How to Best Explore Cuenca, Spain in 3 Days
Cuenca sits in Castilla-La Mancha between Madrid and Valencia, perched above two dramatic gorges with medieval streets, striking viewpoints, and its well-known hanging houses. We visited in late autumn when the cliffs were turning golden, the air was crisp, and the old town felt calm and atmospheric. Whether you’re planning the best things to do in Cuenca or mapping out a Cuenca day trip or a weekend visit, this is a city that rewards slow exploring and easy days soaking up its scenery.
Top 7 Things To Do in Cuenca, Spain
1. Stay at Parador de Cuenca
Parador de Cuenca sits in a restored 16th-century Dominican convent overlooking the hanging houses, making it one of the standout Cuenca attractions and, in our view, the best hotel in Cuenca. It forms part of Spain’s historic Paradores network, which includes Parador de Toledo, Parador de Segovia, and Parador de Cardona. Its position above the Huécar Gorge gives you classic Cuenca scenery as soon as you cross the San Pablo Bridge. We believe this is the strongest base in the city for anyone planning the best things to do in Cuenca or a relaxed Cuenca day trip. If you want the full breakdown, read our honest review of Parador de Cuenca.
What To Do/See & Highlights
The Parador’s interiors lean into the building’s history: high ceilings, timber beams, long stone corridors, and quiet halls that feel calm even when it’s busy. The bar and restaurant sit in vaulted rooms serving local dishes, and the cloister courtyard is a peaceful spot to unwind. Rooms overlook either the gorge or the convent walls. They have standard double rooms to suite room that are perfect for couples and families. We stayed in November and loved the still evenings – wandering the halls after dinner felt like having the place to ourselves.
Opening Times
Parador de Cuenca is open year-round. The reception/concierge is very welcoming and accomodating. Staff speak both English and Spanish. Check-in is usually from 14:00 and Check-out is usually by 12:00.
Website
https://paradores.es/en/parador-de-cuenca
How To Get There
A short walk from the old town via the San Pablo Bridge. We took a taxi from the AVE train station which cost €12 as a standard fare and took around 10 minutes.
Cost
Rooms generally range from €120–€180 depending on season and availability.
💡 Travel Gentlemen Tip: Admire the views of the gorge surrounding the Parador both during the day and at sunset – it’s one of the most memorable parts of staying here.
2. Drink cocktails at Taberna Jovi
Taberna Jovi is a stylish cocktail bar tucked into the old town, just off one of the quieter streets near Plaza Mayor. Inside, the lighting is low and warm, with small stained-glass pendant lamps casting soft colour across the bar. It has a strong old-world feel, built around dark, polished wood panelling, a coffered ceiling, and a long leather-topped bar that anchors the room. The bartenders work in crisp white shirts, bow ties and black trousers. Service here is impeccable – easily some of the best we’ve experienced in Spain – and the team switch comfortably between English and Spanish. It’s a modern contrast to Cuenca’s medieval surroundings and a spot we genuinely rate among the best cocktail bars we’ve visited in the country.
What To Do/See & Highlights
We went on a Friday night and loved the atmosphere: lively but not chaotic, with a mix of ages and a friendly, local crowd. We ended up returning the next evening as well – it’s that good. You can sit at the bar, take a table, or settle into one of the small chairs dotted around the room. Seating is deliberately compact – leather chairs, stools, and small tables – which keeps the atmosphere close and conversational. Classic cocktails are their strength, from Gin Martinis to Cosmopolitans and well-balanced gin combinations. If you fancy a bite, they serve tostadas and plates of excellent jamón ibérico, which pair perfectly with their drinks. It’s the kind of place where one drink naturally becomes two.
Opening Times
Monday & Tuesday: Closed
Wednesday to Sunday: 18:30 to 02:00
Website
How to Get There
Located in the old town, roughly a 5 to 7 minute walk from the cathedral and just off Plaza Mayor.
View on Google Maps
Cost
Cocktails from €7-€10
💡 Travel Gentlemen Tip: Sit at the bar and watch the bartenders work – the precision, service, and attention to detail are part of the experience.
3. Admire Contemporary Art at Museo de Arte Abstracto Español
Set inside the iconic Casas Colgadas (hanging houses), the Museo de Arte Abstracto Español is one of the most distinctive stops on any list of the best things to do in Cuenca. The museum was founded in 1966 by the Spanish-Filipino painter Fernando Zóbel, who wanted to create a home for the best of modern Spanish abstract art. The collection grew over time through donations from artists and collectors, making it one of Spain’s most respected small museums. The rooms are carved into the wooden beams and irregular stone walls of the hanging houses, and the views from the windows look straight out over the Huécar Gorge. There’s also a small shop where you can buy prints and art books.
