Jaén
Hotels in Jaén (2)
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Jaén, the unexpected capital of slow life
An island in the middle of an ocean of olive trees. This is how they have described the city of Jaén, the smallest capital of Andalusia, and one of the least known. Comfortable, friendly and approachable, its ancient legacy is still preserved in monuments such as the magnificent Santa Catalina Castle, which overlooks it. Also in the narrow streets that end in small squares in its Jewish quarter, one of the largest in Europe.
Jaén, even though it is the capital, still has the air of a town with a slow life, although it does have some exceptional monuments: one of them is the Cathedral of the Assumption, with a spectacular exterior and no less fascinating interior. On the street leading up to it, Bernabé Soriano, you will savour all the charm of the centre.
Did we say "savour"? It was inevitable that flavour would come up when talking about Jaén, whose windows emanate a delicious aroma of the local stew, puchero.
It is not just "the usual" that is done well here. The city is beginning to emerge as a first class gastronomic capital thanks to its spectacular fresh produce and the flair of some of its best chefs who have recently put Jaén on the Michelin Star map.
Its excellent olive oil, mushrooms and game set the tone for a cuisine born of the land around the capital.
Here you will find wonders such as Linares, a town with a deep historical past where you will love to wander through the streets. To get to know it, stay at the Sercotel Hotel Santiago, an elegant and sophisticated 4-star hotel located in the centre of the town where you can begin and end your visit.
Some of your must-see stops include the Hospital Museum of the Marquises of Linares; the beautiful Plaza del Gallo, surrounded by 16th and 17th century streets; the house of the Pajares family, one of the many palaces preserved in the town, or the ruins of Cástulo, the ancient Ibero-Roman city. And, of course, any of its excellent tapas bars!
Cazorla, the gateway to the Natural Park you can't miss in Jaén
Félix Rodríguez de la Fuente was enthralled by it, and no wonder. We are talking about the spectacular, unspoilt landscapes of the Sierra de Cazorla, Segura y Las Villas Natural Park. To get to know them, stay in Cazorla (Jaén), a charming little village that acts as the gateway to the area.
There you will be captivated by the Castillo de la Yedra, by the little white houses over which the imposing mountains rise. You can't help but feel small in front of the awe-inspiring ruins of a colossal church that was never finished, the church of Santa Maria.
You will also enjoy the picturesque circular route that ends at the source of the river Cerezuelo, and lose yourself in its charming and stately streets.
In one of them, in the very centre, you will find our Sercotel Hotel Ciudad de Cazorla, located at the entrance to the Natural Park. But before heading there, stop off at the local shops selling olive oil, artisan cheeses and Iberian pâtés, where you can sample the rich raw materials that form the basis of the extraordinary cuisine of Jaén.
With your backpack full, you can now embark on an adventure, seeing endless olive groves, forests, rivers and numerous hiking trails.
Our favourite is the Borosa River, which will guide you along the riverbed through tracks, rock-stepped footbridges and bridges, through a landscape of unparalleled beauty made up of waterfalls and lagoons that will be etched forever in your mind... and in your heart.