spanish).<\/p>\n If you enjoy walking in nature, I recommend a short stroll along the River Cuervo. The full \u201cofficial\u201d route is about three kilometres long, but a shorter walk of just over a kilometre will take you to the main attraction: the waterfalls. This shorter path is flat and suitable for pushchairs and wheelchairs. The full route<\/a><\/strong>, on the other hand, includes a bit of climbing, steps and uneven terrain, but nothing excessively difficult.<\/p>\n You can leave your car in the car park at the start of the trail, where you\u2019ll also find wooden and stone tables for a picnic. Just before the car park there is a bar where you can stop for food or pick up something to take with you, if you find it open!<\/p>\n A brief stop on almost any itinerary in the area, the Ventano del Diablo<\/a><\/strong> (\u201cthe Devil\u2019s Window\u201d) is a viewpoint I highly recommend. From a wide bend on the CM-2105 main road, a short access leads to a car park perched on the edge of a rather high cliff. The view over the River J\u00facar is nothing short of breathtaking.<\/p>\n Take a few minutes to scan the sky for birds of prey. As well as a couple of smaller raptors I wasn\u2019t able to identify, an eagle twice the size of all the others swooped past my eyes more than once! In the car park you\u2019ll also find a small souvenir shop selling handicrafts that may not be entirely unique, but are charming and reasonably priced.<\/p>\n Cuenca, both the modern part and the historic centre, is full of small hotels and tourist apartments. I suggest choosing a place somewhere in between the old town and the modern area. First of all, because the historic city centre is almost entirely pedestrian, and many streets are accessible only via long stairways and very steep lanes: you need to be prepared! The second reason is that daily life in Cuenca takes place mainly at the foot of the hill, leaving the upper part of the city to tourists. Finding a supermarket or a restaurant that isn\u2019t purely for tourists in the old town is practically impossible.<\/p>\n For a reasonably priced stay in an ideal location for visiting Cuenca, I recommend Posada Tintes<\/a><\/strong>, a small, simple and good-value hotel.<\/p>\n For a taste of local cuisine without too many tourists, I suggest Mes\u00f3n Darling<\/a><\/strong><\/strong>. Seating is limited, so you may have to wait your turn. But the service is quick, prices are average, the menu is limited to a few typical dishes and the quality excellent.<\/p>\n In the historic centre, stop at Abrasador El Secreto de la Catedral<\/a><\/strong><\/strong>. It\u2019s right next to the cathedral, so the prices are a bit high, but they have phenomenal meatballs! As the name suggests, they specialise in grilled meat, but they also offer a number of dishes suitable for a quick lunch.<\/p>\n The answer is simple: on foot! I admit that Cuenca is certainly not an easily accessible city. There are far too many stairs, steep streets, cobblestones and tiny pavements. But trying to wander around the historic centre by car is simply a silly idea. Of course, you can drive up and attempt to find parking, but at that point your only option will still be to walk.<\/p>\n There are two bus lines, numbers 1 and 2, which connect the historic centre with the rest of the city. I didn\u2019t use them, but I saw buses passing through strategic points. You\u2019ll find more information on timetables, routes and prices on the official Cuenca website<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n Parking is not usually something I concern myself with, but I must admit that parking in Cuenca is a bit complicated. The medieval layout of narrow streets and houses perched on the hillside doesn\u2019t leave much room for large car parks.<\/p>\n To visit the historic centre, Parking Mangana<\/a><\/strong> is probably the most convenient, as it is located right at the base of the old town. It\u2019s open 24 hours and has roughly the same (expensive!) prices as the more distant car parks. In the upper part of the historic centre, the only free car park is Parking del Castillo<\/a><\/strong><\/strong>. A little further away, but still close to the city centre, you\u2019ll also find the Plaza de Espa\u00f1a<\/a><\/strong> and Princesa Zaida<\/a><\/strong> car parks, both open 24 hours. Prices hover around \u20ac20 per day as a maximum.<\/p>\n Street parking in Cuenca is almost never free. You\u2019ll find blue ticket machines wherever it\u2019s possible to leave your car. Good luck!<\/p>\n All the images in this page are owned by the author and therefore protected by copyright.![\"Landscape](\"https:\/\/www.thatladyfromeurope.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/Pic\/Europe\/Spain\/Cuenca\/Cuenca_landscape.jpg\")
