The unique city of Cuenca is located between the gorges of the Júcar and Húecar Rivers in the autonomous community of Castilla-La Mancha. Here you can see breathtaking views of its historic center on top of sheer cliffs, its stunning landscape, and its rich culture worth discovering. Cuenca is a well-preserved fortified city and a World Heritage Site with Muslim and medieval Christian origins. You can find grand architecture, a strong identity, and excellent adaptation to its beautiful natural surroundings. Enjoy walking around Cuenca with its cobbled streets and historical buildings, and visit the bridges connecting the city’s top part with the lower areas. Take your time to discover the hidden secrets of the streets of Cuenca with its laid-back environment. Enjoy one of the most beautiful cities in Spain, where the arts and culture are an essential part of city life, and its local gastronomy will delight you. Visit Cuenca and discover this unique spot in the Castilla-La Mancha region.
Our recommendations on which areas to stay in
- Discover the historical areas of Cuenca and stay near great museums and historical buildings. We recommend the places close to Calle Alfonso VIII, close to the city’s central plaza, with great museums, unique architecture, and excellent gastronomy at a walkable distance.
- Enjoy excellent views of the sheer cliffs and proximity to the historic center of the city by staying in the areas known as Hanging Houses near Plaza Ciudad de Ronda. Here you can find excellent accommodations with impressive views of the cliffs and the city.
- Taste the best food in Cuenca and enjoy one of the hotspots in the country’s gastronomy. We recommend staying in Calle de Colón, where you can enjoy the wonderful restaurant life of Cuenca close to plazas and parks.
- Stay with your family in Cuenca and enjoy the relaxed city environment and all the amenities to make the most of your visit by staying near San Julián Park. You will be close to the city’s historical areas and great leisure spots here.
These are our recommendations on accommodations in Cuenca, Spain, in 4 categories:
- Stays near the historic areas:
- Unique views of the cliffs:
- Accommodations close to the best restaurants:
- Family stays close to all the amenities:
Discovering Cuenca and the Hanging Houses – What to know before visiting.
Cuenca is a city in the Castilla-La Mancha region located on top of sheer cliffs and surrounded by rivers, making it an excellent place to enjoy unique views of the Spanish landscape and discover great architecture and spectacular gastronomy. It has been considered a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1996 due to its well-preserved constructions, medieval streets, and unique Casas Colgadas, or Hanging Houses on the edge of the cliffs.
With early settlements during the late Paleolithic, the origins of the city of Cuenca can be traced back to the Caliphate of Cordoba during the Arab invasion around the VIII century, giving the name of Kunka to the citadel founded there. After the Reconquista, the Christians took the city in the XII century and started a process of growth of the medieval town. During this time, the city saw splendor in its construction. Several emblematic buildings from this time can be seen today, such as Catedral de Santa María y San Julián de Cuenca, from the XIII century.
Walking around the streets of Cuenca is traveling to the past and the eras that made up the city’s history. Pass under the arched portals of the XVIII century Cuenca City Hall to visit Plaza Mayor, the main square of Cuenca, and from where you can explore many streets and buildings of this city, such as Ronda Julián Romero, where you can come upon lookouts like Mirador de Florencio Cañas and Mirador del pintor Víctor de la Vega, or Calle Canónigos where you can discover the impressive Casas Colgadas de Cuenca and enjoy of this XV century houses located over the cliff of the Hoz del Huécar, and the main icon of the city.
The city also has excellent museums to discover the town’s history, outstanding art exhibitions, religious art, and even space. Learn about the history of Cuenca by visiting the Museo de Cuenca and exploring the archaeological collections of the city here, or close to this area, visit the Spanish Abstract Art Museum. and enter one of the Hanging Houses and enjoy the 1950s and 1960s abstract art exhibitions.
Take advantage of a visit to Museo Diocesano de Cuenca and see unique religious art and artifacts, or the Espacio Torner art museum to enjoy exceptional works of art from Spain and many great temporary exhibitions. Then, go to space without leaving Cuenca and enjoy the interactive Science Museum of Castilla La Mancha, located in a restored Arabic-style building where you can have fun with its hands-on displays and discover its planetarium.
Cuenca has plenty of things to offer, and it always has something unique hidden and waiting to be discovered. So plan a stay in Cuenca and enjoy the fantastic sights of the city of the Hanging Houses.
Discovering the Plaza Mayor of Cuenca.
The heart of the historical areas of Cuenca has everything to offer for an excellent stay at a short distance from unique sights and outstanding gastronomy. We recommend the sites close to Calle Alfonso VIII, close to the city’s central Plaza, with great museums, unique architecture, and excellent gastronomy at a walkable distance.
You will be close to Plaza Mayor at 130 m from your stay. Here you can discover the medieval shape of the city and see the unique architecture of the many buildings surrounding this vibrant Plaza, such as the impressive Cuenca City Hall with its arched entrance to the Plaza or the grand Catedral de Santa María y San Julián de Cuenca where you can enjoy amazing gothic architecture and unique religious art 150 m from your accommodation.
Visit the garden of Jardín Cecilio Albendea at a 2-minute walk from your lodging and enjoy the nature and great views of the city, or enjoy the lookout of Miradores del Huécar, where you can see the cliffs and the impressive architecture of Cuenca at 260 m from your stay.
