Plaza Mayor de Cuenca
Plaza Mayor de Cuenca
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
4.0
332 reviews
Excellent
87
Very good
167
Average
72
Poor
3
Terrible
3
Terry M
Hamilton, Canada4,897 contributions
Oct 2021
Little things attract your eye about this main plaza. It has a rather grand entrance at its low point. The Cathedral of course dominates the square. Roads veer off in every direction, including more uphills if so inclined. Restaurants and shops of course are present.
Written November 8, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
johnhouston2
Knaresborough, UK5,330 contributions
Jun 2022 • Couples
Although Cuenca’s Plaza Mayor is on the small side, it is an attractive square. It is dominated at the top end (it’s on a slope) by the impressive Cathedral, and an attractive row of coloured buildings lead down to an arched gateway at the bottom end. And that’s pretty much it; there’s not a lot to it, but what there is is rather nice.
Written June 3, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Luis-in-Arizona
Gilbert, AZ589 contributions
Sep 2016 • Family
The Plaza Mayor (the Main Square) is a charming historic square with an irregular form. It is not really square but uneven and sloping. The plaza begins wide at the top and tapers down to the town hall. It is small but without arcades so people cannot be protected from sun or rain
As most main plazas in Spain, it has everything you need: a Cathedral, a town hall, a bank and s, bars, colorful buildings, and shops. But, it has something that makes the square attractive. The painted medieval houses, beautiful buildings, and the cathedral make this place enchanted and may take you back to magical times. This plaza has beautiful views and great photo opportunities. It is the center of life for the city, Here, you will find locals who sit and sip a coffee, a beer at outside restaurant tables. The cafes, bars, and restaurants are bustling with a nice mix of locals and tourists. People watching is the local’s and tourist’s favorite pastime, But, It is best visited when you can avoid the crowds. Traffic through the plaza and buses could be annoying. This square can be reached from the “new Cuenca” walking up hill through the winding streets to enjoy the plaza upon arrival.
Note: public restrooms can be reached down the stairs on the left side of the Plaza
As most main plazas in Spain, it has everything you need: a Cathedral, a town hall, a bank and s, bars, colorful buildings, and shops. But, it has something that makes the square attractive. The painted medieval houses, beautiful buildings, and the cathedral make this place enchanted and may take you back to magical times. This plaza has beautiful views and great photo opportunities. It is the center of life for the city, Here, you will find locals who sit and sip a coffee, a beer at outside restaurant tables. The cafes, bars, and restaurants are bustling with a nice mix of locals and tourists. People watching is the local’s and tourist’s favorite pastime, But, It is best visited when you can avoid the crowds. Traffic through the plaza and buses could be annoying. This square can be reached from the “new Cuenca” walking up hill through the winding streets to enjoy the plaza upon arrival.
Note: public restrooms can be reached down the stairs on the left side of the Plaza
Written October 16, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Cora T
Hong Kong, China50 contributions
Apr 2019 • Couples
Take a coffee or meals at the plaza, relaxed and slowed down after viewing the Easter performance. The plaza is not large but the Cathedral and Mayor house are just a few steps away.
Written May 5, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Mharty53
Edinburgh, UK76 contributions
Apr 2016 • Friends
Lovely main square with painted medieval houses and a magnificent cathedral. The cafes, bars and restaurants are bustling and perfect to hang out in to watch people. It's got a really nice mix of locals and tourists, isn't annoyingly trendy and is a perfect size to feel comfortable and safe in. We weren't bothered once by beggars or buskers (unlike most European tourist towns including the one I come from).... There is a fairly steady stream of traffic but it's not congested or obtrusive or polluted. There are a few tourist gift shops but not hard-sell or unmanageably tacky. The Cathedral is the crowning glory of the square and even sitting on the step taking in the sounds and sights for a while is a good way to relax.
Written April 3, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
kimmel173
Clinton, MS15 contributions
May 2019
Do not miss the chance to walk UP the hill from new Cuenca to the plaza. You can reward yourself with lunch, dinner, or coffee, and watch the world go by. This is one of our all-time favorite spots to just relax and enjoy each other's company in a completely relaxed environment. You are steps away from history, hanging houses, beautiful museums, and amazing architecture.