<\/figure>\nWhat to see in Cuenca<\/h2>\n
Las Casas Colgadas (hanging houses)<\/h4>\n
![\"What](\"https:\/\/www.thatladyfromeurope.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/Pic\/Europe\/Spain\/Cuenca\/Cuenca_hangingHouses.jpg\")
![\"Facade](\"https:\/\/www.thatladyfromeurope.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/Pic\/Europe\/Spain\/Cuenca\/Cuenca_cathedral.jpg\")
Ronda Julian Romero<\/strong><\/h4>\n
![\"Covered](\"https:\/\/www.thatladyfromeurope.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/Pic\/Europe\/Spain\/Cuenca\/Cuenca_CristoPasadizo.jpg\")
The castle<\/strong><\/h4>\n
![\"The](\"https:\/\/www.thatladyfromeurope.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/Pic\/Europe\/Spain\/Cuenca\/Cuenca_InquisitionPalace.jpg\")
Calle San Pedro<\/strong><\/h4>\n
![\"A](\"https:\/\/www.thatladyfromeurope.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/Pic\/Europe\/Spain\/Cuenca\/Cuenca_scorcio.jpg\")
The Hermita de nuestra Se\u00f1ora de las Angustias and the Cruz del Diablo<\/strong><\/h4>\n
![\"The](\"https:\/\/www.thatladyfromeurope.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/Pic\/Europe\/Spain\/Cuenca\/Cuenca_CruzDelDiablo.jpg\")
From the town hall to the Mangana Tower<\/strong><\/h4>\n
![\"Plaza](\"https:\/\/www.thatladyfromeurope.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/Pic\/Europe\/Spain\/Cuenca\/Cuenca_plazaDeLaMerced.jpg\")
Noble houses, gardens, air-raid shelters and ancient gates<\/strong><\/h4>\n
![\"View](\"https:\/\/www.thatladyfromeurope.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/Pic\/Europe\/Spain\/Cuenca\/Cuenca_PuertaSanJuan.jpg\")
What to visit around Cuenca<\/h2>\n
![\"Cuenca](\"https:\/\/www.thatladyfromeurope.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/Pic\/Europe\/Spain\/Cuenca\/cuenca_civitatis_genericEN-1024x318.jpg\")
<\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\nCiudad Encantada<\/strong><\/h4>\n
![\"Rock](\"https:\/\/www.thatladyfromeurope.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/Pic\/Europe\/Spain\/Cuenca\/Cuenca_CiudadEncantada.jpg\")
The Source and Waterfalls of Rio Cuervo<\/strong><\/h4>\n
![\"One](\"https:\/\/www.thatladyfromeurope.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/Pic\/Europe\/Spain\/Cuenca\/Cuenca_RioCuervo.jpg\")
Ventano del Diablo<\/strong><\/h4>\n
![\"View](\"https:\/\/www.thatladyfromeurope.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/Pic\/Europe\/Spain\/Cuenca\/Cuenca_VentanoDelDiablo.jpg\")
Where to sleep in Cuenca<\/h2>\n
![\"Calle](\"https:\/\/www.thatladyfromeurope.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/Pic\/Europe\/Spain\/Cuenca\/Cuenca_CalleTintes.jpg\")
Where to eat in Cuenca<\/h2>\n
How to move around the historic city center<\/h2>\n
![\"View](\"https:\/\/www.thatladyfromeurope.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/Pic\/Europe\/Spain\/Cuenca\/Cuenca_town.jpg\")
where to park in Cuenca<\/h2>\n
![\"Discover](\"https:\/\/www.thatladyfromeurope.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/Pic\/Collaborazioni\/DiscoverCars_banner.jpg\")
<\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n![\"View](\"https:\/\/www.thatladyfromeurope.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/Pic\/Europe\/Spain\/Cuenca\/Cuenca_OldTown.jpg\")
Some can be bought on Shutterstock<\/a>, 123RF<\/a> and Dreamtime<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n
![\"Pinterest](\"https:\/\/www.thatladyfromeurope.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/Pic\/Europe\/Spain\/Cuenca\/Cuenca_EN2-683x1024.png\")
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