Short introduction to Burgos
What are you going to find in this article?
Burgos It is a city with a great culinary culture, the seat of one of the most beautiful cathedrals in Spain and the birthplace of the mythical knight, Rodrigo Díez de Vivar, better known as El Cid.
It is an ideal tourist destination for those who are interested in history, art, religion and gastronomy. Also for those who want to avoid the heat in summer, since Burgos It is one of the coldest cities in Spain and the normal thing is that during the nights of July and August you do not wear a long sleeve.
In a weekend you can visit the most important places in the city, although for a complete visit it is better to dedicate 3 to 4 days. If you are going to spend a week on vacation, it would be advisable to make some trips to see other places in the province of Burgos, such as Aranda de Duero, the Merindades, the Belorado mines or the medieval town of Frías.
How to get to Burgos city?
As the provincial capital, Burgos has a train station and an airport, but the most common way to travel to Burgos is by road. Its main communication route is the A1, which connects Madrid with Burgos and continues towards the Basque Country. Secondarily it also has excellent road access from León, to the west, and from La Rioja, to the east.
Flights: Currently the Burgos Villafría Airport is active but it does not have regular flights, something paradoxical, but true. The facilities are open almost all year round, despite the fact that there are only a few punctual charter flights in the summer months. If you are traveling from outside of Spain, to get to Burgos it is practical to fly to Barajas airport, Madrid. From there you can take one of the transports that I suggest below.
Train: Burgos is one of the few stops that make the trains that go from Madrid to Bilbao, but the schedules of these trains are limited. It is a comfortable transport but you must check that it suits you.
Bus: It is for many people the best way to go to the city of Burgos. Their prices are cheaper than the rest of the transport options and you have many options available. There are more cities that are connected by bus to Burgos, and for the journey from Madrid the schedules are very complete. The time it can take to make the journey is the biggest drawback.
Car: Don't rule out traveling with your own vehicle or renting a car at Madrid-Barajas airport. Its main advantage is the mobility it gives you, which allows you, for example, to make a stop in Aranda de Duero to taste its wines and roast lamb.
What monuments to see in Burgos?
(c) Can Stock Photo
If this is your first visit to the city, it is advisable to first climb to the highest point in Burgos, the castle. From there and with a map in hand it is easier to plan the day.
Burgos Castle: from its battlements you will be able to see a wonderful panoramic view of the old town, with the impressive spiers of the cathedral in its center. Do not forget to visit the museum inside the castle that shows the past of the city through the history of the fortification.
Cathedral of Santa María: Essential! Even if you only have 24 hours to see the city, visit without hesitation this spectacular work of architecture that has been declared a World Heritage Site. It was the first Gothic cathedral in Spain, a great cult center in the Middle Ages, and it remains an important religious center and a point of passage on pilgrimage through the Camino de Santiago.
Main Square: For more than a century, the city's old market square has been a beautiful arcaded square containing the town hall and several bars where you can eat or have a beer while taking a break. If you want to take a walk, nearby, bordering the Arlanzón river, there is the Paseo del Espolón and the famous statue of the Cid Campeador.
Royal Monastery of Las Huelgas: If you like the stained glass windows in the Cathedral, your next destination should be the monastery founded by King Alfonso VIII of Castile in 1189, Las Huelgas. Its stained glass windows are the oldest preserved in Spain and inside are the tombs of part of the Castilian royal family.
Convent of the Cartuja de Miraflores: 3 km from the city center is another of the most important religious buildings in Burgos. It is a Carthusian convent that you can reach by bus, in your car or walking along a pedestrian route. In addition to the building's own beauty, you have to add that of the sacred painting works and that of the tomb of Kings Juan II and Isabel of Portugal.
Other places of interest: the historic center still preserves some of the gates that crossed the walls in the Middle Ages and the Casa del Cordón, the former home of the Constables. You can also visit the Renaissance-style Palace of Castilfalé, the Principal Theater, or the church of San Lesmes. Among the museums, the CAB, of modern art, the Museum of the Book and the Museum of Burgos, which collects archaeological remains found throughout the province, stands out.
Visit the MEH and the Atapuerca deposits
Burgos is also known internationally for the archaeological sites of Atapuerca and to a lesser extent by the Museum of Human Evolution, which is where some of the most important prehistoric remains in the world are collected and exhibited to the public, explains how archaeologists work and everything we know about man's prehistoric past. It's a good one visit to do with children, who really like to see the models of the different species of men and the skeletons of prehistoric animals that are in the upper part.
At the MEH (Museum of Human Evolution) ticket offices you can buy an integrated ticket that includes a visit to the museum, a trip on a shuttle bus to Atapuerca and a guided tour of the sites. If you are passionate about investigating the past of the human race, you can dedicate the whole day to it.
Where to eat in Burgos?
Whether you like Traditional food, like the new trends in gastronomy, Burgos will not disappoint you. On the one hand you have foods and typical dishes of the region, such as fried blood sausage, lentils, garlic soups or the rotten pot. On the other hand, a large number of innovative restaurants have managed to get Burgos named Creative City of Gastronomy in 2015.
Highly recommended go out for tapas if only to have a pincho and a glass of Ribera del Duero wine. The easiest thing to do is start on Calle Sombrerería, where you have reference places such as Rimbombin, El Morito brewery, Mesón Burgos and Ganoa Jardín. An interesting idea is to go from there to Calle San Lesmes, making a stop at one of the many tapas bars in Burgso, to finish at Lesmereria, where in addition to pinchos they have small desserts with which you can close the gastronomic route.
The quality of the restaurants In general, it is also high, although to get a cheaper price it is advisable to move a bit away from the Cathedral. Casa Ojeda, in calle Victoria nº6, is one of the oldest restaurants in Burgos and therefore a safe option. El 24 de la Paloma, offers signature Spanish cuisine, at the address indicated by its name. Asador San Lorenzo is one of the many places where you can eat baked lamb. If you are vegetarian or vegan, you have two main options: Gaia, it is central, inexpensive and everything is very tasty, ideal to eat at noon, and the Cardamomo restaurant further away, quiet and more gourmet.
Interesting accommodation in Burgos
Most of the accommodations in Burgos are hotels and hostels with a good value for money, but quite traditional. The Hotel Puerta Burgos is a cheap 4-star hotel somewhat far from the center. Well, actually the distance is moderate, in 15 minutes on foot you will be in the center, and they have offers for double rooms for two people for less than € 50 per night. Other high-quality options are: the Abba Burgos with a gym and indoor pool, the beautiful NH Collection Palacio de Burgos that is opposite the cathedral or the Sercotel Corona de Castilla, all of them more central and expensive.
If you are looking for a simpler accommodation, some interesting downtown options They are the 2-star Hostal RiMboMbin, the Plaza Mayor tourist apartment with views of Burgos Cathedral and the Monjes del Jardín Guest House, perfect for groups of friends. Do you want to travel with your dog? Take a look at the 2-star hotel North and London. Looking for a modern hotel? The 4-star Silken Gran Teatro and the 2-star Hotel Forum Evolución are very likely to be to your liking. Each of these options has its peculiarities and you can see the details of all these.
Article submitted by: accommodation in burgosviajesbaratos.com
