Cuenca

Casas Colgadas

Houses from the 14th and 15th centuries whose wooden balconies hang over the gorge of the Huécar river, the symbol of Cuenca, which was an Islamic fortress until 1177 CE.

Catedral de Cuenca

Construction began around 1182–1196, after Cuenca fell to Alfonso VIII. It is one of the oldest Gothic cathedrals in Spain, influenced by the Anglo-Norman style, and its modern stained-glass windows fill the interior with enchanting reflections of colour.

Castillo de Belmonte

· Belmonte

A 15th-century Gothic castle with a unique star-shaped plan, built by Juan Pacheco, Marquis of Villena, containing Mudéjar decorated wooden ceilings among the finest in Castile. It hosts an annual international championship of authentic medieval combat.

Moderate effort · needs a car

2 hours from Madrid by car; no train. Climb to the castle, then internal stairs and a walk along the walls; 2 hours.

Museo de Arte Abstracto Español

A pioneering museum of abstract art inside the Casas Colgadas themselves, with windows overlooking the drop and 15th-century walls.

Puente de San Pablo

An iron and timber bridge from 1902, suspended about 40 metres above the Huécar river, giving the most famous view of the Casas Colgadas.

Uclés (Monasterio y castillo)

· Uclés

In Shawwal 501 AH (May 1108 CE), the Almoravids led by Prince Tamim ibn Yusuf ibn Tashfin defeated the Castilian armies at Uclés in a defeat that “annihilated the Castilian forces”, as Enan puts it, and Sancho, the only son of Alfonso VI, was killed there. It was the peak of Almoravid power in central al-Andalus.

Easy to reach · needs a car

The monastery sits on a hill above Uclés; the car park is nearby and the visit is indoors, with a few steps. Booking is sometimes needed for guided visits. Few facilities.

Castillo de Alarcón (Parador)

· Alarcón

An Islamic castle on a rock encircled by the Júcar river, which today is the historic “Parador” hotel, in a small village surrounded by walls.

Easy to reach · needs a car

By car only (1 hour from Cuenca); the village is small and the parador is at the top, with a car park. Walks along the gorge edge are on steep paths. Limited services.

Museo Paleontológico de Castilla-La Mancha (MUPA)

It displays the remains of the world-famous “Las Hoyas” dinosaurs, including the “Concavenator” found in the province, with life-size models in the outdoor garden. From its façade there is a panoramic view of the old town.

Castillo de Molina de Aragón

· Molina de Aragón

One of the largest castles in Castile: a long wall and eight towers surround an older Islamic alcazaba, with the “Aragon Tower” on the hill above it. Molina was a small, semi-independent principality in the Taifa period.

Moderate effort · needs a car

2.25 hours from Madrid by car. The climb to the castle is an exposed sloping road; 1 to 2 hours.

Parque Arqueológico de Segóbriga

· Saelices

One of the most beautiful Roman cities preserved on the central plateau: a theatre, amphitheatre, baths, forum and walls, on a quiet site among hills. It flourished thanks to mines of the “transparent stone” that was used as window glass in Rome.

Easy to reach · needs a car

1 hour 15 minutes from Madrid on the A-3. A slightly uphill, exposed dirt track; 2 hours.

Ventano del Diablo

· Villalba de la Sierra

A natural rock terrace overlooking the Júcar gorge from a great height, carved by water over millions of years. It is one of the most beautiful sights of the Serranía de Cuenca and a lookout for birds of prey.

Easy to reach · needs a car

By car on the CM-2105 road (20 minutes from Cuenca); a small car park beside the road, then a short path and steps through a rock tunnel. High edges — watch the children. No services.

Ruta de las Caras (Buendía)

· Buendía

An open-air museum: faces and huge sculptures on sandstone rocks among pines, above the Buendía reservoir. A short, very enjoyable walk for children.

Easy to reach · needs a car

Free large car park at the start of the trail (4 km from Buendía). A short loop.

Distance

2 km · 60 m climb · 1–1:30 hours · circular

Nacimiento del Río Cuervo

· Vega del Codorno

A river spring flowing from a moss-covered limestone wall in small waterfalls, inside a pine forest in the Sierra de Cuenca. A short path with stairs and wooden bridges.

Easy to reach · needs a car

Car park and picnic area on the CM-2106 near Vega del Codorno. A short loop back to the car park.

Distance

3 km · 80 m climb · 1–1:30 hours · circular

Casa Cueva El Nido

· Casas de Fernando Alonso

A real cave house dug into the earth in the countryside of Cuenca, for around 10 people, keeping pleasantly cool in summer, with a pool, barbecue, ping-pong table and a basketball hoop.

Casa Rural Laguna de Uña

· Uña

A modern house with four bathrooms and a pool that can be covered and heated, in the village of Uña between the mountains and the lake, near Ciudad Encantada.

Casas Rurales Peña La Higuera (cabañas)

· Villalba de la Sierra

Independent stone and wooden cabins in nature near the Júcar river, with adventure activities (canoeing, canyoning) arranged by the host.

Molinos de Viento de Mota del Cuervo

· Mota del Cuervo

A row of white windmills on the edge of a hill nicknamed the “Balcony of La Mancha”, with a wide view over the plain. Less crowded than Consuegra, and one of the mills sometimes operates on Saturday mornings to show visitors how it used to grind.

