Planning to enjoy one day in Burgos? – The Burgos Cathedral of Saint Mary is simply one of the most beautiful cathedrals I’ve ever been to, so I highly recommend visiting Burgos on any Northern Spain Itinerary.

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One day in Burgos, Northern Spain

What is Burgos known for

The Cathedral of Burgos

Burgos is often called one of the most beautiful cities in Northern Spain, even though it is still less established on the tourist track than Bilbao or San Sebastian. The city is known for housing one of the most iconic Spanish landmarks – The Burgos Cathedral of Saint Mary.

Ruta del Cid

In Spanish history, Burgos is strongly connected with the figure of Cid El Campeador (you can learn more via this list of Spain Documentaries). Additionally, you can check out the TV Show Cid on Amazon Prime or enjoy the novel Sidi by Arturo Pérez Reverte, one of the top contemporary Spanish writers (for now, available in Spanish, French, and Italian). Thanks to El Cid, Burgos forms part of the famous Spanish itinerary Ruta del Cid.

El Camino de Santiago

The city of Burgos is associated with the famous pilgrim route, El Camino de Santiago. If walking the most popular itinerary of The French Way, you will make a stop in Burgos.

Popular food in Burgos

Two wildly popular foods across the whole of Spain originate from Burgos – morcilla de Burgos (the traditional blood sausage with rice) and queso fresco de Burgos (e.g. the fresh sheep milk cheese). Other unique local dishes include olla podrida, sopa castellana, lentejas a la burebana, and the desserts – postre del abuelo, leche frita, and yemas de Burgos.

Where is Burgos and how to visit the city

Burgos is the capital city of the Spanish region of Castile-Leon, located 250 km from the Spanish capital of Madrid. You can visit Burgos by train or bus from any major Spanish city. The closest international airports to Burgos are Vitoria-Gasteiz (100km), Bilbao (125 km), and Santander (120 km). However, you can easily rent a car in Madrid and drive to Burgos as well.

Half a day in Burgos

In case, you are visiting Burgos on the road and only have half a day to explore the city, keep in mind that it is still worth a stop. If your time is really limited, just visit the cathedral of Burgos and you won’t regret it.

How many days to spend in Burgos

A day in Burgos felt like enough time for me, but you can easily plan a weekend getaway in the city. Especially, if you can rent a car and explore the region via day trips (you can find the suggestions at the end of this post).

Where to stay in Burgos

Some of the most unique hotels in Burgos are NH Collection Palacio de Burgos and Landa, but you can find a huge offer for apartments with views, like BELLA VISTA or MIRADA A LA CATEDRAL.

One day in Burgos Itinerary (+map)

If you’re planning to spend one day in Burgos, here’s how to make the most of your time. You can check it out on Google Maps here.

Visiting the Burgos Cathedral

We started this itinerary in Burgos at the Paseo del Espolón, a tree-lined promenade by the Arlanzón River, where we found a parking spot and made a quick stop at Burgos’ central square, Plaza Mayor. Walking along the famous Arco de Santa María, we headed straight to the cathedral, as it was my most important stop of the day, and I wasn’t sure how much time we would spend inside.

If you only have one day in Burgos, I recommend visiting the cathedral first thing in the morning since it is the most popular landmark in the city. The Cathedral of Saint Mary of Burgos has been a UNESCO World Heritage site since 1984 (it was the first cathedral in Spain to make the list on its own). The Cathedral of Burgos was built over a long period of time, from 1221 to 1795, so you can easily notice several artistic styles, from Renaissance to Baroque elements. It’s easy to spend a few hours inside, as this architectural masterpiece houses various exhibitions featuring unique altarpieces, paintings, choir stalls, tombs, and sculptures.

The cathedral also contains the tomb of El Cid and his wife, Doña Jimena Díaz, which has been there since 1921( you can learn more about El Cid from this list of Spanish documentaries).

