A Quick Guide to Sigüenza & Why It’s Worth Visiting
Sigüenza is an underrated medieval city in Spain. Located in the Castile-La Mancha autonomous community of Spain, Sigüenza boasts a stunning cathedral, a hilltop castle, museums, and alluring streets. The city itself is surrounded by beautiful nature.
Few international travelers know of this captivating historical city. Sigüenza has a rich history and was influenced by Celtic tribes, the Romans, and Visigoths, and eventually fell under Moorish rule. During the 12th century, Christians controlled the city and it became a hub for the arts, religion, and culture.
The Sigüenza Cathedral is one of the most impressive Cathedrals in Spain and the old Castle is now a fabulous Parador Hotel. These two attractions make Sigüenza worth visiting. Add in the surrounding nature, medieval streets, and an authentic charm, it’s easy to see why this hidden gem will not remain one for much longer.
This quick guide to Sigüenza Spain includes the best way to reach the city, all the reasons its worth visiting, and where to eat and sleep.
Here’s my quick guide to Sigüenza Spain.
Table of Contents
- How to Get to Sigüenza Spain
- How Much Time to Spend in Sigüenza
- The Best Reasons to Visit Sigüenza
- Where to Eat in Sigüenza
- Where to Sleep in Sigüenza
- Conclusion | A Quick Guide to Visiting Sigüenza Spain
How to Get to Sigüenza Spain
Sigüenza is found in the autonomous region of Castile-La Mancha in Spain. It is located in the province of Guadalajara.
The easiest way to access the city is from Madrid. By car, Sigüenza is around an hour and a half from Madrid.
We did things a little differently and included Sigüenza as part of a unique road trip through Spain. My mom and I started in the Basque city of Vitoria-Gasteiz where we explored the best places to see in the La Rioja region and headed south to Soria and the old Roman ruins of Numancia.
We continued south with a quick stop in Medinaceli and then headed to Sigüenza to sleep at the Castle of the Bishops of Sigüenza.
Sigüenza Train Station
Sigüenza has a conveniently located train station on the outskirts of town. Renfe runs a regional train between Madrid Chamartin Train Station to Soria. The train stops in Sigüenza and only takes around an hour and a half.
On Foot
The small hamlet of Sigüenza is a variant option on the Camino de Santiago Camino de Lana route. This Camino de Santiago route starts from Valencia and merges with the Camino Frances in Burgos.
The Camino de Santiago is a life-changing journey, no matter what Camino de Santiago route you choose. All routes lead pilgrims to the incredible city of Santiago de Compostela. One of the best tips for first-time walkers is to listen to your body, pack only what you need, and walk with an open mind.
Sigüenza is also part of the Camino del Cid. This is less of a Camino route and more of a historical long-distance hike.
El Cid (Rodrigo Díaz de Vivar) was a famous 11th-century medieval knight who fought for both the Christian and Moorish armies. The Camino del Cid follows the poem, based loosely on his life from birth to death.
The Camino del Cid is almost 1500 Km long and follows the epic Poem of El Cid, a romanticized and masterpiece piece of literature about the journey of El Cid’s life. The trail starts from his birthplace (Vivar del Cid) near Burgos and ends at Orihuela Alicante, where he died.
How Much Time to Spend in Sigüenza?
The main attractions in Sigüenza are all easy to explore on foot. It would be possible to see most of the highlights in one full day. I think sleeping overnight in Sigüenza is a highlight and must-do activity.
If looking to explore the surrounding hiking trails, natural parks, and villages, spend 2 nights in Sigüenza.
All the Reasons to Visit Sigüenza
Here are some of the best things to do in Sigüenza and why the village is worth a visit.
1 | The Sigüenza Cathedral
I’ve had the opportunity to visit numerous Cathedrals in Spain and the Sigüenza Cathedral has unexpectedly been one of my favorites. Maybe it was because I went in with little expectations, but I was blown away by the pure beauty of this church.
