Burgos (Burgos)

What you can see and do in Burgos

Burgos is a city of monuments. The River Arlanzón flows through the city and the medieval city was on its right bank, protected behind walls. It is one of the best preserved urban rivers with healthy natural life on its banks; we therefore recommend visiting Burgos with the Arlanzón as your guide and companion.

One of the most ‘noble’ ways to enter the old town is by crossing the river over the Bridge of Santa María and going through the arch of the same name straight to the cathedral. The well-deserved fame of Burgos Cathedral, World Heritage, should not eclipse visits to other outstanding monuments in the proximity, such as the Church of St Nicholas of Bari, whose 16th century altarpiece, attributed to Francisco of Cologne will surprise unprepared visitors. The Churches of St Gil and St Stephen, the latter very close to the Mudejar gate of the same name, will also surprise visitors with the astonishing wealth of their interiors. Also in the centre, but outside the city walls, next to the Arch of San Juan, are the Gothic church of St Lesmes and the Monastery of St John, with a lovely Romanesque doorway of cherry wood from River Tirón.

Burgos old town is very attractive and easy to visit, and includes the most popular area of restaurants and bars. The people of Burgos love going out at the weekend and a stimulating gastronomic ‘tapas’ culture has developed in recent years. In addition to the abundant religious heritage, mostly Gothic, it is worth visiting the CAB, a ‘charming’ contemporary art gallery, also in the historic centre. The old Burgos Castle is nearby, from where you can see a panoramic view of the city.

You will inevitably spot a large modern building: three large glass boxes that form the Evolution Complex, above all the Museum of Human Evolution, which exhibits some of the most important palaeontological finds in the Sierra de Atapuerca, a World Heritage site and a point of reference to understand the origin and development of our species. Burgos Museum is very nearby; it is less well known but of great interest for people interested in history and especially the Middle Ages, as it displays some interesting artefacts of the period and also the Tizona, the sword that has traditionally been associated with El Cid.

Always following the River Arlanzón, downstream and outside the historical centre, you can walk along the pleasant promenade of the Isla to the Royal Monastery of Las Huelgas, which we reach shortly after going over the Bridge of Malatos, which is on the Way of St James.

If you choose to follow the Way of El Cid on bike or by car, you will follow the Arlanzón upstream through a leafy park called Fuentes Blancas, a place of recreation for many inhabitants of Burgos, with the Cartuja de Miraflores, undoubtedly one of the jewels of the Late Gothic and which is a must for lovers of art in general and of sculpture in particular.

You also should not miss

• One of the best ways to get to know Burgos is by bicycle. The main bike path follows the left bank of the River Arlanzón and allows cycling tourists to rapidly move along the 10km from Fuentes Blancas and the La Quinta Park to Parral Park with Las Huelgas and the University as places of interest. It is a relaxing ride that guarantees good views of the city.
• The Royal Monastery of Las Huelgas. Although it is outside the historic centre, you are warmly recommended to visit it. This monastery was a centre of power and vacations of the kings of Castile in the Late Middle Ages. Its interior contains numerous surprises, not only artistic ones. If you can, go there by bike or on foot (it is 2km from the cathedral). It is a lovely walk if the weather is fine, especially if you go along the Isla Promenade next to the river. This is a park nearly a kilometre long laid out in the 19th century with a huge variety of plant species: from Spanish fir to Himalayan cedar and including some magnificent examples of black pine and sequoia.
• The El Cid Weekend is held in Burgos every year, during the first weekend in October. It is a popular festival in memory of El Cid with medieval representations and re-enactments, markets, camps and tournaments.

Rev.: JGG 16.09.21