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From Wikitravel

Cuenca is a town in the Cuenca Region of Spain.

[edit] Understand

Cuenca is situated between Madrid and Valencia, in the third least populated region in Europe, and the town itself is a world heritage site - the old town is an outstanding example of a medieval city, built on the steep sides of a mountain. The many casas colgadas ("hanging houses") are built right up to the cliff edge, making Cuenca one of the most striking towns in Spain, a gem (not the only one) in the otherwise largely province of Castilla La Mancha.

[edit] Get in

Cuenca lies on the secondary rail route from Madrid to Valencia with at least four trains each way daily. The journey takes around 2½ hours from Madrid and 3½ from Valencia. The trains have poor quality, it would be better travel on road (1h 30m from Madrid), althought starting 2010-2011, Cuenca will have high speed trains (45m from Madrid). It's a popular weekend destination, for lovers, artists and romantic people, so hotels are often less crowded during the week.

There is a coach station called Cuenca bus station in the centre of Cuenca that travels to nearby cities. Travel time to Madrid is approximately 2 hours and it is about the same travel time to Valencia, costing around 12 euros.

[edit] Get around

Its best to go by car, but if you don't mind walking there is much that can been seen and done in the center of town.

[edit][add listing] See

• Museum of Spanish Abstract Art, Calle Canónigos 16001, +34 969212983. Cuenca was the longtime home of artist and photographer Fernando Zóbel, and he chose it as the location for the museum, located in two converted centuries-old "casas colgadas". Many of the pictures hang in glorious isolation with an entire wall for a single picture, and a few windows provide imposing views out over the gorge.
• Archeological museum. Dedicated largely to Roman finds in the area.
• Cathedral. Its façade is unfortunately marred by a nineteenth century attempt at remodeling, but has a beautiful Gothic interior with very detailed (and in some cases seemingly pagan) carvings. There is a near-absolute ban on photography, or even sketching, inside the cathedral, except by obtaining explicit permission, typically granted only on the basis of a portfolio.

[edit][add listing] Do

See the hanging houses by the tourist train that leaves from the Cuenca tourist office on the hour every half an hour. If you have a car you can drive to some beautiful waterfalls in another part of Cuenca.

[edit][add listing] Buy

Because of the museum and because the town is a popular place for visitors from Madrid, Cuenca has a fine collection of small art galleries. You can collect Cuenca souvenirs in the tourist center near town.

[edit][add listing] Eat

Most of the best restaurants are down below in the newer part of town, which is far less picturesque.

Alaju, Morteruelo, Ajo Arriero, Zarajos are the most typical foods

[edit][add listing] Drink

There are some lovely outdoor pubs in the old city of Cuenca. And a more trendy street in the center of town, filled with 10 to 15 clubs. There is also a massive square near this street where people hang out drinking alcohol with friends. High alcohol content liqueur named Resoli

[edit][add listing] Sleep

There is a hotel in the centre of town, its sign H O T E L can be seen from far around Cuenca in all directions. If in doubt ask at the tourist office.

• NH Ciudad de Cuenca, Ronda de San José, 1, +34.96.9230502 [1]. This hotel is located in a new and calm residential zone, a few minutes away from from the commercial centre, the old part of town and the intercity bus and railway stations of the capital.

There are some cheap hostels in town.

• Pension Central, Alonso Chirino 7, Ph. 969 211 511. Cheapest-priced at about 24 euros a double (also cheap is the
• Hostal Mora, Cjón. de San Francisco 1, Ph. 969 214 138.

Both are near the town center.

In old town go to Parador[2]

[edit] Get out