Luggage storage in the centre of Cuenca

C/Tintes 11 - 16001 - Cuenca

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What to see in Cuenca in one day

Practical guide

What to see in Cuenca in one day

A walking route through the old town, in an order that avoids climbing the same hill twice.

Cuenca can easily be seen in a day. The old town is small and everything important is within a few minutes' walk: Plaza Mayor, the Cathedral, the Hanging Houses, and the Castle district can all be comfortably visited in a single day.

Which No The Enchanted City, which is about 25 kilometers away and requires a car and half a day of your own, can be visited on the same day. If you only have one day, stay in the city: that's what makes it a World Heritage Site.

First things first, before we begin: The old town of Cuenca is Everything costs money and there are stairs.. It's built on a gorge, and the climb from the lower part to the Castle is never level. Dragging a suitcase up is the mistake everyone makes when they arrive by train and head straight for the Hanging Houses.

The itinerary, hour by hour

TOMORROW

1. Plaza Mayor and the Cathedral

It starts at the top. The Plaza Mayor is the center of the old town, with the Town Hall built on arches and the Cathedral of Saint Mary and Saint Julian Presiding over it: Gothic, one of the first in Spain in that style, and with a facade unlike any other.

TOMORROW

2. The Hanging Houses and the San Pablo Bridge

The city's postcard. Hanging Houses They rise above the Huécar gorge with their wooden balconies jutting into the void. Inside is the Museum of Spanish Abstract Art, one of the great small museums in the country.

But the best view isn't from the Hanging Houses: it's from the San Pablo Bridge, The iron pedestrian bridge crosses the gorge. From there, you can really see them hanging precariously, with the ravine below. Cross to the other side, where the Parador is located, and look back.

NOON

3. Eating in the helmet

Head back up to the Plaza Mayor area. This is where most of the places to eat are located, without having to leave the old town, so you don't lose the elevation you've gained.

LATE

4. The Castle District

Continue uphill from the Plaza Mayor towards the Bezudo arch and the Castle district. It is the highest and quietest part: narrow streets, few people and the best views of the two gorges, the Júcar and the Huécar, one on each side.

LATE

5. Go down past the colorful houses

Go back down the Alfonso VIII Street, It's the one with the colorful facades that you see in all the photos of Cuenca. It's downhill, which is welcome at that time of day, and it leads back to the lower part of the city.

If you arrive by train or car

Two things you should know beforehand:

The AVE station is far away. The Fernando Zóbel Hotel in Cuenca was built on the outskirts, several kilometers from the old town. It's not accessible on foot with luggage: there's a city bus and taxi service.

Parking up there is complicated. The old town has narrow streets and few squares. Most people park in the lower part and walk up.

In both cases you end up the same: in the lower part of the city, with your suitcase, and with everything you want to see going uphill.

Fachada de Locker Cuenca en calle Tintes 11
Calle Tintes 11, at the foot of the old town. The sizes and opening hours are posted on the door.

Leave your luggage before boarding

We're located at Calle Tintes 11, at the foot of the old town. Lockers with PIN code from €2.50, open from 7:00 to 23:00. Leave your luggage, go up light, and pick it up on the way down.

View ticket sales and prices

Frequently asked questions

Is it really possible to see Cuenca in one day?
Yes, the old town is definitely within walking distance. Plaza Mayor, the Cathedral, the Hanging Houses, San Pablo Bridge, and the Castle district are all just a few minutes' walk from each other. Visiting all the museums, however, requires more time.
And the Enchanted City?
It's about 25 km outside the city, and requires a car and half a day. If you only have one day, don't try to fit it in: you'll end up rushing and not seeing either of them properly.
What is the best view of the Hanging Houses?
From the San Pablo Bridge, not from the houses themselves. Cross the pedestrian bridge and look back: it's the photo you've seen of Cuenca.
Can it be done with children or people with reduced mobility?
It's manageable with children, but be aware of the hills. The old town is challenging for those with reduced mobility: there are quite a few flights of stairs and a continuous slope. The Plaza Mayor area, once you reach the top, is flatter.
Where do I leave my suitcases if I arrive in the morning and leave in the afternoon?
At our ticket office at Calle Tintes 11, at the foot of the old town. Book online, receive a PIN, and enter and exit as many times as you like between 7:00 and 23:00.

Museum and monument opening hours and prices change seasonally. Before you go, please confirm them on the official Cuenca tourism website or at the Tourist Office (969 241 051).