Written September 16, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Melsy1
Ipswich, UK4,317 contributions
Aug 2019 • Couples
There's some lovely coloured houses, the cathedral, bars and the town hall and its arches.
The only issue is its busy with traffic and cars parking and unloading all the time that it makes it feel noisy and a bit chaotic..
Don't get me wrong it's not busy, busy but I think as the overall feel of everywhere else in the old town is calm..it makes this area feel it.
This is the area where you can catch the line 1 bus to the bus and or train station.
In the morning it is shaded where the cafes are so if you want to eat breakfast out early (by that I mean before 10am) suggest taking a light weight coat or wrap..as it can feel a little bit chilly.. even in summer.
Pretty in the evening with the buildings lit up.
The only issue is its busy with traffic and cars parking and unloading all the time that it makes it feel noisy and a bit chaotic..
Don't get me wrong it's not busy, busy but I think as the overall feel of everywhere else in the old town is calm..it makes this area feel it.
This is the area where you can catch the line 1 bus to the bus and or train station.
In the morning it is shaded where the cafes are so if you want to eat breakfast out early (by that I mean before 10am) suggest taking a light weight coat or wrap..as it can feel a little bit chilly.. even in summer.
Pretty in the evening with the buildings lit up.
Written September 8, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Beachcouple57
Toronto, Canada134 contributions
Oct 2016 • Couples
We love to the visit the local squares when touring Spain. They are all very similar but a little unique
Written October 15, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
JAS4805
Liverpool, UK1,489 contributions
Aug 2016 • Family
Cuenca as a whole is stunning, the Plaza Mayor is nothing special by Spanish Standards, perhaps they think they don't need to try? There are no cash machines and not all the bars accept cards so do ask prior to ordering.
unlike many Plaza this is not pedestrianized a road runs through the middle and is very busy.
We drank in the first bar on the left as you enter through the Arches the waitress was very nice but the girl/lady 30 ish behind the bar was horrible, not usually experienced in Spain, on leaving she actually gave me the card machine over her shoulder I speak Spanish and was very tempted to ask her what the problem was but decided people like her are not to have time wasted on them, she was a disgrace to Spain whose people I have without exception found friendly and kind,
unlike many Plaza this is not pedestrianized a road runs through the middle and is very busy.
We drank in the first bar on the left as you enter through the Arches the waitress was very nice but the girl/lady 30 ish behind the bar was horrible, not usually experienced in Spain, on leaving she actually gave me the card machine over her shoulder I speak Spanish and was very tempted to ask her what the problem was but decided people like her are not to have time wasted on them, she was a disgrace to Spain whose people I have without exception found friendly and kind,
Written September 4, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Turista-Inglesa
Estepona, Spain45,016 contributions
Jun 2016 • Couples
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It is the main square - that's what Plaza Mayor means. And it has one at each end two interesting monuments - the Cathedral, and the Archways of the Ayuntamiento - the Town Hall, which make a very good job of strangling the traffic, so that there has to be a traffic light in the centre of the square.
The cathedral has a curious false facade, pretending to be taller than it actually is, so that you can see the sky and the clouds through the false windows. It is attractive next to the brightly-coloured houses standing in a row next to it.
The centre of life for the city, the Plaza Mayor is where the main cultural events - especially Holy Week - take place, and where everyone comes at one time or another to sit and sip a coffee, a beer, a sherry, and watch the world go by.
You too can join in this favourite pastime of the Conquenses - that's what they call the inhabitants of Cuenca.
It is the main square - that's what Plaza Mayor means. And it has one at each end two interesting monuments - the Cathedral, and the Archways of the Ayuntamiento - the Town Hall, which make a very good job of strangling the traffic, so that there has to be a traffic light in the centre of the square.
The cathedral has a curious false facade, pretending to be taller than it actually is, so that you can see the sky and the clouds through the false windows. It is attractive next to the brightly-coloured houses standing in a row next to it.
The centre of life for the city, the Plaza Mayor is where the main cultural events - especially Holy Week - take place, and where everyone comes at one time or another to sit and sip a coffee, a beer, a sherry, and watch the world go by.
You too can join in this favourite pastime of the Conquenses - that's what they call the inhabitants of Cuenca.
Written June 22, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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