There are plenty of reasons to travel to Úbeda, one of the most visited cities in the Andalusian province of Jaén due to its spectacular cultural heritage, surrounded by nature that will make your trip even more enjoyable.
Furthermore, we cannot forget that with more than 6,000 years of age, it is the oldest city in Western Europe. A place where it is very easy to enjoy the culture of past peoples, mixing parts of their Baroque, Visigoth, Roman and Muslim influences. You are also in an area that has been declared -together with Baeza- World Heritage Site, so you can imagine its importance.
As we were saying, there are many reasons to travel to Úbeda, but we would like to highlight the most striking ones in the area also known as the City of Hills.
The first stop on your journey should be at the Plaza Vázquez de Molina, where there are different emblematic elements such as the Basilica of Santa María de los Reales Alcázares, also known as the Main Church, and where different architectural styles are mixed as a result of the periods of construction of the same.
Another important building that you will see from this square is the Palacio Vázquez de Molina, with a typical Renaissance façade that today houses the Úbeda City Hall. You will also see the Sacra Capilla del Salvador which is one of the most characteristic photographs of the city. A funeral temple ordered to be built by Francisco de los Cobos, and next to the Palacio Vela de los Cobos, owned by the same family. A building built by the major ruler of Úbeda with one of the most impressive facades you will ever see.
To finish with the places of interest you will see in one of the city's main squares, you cannot forget the Palacio del Deán Ortega, which is currently the Parador. One of the most representative palaces of the Spanish Renaissance movement.
But our visit does not end here, because there are lots of places you will find walking around its streets and alleys. One of the most curious is the Bishop's Prison, which was exactly the place where the priests were serving their religious sentences. We also recommend that you visit one of the surprises that Úbeda gave during some construction work: The Water Synagogue, a Jewish place of worship dating before the 16th century.
Úbeda is full of religious buildings, since, in addition to all the above, there are two churches, St. Paul's, one of the oldest, and St. Michael's, which is now a convent of Carmelite fathers. The latter can be visited free of charge.
Do you want spectacular views of the city? Then the Wall of Úbeda, an Asset of Cultural Interest, is your star place. A corner at the foot of this fortress, which dates back to the 10th century and is largely preserved, awaits you to immortalise a spectacular panorama.
With so much to see around the city, you're bound to get hungry - no problem! We are going to give you some of the delicious typical dishes of the area. The influence of cultures in its heritage is also present in the gastronomy, with some brushstrokes of the Andalusian cuisine present in recipes with vegetables or game meat. The migas, ochío and the hornazo typical of Easter, will be a constant in their establishments. And since you are in Jaén, enjoy the quality of their olive oil.
If you also want to enjoy its festivals, Easter (or Holy Week, as it is known in Spain) in Úbeda is one of the events of the year, being in this area a Festival of National Tourist Interest.
Enjoy your trip!