What To Do/See & Highlights
Alongside works by Fernando Zóbel, you’ll find important pieces by Antoni Tàpies, Gustavo Torner, Eusebio Sempere, José Guerrero, and other major Spanish abstract artists. The museum is compact but well curated, and each room opens into the next with gorge views in between. We bought a couple of Zóbel prints from the shop – a nice moment for us because Zóbel is well known in the Philippines, and it added a personal connection to the visit.
Opening Times
Usually open 11:00-14:00 and 16:00-18:00 (times vary by season).
Website
www.fundacionjuandelafuente.es
How To Get There
A quick 3-minute walk from the San Pablo Bridge.
Cost
General entry is €5.
💡 Travel Gentlemen Tip: Visit 1 to 2 hours before closing. It’s quieter, the light is softer, and you get better views across the gorge as you move between rooms.
4. Take a hike and admire Huécar Gorge
Hiking the Huécar Gorge is one of the most popular things to do for travellers and hikers visiting Cuenca, and it easily deserves a place on any list of the best things to do in Cuenca. The gorge wraps around the old town and creates the dramatic scenery Cuenca is known for – steep cliffs, narrow pathways, and sweeping angles of the hanging houses, cathedral rooftops, and the Parador. If you’re visiting on a Cuenca day trip, this is one of the easiest ways to experience the landscape that makes the city so distinctive.
What To Do/See & Highlights
There are a few well-known routes, all easy to follow and rewarding in different ways:
1. San Pablo Bridge to Mirador del Rey (45 minutes each way)
A simple, scenic trail that gives you the classic postcard views. Great if you want a short walk with immediate payoff.
2. Camino de la Hoz del Huécar (1.5–2 hour loop)
A gentle loop along the gorge wall that eventually drops you back into the old town. Ideal if you want to stretch the legs without committing to a full hike.
3. Mirador Barrio del Castillo route (around 1 hour)
This is the one we took. It winds up towards the castle ruins with open views over both the Huécar and Júcar gorges. Scenic, quiet, and a great place to enjoy a bit of fresh breeze away from the crowds. One of the highlights of our weekend.
Whichever route you choose, you’ll pass multiple viewpoints – perfect spots to stop, take photos, and appreciate how Cuenca rises out of the cliffs.
Opening Times
Always open but obviously consider timings of getting there and back.
How To Get There
For the easiest starting point, begin from the San Pablo Bridge and follow the marked trails.
Cost
Absolutely free.
💡 Travel Gentlemen Tip: Autumn and winter hikes here can get cold and windy, so bring weatherproof jackets and an umbrella. Footpaths can be slippery after rain, so wear proper shoes.
5. Visit the Catedral de Santa Maria y San Julián
Cuenca’s cathedral stands at the heart of Plaza Mayor and is one of the most significant Cuenca attractions. Construction began in the late 12th century, blending early Gothic influences from Normandy with later Spanish elements, giving the building its unique character.
If you’re Catholic, this is an essential stop on any personal list of what to do in Cuenca. It remains an active place of worship, with locals attending Mass regularly, especially on weekends and feast days. The cathedral also hosts concerts, liturgical events, and cultural gatherings throughout the year, making it a living part of the city rather than just a historic monument.
What To Do/See & Highlights
Inside, the stained-glass windows cast soft colour across the nave, and the acoustics carry beautifully under the arches. Notable areas include the Capilla del Espíritu Santo, the atmospheric Capilla Honda, the cloister, the choir stalls, and the cathedral’s treasury. Don’t miss the outside grounds too.
We spent nearly two hours exploring – there’s more to see than you expect. During our visit, a group of string players were rehearsing, which transformed the space and made the experience feel special.
Opening Times
Open daily 10:00-19:00, with seasonal variation and occasional closures during services.
Website
How to Get There
Located directly in Plaza Mayor in the heart of the old town.
Cost
General Entry is €5. Check for concessions at the entrance.
💡 Travel Gentlemen Tip: Go early to avoid the big guided groups – they come through often and in large numbers. Take your time; this is a cathedral worth slowing down for.
6. Enjoy lunch at Restaurante Plazeria
If you’re researching where to eat in Cuenca, Restaurante Plazeria is one of the better spots in the old town for something different from the usual local plates. It’s a relaxed trattoria-style restaurant tucked just off Plaza Mayor, down a narrow alley that almost leads to a viewpoint overlooking the mountains. The setting feels like a traditional taberna with a modern twist, and the atmosphere is easy-going from the moment you walk in.
