Where to Stay in Cuenca: The Best Hotels for the Hanging Houses and Ciudad Encantada
Cuenca is one of the most dramatic towns in Spain, a UNESCO old town balanced on a ridge between two river gorges, with its famous Hanging Houses leaning out over the cliff. About half an hour away, the Ciudad Encantada is a forest of strange limestone rock formations that's our February pick for Hikers & Mountain Lovers.
In February, Cuenca is cold and quiet, with crisp days that are perfect for walking. Stay in the upper old town for atmosphere and views, or outside the city for space, nature and easier parking. Cuenca is also less than an hour from Madrid by high-speed train, which makes it an easy add-on.
Here are the best places to stay in Cuenca, chosen for different travelers and different priorities.
Best Location: Posada de San José
Posada de San José is a historic building on the edge of the old town, overlooking the Huécar gorge, with exposed beams, uneven floors and a terrace with one of the best views in Cuenca.
You're a short walk from the cathedral, the Hanging Houses and the Museum of Abstract Art, and the tapas restaurant downstairs makes evenings easy.
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Best Value: La Casita de Cabrejas
La Casita de Cabrejas is a working-farm guesthouse in Jábaga, in the countryside among vineyards outside Cuenca, with rustic rooms, a pool, regional cooking and its own adventure company for outdoor activities.
Rates are lower than in the old town, and it's a great base for combining Cuenca with hiking in the Serranía.
Best for Families: Hotel Boutique Pinar
Hotel Boutique Pinar is a set of chic bungalows in the countryside just outside Cuenca, about four miles from the Hanging Houses, with family suites and a long list of activities: horse riding, cycling, hiking and canoeing.
For kids, space to run and things to do beat a tiny room in a medieval street, and you're well placed for the drive up to the Ciudad Encantada.
Luxury: Parador de Cuenca
The Parador de Cuenca occupies a former 16th-century convent on the far side of the Huécar gorge, directly facing the Hanging Houses, and you reach the old town across the iron San Pablo bridge.
The view of the old town from here, especially when it's lit up at night, is the classic image of Cuenca. There's a restaurant, a gym and an outdoor pool for warmer months.
Most Unique: Parador de Alarcón
About an hour south of Cuenca, the Parador de Alarcón is a medieval castle above a bend in the Júcar river, with four-poster beds, a garden terrace and a gourmet restaurant.
It's a detour, not a base for Cuenca, but one night here makes a road trip through Castilla-La Mancha unforgettable.
Not Sure Yet? Search All Cuenca Hotels
If none of these fit your exact dates or budget, Stay22 lets you search all available accommodation in and around Cuenca in one place, including apartments in the old town and rural houses in the Serranía.
Continue Planning Your Trip to Cuenca
Cuenca and the Ciudad Encantada are our February pick for Hikers & Mountain Lovers. Here's everything that goes with this guide.
Nearby: Where to Stay in Madrid in December (First-Timer's Guide): The Best Hotels for Every Traveler
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