Burgos Mini Guide
Tell me About Burgos…
Burgos is a city in Northern Spain and the capital of the Castile region. It is well known for its plethora of ancient churches and convents and is a crossroads on the St James’s Way, the pilgrimage route from the French border to
Santiago de Compostela.
How do I get There?
By air, you can fly from Barcelona as there is a daily flight to Burgos Airport. There are regular flights to
Paris Orly and
Palma de Mallorca and seasonal flights to
Portugal and the Balearic Islands. Burgos is on Spain's excellent railway system that can connect you with Paris and Lisbon as well as cities all over the country including the airports at
Barcelona and
Madrid.
How do I get to the City?
There is an airport bus service, departing 30 minutes after every flight arrival to the Plaza de Espana in the heart of the city. If you want to drive, use the N120 or A1 highway, it will take you about 10 minutes. Local bus services will help you explore the area or use the free Bicibur bicycle rental system.
What can I see in the City?
The city is most famous for its gothic cathedral ‘Our Lady of Burgos’ constructed between 1221 and the 15th century and is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The cathedral was built over a Roman temple in an attempt to stamp the authority of the church on the city. In the historic centre you can see the original entrance to the city Arco de Santa Marina and visit Burgos Castle.
Outside the City?
You can go to the convents of Monasterio de las Huelgas and the Cartuja de Miraflores just outside the city, to understand a little more about the region' s religious influence.
Anything Else to do?
Take a walk along the Paseo de Espolon, a tree lined promenade next to the River Arlanzon – it is a very popular place for the locals. It starts at Theatre Square and ends at Arco de Santa Marina, you can stop and browse the shops or have a drink at a coffee shop on the way.
Also worth visiting is the new Museum of Human Evolution in Atapuerca, a large archaeological site with caves, fossils and stone tools, the earliest ever found.
What’s the Food Like?
In the rural areas you will find Queso de Burgos being made. It’s a soft white cheese made from sheep milk or a blend of sheep and cows milk. Look out for a dry cured Spanish ham called Jammon Serrano for an authentic taste of the area. For the brave, try the Morcilla de Burgos, a pig’s blood sausage stuffed with rice and spiced with onions and herbs, it is typical of Iberian country style food. To try these, the best thing to do is head for a tapas bar, where you will find these foods, finely skewered on top of thin slices of baguette.