Cuenca

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  • Sightseeing
  • History
  • Tradition and food
  • Getting there

The historic fortified city of Cuenca is located on a look-out point between the gorges of the Huécar and Júcar rivers. Its steep streets, unaltered proof of its medieval past, as well as its consideration as a city-come-landscape, gained it recognition as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1996.

Plaza Mayor

The main square is the nerve centre of the city's monument collection and the starting point for any visit. It is trapezoidal in shape and the cathedral, town hall and Las Petras Convent occupy three of its corners.

Catedral de Santa María de Gracia

The cathedral was built on the site of the former Arab mosque. Construction began at the end of the 12th century and was completed in the middle of the 13th century. It was the first Gothic cathedral of Castile and is built in Anglo-Norman style. In the following centuries it was altered and restored, which explains the presence of architectural features in different styles.

Casas Colgadas

The "Hanging Houses" are the city's most emblematic feature, and the one that characterises it on postcards. The houses are built straight onto the wall formed by the gorge of the Huécar River. Their location, suspended over a ravine, makes them one of Cuenca's greatest attractions. One of them (three remain) now houses the Museum of Spanish Abstract Art, where you can enjoy works by Antoni Tàpies, Eduardo Chillida, Antonio Saura and Fernando Zóbel, among others.

Puente de San Pablo

This is the footbridge that crosses the Huécar River. The original bridge was built of stone in the 16th century. It ended up collapsing and another was built of iron and wood at the beginning of the 20th century, taking advantage of the old foundations. It is one of the best vantage points from which to take a photo of the Hanging Houses.

Torre Mangana

This tower is located on the site of the former Arab fortress. It was built in the 16th century and renovated in the 20th century, in a Neo-Mudéjar style. It has served as the municipal clock and is one of the emblematic features of the city.

Torre de Mangana

Walks, Routes and Trails

Cuenca has many routes and walks, among which the St. Julian Hermitage Path and Vantage Points can be highlighted, a leisure area with fountains and lush vegetation whose path to the hermitage is a classified path (SL CU11), or the  Zarza Cave Path, a panoramic route that crosses the gorge of the River Huécar with views of the old quarter, and which starts at the former St. Paul’s Convent (now a National Tourism Parador). Another good option is the Cerro del Socorro route which has a vantage point from which the entire city can be admired.

A visit to the Cuenca Zip Line,  home to Europe’s longest urban double zip line, is a must. It is an experience with a path spanning 445 metres at a height of 120 metres and a speed of 75km per hour.

 

Other must-visit places near Madrid

  • Discover the birthplace of Miguel de Cervantes and the old Universidad Complutense, a World Heritage Town that is closely tied to the history of the Spanish language.

    Alcalá de Henares
  • Visit the Palace and the Gardens of the Royal Site and Town of Aranjuez, a town close to Madrid which has historically been linked to royalty.

    Aranjuez
  • Visit one of the greatest architectural examples of the Spanish Golden Age, a monumental complex commissioned by Philip II.

    Royal Site of San Lorenzo de El Escorial
  • Quickly reached from Madrid, Toledo shows how Jews, Muslims and Christians could live together in harmony.

    Toledo
  • Discover the spectacular aqueduct and enjoy the food of this World Heritage city.

    Segovia
  • Discover the amazing walls and the cathedral of this Medieval city where Jews, Christians and Muslims used to live together.

    Ávila
  • The monumental city, home to a centuries-old university, is in the World Heritage Site list.

    Salamanca
  • This city-come-landscape famous for its “Hanging Houses” is less than one hour from Madrid by train.

    Cuenca
  • Next time you come to Madrid, don’t miss the chance to visit the mosque in the most important city of Al-Andalus, Córdoba.

    Córdoba
  • Toledo
  • Hop onto a train or bus and leave the hustle and bustle of the city behind.

    Day Trips
  • Catedral de Toledo
  • Get around the city easily, quickly and economically with our tourist travel card which gives unlimited use of all public transport.

    Tourist Travel Pass
  • Abono Transporte Turístico Madrid

OFFICIAL PRODUCTS

The city’s new official sightseeing and tourist travel pass.

An observation deck at 92 metres.

Our online store (in Spanish) sells artisan souvenirs.