Wondering if Cuenca is worth visiting? – Here’s the ultimate list of reasons to include Cuenca on any road trip across Spain!

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Is Cuenca in Spain worth visiting in 2025?

Where is Cuenca

Cuenca is a city in central Spain, located in the autonomous community of Castilla-La Mancha. The province in which it is situated is also called Cuenca. The city of Cuenca lies between Madrid (about 170 km to the northwest) and Valencia (about 200 km to the southeast), making it an ideal stop on the road between the two cities. Cuenca can also be visited as a day trip from either Madrid or Valencia, thanks to its high-speed train connections with both.

What is Cuenca known for?

Cuenca is famous for its Hanging Houses (“Casas Colgadas“), considered one of the most unique Spanish landmarks. Its Old Town is also a UNESCO World Heritage site, thanks to its well-preserved medieval architecture. On top of that, the Cuenca Cathedral is considered one of the most beautiful in Spain and houses two paintings by El Greco (which is a big deal for any museum outside of Madrid or Barcelona, where most national treasures are usually kept).

What I love most about Cuenca is that the region is still full of hidden gems, making it a perfect destination for travelers who enjoy exploring Spain off the beaten path. One of the region’s most famous hikes is the Ruta de las Caras, one of the most unique trails in Spain. Additionally, the Serranía de Cuenca Natural Park is an incredible destination for discovering secret hiking spots in Spain. Not to be missed is the Enchanted City of Cuenca, often called one of the most unique landscapes of the Iberian Peninsula.

Houses and cliffs in Cuenca, Spain
Cuenca is 100% worth visiting

Best time to visit Cuenca

My favorite times to visit Cuenca are April-May and September-October, but Cuenca is a great destination year-round. Cuenca Province is one of those central regions in Spain where summer days can be hot, but the nights get quite chilly. I’d recommend avoiding a visit in July or August, as daytime temperatures can reach 30-35°C, and unlike coastal areas, there’s no refreshing Mediterranean breeze to cool things down. It can feel particularly hot because the region has many flat, open areas with little shade. At night, temperatures can drop to 10-15°C, which is a significant drop compared to the daytime heat. In winter, daytime temperatures hover around 10°C, while at night, they can fall to 0°C.

Autumn colors in the Spanish province of Cuenca in October
Cuenca is a beautiful autumn destination in Spain

Where to stay in Cuenca

Some of the most unique places to stay in the region of Cuenca include the Parador de Alarcón, a stunning hotel located in a medieval castle overlooking the Júcar River, Hotel Boutique Pinar, Ansares Hotel, La Casa Grande, and Hotel Palacio Buenavista.

Why Cuenca is worth visiting

Not only is Cuenca worth visiting on a day trip from Madrid, but for travelers who have already explored the typical Spain bucket-list destinations, Cuenca is worth planning an entire road trip across the region. It’s also a perfect destination for those who enjoy blending in with the locals and prefer to avoid tourist-heavy spots like Costa Brava. Unlike many Spanish coastal areas with an international vibe, Cuenca still preserves the old charm of traditional Spain, with hearty local comfort foods, ancient architecture, and hidden gems waiting to be discovered. For my ultimate one-day itinerary in Cuenca, head to this post. To check out our recent Cuenca road trip with kids, visit this article.

Over my 15 years as an expat, I’ve visited Cuenca multiple times, and I have to admit that during my first visit in 2016, the city felt like a hidden gem. International travelers were rare, and most visitors were Spaniards from nearby provinces. However, over the past few years, the situation has changed significantly. The Spanish government introduced budget-friendly high-speed train lines, making Cuenca an easy and affordable day trip from two of Spain’s most visited capitals, Valencia and Madrid. So, on my most recent visit, I found Cuenca bustling with visitors, which, in my opinion, is great. Central Spain has long struggled with depopulation, often referred to as “Empty Spain,” and tourism in regions like Cuenca is an excellent way to reverse this trend. It brings more jobs to the area, helping locals stay in their communities rather than leaving in search of better opportunities.

Here are the top places in the city of Cuenca and the surrounding region that will make you want to pack your bags and head to Cuenca right now. By the end of this post, you can also find a map with all of these locations to help plan your visit.

1. The Hanging Houses of Cuenca

While the region of Cuenca itself is often considered one of Spain’s hidden gems (along with Teruel and Albarracín), the Hanging Houses of Cuenca are a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of Spain’s most unique landmarks. They’re a must-stop on any Spain bucket list, and seeing this place in person is worth the entire trip to Cuenca.

The Hanging Houses of Cuenca - a UNESCO World Heritage Site in Spain must-see places in Cuenca
The Hanging Houses of Cuenca

2. Cuenca´s Old Town and Cathedral

While Cuenca’s Old Town is an absolute must-see for fans of medieval towns in Spain, the Santa María la Mayor Cathedral is one of the most beautiful cathedrals in the country. Considered one of the most unique landmarks of Central Spain, it is renowned for its sophisticated decoration. Built in the 12th-13th centuries, this cathedral represents a remarkable blend of Gothic and Norman architecture. You can read more about my visit in this post.

