There's a magical city, just 2 hours away from Madrid -or Valencia- with houses literally hanging from a cliff. The city of Cuenca is a lovely hidden gem impossible not to fall in love with. There are plenty of incredible things to do for such a small city.
This unique UNESCO World Heritage Site deserves at least 48 hours in your travel schedule around Spain. It's located in the region of Castilla-la-Mancha, famous for being the setting of the adventures of Don Quixote and Sancho Panza. In this post we are going to take a look at the best things to do to make the most of two days in Cuenca.
Fisrt of all: is Cuenca worth visiting?
The scenic landspaces, marvellous architecture and rich history make Cuenca a must-see destination while you are in Spain.
So how many days do you need to see Cuenca?
Two days are more than enough to see the city. If you have an extra day, I recommend exploring Ciudad Encantada -Enchanted City- a natural site that contains curious rocky formations that look like humans, objects and animals.
Visting Cuenca: Day 1
The best place you can stay at during your 2 days in Cuenca is the Parador hotel. The Parador is a former monastery with an enviable location atop the river Huecar Gorge opposite the magical Hanging Houses.
During the summer months you can take a swim at the hotel's unique swimming pool surrounded by mountains.
Once you get to the old town you can't miss the gothic Cathedral. The facade is unique, without the typical towers of this type of architecture, it looks as if it wasn't finished. The entrance ticket is 5.5€.
After dinner be sure to go out and take a walk around the hanging houses. They look magical once the lights are on during blue hour.
Visting Cuenca: Day 2
Start your day with a hearty breakfast, we are going to burn some calories! A great option is this humongous cheese omelette. It was as unforgettable as many of the sights we saw.
Next, get your cardio workout of the day by going on a hike to Cerro del Socorro for the most spectacular views of Cuenca. If you are staying at the Parador, change into your swim clothes and go for a swim before lunch. The hotel offers a great tasting menu to try the region's traditional dishes of shepherds, muleteers and hunters, such as zarajos de cordero (lamb intestines), migas (fried breadcrumbs), ajo arriero, morteruelo (pork liver stew) and mellow alajú (traditional dessert). If you prefer modern cuisine, Cuena also houses a Michelin-star restaurant.
Read a book, play a board game or simply chill out in one of the Parador's common rooms. Feeling sporty? You can also use the tennis court or workout at the gym!
Spend the second half of the day exploring the rest of the city. Here are some of the sites you can't miss:
- Torre de Mangana, a tower built during the 16th century.
- Enjoy the stunning view from Mirador Barrio del Castillo.
- Visit one of the citie's museums: you can choose between Paleontology Museum, Museum of Spanish Abstract Art -which is inside the hanging houses- or the Science Museum.
Check out my Youtube channel for travel videos! So, as you can see, Cuenca is absolutely worth a couple of days on your itinerary if you are in Madrid or Valencia. It's actually midway between the two, so it can also be a stop on the way. This incredible and picturesque town will leave you speechless.
