Cuenca- The Moorish town with a lot to offer!

Here in the Valle de Pop, we are very lucky to be within close proximity to many incredible Spanish destinations. The Valley itself has an abundance of pretty little Spanish villages that are full of history and character. We are often asked for recommendations of places to travel to, and one of the first places that springs to mind is Cuenca. 

Cuenca, in the region of Castilla La Mancha, is built on a gorge overhanging the River Huecar and it is famous for its stunning natural beauty and historical and architectural heritage. The geology of the gorge means that this city and its buildings have a fascinating and unique design. 

If, like us, you love a road trip, Cuenca is a scenic, three hour drive. This is a World Heritage City filled with beautiful, steep and winding, cobbled streets leading to a stunning Plaza Mayor and a Neogothic cathedral that dates back to the 12th century. 

Add to that a selection of modern art, science museums and a museum of paleontology and you have a destination that has something for everyone.

Cuenca is most famous for its “casas colgadas” or hanging houses. These buildings are cantilevered over the River Huecar and look like they are clinging, for dear life, to the rockface of the gorge.

If you have a head for heights you can walk across the iron footbridge, behind the Plaza Mayor, to the convent of San Pablo. This former convent dates back to the 16th century and is now a parador hotel. These hotels are buildings of cultural importance owned by the state. You may want to treat yourself, for a special occasion, to a night in this unforgettable hotel. You will be rewarded with incredible floodlit views of the city at night. 

If you are a keen walker, there are many mapped walking routes. One of these routes is a 28km hike to the Ciudad Encantada (Enchanted City). This is a place littered with fascinating rock formations carved by ice, wind and water. They have names like “the dog”, “seal”, “mushrooms” and “the turtle” all designed by nature to capture the imagination.

Cuenca is filled with excellent eateries and cafés, from casual tapas to Michelin starred chefs, Cuenca has it all. The gastronomy has evolved from peasant and shepherd food and its most famous dishes are with lamb, kid goat and game. However, like the rest of this wonderful destination, the gastronomy offers an eclectic mix of old tradition and modern cuisine.

Our preferred route to Cuenca is by road, enjoying the scenic route. However, Cuenca is also very handy to reach by train. The AVE (High Speed Train) goes to Cuenca from Valencia. Our advice is to park at Xeraco free, and jump on the Cercanilias (metro) train to Valencia. If you really want to make a trip of it, the High Speed Train also goes from Cuenca to Madrid in less than an hour.

Here at Jacaranda Spain, we like to encourage all of our friends and clients to travel when they relocate here to the Marina Alta. The roads are excellent and very easy to navigate and the public transport system is cheap and accessible.

We have chosen to make our lives here in Spain and there are so many fascinating places to see and such a rich culture to experience. After all, you have traveled this far!