Spanish UNESCO World Heritage Sites

The UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization) tries to promote and preserve the cultural and historical heritage around the world denominating different sites and cities of particular interest. These itineraries include visits to several of the areas in Spain awarded with the World Heritage denomination.

Itinerary ONE . Unesco cities

Day ONE

Arrive to Madrid.

Madrid stands at the very center of Spain- geographically, culturally and politically. This capital not only offers the culture and good times of a sophisticated, modern city but it also retains the charm and elegance of its early years. The power and glory of Madrid is reflected in its parks, plazas, boulevards and in the pride and panache of today’s Madrileños.  Accommodation of your choice in the city.

Day TWO

Daytrip to Toledo, picturesquely situated on a hill and a fusion of 3 important forms of art: visigodo, mudejar and gothic. Not to be missed is the 14th century Cathedral, the Mosque of Cristo de la Luz (Light’s Christ) and Santo Tome Church, house of El Greco’s masterpiece “The Burial of the Count of Orgaz”. Here also are two important sinagogues: Santa Maria La Blanca, the oldest and the largest, dates from the 12th century. And El Transito, which interior has the most elaborate mudejar work in the city. Built in the 14th century adjoining it, is a museum of Separdi (Spanish / Jewish culture). Accommodation of your choice in Madrid.

Day THREE

Next to Caceres, the first city in Spain to be declared World Heritage in 1949.  This Renaissance jewel remains in near perfect condition untouched by wars. Places of interest include the Plaza Mayor, one side of which adjoins the near perfect Roman-Moorish walls surrounding the city, the palace known as the Casa de los Golfines de Abajo, the Plaza de Santa Maria with a lovely Gothic church and the Caceres Museum, to name but a few. Accommodation of your choice in Caceres.

Day FOUR

Next arrive in Salamanca, which apart from being Spain's most famous university city is also perhaps its finest exponent of Renaissance and Plateresque architecture. It has two Cathedrals in different styles; the new 16th century cathedral which stands right next to the old 12th century Romanesque one. The University, one of Europe’s oldest, features a stunning Plateresque façade. The Main Square or Plaza Mayor, is without doubt one of the finest in Spain. Other sights include the Baroque Town Hall, the 16th century Casa de las Conchas or House of Shells and others too numerous to mention.  Accommodation of your choice in Salamanca.

Day FIVE

Today travel to Segovia via Avila, which possesses the best preserved medieval walls in Europe. The Cathedral and the Royal Monastery of Santo Tomas are also worth visiting. UponaArriving in Segovia one must see the 16th century imposing Cathedral, the Alcazar that towers over the city and the outstanding and most distinctive symbol of the city, the Roman Aqueduct, built at the end of the first century AD. Accommodation of your choice in Segovia.

Day SIX

En route to Madrid visit the spectacular Monastery of San Lorenzo del Escorial, the massive monastery-palace situated to the Northwest of the capital. This imposing palace was built between 1563 and 1584, in honour of St. Lawrence (San Lorenzo). Its artistic wealth includes works of the royal Habsburg collection and the library with over 40,000 books, which ceilings are decorated with frescoes by Tibaldi. Of special interest also are the Royal Pantheon and the Museum of Art. Accommodation of your choice in Madrid.

Day SEVEN

Return to your point of departure.

Or

Day ONE ZARAGOZA

Arrival to Zaragoza. Accommodation of your choice in Zaragoza.

Day TWO ZARAGOZA

Visit Zaragoza which has a splendid old quarter and still preserves fine examples of mudejar art, such as the Palace/Castle of Aljaferia. The Cathedral of San Salvador and La Seo, are other fine buildings with mudejar decoration on the outside based on bricks and colour tiles. Also the Churches of San Pablo, La Magdalena.  Overnight in Zaragoza.

Day THREE PAMPLONA

Today travel south to Nevalos to visit the peaceful Monasterio de Piedra (Stone Monastery), which stands in a park (considered a nature reserve) full of grotto´s and waterfalls. This monastery was built in 1195, and although it was rebuilt in the 19th century some of the original buildings still survive. Next head northwest to visit
Sos del Rey Catolico and Javier, the birthplace of St Francisco de Javier. Accommodation of your choice in Pamplona.

