Travel back in time in Jaen, an ancient city framed by a centuries-old fortress and a beautiful medieval cathedral. The city is quintessentially Andalucian and will charm you with its walkable historic centre filled with wine bars and tapas restaurants.
Things to do in Jaén
Castillo de Santa Catalina soars over the city from atop a rocky cliff. The castle is virtually impregnable and was once an important stronghold for Fernando III, the King of Castile. Get up to speed on the castle’s turbulent history at the museum and enjoy superb views over the surrounding countryside strewn with olive groves.
Catedral de la Asunción towers over the city and welcomes you with a magnificent Renaissance façade. You’ll be amazed by the elegant arches, enormous Corinthian columns and soaring central dome. If you have time, drop in for a drink at the atmospheric restaurant. Sip wine under the soaring vaulted ceiling and enjoy spectacular views over the Guadalquivir Valley and distant peaks of the Sierra Morena.
Check out the fascinating archaeological collection at Museo Provincial. Highlights include prehistoric stone tools, Roman mosaics and fine art from throughout the centuries. Nearby is the ultra-modern Íbero Museo, where you can dive deeper into the unique history, culture and traditions of the Iberian peninsula.
Tables spill onto the streets and serve mouth-watering tapas and wines by the glass. Try Andalucian favourites like “salmorejo” cold tomato soup and “pescaito frito” fried fish. Olive oil is a local speciality and drizzled generously on most dishes. Savour wafer-thin Iberian ham and bite into crispy “chicharrones” pork belly. Cool off with a glass of freshly-squeezed orange juice or a pitcher of sangria.
Getting around Jaén
Jaen is pedestrian-friendly and easy to get around on foot. The city is in southern Spain, a one-hour drive from Granada and two hours from Malaga. Trains run between Malaga and Jaen in three hours. Malaga Airport is a two-hour drive away.