Baeza
Together with neighbouring Úbeda, Baeza is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, thanks to its wonderfully preserved Renaissance and medieval architecture.
Baeza can be visited as a day trip from Granada or Córdoba, although if you’re coming from Córdoba it’s much easier if you have a car. You can visit both Baeza and Úbeda on the same day, but it leaves you with not much time for either of them, so we think it’s better to choose one or the other. Unless you stay overnight, in which case you can enjoy the magic of Baeza at night, when the streets are empty and the cathedral is lit up, and visit Úbeda the next day.
Make sure you don’t miss anything with our 90-minute VoiceMap audio tour. It guides you through Baeza’s most romantic squares and alleyways while telling you all about the architecture, history and cuisine.
Morning
Plaza del Pópulo and Plaza de Santa Cruz
Explore the streets and squares of Baeza’s old town, which is most famous for its beautiful Renaissance architecture. Landmarks include the magnificent Plateresque town hall, the Plaza del Pópulo with its lion fountain and two triumphal arches and the small but interesting Antonio Machado museum housed in the old university buildings. Don’t miss Plaza de Santa Cruz, where the richly ornamented Palacio de Jabalquinto contrasts with the simple but beautiful Iglesia de Santa Cruz, one of Andalucía’s few Romanesque churches.
Lunch
Baeza is in the heart of Spain’s olive oil country, and it’s known for its cuisine based on quality local products, so there are lots of great places to eat. For a simple, tasty lunch, try Ajedrea or Canela en Rama, or if you want something more fancy, Acebuche is a great option. And if you’re a real foodie, there’s the Michelin-starred Vandelvira restaurant, but you’ll need to book ahead. It’s pricey, but much less so than many other Michelin-starred restaurants.
Afternoon
Baeza Cathedral
Visit Baeza’s fine cathedral ($), which stands opposite the old seminary on Plaza de Santa María. It was begun in 13th century in the Gothic-Mudejar style, but almost entirely rebuilt by the great Renaissance architect Andrés de Vandelvira after the original structure collapsed in 1567. The bell tower provides excellent views of the town.
On leaving the cathedral, wind your way through Baeza’s picture-perfect medieval alleyways and take in the panoramic views of the Guadalquivir river and the Sierra Mágina beyond from the Mirador de las Murallas. Nearby, there’s a section of the medieval town walls that is still intact.
Before heading back, join the locals for a tea or coffee and local pastry at one of the many popular cafés.
If you have more time…
If you’re staying overnight in Baeza, it’s worth visiting an olive mill to find out more about olive oil production and the local olive oil industry.
Olive Oil Mill
The most convenient olive mill to visit is AOVEland on the outskirts of Baeza, which offers an interesting guided tour and oil tasting. Tours in English are generally at 10 am, but go to their website to check the times and reserve in advance.
If you have a car, a few kilometres south of Baeza, the Museum of Olive Culture is open from 10:30 to 13:30. It’s housed in a historic olive estate and its displays about the history of olive oil production over the centuries are in stark contrast with the modern facilities at AOVEland.
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Questions and answers
Baeza makes a great day trip from Granada, Córdoba or Jaén. Its beautifully-preserved Renaissance and Medieval old town has been listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site along with neighbouring Úbeda.
Baeza is accessible by bus and rail, although the bus is more convenient, as the nearest railway station is quite a long distance from the town. Buses from Granada take about 2 hours on average. From Córdoba, the journey time is similar, but there are fewer departures, which makes day-tripping more difficult.
Baeza’s romantic old town is magical in the evenings and early mornings, when you may well have the streets pretty much to yourself. There are several excellent restaurants, including the Michelin-starred Vandelvira, so it makes a great stopover for foodies.