The Sigüenza Cathedral was built during the 12th to 16th centuries and is considered to be a blend of architectural styles from the origins of Romanesque and Cistercian styles with the influence of Gothic elements. The exterior can appear almost like a fortress, but as construction continued, Renaissance styles can be found throughout.
One of the most iconic highlights is the rose window.
The Catherdal of Sigüenza boasts three naves and numerous chapels. Perhaps the most famous is the Chapel of the Doncel, which houses one of the most curious funeral sculptures in Spain.
The statue is of Martín Vasques de Arce who was a Knight of the Order of Santiago and was killed in battle at the young age of 25. It is unknown who created this sepulcher, but it is quite unusual due to the depiction of the young knight. Martín is quite lifelike in his posture and his eyes half open while he appears to be reading a book.
Another noteworthy chapel is the Chapel of the Conception, where a painting by El Greco can be found. The Sacristy of the Heads (Sacristy de Las Cabezas) boasts sculptures of 304 large expressive heads of angels and medallions with an additional 3,000 smaller decorated heads.
For me, a highlight of the Sigüenza Cathedral was the Cathedral museum and seeing the incredible Flemish tapestries. The impressive 16 tapestries were designed during the 17th century and highlight Greek and Roman mythology.
The Sigüenza Cathedral and Museum will take around 2 hours to visit. There is an audio guide included with the visit that has an English option.
Catedral de Santa María de Sigüenza | Find it Here: Pl. del Obispo Don Bernardo | General Admission: €8 | Admission Includes the Diocesan Museum | Cathedral Open: Mon – Fri: 10:30 – 14:00 / 16:00 – 19:30, Sat & Sun: 10:30 – 19:30 | Official Website
Diocesan Museum
The Diocesan Museum is home to sacred art connected with the Cathedral. The Museum is housed in an old 16th-century palace known as the Antigua Casa de los Barrena. It is just across the street from the Cathedral.
The Diocesan Museum has lots of historical artwork and is well organized with plaques and an audio guide. While it is said that the most valuable sacred art can be found in Monforte de Lemos of Galicia, I found this museum to be more engaging and easier to understand.
Inside the Diocesan Museum, there is a fantastic replica of the Sigüenza Cathedral. I spent about a half an hour wandering through the art displays.
Museo Diocesano de Arte Antiguo | Find it Here: Plaza Obispo Don Bernardo | General Admission: Included with the Ticket to the Cathedral (€8) | Museum Open: Daily, 1100 – 14:00 / 16:00 – 19:00
2 | Sleep in the Sigüenza Castle
One of the most memorable things to do in Sigüenza is to spend the night in the Sigüenza Castle.
The hilltop castle has a long history that says to date back to the Romans. Sometime after it was conquered by the Moorish and used as an Islamic citadel.
After the reconquest during the 12th century, the Sigüenza Castle was used as a Bishop’s Palace. This is also why the castle is known as the Castle of the Bishops. The Bishop’s would live here until the 18th century. For a short time, the castle was used as a barracks and as a military hub.
The Castle would rotate between a Bishop’s palace and a fortress. It was also said to be used as an asylum at some point. The castle suffered severe damage from the Civil War in 1936 and was left to sit totally abandoned.
In the year 1971, the castle started with restoration work and was converted into a National Parador Hotel. Parador Hotels have bought many historical buildings in cities from León to Santiago de Compostela and beyond and are worth the splurge.
The Sigüenza Castle is a medieval gem that is now a four-star hotel. The medieval castle is a delight to stay in and offers large rooms with modern comforts.
It’s possible to enjoy breakfast in the large dining hall or a drink from the bar in the lovely outdoor terrace.
Sleeping at the Sigüenza Castle transports visitors back to the medieval times and is a highlight of visiting the city.
➜ Book here to sleep at the Parador de Sigüenza
3 | Wander the Medieval Streets
As an important city during the Middle Ages, Sigüenza has obtained much of its medieval charm. The Castle and Cathedral are the two main attractions, but the village offers many historical places to see.
