Free walking tours in Sigüenza and what to see

Must-sees

Sigüenza is a small town of reddish stone climbing a hillside between the cathedral and the castle. The cathedral of Santa María blends Romanesque and Gothic and holds the tomb of the Doncel, a sculpture of a young knight reading that is the town's great icon. At the top, the castle was the bishops' residence and is now a parador.

Between the two lies the medieval quarter, with Calle Mayor, the Romanesque churches of San Vicente and Santiago and several manor houses. The Renaissance Plaza Mayor opens next to the cathedral. Lower down is the San Roque district, with its orderly layout and 18th-century houses, and the Alameda, a tree-lined promenade that is very pleasant at the end of the day.

Free tours and guided visits

Sigüenza has the occasional tip-based free tour, mostly at weekends, which walks the town from the cathedral to the castle and explains its history as a bishop's seat. The most recommended paid guided visit is the cathedral, which lets you see the sacristy, the cloister and the Doncel's chapel at leisure. There are also theatrical walks at some times of year.

To get out of town, there are excursions to the Río Dulce gorge, with viewpoints and trails, and to the village of Pelegrina, beside its castle ruins. Atienza and the Imón salt pans are other nearby options, as is Medinaceli, already in Soria. They are short drives that fit well into a morning or an afternoon.

How long to spend

Sigüenza can be seen well in a day. Spend the morning on the cathedral and Plaza Mayor, and the afternoon walking up Calle Mayor to the castle and down to the Alameda. With a full weekend you can add the Río Dulce gorge and a village or two in the area.

Where to stay

Ideally, stay in the historic centre, between the cathedral and the castle, where there are guesthouses and small hotels in old houses. Sleeping in the parador is an experience in itself if you want to treat yourself. The Alameda and San Roque area is a little lower, flatter and easy to reach by car, without being far from the monuments.