The capital of the province of the same name, Jaen captivates all those who visit it for the first time. This Andalusian city and province has a fantastic historical heritage that is well worth discovering. At Passporter we encourage you to get to know its great history, monuments and landscapes. Discover all there is to see in Jaen Spain, and immerse yourself in its surprising charm.
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Things to see in Jaen, Spain
Jaen Cathedral
This is one of the most iconic places to see in Jaen. Although it has a mixture of styles, the Santa Iglesia Catedral de la Asunción de la Virgen is considered the most important Renaissance cathedral in Spain.
Located in the central Plaza de Santa María, this monument is worth seeing to admire its details. In addition, this cathedral has the relic of the Holy Face of Jaen, considered to be the authentic face of Jesus Christ captured on canvas. Regardless of whether or not this is true, this cathedral has been a reference point in the construction of other cathedrals in Spain and America.
Castle of Santa Catalina
The Castle of Santa Catalina is one of the most symbolic and attractive buildings in the city of Jaen. This castle also has a strategic location that makes it even more special. It is a defensive fortress from the Christian period that has been converted into a hotel. We strongly recommend climbing up to the Cross to admire the panoramic view of the city. Without a doubt, one of the mandatory stops to make on your trip to Jaen.
Arab Baths in Jaen Spain
The Arab Baths are beautiful and one of the most symbolic places to visit in Jaen Spain. They are the largest Arab baths in Spain and in the whole of the West, covering more than 450 m². These baths are in a historic 11th century building that was a public hammam during the Muslim period. In addition to being perfectly preserved, these baths have a beautiful hall with horseshoe arches, a hot room, a warm room and a cold room, as was the norm for spas at the time.
Jaen Museum
The Museum of Jaen is divided into two main areas: one section dedicated to Fine Arts, the other to Archaeology. This beautiful museum is one of the most interesting in the city and a must-see during your trip.
The ground floor has one of the largest and most important collections of Iberian art in Spain. You will find everything from funerary offerings from different necropolises to imported pieces from the eastern Mediterranean. The upper floor has a collection of Fine Arts with a wide range of sculptures and paintings, as well as works by painters from the province of Jaen.
Palacio de Villardompardo
The Villardompardo Palace dates back to the 16th century and is a marvellous building that doubles as a cultural centre. Here you can find the museum of popular arts and customs, the Naïf art museum, and in its basement some impressive Arab baths. It is without a doubt one of the most historic buildings in Jaen that you cannot miss.
Barrio de Santa Cruz, the must-see neighbourhood in Jaen
One of the best things to do in Jaen is to take a walk through the old Jewish quarter, the current Barrio de Santa Cruz. In this beautiful neighbourhood you can still feel its history as you walk leisurely through its medieval structure.
Don’t miss the Callejón del Gato, the Capilla De San Andrés or Plaza de los Huérfanos, three very interesting stops. In this neighbourhood, the ideal thing to do is to wander around aimlessly, discovering each corner little by little and letting yourself be carried away by the rhythm of the city.
Arc of San Lorenzo
The Arch of San Lorenzo is the only surviving part of the old parish church of San Lorenzo, dating back to the 13th-14th centuries. Inside, well-preserved tiles cover the lower part of the chapel, located at the entrance to the arch. There are several popular legends about this arch, which has been listed as a National Monument since 1877. In any case, it is a must-see in Jaen.
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.
Things to see in and around Jaen Spain
Vía Verde del Aceite
The Vía Verde del Aceite is an old railway line that linked Linares with Puente Genil to transport oil in bulk. Nowadays, its starting point is in Jaen, with a total of 128 km running through a beautiful countryside landscape and 13 metal viaducts from the 19th century. It is an idyllic route that can be done by bike and it is also the perfect way to get to know the most rural part of Jaen.
Cazorla
Cazorla is another town to visit in Jaen, as it has the perfect combination of natural and architectural heritage to give you a unique experience during your stay. This town is set among olive groves, framed by the Sierra de Jaén mountain range in the background. If you walk through the steep streets of its old quarter, you will discover its noble houses and monuments, which have earned it the status of Site of Cultural Interest.
The castle of Yedra is one of the must-see sights in this town, as it is also home to the Museum of Popular Arts and Customs of the Upper Guadalquivir. The list of places to visit in Cazorla also includes the palaces of Las Cadenas and La Vicaría, the square of Santa María and the churches of San José, San Francisco and El Carmen, among others. If you like nature, you can’t leave Cazorla without going hiking or cycling in the Sierras de Cazorla, Segura y las Villas Nature Reserve.
Segura de la Sierra
Segura de la Sierra is 1140 metres above sea level, in an impressive mountain range of natural beauty. This municipality has several small inhabited villages, which will charm you with the beauty of their scenic surroundings. If you like nature, you cannot miss a visit to the Sierras de Cazorla, Segura y las Villas Nature Reserve.
This village is also considered a Historic-Artistic Site. Its architectural heritage includes the Casa de Jorge Manrique, from the 16th century, and its castle, founded in the Islamic period. With a long history behind it, including several restorations, it is now an interesting museum and information centre. Finally, it is worth visiting the Arab Baths, one of the few remaining in the province, which are thought to date to the 11th and 12th centuries.
What to see in Jaen in 1 day?
You can discover the most interesting monuments of this Andalusian city in just one day. Stroll through its neighbourhoods and get to know the authenticity of its people. Here is a one-day itinerary around the city so that you don’t miss anything in Jaen Spain.
- Cathedral of Jaen
- Castle of Santa Catalina
- Arab Baths
- Villardompardo Palace
- Santa Cruz Neighbourhood
- San Lorenzo’s Arch
What to see in Jaen in two days?
If you two days in Jaen you can discover the most rural part of the province and admire its beautiful inland villages. Here is a two-day itinerary with the best this province has to offer.
Day 1:
- Cathedral of Jaen
- Castle of Santa Catalina
- Arab Baths
- Villardompardo Palace
- Santa Cruz Neighbourhood
- San Lorenzo’s Arch
Day 2:
- Cazorla
- Segura de la Sierra
How to organise what to see in Jaen?
If you have doubts about how to get organised before travelling and don’t know how to plan your travel itinerary, take this post as a reference and combine it with the suggestions on the Passporter App. There you will also find a wide variety of ideas and inspiration about what to see and do in Jaen.
Thanks to the App you can create your ideal travel itinerary quickly and easily. Sort your spots in order of preference and organise them by day. If you don’t have the Passporter App yet, download it! If you have any doubts about how it works, read our post: How to create your travel itinerary with Passporter.
Frequently asked questions about a trip to Jaen Spain
Jaen can be reached by train, by plane from Granada-Jaen airport or via its road network, such as the Olivar and A-44 motorways, which connect the capital with Bailén and Granada.
There is also a wide range of bus lines connecting Jaen with Andalusia, Madrid and other major Spanish and European cities.
Jaen is a city to be explored at a leisurely pace. It’s an accessible city with short distances. Exploring Jaen on foot is ideal, so you can discover its streets, its squares, its great monuments and its secret corners. The best way to enjoy Jaen is to leave your car behind, which you can park in the different public car parks located in the city.
The traditional local cuisine mixed with the modern twists of many chefshas resulted in an exquisite cuisine of elaborate dishes and magnificent presentation. Of course there are also classic tapas at La Manchega, Taberna Alcocer, El Gorrión or La Barra.
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