Highlights & What to Eat
We had lunch here on a Saturday and decided to book ahead – a good call, because the place filled up quickly just after 1 pm. The menu is more diverse than you might expect for a small restaurant: pasta, pizzas, meats, salads, and a few creative dishes you won’t find elsewhere in Cuenca.
Service was excellent throughout. Our favourites were the Beef Rib Cannelloni cooked at low temperature and the Rosemary Cheesecake, and we paired everything with a bottle of Ribera del Duero.
It’s good value, the staff are friendly, and it’s a refreshing break from traditional Spanish cuisine while still feeling local and grounded.
Opening Times
Tuesday: 19:30–00:00;
Wednesdays & Thursdays: 13:00–16:00, 19:30–00:00
Fridays, Saturdays and Sunday: 13:00–00:00
Closed on Mondays
Website/Instagram
www.plazeria.es/ plazeria_cuenca
How to Get There
Just off Plaza Mayor, down a narrow alley a short walk from the cathedral — almost at the edge of a viewpoint toward the mountains.
Cost
Most mains between €15–€25.
💡 Travel Gentlemen Tip: Sit outside if the weather allows. The street is calm and perfect for people-watching between courses.
7. Wander through the streets of Old Town
Cuenca’s old town is the kind of place that rewards curiosity. It’s a maze of narrow lanes, coloured houses, small plazas, stone stairways, and unexpected viewpoints that seem to appear out of nowhere. This is where you feel the city’s history most – from the Casas Colgadas (Hanging Houses) perched over the gorge to the old churches, small monasteries, and historic landmarks like the Torre de Mangana. The tower has stood for centuries and has undergone several restorations, the most significant in recent decades, which stabilised its structure and gave it the minimalist look it has today. It’s one of the best places to pause and take in Cuenca’s mix of old and new.
What To Do/See & Highlights
Start at Plaza Mayor and drift through the side streets without a plan. The houses around the cathedral are painted in soft pastel shades and photograph beautifully in late afternoon light. We stumbled across an artisan ceramics shop just a minute from the cathedral – the kind of place where you can chat to the owner while browsing handmade pieces.
Continue downhill or towards the edge of the Old Town and you’ll eventually reach Torre de Mangana. The open square around it gives you a breather from the tighter medieval streets, and you get wide views over the lower part of Cuenca. It’s a nice contrast before heading back into the lanes.
As you walk, you’ll find small cafés hidden between alleyways, quiet stone stairwells leading to viewpoints, and bars tucked into corners you might otherwise miss. We ended up in La Edad de Oro, a relaxed neighbourhood bar that feels lived-in and local – a perfect stop before dinner.
Expect many steep slopes. Cuenca is built vertically, and some of the ascents can feel intense if you’re not used to walking, but the views make it worthwhile. We wandered for about an hour before sunset and found a viewpoint facing the gorge with nobody else around – one of those small moments that makes exploring on foot worth it.
Opening Times
Always open.
How to Get There
Start at Plaza Mayor and follow the narrow streets in all directions – each leads somewhere interesting.
Cost
Free
💡 Travel Gentlemen Tip: Bring good shoes. The slopes are steep and uneven, especially on older cobbles. Sunset is a great time to explore the upper streets and viewpoints.
Suggested 3-Day Itinerary in Cuenca
Day 1 – Arrival, Old Town, Cocktails at Taberna Jovi
14:00 – Check-in at Parador de Cuenca
Settle in and enjoy your first views across the San Pablo Bridge.
15:00 – Wander the Old Town
Explore coloured houses, artisan ceramics near the cathedral, Torre de Mangana, hidden cafés, and small plazas.
17:00 – Sunset viewpoint walk
Head towards the upper streets for warm light and wide gorge views.
20:30 – Cocktails & tapas at Taberna Jovi
Relax with Martinis, Cosmopolitans, tostadas, or jamón ibérico. Great service, great vibe.
Day 2 – Huécar Gorge Hike, Restaurante Plazeria, Art Museum
09:30 – Huécar Gorge Hike
Choose your route:
– Mirador Barrio del Castillo (scenic, around 1 hr — our pick)
– Mirador del Rey (45 mins each way)
– Camino de la Hoz loop (1.5–2 hrs)
12:00 – Return to Parador
Shower and relax.
13:00 – Lunch at Restaurante Plazeria
Book ahead; Saturdays get busy after 13:00.
Order the Beef Rib Cannelloni, Rosemary Cheesecake, and a Ribera del Duero.