One day in cuenca spain travel from madrid
You can read more about my visit to the Cathedral of Cuenca in this post

3. Hidden Gems in the Cuenca region

The Enchanted City of Cuenca

Besides the unique medieval charm of Cuenca city, the entire province of Cuenca is equally fascinating, especially if you love visiting lesser-known destinations in Spain. The Enchanted City of Cuenca, one of the most fairytale-like places in Spain, offering a magical natural setting to explore with kids. This place also has an interesting Spanish legend associated with it. The Enchanted City is located 28 km from Cuenca city, and to visit, you would need a car (although it is often included in most Cuenca day tours from Madrid). You can read more about my visit to the Enchanted City here.

Spain with kids: visiting The Enchanted City of Cuenca with a baby must-see places in Cuenca
Visiting the Enchanted City of Cuenca

The Devil´s Window

You might already know that Spain is full of mysterious local legends and haunted places – Cuenca is no exception. The Devil’s Window (or Ventano del Diablo) is a natural cave offering breathtaking views of the Júcar River and is located near the Enchanted City of Cuenca. According to local legend, the Devil practiced his magic and witchcraft here, even throwing those who dared to look out from the viewpoint into the river. While it’s not as eerie as the Bride’s Jump Waterfall I visited recently, there’s still something unsettling about this place.

 Ventano del Diablo or The Devil´s Window must-see places in Cuenca
The Devil’s Window in Cuenca
Is cuenca worth visiting ventano del diablo
Views from The Devil’s Window

The source of Cuervo River

The source of the Cuervo River in Cuenca is famous for its beautiful waterfall, known as Nacimiento del Río Cuervo. If you Google it, you’ll find some stunning photos, especially in winter when the waterfall often freezes into an enchanting ice formation. However, during my last visit, it had been quite some time since the last rainfall, so there was no water flowing at all – just dry rocks. Despite this, the surrounding landscape was still beautifull. I’m looking forward to returning to Nacimiento del Río Cuervo in the spring to see if I’m lucky enough to experience the waterfall in full flow.

The source of Cuervo River must-see places in Cuenca Spain
The source of Cuervo River

La Ruta de las Caras

La Ruta de las Caras near the village of Buendia is one of the most famous hikes in the Cuenca region and one of the most unique in all of Spain. The trail is particularly popular because it’s just a short day trip from the Spanish capital of Madrid. La Ruta de las Caras is an easy 1.5 km-long walk that features 18 sculptures of varying sizes, ranging from 7 meters to 4 meters tall. Carved by facade restorer Eulogio Reguillo and ceramicist Jorge Juan Maldonado in 1992, the figures are inspired by Indian gods, Buddhas, Templar crosses, and even Beethoven.

cuenca road trip spain travel
Exploring Spanish hikes with the kids

The Castle of Belmonte

The region of Cuenca is also home to one of my favorite castles in Spain – the Castle of Belmonte, featured as a filming location in numerous Spanish movies and TV shows. This castle is also famous for hosting one of the most unique medieval fairs in Spain, which I still haven’t had a chance to visit.

Belmonte castle spain cuenca
The Castle of Belmonte in Cuenca

Serrania de Cuenca

Serranía de Cuenca National Park is one of the most unique locations for discovering secret hikes in Spain. This place was such a discovery on my recent Cuenca road trip. I loved the local trail Sendero Botánico de la Hoz de and plan to return to the area soon to check out all the other hikes.

secret hikes in spain cuenca hoz de detecta
Serranía de Cuenca National Park

The Ruins of Segobriga

History lovers can’t miss Segóbriga in Cuenca, a fascinating archaeological site that’s often included in day trips from Madrid. It is one of the most impressive Roman ruins in Spain and you can get a quick glimpse of this ancient site through my list of Spain virtual tours.

segobriga cuenca spain
The Ruins of Segobriga in Cuenca

The Monastery of Ucles

Located close Segobriga, the Ucles Monastery (or Monasterio de Uclés) is often listed among Spain’s most secret and beautiful monasteries. Sometimes referred to as the “Escorial of Castile-La Mancha,” it draws its name from the famous San Lorenzo de El Escorial, the biggest Spanish monastery complex near Madrid. The Uclés monastery was originally built on the ruins of an ancient castle dating back to the 5th century, but the current structure largely dates to the 15th century. One of its most iconic features is the main doorway, a stunning piece created by the renowned architect Pedro de Ribera, showcasing intricate Baroque design.

monastery ucles spain beautiful facades
The Monastery of Ucles In Cuenca

Secret villages

Cuenca is a fantastic region to explore, especially if you’re looking for hidden Spanish villages. One such gem is the picture-perfect Alarcón, where you can even spend the night in a real castle – Parador de Alarcón, which is now a hotel. This ancient village is an absolute storybook location in Spain. While the small town doesn’t offer many activities beyond exploring its stunning architecture, it truly feels like stepping into a real-life fairytale.

secret small towns in spain cuenca alarcon
Alarcón in Cuenca: I cant get enough of this view

Map of the top places to see in the region of Cuenca

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