The Old Town of Burgos & Its Arches

Burgos used to be a walled city; however, only a few arches have survived to the present day. The most spectacular ones are Arco de San Juan, Arco de San Martín, and Arco de Santa María. The last one, located next to the cathedral, was built during the 14th and 15th centuries and served as the main city entrance throughout the Middle Ages.

Another important building in the center of Burgos is the Casa del Cordón, which was constructed in the 15th century for the Constable of Castile, Pedro Fernández de Velasco, and his wife, Mencía de Mendoza.

Before heading to lunch, we also stopped by the bronze statue of El Cid Campeador on horseback (erected in 1955 by sculptor Juan Cristóbal González Quesada) at Plaza Mío Cid.

The Museum of Human Evolution

After lunch, we visited the Museum of Human Evolution. I was mostly curious because it has such high reviews online. This museum is dedicated to exploring the origins and development of human beings. Opened in 2010, it showcases a vast collection of fossils, artifacts, and exhibits related to human evolution, including remarkable discoveries from prehistoric sites around the world. It is definitely a must-stop when visiting Burgos for a day.

Cartuja de Miraflores

Another popular stop in the city is the Monastery of Cartuja de Miraflores, located a bit far from the city center. However, those who wish to visit can take a taxi or bus to get there. As we were visiting Burgos on the road, we didn’t have enough time to see it. But for those considering spending a night in Burgos, this site is a must-stop.

The Cartuja is a masterpiece of late Gothic architecture, featuring intricate details and a serene atmosphere. Its construction began in the 15th century, commissioned by King John II of Castile, and was completed during the reign of his daughter, Queen Isabella I of Castile (Isabella the Catholic). It houses the royal mausoleum of King John II and Queen Isabella’s brother, Prince Alfonso. The monastery is also known for its stunning altarpiece created by Gil de Siloé.

Here are a few more landmarks you can visit in Burgos:

• The Monastery of las Huelgas
• San Esteban Church
• The Military Museum of Burgos

Restaurants in Burgos

Here are a few top-rated Burgos restaurants you can not miss: Asador San Lorenzo, La Fábrica Restaurante, El Fogon de Jesuson, and Cerveceria Morito.

More things to know about Burgos

Weather in Burgos / Best time to visit Burgos

The entire Spanish region of Castile-Leon is known as one of the coldest areas in Spain, due to its altitude and humidity. I visited Burgos in July, and as you can see from my jacket, it was still a bit chilly in the morning. So, I’d say the summer months are the best time to visit Burgos, as it never gets too hot (a maximum of 27.5C/81.5F on a sunny day). However, fall and spring are also fine. A few years ago, I visited Burgos for work during the winter, and to be honest, it was too cold and windy (around -10C/14F).

What language is spoken in Burgos?

Beyond the major tourist destinations, the level of English can be quite limited, but this shouldn’t deter you from visiting lesser-known spots in Spain. Just have Google Translate ready and learn a few basic Spanish phrases for your trip. You can also seek assistance at local tourist offices, and most central restaurants offer English menus. Keep in mind that older generations of Spaniards (those who had access to education) often learned French as a second language rather than English. So, it’s generally easier to ask for directions in English from younger people.

Day trips from Burgos

• The lesser known region of Soria (read more in this post)
• The Abbey of Santo Domingo de Silos (one of the secret Spanish monasteries)
• The medieval village of Frias
• The villages of Covarrubias, Peñafiel, Oña, and Lerma
• The Spanish Wineries in Logroño
• The city of Santander or Bilbao

Is Burgos Worth Visiting?

Burgos is 100% worth visiting. The Cathedral of Saint Mary is one of the most stunning architectural monuments in Spain. So, I highly recommend including it in your Northern Spain Itinerary of the Pyrenees Road Trip from Madrid. On a more personal note, I made a stop in Burgos on the road from Valencia to Asturias, and my only regret was not visiting Burgos earlier. I certainly felt like the city belongs on the list of the most underrated cities in Spain.

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