Incredible views, delicious food and, of course, hanging houses: Cuenca, Spain is the ideal weekend getaway or day trip from Madrid.
It’s a place I’ve been wanting to visit for quite some time now, and I’m so glad I finally got around to it! If you need a break from the city, here are my recommendations for what to do in Cuenca.
How to Get to Cuenca from Madrid
My first trip of 2017 almost got off to a bad start. I nearly missed the bus! My morning was a little too tranquila, and I left the house 15 minutes later than I had planned.
Related Reading:
- The Ultimate Roundup of Best Madrid Day Trips
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- How to Spend the Perfect Sunday in Madrid
Fortunately, I made it just in time. In fact, I wasn’t even the last passenger to board the bus. That’s Spain for you!
Details: The bus leaves from Madrid’s Estación Sur and takes approximately two and a half hours.
The price of a roundtrip ticket is €27,60. For a faster but more costly option, you can take the high-speed AVE train from Madrid’s Atocha station. The journey takes 55 minutes and costs between €25 – 28 each way.
Where to Stay in Cuenca
I left Madrid at noon and arrived in Cuenca around 2:30 p.m. From the bus station, it took me a little less than 15 minutes to walk to Hostal Canovas (Calle Fray Luis de León, 38). The woman working reception was very helpful and provided me with a map of the city.
Hostal Canovas is located very close to the old city center, and since Cuenca is small, you can walk everywhere. The double room with a private bathroom cost €50 for one night.
The room was very clean and quiet. Overall, I thought Hostal Canovas was a great value. My only complaint is how hot the room was at night. If you’re visiting in winter, bring lightweight pajamas!
Cuenca as a day trip: You can definitely do Cuenca as a day trip from Madrid, especially if you take the high-speed AVE train. However, if you have some extra time, you should consider spending the night. This medieval city only gets more beautiful after the sun goes down.
Where to Eat in Cuenca
Saturday afternoon, I took advantage of the menú del día at Posada San Julián (Calle Torres, 11) and ate garbanzos with callos (tripe) and pork ribs for €11. The ribs were super fatty, but I was starving and didn’t really care.
Saturday night, I made reservations for dinner at El Secreto (Calle Alfonso VIII, 81). I chose El Secreto from Trip Advisor’s list of top ten restaurants in Cuenca.
The food was delicious (yum yum chuletillas de cordero), but as much as it pains me to say this, the service was terrible. Probably the worst I’ve had in Spain to date, which is saying a lot.
Sunday morning, I had breakfast at a cute cafe called La Blondie. I couldn’t find an address for it online, but it’s just around the corner for Hostal Canovas. My glass of fresh squeezed orange juice was garnished with a slice of orange. Way to go the extra mile, random cafe!
If you don’t want to wait: On Saturday and Sunday, restaurants are packed with families enjoying long leisurely meals. If at all possible, I suggest calling ahead and making a reservation. Some restaurants even allow you to do so online.
Best Bars in Cuenca
After watching the sunset, I checked out a few bars around Plaza Mayor, including Las Huellas de los Elefantes (Calle Severo Cataline, 11). If you’re looking for a reasonably priced cocktail in Cuenca, check this place out!
Things to Do in Cuenca
When you visit Cuenca, you should pack some good walking shoes because exploring this city means climbing lots of hills. My favorite climb was up to the Puente de San Pablo. The view was incredible!
If you’re researching what to do in Cuenca, I’m sure you already know about Las Casas Colgantes (the Hanging Houses). The best place to see the houses, which are built right into the cliff, is the Puente de San Pablo. If you want to see inside one of the houses, visit the Museum of Abstract Art. Admission is free!
Have you ever visited Cuenca, Spain? What do you look for in a weekend getaway? Let me know in the comments below!
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