Easy to reach · needs a car

1 hour 40 minutes from Madrid on the A-3/N-301. Flat paths over the hill; suitable for everyone.

Ciudad Encantada

· Valdecabras

A city of limestone rocks sculpted by nature over millions of years into strange shapes (the tortoise, the elephant, the stone sea), on an easy walking trail through pine forest.

Nacimiento del Río Cuervo

· Vega del Codorno

A river spring among moss and limestone rocks in the mountains of Cuenca, flowing in small waterfalls like a “forest of jinn”, with wooden walkways and a short staircase. A free stroll of one to two hours, ideal for families.

Easy to reach · needs a car

By car only, on mountain roads (about 1.5 hours from Cuenca). A short circular path of about 1 km with a wooden staircase, 30–45 minutes. Toilets and a seasonal café at the car park. Weak mobile coverage; cold and snow in winter.

Torre de Mangana

A watchtower on the site of Cuenca's old Islamic alcazaba, reshaped in a new Mudéjar style in the 20th century. Its courtyard is one of the few points in the old town overlooking the Júcar gorge and the surrounding hills.

Muralla y Arco de Bezudo (Barrio del Castillo)

Remains of the wall, originally from the Islamic period (10th century), at the highest point in Cuenca. From here there is a double view over the Júcar and Huécar gorges that embrace the city.

Parador de Cuenca

• One of the city's best hotels
• Romantic

A restored old monastery facing the Casas Colgadas across an iron bridge over the gorge; one of the most beautifully sited paradors.

Parador de Alarcón

· Alarcón

An 8th-century castle of Arab origin on a rock encircled by the Júcar river, one of the most authentic paradors for the castle experience. Small, with a limited number of rooms.

Posada de San José

• Boutique

A 17th-century house hanging on the edge of the Huécar gorge in the old town, with amazing views and a good restaurant. An authentic historic atmosphere.

Hotel Leonor de Aquitania

• Boutique

A 4-star hotel in an 18th-century palace inside the old town, with deluxe rooms overlooking the valley. Good value for the location.

Fuente de la Tía Perra (Las Majadas)

· Las Majadas

A recreation area under shady trees near the village of Las Majadas in the Cuenca mountains, with a cold spring, one of the region's most famous. It has many tables, a barbecue corner and large car parks, and combines well with a visit to the nearby “El Hosquillo” bear sanctuary.

Easy to reach · needs a car

By car about 2.5 hours from Madrid (35 minutes from the city of Cuenca) via the CU-9113 road; tables near the car park on level ground. No services; bring everything.

Barbecue

Allowed with conditions: in Castilla-La Mancha, fires are banned in forest and recreation areas from about 1 June to 30 September (this may be brought forward or extended depending on the risk), so barbecues are closed or fenced off. Outside that period, only fixed barbecues are allowed. Bring charcoal and water.

Área recreativa Fuente del Cayo (río Escabas)

· Cañamares / Serranía de Cuenca

A shady grove on the bank of the clear Escabas river in the Cuenca mountains, with about 8 stone tables, a central barbecue and a freshwater spring. Its shallow bank suits children cooling off in summer.

Easy to reach · needs a car

By car about 2.5 hours from Madrid via Priego and Cañamares; tables beside the road, with the river a few steps away. No toilets or shops.

Barbecue

Allowed with conditions: in Castilla-La Mancha, fires are banned in forest and recreation areas from about 1 June to 30 September (this may be brought forward or extended depending on the risk), so barbecues are closed or fenced off. Outside that period, only fixed barbecues are allowed. Bring charcoal and water. The central hearth here is closed in fire season.

Área recreativa de Los Lagunillos (Las Majadas)

· Las Majadas

A wide area in the middle of a pine forest in the Natural Reserve of the Cuenca mountains, through which the Escabas river flows with small basins, short waterfalls and a small lake. It has spots for picnics and barbecues, a natural spring and an easy interpretive trail about 1 km long.

Easy to reach · needs a car

By car about 2.5 hours from Madrid; the final stretch is a dirt forest track suitable for ordinary cars. The ground is level and the tables are near the car park.

Barbecue

Allowed with conditions: in Castilla-La Mancha, fires are banned in forest and recreation areas from about 1 June to 30 September (this may be brought forward or extended depending on the risk), so barbecues are closed or fenced off. Outside that period, only fixed barbecues are allowed. Bring charcoal and water.

Área recreativa Casa de la Pradera (Beteta)

· Beteta

A meadow on the bank of the Guadiela river at the entrance to the rocky “Beteta gorge”, with tables, benches, a barbecue corner, springs and a shelter. Easy paths start here to the “Los Tilos” spring and the ancient linden trees.

Easy to reach · needs a car

By car about 2.25 hours from Madrid via Sacedón and Priego. Tables on level ground near the car park. No services nearby other than the village of Beteta.

Barbecue

Allowed with conditions: in Castilla-La Mancha, fires are banned in forest and recreation areas from about 1 June to 30 September (this may be brought forward or extended depending on the risk), so barbecues are closed or fenced off. Outside that period, only fixed barbecues are allowed. Bring charcoal and water.