Located in the Spanish hinterland, Cuenca is a city with a beautiful heritage and interesting places around it. Furthermore, here are plans and activities for different kinds of travellers. Here we talk about what to do in Cuenca to enjoy this nice part of Spain.

Get lost in Cuenca’s old town

Let’s start with a must. Cuenca’s old town is a set of squares and streets full of history and heritage. Its oldest part is the Castle quarter, so make sure to reach it. Other places you can’t miss in the old town of Cuenca are:

• Plaza Mayor and the cathedral
• Casas Colgadas (Hanging Houses)
• Plaza de la Merced

Apart from them, the best thing is to simply get lost and soak up the essence of this area.

Cross the amazing San Pablo’s Bridge

Cuenca has an impressive entrance to its old town. Crossing the Júcar river and with a great view of the Hanging Houses, we find San Pablo’s Bridge. It was firstly built in stone in the 16th Century, but in the beginnings of the 20th Century was replaced for the current one.

This bridge, made of silver, is 40 metres high and 110 metres long. I’ve seen people with vertigo having a hard time crossing it!

Taste some tapas in San Francisco street

Spanish gastronomy is delicious in every part of the country, including, of course, Cuenca. That’s why another thing to do in Cuenca is to taste some tapas. Specifically, calle San Francisco is a popular area full of restaurants and terraces perfect for this.

There is particularly a traditional dish from Cuenca that not everybody dares to try (myself included): zarajos. They are lamb intestines rolled up in a vine shoot. I know, it doesn’t sound very tasty, but I’ve heard they have a good flavour.

Other traditional dishes you can order are morteruelo, ajo arriero, and gazpacho manchego. And if you want something sweet, you have to taste alajú!

Reach out the top of Cuenca

For walking around Cuenca I recommend you comfortable footwear, as the city is full of slopes. If you feel the energy to reach the highest point of Cuenca, then you have to go to Torre de Mangana, also called Tower of the Hours because of its clock. This tower was built in the 16th century, and nowadays, you can only see its exterior.

Get an adrenaline rush with the Cuenca Zipline

Not everything is calm and peacefulness in Cuenca. There are also things to do for those who look for an adrenaline rush. One of the best options is Cuenca Zipline, considered the longest urban double zipline in Europe. This zipline is 120 metres high, and you’ll fly during 445 meters (1460 feet) over the Huécar Gorge.

Rest from slopes in the tourist train

If you prefer a calmer activity in which you get to know the city without getting tired of going up and down slopes, you can choose to take Cuenca Tourist Train for just 7 €. Its route lasts 45 minutes, and you’ll have an audioguide in English. This train runs from Tuesday to Sunday from 10 am to 7 pm.

Visit the inside of Cuenca Cathedral

In Plaza Mayor (Main Square) we can find the Cathedral of Sant Mary and Saint Julian. Its Gothic facade will catch your attention, but you should go further and visit its interior. This way you’ll be able to admire the abstract stained glass windows, the cloister, and the views from the triforium. The ticket costs €5.50.

Do you like history and heritage? Check what to see in Toledo, one of the most amazing cities in Spain.

Peek out of Devil’s Window

From the gate to heaven to the Devil’s Window (el Ventano del Diablo). But don’t worry, the only cursed thing about this place is its name. 25 km from the city of Cuenca, we find this natural viewpoint with views to the Serranía de Cuenca Natural Park.

To reach the Devil’s Window, you’ll have to climb a slope, so it’s recommended to wear comfy shoes. You can go to this place from Cuenca by car (there is a car park underneath the place).

Visit the Enchanted City

Yes, another place with a mystical name, but let met explain to you why this one is called the Enchanted City (la Ciudad Encantada). Actually, this is not a city, but a natural area where rocks have been weathered in a way that now they are shaped like many things, such as bears, a seal, or a turtle.

The route to visit the Enchanted City is circular and 3 km long. The general ticket is €6, and you buy it in the place itself. They recommend having cash, as sometimes the signal for card payment failures.

The Enchanted City is 26 km from Cuenca. If you go by car, you can take the opportunity and also stop by the Devil’s Window.

Enjoy a beautiful sunset

The best way to end the day is enjoying a beautiful sunset. In Cuenca, one of the best is from this viewpoint. This way you’ll see the skyline of the city and the sun hiding behind the mountains.

Admire the colours of lagoons in Cañada del Hoyo

Another place you can visit outside the city of Cuenca are lagoons of Cañada del Hoyo. They are special because each one has a different shape and colour.

There are three you can see for free and other four that are in a private property, so maybe you need to pay to access. Apart from that, there is available a half-day trip from Cuenca with a tour guide who speaks English and Spanish.

Observe traditional and contemporary art

If you love art and museums, there are also plans for you in Cuenca. In this city, we can visit several museums related to art and heritage.

One of the most important is Museo de Arte Abstracto Español, located in the Hanging Houses and with a collection of abstract art from Spanish artists such as Manuel Rivera, Eduardo Chillida, César Manrique, and more. The entry is free.

Another museum is Museo de Cuenca, which is divided in three sections: Archaeology, Fine Arts and Ethnography. Here there are remains from Prehistory, Iron Age, Romans, Middle Ages and Modern Ages. The entry ticket is €3.

Other museums in the city are Museo de Semana Santa (Holy Week Museum), the collection of modern and contemporary art Roberto Polo, and Museo Diocesano de Cuenca, with 200 pieces of art, including two works of El Greco. For this last one, the ticket costs €4, but there are also combined tickets with the Cathedral.

I hope you find this information about what to do in Cuenca useful, and I wish you enjoy this beautiful and unique city.