Top Things to do in Cuenca
- 1. Parque Natural de la Serrania de Cuenca
- 2. Historic Walled Town of Cuenca
- 3. Puente de San Pablo (Saint Paul Bridge)
- 4. Museo de Arte Abstracto Espanol
- 5. Museo Fundacion Antonio Perez
- 6. Cathedral of Cuenca
- 7. Museo de las Ciencias de Castilla la Mancha en Cuenca
- 8. Plaza Mayor de Cuenca
- 9. Museo Tesoro Catedral de Cuenca
- 10. Los Rascacielos de Cuenca Barrio San Martin
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What to do and see in Cuenca, Spain: The Best Places and Tips
Discover the best top things to do in Cuenca, Spain including Parque Natural de la Serrania de Cuenca, Historic Walled Town of Cuenca, Puente de San Pablo (Saint Paul Bridge), Museo de Arte Abstracto Espanol, Museo Fundacion Antonio Perez, Cathedral of Cuenca, Museo de las Ciencias de Castilla la Mancha en Cuenca, Plaza Mayor de Cuenca, Museo Tesoro Catedral de Cuenca, Los Rascacielos de Cuenca Barrio San Martin.
Restaurants in Cuenca
1. Parque Natural de la Serrania de Cuenca
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 377 reviews
Reviewed By Teabag - England
We enjoyed our walk around the enchanted city with our guide. It is surprisingly shaded and easy walking with wide areas between the rock formations. It was fun trying to guess what the oddities were nicknamed before being told or Reading the information boards. Place was spotless with no litter or graffiti and few visitors during a weekday when we visited. There were some interesting plants and trees and we used our binoculars to watch the circling buzzards and small birds we encountered. It took us a couple of hours to walk round at a slow pace and was worth every cent of the couple of euros entry. A very pleasant way to spend a few hours away from the city.
2. Historic Walled Town of Cuenca
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 850 reviews
Reviewed By NikolaCelic - Dubrovnik, Croatia
When Arabs conquered Iberian peninsula in the begining of 8th century, they realised advantage of great defensive site, positioned on the limestone ridge, between Jucar and Huecar rivers and they built a fortress-town known as Kunka. Up to that moment place was uninhabited and they have built a fortress town where the architecture follows natural landscape. Alfonso VIII of Castille captured the town in 1177 and Cuenca became Royal town with an episcopal see. The Christian town was built over the Arab one and began to spread itself down from the crest of the hill.
Oldest part of the city, or the Upper town, where most important pallaces and churches reside, was developed in ascending, spinal manner (today represented in shapes of Calle Alfonso VIII, Calle San Pedro and their parallel streets), adapting itself to the topography of the cliff formations. Main gate of Upper town was Arco de Bezudo (place of castle ruins), connected with drawbridge to the working class quarter of Barrio del Castillo. Its central location is reserved for Cathedral, bellow whom is possible to exit the city via San Pablo bridge to the San Pablo monastery. Lowest point of Upper town is around Plaza Mangana, fortified area in ruins and from there spreads Lower town, made in more concrentic style. Two more working class quarters, medieval in origin, lay outside Lower town walls: Barrio de San Anton and Barrio de Tiradores. Special nature of the defensive site of the Upper town and lack of space within the walls, tightened on cliffs towering the river Valleys, has resulted in the construction of an unusual vertical architecture, with exceptional examples like first scyscrappers (or rascacielos in Spanish) in Europe in Barrio de San Martin and hanging houses (or casas colgadas). From almost anywhere in Cuenca spreads an amasing view on surrounding area, my favourites were little terrace/squares on lateral sections of Upper town. Above mentioned quarters and parts of the city are ones protected by UNESCO as World heritage.
Beside being one of centers of Spanish modern art, with absoulutely unique sacred and secular arhitecture and great landscape location, Cuenca also have that perfect mix of natural, even a bit of rural feeling. Just take some of trekking paths that spreads from city to countryside or nearby hills. I absolutely recommend route starting from Casas colgadas, passing San Pablo bridge, then keep going on foot from San Pablo monastery for about 30 min along a path that leads you on hilltop Cerro del Socorro. You will be relaxing bellow monument devoted to the Sacred Heart of Jesus and rewarded with perfect Panorama view of entire city.
3. Puente de San Pablo (Saint Paul Bridge)
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1 reviews
Reviewed By NikolaCelic - Dubrovnik, Croatia
Construction of San Pablo Monastery began in 1523 on cliffs across Cuenca by command of the canon priest Juan del Pozo, a monk belonging to the Dominican order. Brothers Juan and Pedro de Alviz were in charge of the building project; Pedro worked on the convent and the cloister and Juan on the church. Monastery was ruled by Dominicans up to the catastrophic Peninsular war in early 19th century, after which was handed over to the Pauline order, who were based here until 1975, when they left due to the possible collapse of the building. In the 1990s the convent was restored as historical hotel.
Parallely with the construction of monastery complex, bridge of San Pablo was built from 1533 to 1589, over the gorge of Huecar river, aiming at connecting the Cuenca with its most important monastery. Original bridge was an ambitious building of stone, where its 110 meters span was suppurted by five arches. Perhaps it was over-ambitious; first damages were reported in 1779, followed with serious stoneslide in 1800 which culminated in 1891 when one arch totally collapsed. Unfit for repairings anymore, it was destroyed by dinamyte in 1895 and seven years later current bridge was built of iron and wood but supported by the lower remains of the old bridge.
