Cuencas Hanging Houses
Cuenca lies almost exactly halfway between Madrid and Valencia making it a nice little side trip if travelling between the two cities.
The old town sits perched on limestone rocks between a river and gorge. Cuenca is most famous for its hanging houses or casas colgadas. These amazing houses seem to hang over the Huécar gorge. The best place to view them is from a bridge crossing the gorge, unless of course heights are not your thing.
The old town features steep cobblestone streets and walls from the Medieval fortress. Once you start wandering around and soaking up the atmosphere it is very easy to forget the modern world. There are plenty of little bars and restaurants to stop and have a drink or something to eat. Wandering around Cuenca is something you can do for a very long time if you like.
My number one tip for Cuenca is start at the top.
Yes the great thing about the old town being on top of a hill, is that when you are finished strolling, it’s all downhill to get to the rest of Cuenca. There is a very nice park on one side of the old town and the general surroundings are very nice with no shortage of bars and restaurants to relax in.
Head towards Plaza la Hispanidad in the centre of town. There is plenty of shopping, eating and drinking options in all directions.
Accommodation is a lot cheaper outside the old town but there is something available for all budgets.
You can step off the fast train at Fernando Zobel Station (located outside town) and catch a bus (L1) which will take you to Cuenca Cathedral in the heart of the old town. The bus takes around 30 minutes. The same bus passes the local train station (located in town) and from there it’s a 10 minute trip to the Cathedral.