Cuenca: Best Things to Do
SIGHTSEEING
Visit the Castilla-La Mancha Paleontology Museum and learn about the prehistorical existence in Spain. The museum is home to many incredible displays and exhibitions of fossils, skeletons, skulls, and mockups. The highlights of the museum are the fossils of Iberomesornis, Spinolestes, and Concavenator. Another interesting museum in Cuenca is the Science Museum of Castilla La Mancha where you can learn about astronomy and visit the Planetarium where you're able to see more than 6.000 stars.
Castilla-La Mancha Paleontology Museum
Science Museum of Castilla La Mancha
DOWNTOWN
Stop by the Plaza Mayor, a nice square surrounded by colorful houses, historical buildings, and great restaurants where you can take a break as well as savoring the delicious cuisine of Spain. And just minutes walk from the plaza, there's Torre de Mangana, one of the most popular landmarks in Cuenca. The tower used to be a part
of a fortress that was built by Ceunca's Muslim rulers in the 16th century. The inside of the tower can't be accessed by the public, though visitors can still admire the beauty of Cuenca's view from the surrounding area of the tower.
Torre de Mangana
Plaza Mayor Cuenca
SHOPPING
Shop at the Centro Comercial Alcampo Cuenca, a big shopping mall in Cuenca that offers a wide range of products, from clothing, foods, and fresh products. You can find almost everything that you need here at a great price.
Centro Comercial Alcampo Cuenca
FOOD & DRINK
Cuenca has many delicious traditional dishes that you must try, one of them is Zarajos, which is a type of tapas made of lamb intestines marinated in garlic, onions, white wines, parsley, and then deep-fried, baked, or grilled. Some of the other foods that are typical of Cuenca are Ajo arriero, Cordero, Morteruelo, Mojete, and Oreja. And for the drink, Resolí is a must-try. This traditional liqueur of Cuenca is made of coffee, dry anis, aguardiente, cinnamon sticks, lemon, sugar, and etc. The drink is often associated with the celebration of Christmas and Easter.
CULTURE
Cuenca is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1996 because of its many historical sites, museums, and other cultural infrastructure. And in 2016 Cuenca was declared as the European Capital of Culture. Besides historical and cultural buildings, Cuenca also has several cultural festivities that are celebrated annually such as Jueves Lardero, St. Julian's Day, Saint Matthew's Day, and Holy Week.
BEST TIME TO VISIT
Peak season: The best time to visit Cuenca is during the spring, which is from late April to early June, or during autumn, which is from September to October. The weather is pleasant to travel around the city during spring and autumn. Cultural events and festivals are held during these times that makes the city becomes alive with celebrations.
HOTEL
Enjoy the experience of staying in a former 16th-century monastery at the Parador de Cuenca. This lovely hotel also offers great facilities that will make your stay more comfortable such as a sauna, an outdoor pool, a tennis court, and a gym. The hotel location is also close to the Hanging Houses of Cuenca which can be reached in 5 minutes by walking. Another option of accommodation that you can choose is Hotel Torremangana that has various types of rooms which are nicely decorated. The hotel is also pet friendly. Several popular tourist attractions can be accessed easily from the hotel, like the Cuenca Cathedral, and the Hanging Houses.
Parador de Cuenca
Hotel Torremangana
RESTAURANT
Restaurante Recreo Peral is a beautiful restaurant located by the Júcar River which allows you to enjoy the beauty of the surrounding nature while eating the food the restaurant offers. They have some special menus that you can order such as Croqueta de Gambas y Calcots, Crema de Queso Cabrales, and Tartar de Atun Rojo de Vivero. The restaurant also has a wide collection of wine to complement your meal. You can also eat at El Bodegón, a traditional restaurant that specializes in grilled meats. You can order food like Pisto Manchego, steaks, salads, and a good range of tapas. Vegetarian-friendly, vegan, and gluten-free options are also available to customers.
Restaurante Recreo Peral
El Bodegón
CAFE
Stop by Moka Cafetería where you can have quality in house-roasted coffee beans. This place is perfect for breakfast since it also offers various menu such as pastries, cakes, pancakes, and other snacks. Fruit juices are also available for you who don't drink coffee. You can also grab a quick bite at Loops & Coffee. Here, you can have delicious donuts as well as great coffees and amazing milkshakes.
Moka, Cafetería
Loops & Coffee
BAR AND NIGHTLIFE
Have a glass of great drink at the Grotte del Huécar. This charming bar is situated inside a natural cave which makes it unique and different from other places. Besides a unique atmosphere, the bar also has great drinks, tasty foods, and amazing live music performances that will complete your eating experience. The Big Red Bus is another place you can visit to enjoy great night time in Cuenca with its fun atmosphere and good music. The pub has some amazing gin and tonic, whiskeys, beers, and etc.
Grotte del Huécar
The Big Red Bus
INTERESTING PLACE
Come to the complex of the Hanging Houses of Cuenca or Casas Colgadas and see one of the most unique tourist destinations that Cuenca has. The building is listed as one of UNESCO World Heritage site and is said to be built in the 15th-century. Today, the houses that clings to the edge of a cliff only remains a few, and one of the houses that can be visited is the famous house with the three balconies. La Ciudad Encantada or the Enchanted City is also a popular landmark in Cuenca. This geological site is famous for its unique rock formations. Some of the rock formations
that you can find here are the Seta, Puente, Amantes, La foca, La Tortuga, and Los Osos.
Hanging Houses of Cuenca
La Ciudad Encantada
INSTAGRAMMABLE SPOT
Walk through the historical San Pablo Bridge that was first built in the 16th-century. This pedestrian bridge crosses through the Huécar River and you will be able to see the sight of the hanging house from the bridge. The original bridge structure has collapsed a long time ago, and the structure that still is still standing today was built in 1902. Cuenca Cathedral is another historical site that you can't miss in Cuenca. The Gothic cathedral that is located in the Plaza Mayor was first built in 1196 and completed in 1257. Many people visit the cathedral to see the incredible architecture of the building.
San Pablo Bridge
Cuenca Cathedral
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