harmoniously blending nature and architecture, Cuenca is full of surprises. With an important cultural, architectural and gastronomic heritage, Cuenca has been named a UNESCO World Heritage Site, thanks to the preservation of its original urban landscape. Discover all there is to see in Cuenca, Spain, and enjoy its authentic urban and scenic beauty.
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What to see in Cuenca Spain
Hanging Houses of Cuenca
The most iconic and best known building in the city. Its exact origin is not known, some believe it to be Muslim, while others believe it to be medieval (14th-15th century). Since 1966 two of the houses have been home to the Museum of Spanish Abstract Art.
It is made up of three old palatial houses with Mudejar coffered ceilings in some rooms, carved and painted beamed ceilings, Gothic latticework sculpted in plaster, Renaissance decorations in some arches and also late Gothic mural paintings in one of the main halls.
Plaza Mayor
This is the meeting place and hub of the city as well as one of the essential spots to visit in Cuenca Spain. Some of the city’s most important monuments are also concentrated here, such as the Cathedral, the Town Hall and the Convent of San Pedro. From the Plaza Mayor, the Calle Pilares leads to the Ermita de las Angustiasn, and the Calle de San Pedro and Ronda de Julían de Romero lead to the Castle. You can also take the Calle Canónigos and Clavel to the Casas Colgadas and the Puente de San Pablo.
San Martín Rascacielos Neighbourhood
This group of houses have a curious peculiarity. The entrances to the houses on Calle Alfonso VIII have a completely different appearance to their facades on the other side on the Hoz del Huécar. This is because not only do they extend upwards as normal, but from behind you can see how they also extend downwards, adhering to the rocks of the Hoz del Huécar. As a result, they can reach nine or ten storeys, of which only three or four are seen above street level. If you look at the doorways, it is easy to see how there is an upper staircase as well as a lower staircase. The whole architectural feat is perfectly visible from the Huécar River. A real sight to behold in the city of Cuenca, Spain.
Cathedral of Santa María and San Julián
As a whole, the cathedral of Cuenca is the result of a complex series of architectural contributions over the centuries. Therefore you can take a tour of the different artistic styles of each period just by visiting it. Construction began on this important monument in Cuenca at the end of the 12th century after the conquest of the city, but its main core took shape in the 13th century.
Bridge of San Pablo
Built out of stone in the mid-16th century, the bridge consisted of five arches supported by pillars, of which some remains are still standing today. It was built to connect the Convent of San Pablo, of the Order of Santo Domingo, with the city. Its deterioration led to its demolition at the end of the 19th century.
The current bridge is made of iron. Work began in 1902 and it was designed by the Valencian civil engineer José María Fuster y Tomás. The bridge was erected by George H. Bartle, whose foundry, also in Valencia, was well known at the time, and it was inaugurated on 19 April 1903. It is a significant example of the Eiffel-type iron architecture of the time. It is 40 metres high and 110 metres long.
Gorges of the Júcar and Húecar Rivers
The gorges of the rivers Huécar and Júcar, as they pass through the city of Cuenca, form two canyons with a width of more than 1000 metres and a drop of more than 200 metres in several areas. The slopes and the erosion caused by both rivers have sculpted a spectacular landscape from a geomorphological point of view.
As a result this place has made it into in the Spanish inventory of places of geological interest (LIG). In the Huécar river gorge, the role of the market gardens (known as “hocinos”), which traditionally formed the basis for the supply of fruit and vegetables to the city, is particularly noteworthy.
Travel Tip: To organize your trip we recommend using Passporter totally free. You can be inspired by the experiences of other travelers, choose the places that interest you most, create the travel route with a geolocated map, upload all important documents such as reservations and invite your friends so that everyone can participate in the organization of the trip.
What to see in and around Cuenca Spain
The Enchanted City
The Enchanted City, declared a Natural Site of National Interest in 1929, is a world-famous geological phenomenon. These rock formations were sculpted by water, wind and ice, which, by eroding the rocks over the centuries, succeeded in shaping intriguing figures that look like humans, objects and animals.
The surroundings of the Enchanted City are also magical, thanks to vegetation such as gall oaks, junipers, boxwoods, blackberries and the flocks of grazing sheep.
Laguna de Uña
The Uña Lagoon is a rich ecosystem of flora and fauna located at an altitude of 1,150 metres, 34 km from the city of Cuenca. It covers an area of about 15 hectares, extending along the confluence of the Rincón stream and the river Júcar.
At present, the lagoon has a functional use as a water reservoir, which has led to its great growth. However, despite being artificial, the place has a very particular charm that curious travellers appreciate. You can’t do water sports or activities in its waters, as the lagoon is still considered wild despite its artificial use.
What to see in Cuenca Spain in one day?
If you have one day in Cuenca, you will be able to see the city’s most iconic and important places. Here is a possible one-day tour of the city of Cuenca, Spain.
- Hanging Houses
- Plaza Mayor
- San Martín Rascacielos Neighbourhood
- Cathedral of Santa María and San Julián
- Bridge of San Pablo
- Gorges of the Júcar and Húecar rivers
What to see in Cuenca Spain in two days?
With two days in Cuenca, as well as discovering the city’s must-see sights, you’ll be able to discover some of the most fascinating natural areas in the surrounding area. Take a look at this two-day tour of Cuenca Spain and its surroundings.
Day 1:
- Hanging Houses
- Plaza Mayor
- San Martín Rascacielos Neighbourhood
- Cathedral of Santa María and San Julián
- Laguna de Uña
Day 2:
- Bridge of San Pablo
- Gorges of the Júcar y Húecar rivers
- The Enchanted City
How to organise what to see on your trip to Cuenca?
- Get inspiration from the experiences of other travellers.
- Create your own itinerary and add the app’s suggestions to it.
- Add the spots you are most interested in, as well as the restaurants and bars where you want to eat (you can use the points of interest listed in this post as a reference).
- Organise your itinerary by days and according to their location (you can take inspiration from the routes presented in the post).
- Check the travel budget that the app calculates for you based on your travel stops, restaurants, and leisure activities.
- Make the necessary modifications and you are ready for your trip.
- Finally, share your experience. Upload photos of each of the places you have visited to the app to inspire other users.
If you have any doubts about how to plan your itinerary, you can read our post: How to create your travel itinerary with Passporter.
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