Free walking tours in Úbeda and what to see

Must-sees

Úbeda has been a World Heritage Site since 2003, together with Baeza, for its Renaissance ensemble. Its centrepiece is Plaza Vázquez de Molina. Here stand the Sacred Chapel of El Salvador, the pantheon of Francisco de los Cobos, the Palacio de las Cadenas, now the town hall, and the palace of Deán Ortega, which operates as a parador. On the same square rises the church of Santa María de los Reales Alcázares, with its Gothic cloister.

Beyond that square it is worth wandering without hurry. The Hospital de Santiago, by Andrés de Vandelvira, is a little out of the way but rewards the visit. The Sinagoga del Agua lets you see an underground space with a well and ritual bath. In the San Millán district the pottery tradition lives on, with open workshops. And from the viewpoints on the southern walls you will see a sea of olive trees stretching to the mountains.

Free tours and guided visits

Úbeda has free tours that explore the historic centre on foot. They usually start in Plaza Vázquez de Molina and explain the Andalusian Renaissance, the figure of Vandelvira and the lives of the noble families who built the palaces. You pay what you think it is worth at the end. There are also night walks focusing on legends. If you want to see the interiors, a paid guided visit including the Sacred Chapel of El Salvador is worthwhile. Another very popular option is visiting an olive oil mill with a tasting. Excursions also leave from Úbeda for the Sierras de Cazorla, Segura y Las Villas Natural Park.

How long to spend

A full day is enough to see the essentials of Úbeda. Spend the morning on Plaza Vázquez de Molina and its monuments, and the afternoon on the Hospital de Santiago, the Sinagoga del Agua and the potters. If you add Baeza, about ten kilometres away, allow two days. With a third you can do a route in the Sierra de Cazorla.

Where to stay

The most convenient option is to stay inside the historic centre, between Plaza Vázquez de Molina and Plaza de Andalucía. That way everything is on foot and you can stroll at night, when the streets go quiet. There are hotels in old palaces and manor houses. If you are driving, the area around Plaza de Andalucía makes parking easier without taking you far from the centre.