• About WordPress
    • WordPress.org
    • Documentation
    • Support
    • Feedback
  • Log In
  • Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

Backpacking Brunette

Because life is not meant to be lived in one place

  • Members
  • Move To Mexico
    • Start Here
    • Mexico Residency Roadmap: Your Guide to Living in Mexico Legally in 2022
    • Learn Spanish
    • Move To Mexico
    • Move To Spain
  • About Alex
    • About Alex
    • Contact Me
    • Consulting Services
    • Work Together
  • Mexico Travel
    • Baja California
    • Central Mexico
    • Oaxaca
    • Puerto Vallarta
    • Yucatan
    • Travel Insurance
  • Camino de Santiago
    • 25 Eye-Opening Things To Know Before Walking The Camino de Santiago
    • How to Prepare for the Camino de Santiago Like a Pro
    • Cost of the Camino de Santiago {2021}: How Much Should You Budget?
    • Travel Insurance
  • Spain Travel
    • Best Cities In Spain
    • Madrid
      • Day Trips
  • Budget Travel
    • Guides
    • Stories
    • Tips
  • Work Abroad
    • Start Here
    • Au Pair
    • Teach English Online
    • Teach English In Spain

Day Trip From Madrid to Cuenca, Spain: Things to Do

February 14, 2017 by Alex | Backpacking Brunette Leave a Comment

225 shares
  • Share
Day Trip From Madrid to Cuenca, Spain: Things to Do
Researching Spain travel? Don't miss one of the best day trips from Madrid: visit Cuenca, Spain! This guide has all the best things to do in Cuenca, Spain. Start planning your weekend getaway from Madrid!
Here are some great tips and recommendations for what to do in Cuenca!

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
  • 5 Reasons El Escorial is the Best Madrid Day Trip
  • 55 Non Touristy Things to Do in Madrid
  • An Almost Local’s Guide to Madrid
  • 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. 

In Cuenca, Spain, you can hike up to some amazing viewpoints. Here are some great tips and recommendations for things to do in Cuenca, Spain!
The view from the Puente de San Pablo is incredible!

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. 

Cuenca's colorful Plaza Mayor is worth a stroll. Here are some great tips and recommendations for things to do in Cuenca, Spain!
I loved Cuenca’s colorful Plaza Mayor!

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!

One of the best things to do in Cuenca, Spain, is check out the street art. Here are some great tips and recommendations for what to do in Cuenca!
I preferred Cuenca’s street art over its Museum of Abstract Art.

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!

Take a day trip to Cuenca, Spain from Madrid for some hiking. Here are some great tips and recommendations for what to do in Cuenca!
It was chilly, but I still enjoyed walking around Cuenca all weekend!

Have you ever visited Cuenca, Spain? What do you look for in a weekend getaway? Let me know in the comments below!


Psst…Don’t forget to pin this post for later!

Here are some great tips and recommendations for what to do in Cuenca!

Researching Spain travel? Don't miss one of the best day trips from Madrid: visit Cuenca, Spain! This guide has all the best things to do in Cuenca, Spain. Start planning your weekend getaway from Madrid!

225 shares
  • Share

Filed Under: Best Cities In Spain, Day Trips

Reader Interactions

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

CommentLuv badgeShow more posts

Primary Sidebar

Search the Site

Recent Posts

  • Best Time for Whale Watching in Cabo San Lucas (Ultimate Guide)
  • Ultimate Guide for Best Bars & Nightlife in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico
  • Best Time to Visit Puerto Vallarta, Mexico + the Time of Year to AVOID
  • Best Snorkeling in Puerto Vallarta + How to Go WITHOUT a Tour
  • How to Celebrate Thanksgiving in Mexico (Tasty Recipes + Mexican Traditions)

© 2023 Backpacking Brunette

Privacy Policy and Disclosure

This website uses cookies to improve your experience. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish.Accept Read More
Privacy & Cookies Policy

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
Necessary
Always Enabled
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.
Non-necessary
Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website.
SAVE & ACCEPT
225 shares