[2025 Cuenca Attraction] Travel Guide for Historic Walled Town of Cuenca (Updated Apr)

On the way from Madrid to Seville, you will pass through several ancient towns located on the high plains. Typical tours often stop at a few places, such as the ancient city of Toledo and the windmill town of Consuegra. This time, we made a special stop at the less-visited 'cliffside mountain town' of Cuenca. When it comes to Cuenca, the most famous landmark is undoubtedly the 'Hanging Houses' (Casas Colgadas) perched on steep cliffs. The Hanging Houses were once a summer palace for the royal family and have undergone several renovations. In the 18th century, they were transformed into the town hall, and today they serve as an art museum and restaurant, showcasing Spanish abstract art. The houses are built on vertical cliffs that drop down to the river valley below, with balconies extending out over the rock face, creating a stunning visual effect. The town is connected to the outside world by a red steel bridge that spans the gorge, offering great photo opportunities. You can plan a day trip from Madrid or Valencia, or if you want to enjoy a moment of tranquility in the mountain town, you can choose to stay overnight at the Parador de Cuenca, a state-run hotel.

Cuenca Serrania de Cuenca is located in the city of Cuenca, which flourished due to the wool trade in the late Middle Ages and is famous for its silver manufacturing. In the 19th century it developed towards the nearby lowlands. The Upper Town (Old Town) has narrow streets and many houses built of white rocks. There is a Gothic church built in 1197. The lower city (new city) was built on the plain on the west bank of the Ukar River. Industries include leather, flour, paper, furniture, fertilizers and woolen textiles. There are many ancient buildings in the city. The ancient city of Cuenca was listed as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1996. The spectacular scenery of the steep cliffs formed by river erosion has also made it known as the "enchanted city". Casas Colgadas, the hanging houses in the air, is its famous landmark. Although it was built in the 14th century and was the royal villa at that time, it is now an art gallery and restaurant. The cathedral on the main square was also built in the 13th century and is a Gothic building. ⛺【City Features】: Cuenca’s iron-walled fortress surrounds strategic territory and showcases its unique urban structure, making it an impressive combination of geography and elegance. The Museum of Spanish Abstract Art houses many important works of the Spanish school of abstract art: Saura, Millares, Tápies, Torner and Zóbel. The Antonio Pérez Foundation features works by prestigious Spanish and foreign artists and an important collection of contemporary art. The collection of the Cuenca Provincial Museum includes archaeological remains from prehistory and the history of Cuenca that have been rediscovered in the province. The Castilla Science Museum is dedicated to explaining the formation of the Earth, the emergence of life and the evolution of mankind. Cuenca's pottery making is highly regarded and appreciated in Spain. Another important local craft is wool craft, first of all those knotty wool blankets and tapestries are a thing of the past, but those traditional crafts have been saved and improved thanks to the memory and records of local artisans. Paper has been available in Cuenca since the 16th century. Today, Cuenca's papermaking technology has been improved into several types of Cuenca handicraft paper. Cuenca handicraft paper has an excellent reputation and is used to make a variety of beautiful items. The iconic building in Cuenca is the hanging house Casas Colgadas, which is also a must-visit place when visiting Cuenca. It is called the hanging house because the house is built on the edge of a cliff, and most of its area extends outside the cliff. The entire building is of special historical age. The Hanging House was probably built in the 14th century. It is a Gothic building. It was once used as a royal villa, city government, etc., but now it has been converted into an abstract art gallery. 🛬【Travel Tips】: Cuenca Ancient City is not very big, and the farthest attraction is only 1.5 kilometers away. Basically, the tour is mainly on foot. Among them, the Monument to Saint Jesus and other attractions are not on the way and are independent attractions. Because this attraction is located on a high ground, you can overlook the entire ancient city of Cuenca.

#100WaysOfTravel Shocking beauty | Cuenca's most distinctive hanging house Cuenca is the capital of Cuenca Province in Spain. It was first built by the Moors in the 8th century. It is an outstanding example of a medieval fortress city, retaining its original town landscape and many typical religious and secular buildings from the 12th to the 18th century. Cuenca is located on a steep hillside at the intersection of the Vecal River and the Huca River Valley, 170 kilometers east of Madrid. In 1996, Cuenca was listed as a world cultural heritage by UNESCO. The hanging house is a famous landmark of the ancient city of Cuenca. It was built on the top of the cliff in the 15th century, as if it had grown out of the rock. The three-story wooden balcony hangs above the cliff, bringing extremely shocking visual effects. It was once used as a city hall, but now it has been converted into the Spanish Museum of Abstract Art and opened to the public. The driver said that it would be closed before 3 p.m., so we should calculate the time and go early. It is said to be a museum, which feels more like a fashionable and modern villa with a sense of design. I like the three windows on the top floor and the scenery facing the cliff the most, which is like three paintings.

Kunka is located in the central part of Spain. Like all historic towns, it has a cathedral, a large square, local specialties of pastries and wine. Kunka also has an unparalleled feature, which is built on a cliff. There is also a high city in the city. The suspension bridge is flanked by hanging houses and castle hotels as landmarks. Because of the different sunlight, there are different scenery in the morning, noon and night. When night falls, the square and bars are quiet, and the hanging houses and suspension bridge are shrouded in a soft and peaceful yellow light. If you are lucky enough to stay in the castle hotel opposite the hanging house, you can get up early to see the empty square and cathedral. On both sides of the cathedral are residential buildings painted in different colors, making the ordinary architecture a scenery in the painting. Sit on the main square and continue to climb higher. There are always steps guiding you away from the main road, pausing to look at the distant mountain roads and rivers. Beyond the city walls, there are bustling bars and restaurants. The city continues to thrive at high altitude. Every bar is a great place to enjoy the view. The mountains quietly listen to the laughter of tourists, using their broad arms to separate the high-rise buildings and the bustling traffic, leaving only people and mountains.