Day FOUR PAMPLONA

This morning explore Pamplona. Here you will find the medieval bridge of Magdalena, the French Gothic Cathedral and la Playa del Castillo. In the afternoon head east again to visit the Monastery of Leyre which is located high and alone amongst stunning scenery. The monastery dates back to the 11th century and tours are given by resident monks every morning and afternoon. Overnight Pamplona.

Day FIVE BURGOS

Travel through the Rioja region to San Millan de la Cogolla where you will find the Monasteries of Suso and Yuso. From here continue to the monastery of Santo Domingo de Silos. Afterwards drive to Burgos and accommodation of your choice in the city.

Day SIX LEON

Next continue to Leon. Here San Marcos, a Monastery now restored as Parador hotel and a museum, is a prime example of Spanish Renaissance architecture. See also the Gothic Cathedral, inspired by the French style, the highlight of which is the stained glass. Also San Isidoro Basilica inside which you will find the Romanesque Royal Pantheon, superbly decorated with 12th century frescoes. Gaudi is also represented here in the Casa de los Botines, a building he designed that is now a bank. Accommodation of your choice in Leon.

Day SEVEN SEGOVIA

Today move south to Segovia. Here there are countless vestiges of the past to be seen most remarkable of which is the incredible Roman aqueduct which towers over the town. Although it dates from the 1st century AD, it was still used until 2 centuries ago. The awe-inspiring Alcazar has presided over the city since the middle ages and the imposing 16th century gothic Cathedral is also spectacular. Cochinillo Asado (roast suckling pig) is just one of the many local dishes that must be sampled here. Accommodation of your choice in Segovia.

Day EIGHT MADRID

Continuing towards Madrid we arrive at the Monastery of El Escorial, the massive monastery-palace situated to the Northwest of the capital. This imposing palace was built between 1563 and 1584, in honour of St. Lawrence (San Lorenzo). Its artistic wealth contains important works of the royal Habsburg collections and over 40,000 books in the library, which ceilings are decorated with frescoes by Tibaldi. Of special interest are the Royal Pantheon and the Museum of Art. Accommodation of your choice in Madrid.

Day NINE MADRID

Today enjoy a daytrip to the Monastery of Ucles, in Cuenca (Castilla y La Mancha), nicknamed the “Escorial of La Mancha”. Originally a medieval fortress it became a Monastery in 1174. The building is mainly Renaissance, but with Baroque ornamental detail. Today it is used as a seminary school. Accommodation of your choice in Madrid.

Day TEN

Return to your point of departure.

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Accommodation

If you like the look of the above Suggested Tour we will gladly prepare a quote for you. The itinerary is not rigid and can be modified to suit your needs.

Below is a selection of the accommodation we would recommend for this tour. Click on the Hotel Code or symbol for photographs and detailed information about each property. If you have registered to use our Spain Travel & Holiday Planner, you need only click on to insert it into your itinerary.

Spanish UNESCO World Heritage Sites	Hotel Code	Classification	Information
3 nights in MADRID	MAD01	Central Hotel
	MAD04	Central Hotel
	MAD05	Central Hotel

1 night in CACERES

PAR15 PARADOR

Paradors

1 night in SALAMANCA

CYL24

Central Hotel

1 night in SEGOVIA	CYL15	Central Hotel
	CYL16	Central Hotel
	CYL20	Country Hotel
	CYL21	Central Hotel

UNESCO Spanish World Heritage - Itinerary two	Hotel Code	Classification	Information
2 nights in SANTIAGO DE COMPOSTELA	GAL01	Central Hotel
	GAL02	Central Hotel
	GAL04	Central Hotel
	GAL09	Country House
	GAL12	Country House

1 night in Astorga

CYL14

Central Hotel

1 night in Oviedo	AST27	Central Hotel
	AST28	Central Hotel w/ pool

1 night in Burgos

CYL53

Central Hotel w/ pool

1 night in Rioja

RIO05

Country Hotel

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