The Siguenza Plaza Mayor was built during the 15th century and is a must-see. The large open plaza has a few tapas bars and offers views of the town hall and Cathedral.
There are plenty of palaces and churches to see. Some of the old palaces have been converted into small museums or cute shops.
Also, don’t miss the Puerta del Sol, which takes you from the medieval streets to a nice walk outside the city walls.
4 | Sigüenza is Surrounded by Beautiful Nature
While the village of Sigüenza is worth visiting, it also makes for a great place to see the surrounding nature. Just outside the city are plenty of hiking trails.
Sigüenza and the surrounding landscapes are also placed on the UNESCO Tentative list for the Sigüenza and Atienza Sweet and Salty Landscape. This area was home to many salt mines that helped bring wealth and interest to the area during the Middle Ages. Many nearby villages were formed and flourished due to the rich and unique ecosystem.
Perhaps one of the best places to explore nature is in Barranco del Río Dulce Natural Park. Here, find plenty of hiking trails among the river valley surrounded by limestone cliffs. The Natural Park is home to forests, trails, and lots of flora and fauna. This is a great overview of some of the best hiking trails in the park.
5 | Get off the Beaten Path in Spain
Again, Sigüenza is a beautiful medieval city that highlights the influence of the Romans, Moors, Visigoths, and Catholic Bishops. There are many historical buildings and beautiful nature and the best thing is that Sigüenza is not known to international tourists.
The city does enjoy domestic tourism, so it’s a great place to savor a more authentic side of Spain. For those international tourists looking to get off the beaten path in Spain, Sigüenza is a fantastic option.
Where to Eat in Sigüenza
There are plenty of different places to eat in Sigüenza. One of the busiest places in town is the Plaza Mayor with a few different restaurant options. Many of these restaurants serve tapas or a menu del dia. This makes for a great place to grab a coffee in the early morning.
Another fantastic place to eat is El Rosetón. This little restaurant offers traditional Spanish cuisine and great tostadas in the morning. Be mindful that this is a small restaurant and it can fill up.
My mom and I had a fantastic meal at L’Antigua. Located steps away from Alameda Park, this fun restaurant had delicious and fresh food along with excellent service. Order the tomato salad, you’re welcome.
Steps away from the Castle, Restaurante Taberna Seguntina is a highly rated traditional restaurant in Sigüenza.
Foodies will love the culinary experience at Restaurante Calle RompeCulos.
A fun place to catch a drink and snacks is at Taberna El Boliche which has a terrace next to the Plazuela de la Cárcel.
Where to Sleep in Sigüenza Spain
By far the most popular place to sleep in Sigüenza is the Parador Hotel. We spent the night in this old castle and absolutely loved our stay.
There are lots of accommodation options in Sigüenza for every type of budget.
➜ El Albergue de Sigüenza offers a shared dorm-style room for budget travelers, especially for those walking or biking the Camino de Santiago. Albergues are simple accommodation options that are kind of like hostels. This Albergue does offer private rooms and accepts reservations.
➜ Hostal Puerta Medina is a budget accommodation option known for having welcoming hosts and is located steps away from the Cathedral and Alameda Park.
➜ Casa del Castillo boasts rooms with balconies.
➜ Casa Sigüenza is a highly rated apartment located in the city.
➜ Browse all the best places to stay in Sigüenza Spain
Conclusion | A Quick Guide to Sigüenza Spain
In short, this is a quick guide to visiting Sigüenza Spain. This historical city is found in the Castile-La Mancha region of Spain and still remains a hidden gem to many international tourists touring Spain.
This quick guide includes how to best visit, what to see and do in Sigüenza, and reasons to add this hidden gem to your Spain itinerary.
There are many reasons to visit this medieval city, but the two most popular attractions in Sigüenza are the stunning Cathedral and the hilltop Castle. The town is surrounded by a unique ecosystem, making it a place to see for those seeking time in nature.
Sigüenza had so much charm that it became a highlight of my last trip to Spain.
Have you visited Sigüenza or heard of this medieval city? What did you think? Let me know in the comments below!
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