Beautiful towns near Jaén: 8 day trips of stone and olive trees

Seen from the air, Jaén looks like a sea of olive trees that rises and falls as far as the eye can see. Among that green appear castles, Renaissance squares and villages that cling to the rock.

The beautiful towns near Jaén need no adjectives: the names are enough. There are two World Heritage cities, a caliphal castle, villages in the Sierra de Cazorla and a frontier fortress. All of it fits in the province, though not in a single afternoon.

The list follows a practical order, from the La Loma district to the mountains, and ends with a stop in the south. (A warning for planners: allow more driving time than the map shows on the mountain roads.)

1 Baeza, the Renaissance in golden stone

Baeza is about 50 kilometres from the provincial capital. Together with Úbeda it has been a World Heritage Site since 2003, and it is best explored on foot, without hurrying.

The centre is the Plaza de Santa María, with its fountain and the cathedral, of Renaissance origin. Early in the morning, when the arcades are empty, the golden stone looks its best. (And yes, the early start is worth it.)

2 Úbeda and the legacy of Vandelvira

A few kilometres from Baeza, Úbeda rises in tiers over La Loma. Its star architect was Andrés de Vandelvira, who designed a good part of the 16th-century buildings.

The Plaza Vázquez de Molina brings together in a single space the Sacra Capilla del Salvador, conceived as the funerary chapel of Francisco de los Cobos, and the Palacio de las Cadenas. It is the best example of Andalusian Renaissance on the whole route.

3 Sabiote, the castle of Cobos

Very close to Úbeda, Sabiote keeps a walled enclosure and a castle that Francisco de los Cobos had remodelled to a design by Vandelvira. The result is a medieval fortress with the air of a Renaissance palace.

Walk its silent alleys up to the fortress. Notice how the medieval fortress coexists with the palace details that were added later. It makes a good mid-morning stop before you continue on your way.

4 Baños de la Encina, the caliphal castle

In the north of the province, at the foot of Sierra Morena, the Burgalimar Castle was built in the year 968. It has 14 towers and is one of the best-preserved Andalusi castles in Europe.

From its walls you can see the olive groves and the Rumblar reservoir. If you go by car, leave time to stroll around the village before heading up.

5 Cazorla, streets that climb the mountains

Cazorla is about 100 kilometres from Jaén and is the gateway to the mountain range of the same name. It rises in tiers over the Cerezuelo river, beneath the Castillo de la Yedra.

Among its squares, the ruins of the Iglesia de Santa María, built over the riverbed and open to the sky, catch the eye. Seeing the water flow beneath changes the visit. It takes only a few minutes to reach from the upper streets of the town.

6 La Iruela, the castle hanging from the rock

Only 2 kilometres from Cazorla, La Iruela sits on a limestone spur. Its castle, of Templar origin, overlooks the Guadalquivir valley.

The ruins of the Iglesia de Santo Domingo also remain. It is quick to see and very photogenic, so combine it with Cazorla on the same day.

7 Segura de la Sierra, the Middle Ages at altitude

To the east, in the heart of the natural park, Segura de la Sierra perches at more than a thousand metres. It keeps a layout of Islamic origin, a castle and Arab baths.

The access road is a mountain road with long bends. Arrive with a full tank and no tight schedule.

8 Alcalá la Real and the Fortaleza de la Mota

In the south of the province, Alcalá la Real revolves around the Fortaleza de la Mota. This citadel was a frontier between the Kingdom of Castile and the Nasrid Kingdom of Granada, and passed into Castilian hands in 1341.

Inside there are walls, towers and cisterns. Count on a morning, because the site is large.

Tips for visiting the towns around Jaén

• Getting around: your own car is essential outside Baeza and Úbeda.
• Two bases: one in the north for Baeza, Úbeda, Sabiote and Baños de la Encina, and another towards the east for Cazorla, La Iruela and Segura de la Sierra.
• Alcalá la Real: best done on a separate day, because it lies in the south.
• When to go: spring and autumn. In summer the heat is fierce in the countryside.
• Footwear: grippy soles for the cobbled slopes of Cazorla and Segura.

The destination on TikTok

If you want to see what this corner looks like live and through the eyes of other travellers, take a look at this video:

Will you explore Jaén on your own, or would you rather build the route as a weekend in stages?