16:00 – Museo de Arte Abstracto Español
Explore the hanging houses, Zóbel’s works, and gorge views.
18:30 – Rest at the Parador
Cloister, bar, or a quiet evening walk.
20:30 – Dinner in the Old Town
If you want something special, book a table at Restaurante Casas Colgadas or Casa de la Sirena. They’re on the higher end, but both deliver refined, creative menus that feel like a proper occasion. Expect tasting-style dishes, strong technique, and some of the best dining you’ll find in Cuenca. Make sure you make a table reservation well ahead of time because they are very popular.
Day 3 – Cathedral & Slow Morning
10:00 – Catedral de Santa María y San Julián
Arrive at opening time to avoid guided groups.
Spend 1–2 hours exploring chapels, cloister, treasury, and the exterior.
12:00 – Coffee & last wander through Old Town
Pick up ceramics or enjoy the quiet plazas before departure.
13:00 – Check-out and leave Cuenca
If you want more information about travelling to Cuenca, check out our other blog here.
About Cuenca
Cuenca is a UNESCO-listed city in Castilla-La Mancha, sitting between Madrid and Valencia on a rocky plateau carved by two deep gorges. The Old Town rises above the cliffs with narrow medieval streets, pastel-coloured houses, small plazas, and the famous Casas Colgadas (Hanging Houses) that seem to cling to the rock face. It’s a compact, atmospheric city where everything is walkable, viewpoints appear around every corner, and history mixes naturally with cafés, bars, and modern art. If you’re looking for somewhere easy, scenic, and full of character for a weekend break, Cuenca fits the brief.
When is the Best Time to Visit Cuenca?
Cuenca works well year-round, but the experience changes with the seasons.
Spring (March–May)
Mild temperatures and clear views across the gorge make this one of the best times to visit. Ideal for hiking and long walks through the Old Town.
Summer (June–August)
Hot, dry, and bright. The Old Town stays cooler thanks to its elevation, but midday heat can be intense. Evenings are lively and perfect for terrace dining.
Autumn (September–November)
Arguably the best season. Warm days, cool evenings, and the cliffs turn shades of gold and red. We visited in late autumn and loved how calm the Old Town felt.
Winter (December–February)
Cold but atmospheric. Expect crisp mornings, quiet streets, and fewer crowds. Great for photography, museum visits, and cosy evenings in bars.
If you want the sweet spot between weather, views, and crowds: April–June or September–November.
How to Get to Cuenca
Cuenca is easy to reach from both Madrid and Valencia, which makes it ideal for a short break or a Cuenca day trip.
From Madrid
– AVE high-speed train: Around 55 minutes from Madrid Puerta de Atocha to Cuenca–Fernando Zóbel station.
– Taxi to the Old Town or Parador costs roughly €12–€15 and takes about 10 minutes.
– Trains run frequently throughout the day.
From Valencia
– High-speed train: About 1 hour from Valencia Joaquín Sorolla to Cuenca.
– Same taxi route from the station into the Old Town.
By Car
– From Madrid: around 1 hour 45 minutes via the A-3.
– From Valencia: roughly 2 hours via the A-3.
Parking in the Old Town is limited, so many visitors park lower down and walk up, or choose accommodation with parking (like the Parador).
Getting Around Cuenca
The Old Town is best explored on foot. Be prepared for steep streets, cobbles, and plenty of uphill sections – part of the charm, but good shoes make a difference.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Cuenca worth visiting for a weekend?
Yes. You can see the main Cuenca attractions in two days without rushing.
Is Cuenca good for a day trip from Madrid?
Yes. Fast trains take around an hour, making a Cuenca day trip easy.
When is the best time to visit Cuenca?
Spring and autumn for cooler weather and clearer views.
Are the hanging houses worth seeing?
Definitely. The building and the views from the museum are standout highlights.
Is Cuenca easy to walk around?
Yes, but expect steep hills and cobbled streets.
In Summary
Cuenca delivers far more than most travellers expect. Whether you come for a Cuenca day trip or a full weekend stay, the city mixes dramatic scenery, medieval streets, modern art, great food, and unmistakable character in a way that makes it instantly memorable. If you’ve been wondering what to do in Cuenca, this travel guide covers the experiences that genuinely stood out for us – from the Parador views and Huécar Gorge trails to late-night cocktails, quiet plazas, and the kind of calm you don’t often find in Spanish cities.
We left feeling like we’d discovered somewhere special, and we’re already planning to return next year – probably at the start of summer to see the city in a different light. If you want even more detail on staying at the Parador, read our full review to help plan your trip.