Today, San Pablo bridge is one of Cuenca`s first class landmarks and offers unique experience and views and Monastery of San Pablo is possible to visit on ground floor level with its cloister, because it holds nicely fit caffe/restaurant. Attached to Monastery complex is Church of San Pablo, which today holds gallery of modern art also worthy of visiting.
4. Museo de Arte Abstracto Espanol
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 779 reviews
The Museo de Arte Abstracto Español in Cuenca exhibits a permanent collection of 129 paintings and sculptures by Spanish artists of the Abstract Generation of the 1950s and 60s (Millares, Tàpies, Sempere, Torner, Rueda, Zóbel, Saura, among some thirty other artists), as well as other artists from the 1980s and 90s.In 1980, the founder of the Museum, Fernando Zóbel, donated its collection to the Fundación Juan March, which then incorporated it into its own collection. Situated in the Casas Colgadas (Hanging Houses) of the city of Cuenca, in a late-fifteenth-century medieval building, property of the city, the Museum has undergone various renovations and, in 1994, inaugurated its galleries for temporary Exhibitions.
Reviewed By Tinde_K - Moscow, Russia
Curious collection of abstract art spread across couple of rooms of one of the hanging house. The views from the museum are nice too. The artworkd themselves are interesting, though I guess not everyone's cup of coffee, but abstract art from Cuenca is actually quite famous.
5. Museo Fundacion Antonio Perez
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 126 reviews
Reviewed By Candide57 - Hobart, Australia
This is a vast gallery that has been installed into a sprawling convent which provides for a variety of gallery spaces (including courtyards opening onto the edge of the gorge). The collection is broad and provocative (I don't think the nuns would have approved). Bibindum (the Michelin Man) is a bit of a motif and crops up around the place. A quirky collection of objects is worth a visit on the lowest level. Excellent collection and surprising to come across in Cuenca.
6. Cathedral of Cuenca
Overall Ratings
4 based on 1 reviews
Una Maravilla por Descubrir, un lugar único en el mundo, La Catedral de Cuenca, descúbrela. La Catedral fue comenzada por canteros galos entre los años 1182 y 1189 (siglo XII) continuando las obras durante todo el siglo XIII. La Catedral con toda seguridad se construyó sobre la Antigua mezquita árabe de la ciudad. Se considera como la primera Catedral gótica realizada en Castilla, siendo consagrada definitivamente bajo la advocación de Santa María en el año 1208 por el obispo Rodrigo Ximénez de Rada. No obstante, la construcción de la Catedral comienza en los finales del románico, por lo que es natural que en la Catedral encontremos resistencias románicas frente a las novedades góticas del momento.
Reviewed By PAC6750 - London, United Kingdom
Very beautiful building and unlike any other Cathedral ive visited. Very useful handheld personal guide device that is included in the very reasonable 4.3 euro entry cost you push the appropriate number at numerous points of interest and the guide tells you all you could need to know.
Probably the smallest Cathedral ive ever visited - in and out inside an hour but def worth a visit if you are in town - I wouldn't recommend a special trip on its account though.
7. Museo de las Ciencias de Castilla la Mancha en Cuenca
Overall Ratings
4 based on 196 reviews
Reviewed By Boyan S - Sofia, Bulgaria
A surprisingly nice science museum in such a small town. It offers a lot of exhibits to play with - both for children and for adults.
8. Plaza Mayor de Cuenca
Overall Ratings
4 based on 184 reviews
Reviewed By Dalmik - Vilnius, Lithuania
Colorful, decorative square with lots of bars and restaurants. The largest and most interesting tourist attraction here is an old 12th century Cathedral. For more tips can ask ladies in Tourist information centre, in the corner of Plaza Mayor. They will definitely mention Casas Colgadas, Puente de San Pablo, route along the river Júcar, some museums.
9. Museo Tesoro Catedral de Cuenca
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 81 reviews
The Museum occupies the first three floors of the Episcopal Palace. Consists of 10 rooms that are displayed more than 200 pieces of great value and uniqueness. Include two paintings by famed Cretan artist El Greco, the valuable collection of jewelry in silver. Special mention to the collection of Flemish tapestries and Renaissance tables. We also have some special activities for children.
Reviewed By susanwalsh - Glasgow
We were delighted that we went to this museum which has English titles and contains some wonderful treasures. The El Grecos are distinctive and the beautiful byzantine icon is superb. There are some wonderful Flemish tapestries and excellent examples of the carpets made in Cuenca. A must see.
10. Los Rascacielos de Cuenca Barrio San Martin
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 50 reviews
The first skyscraper in history, of medieval origin. Original construction on the precipice settled with 13 or 14 floors facade and four or five on the other.
Reviewed By Nikita B - Moscow, Russia
Los Rascacielos - это небоскребы. Конечно, никаких настоящих небоскребов вы в Куэнке не увидите. Зато увидите огромное количество примечательных домов, вот как на этой самой улице San Martin. Рекомендую. Не уверен, что в них комфортно жить, но выглядят они очень аутентично и примечательно.
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