A walk through Calle Alfonso VIII is a journey to an incredible past full of unique spots, such as the Rascacielos de San Martín, considered by the locals as the first skyscrapers in the world and located a few steps from your stay. See the architecture of Casa del Corregidor from the XVIII century at 170 m from your accommodation, and get to the old areas of the Jewish Quarter of the city in Plaza Mangana, 450 m from your accommodation to enjoy the views of the XVI century clock tower of Torre de Mangana, one of the main attractions of the historical areas of Cuenca. Close to this area, you can visit the Plaza de la Merced and explore the Science Museum of Castilla La Mancha, 95 m from your stay, or Plaza Ciudad de Ronda to visit the archaeological museum, Museo de Cuenca, 170 m from your stay.
Enjoy the great restaurants close to your stay, such as Mesón Plaza Mayor in Plaza Mayor, to enjoy excellent local dishes, 88 m from your lodging, or enjoy delicious meat dishes and pizzas at the highly rated PIOLA Gastrobar in Calle San Pedro, 230 m from your stay.
Discover the historical areas of Cuenca and stay near great museums and historical buildings by staying close to Calle Alfonso VIII.
Views from the Hanging Houses.
Cuenca offers unique views from its historical areas and excellent proximity to great lookouts to enjoy its privileged location. Stay in the areas known as Hanging Houses near Plaza Ciudad de Ronda to experience this unique spot.
You will be in the city’s heart, close to museums such as the Spanish Abstract Art Museum or Museo de Cuenca in Plaza Ciudad de Ronda, both a few steps from your accommodation. In addition, the Plaza Mayor will be a short 160 m from your accommodation, making this spot an excellent place to discover the city’s history. Also, visit the San Pablo Bridge and see from the heights of the Huécar River and enjoy stunning views of the landscape of Cuenca, 130 m from your lodging.
Stays in the new capital of Spanish cuisine.
Experience the delicious gastronomy of Castilla- La Mancha region in Cuenca, one of the newest hotspots for Spain’s food culture. We recommend staying in Calle de Colón, an area close to the modern part of Cuenca.
In this area, you will be close to different restaurants to try staples of the local tradition and enjoy the Cuenca culinary identity, such as Gastrobar Gaia in Calle de Colón, where you can try local dishes in a laid-back environment at a few steps of your stay, or go to the traditional eatery El Bodegón in Calle Cerro San Cristóbal, and enjoy the best oxtail stew, and delicious pork knuckle served in a low-key space, 300 m from your stay.
Visit Restaurante Mesón Nazareno y Oro, where you can try traditional Cuenca dishes like Morteruelo or Ajoarrieto, great meat dishes, and seafood from the area, located a few steps from your lodging in Calle de Colón. Enjoy an upscale tasting menu in the chic eatery Trivio. Enjoy a great food experience on the same street or try the best meat dishes in town by visiting Asador De Antonio in Avenida de Castilla-la Mancha, 400 m from your accommodation.
Have a delicious coffee in Melatte Coffee & Brunch in Calle Emilio Sánchez Vera, and enjoy toast, waffles, and excellent brunch options 120 m from your accommodation, or enjoy a cocktail with great food at the El Gallo Gastrobar in Calle Fray Luis de León, 300 m from your stay.
Accommodations for you and your family in Cuenca.
Cuenca is a great destination to enjoy as a family. The city has a laid-back environment perfect for a comfortable stay, with plenty of places to discover and all the amenities you need to make the most of your visit. We recommend the areas close to San Julián Park, where you can enjoy all the amenities you need for a great stay in Cuenca.
- You will be close to urban green areas such as San Julián Park, a few steps from your stay, or the Parque de los Moralejos in Avenida San Ignacio de Loyola, one of the biggest parks of its kind in Cuenca, where you can enjoy walkable areas and views of the Júcar River, 450 m from your lodging.
- You and your family will be 1 km from the Plaza Mayor, where you can enjoy the medieval city’s unique architecture and the spectacular views from the different lookouts, such as Miradores de San Miguel in Bajada San Miguel at a 17-minute walk from your accommodation.
- Plan a visit to the Science Museum of Castilla La Mancha in Plaza la Merced, just a 13-minute walk from your accommodation. Here you can explore interactive exhibitions and a planetary located in a historical building.
- Find amenities such as pharmacies and health centers at a short distance from your stay, such as Irene Ferrer Romero Pharmacy in Calle Cardenal Gil de Albornoz, 120 m from your visit, and also the public health center of Servicio de Salud de Castilla la Mancha in Plaza García Álvarez de Albornoz, 350 m from your stay.
- In this area, you can easily find grocery shops such as Dia Supermarket in Calle Carretería, 140 m from your stay, and La Despensa Colon Supermarket in Calle de Colón, 260 m from your stay.
- Enjoy excellent restaurants near your stay. Visit Mesón Rodríguez in Calle San Francisco, and try traditional dishes 250 m from your lodging, or enjoy great tapas, meat dishes, and excellent desserts in Restaurante Gastrobar Bien Porteño in Parque San Julián, 150 m from your stay.
Stay with your family in Cuenca and enjoy the relaxed city environment and all the amenities to make the most of your visit by staying near San Julián Park.
