If you want to combine cultural history, art in the town and nature during your stay, Cañete offers several different themes. The Muslim city walls, historic buildings and the natural area of El Postigo each shape the character of the town in their own way. An annual medieval festival and traditional dishes are also among the special features you can take into account when planning your trip.

City Walls, Gate and Castillo

The Muslim walls of Cañete are completely preserved. In some places, the town’s growth has incorporated them into other buildings. The fortification is thus closely connected with the town’s development. A prominent feature of the historic town layout is the Puerta de las Eras: it was the main Muslim entrance to Cañete. The gate opened westward toward the floodplain of the Río Mayor and the old road to Teruel and Albarracín. This orientation illustrates the former connection between the gate, the river landscape and the road.

The Castillo de Cañete also preserves original walls. Interior walls divide the complex into three areas, so its layout can be described not only by its outer fortification but also by its internal divisions. For a visit focused on architectural history, it is worth comparing it with the city walls: here, the preserved original walls and the three-part layout are the main features, while at the Puerta de las Eras, its historic function as an entrance and its orientation are significant.

Churches, Museum and Art in the Town

Of Cañete’s three parish churches, only the Iglesia de Santiago remains. Outside the city walls, the Ermita de la Virgen de la Zarza stands beside the gate of the same name; the Virgen de la Zarza is Cañete’s patron saint. Both buildings add sites of religious significance to the picture of the historic town.

The Museo de la Cultura Popular de Cañete presents the town’s history and traditional objects related to agriculture, forestry, transport and domestic life. Alongside the walls and churches, these topics draw attention to everyday activities and objects. Paisaje Ilustrado offers a different focus: this art project comprises life-size, two-dimensional sculptures in the streets of Cañete and in the Paraje de El Postigo. Individual works may change.

La Picota and the El Postigo Natural Area

La Picota offers the most direct panoramic view of Cañete. The short but steep climb is a practical consideration when planning your visit: the municipality recommends completing it entirely on foot. As trail conditions may change, check them before your visit.

El Postigo lies right next to Cañete, below the city walls, and is an inseparable part of the town. The natural area contains the Pozo de la Horca, a waterfall about ten metres high. Another option by the water is Route 1, “De Puente a Puente”: the route follows the river and can also be cycled. The surface and access conditions may change; check them before your trip.

Festival and Traditional Cuisine

La Alvarada is an annual medieval festival in Cañete. It usually takes place in the final days of July and the first days of August; the exact dates vary from one edition to another. In 2014, the festival was recognised as a festival of regional tourist interest. If you want to plan your trip around La Alvarada, check the dates for the relevant edition.

The local cuisine also offers two clearly named specialities. Caldereta from Cañete is a lamb dish cooked with oil, wine, onions, garlic and tomatoes. Ajo arriero, also known as Atascaburras, is traditionally prepared with cod and potatoes. Together with the historic buildings, art in the town and El Postigo, these offer different ways to spend your time in Cañete, without requiring you to experience them all in the same way.

Discover more destinations: Poyatos, Chumillas, Olmedilla De Alarcón, Garaballa, Belmonte, Puente De Vadillos, Cardenete, El Arrabal.

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