Cidade Turismo
Spain

Before you go

Your trip to Burgos.

Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.

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Burgos – Castela e Leão Destination Burgos and León

How to get there

  • Aeroporto de Madri-Barajas (Aeropuerto Adolfo Suárez Madrid-Barajas) (MAD) Madri · 240 km
  • Aeroporto de Bilbao (Aeropuerto de Bilbao) (BIO) Loiu · 160 km
  • Estação de trem Burgos Rosa de Lima (Estación de Burgos-Rosa de Lima) 5 km
  • Rodoviária de Burgos (Estación de Autobuses de Burgos) 1 km

Approximate road distances. Check flights and bus schedules before you travel.

Check before you buy. International flights arrive to Madri, about 240 km away, and to Bilbao, about 160 km. By train, Burgos has services to Madri, taking roughly 1h30 to 2h30 depending on the train, and to Bilbao, Valladolid and León; Burgos Rosa de Lima station is about 5 km from the centre, with local buses. The bus station in the centre has buses to several towns on the Camino. By car, via the A-1 motorway coming from Madri.

How many days

One day is enough for the cathedral, the Arco de Santa María, the Espolón and the castle. With two days, you can add the monastery of Las Huelgas, the cartuxa de Miraflores and the Museu da Evolução Humana. With three days, visit the Atapuerca sites.

When to go

From May to October, with long days and more visiting slots for Atapuerca. Summers are hot by day and cool at night; winters are cold, with frost and sometimes snow, and the city is quiet.

The seasons shown are the most usual ones; nature doesn't always follow the calendar.

Do you need a car?

Not needed for the centre, which is walked. Las Huelgas is about a 20-minute walk and the cartuxa de Miraflores is 3 km away, served by a city bus. For Atapuerca there are buses that depart from the Museu da Evolução Humana on visiting days; a car gives more freedom.

Suggested itinerary

An order that works

Built with the places on this page. No rush: it's paced so you have time to see them.

One day in Burgos
  1. Morning
    Catedral de Burgos

    Begin with the cathedral, including the capela do Condestável, the Escada Dourada, El Cid's tomb under the crossing, and the Papamoscas, the clock automaton that opens its mouth on the hour.

  2. Afternoon
    Castle and viewpoint

    Climb the castle hill behind the cathedral for views over the city and the cathedral's spires, passing the viewpoint.

  3. Late afternoon
    Arco de Santa María and Espolón

    Walk down to the Arco de Santa María and along the Espolón, the tree-lined promenade on the banks of the rio Arlanzón, to the statue of El Cid and the Casa del Cordón.

  4. Evening
    Tapas in the centre

    Bars on the streets San Lorenzo and Sombrerería serve tapas, including Burgos morcilla made with rice and the local fresh cheese.

2 days in Burgos

Day 1

  1. Morning
    Cathedral

    Full visit to the cathedral.

  2. Afternoon
    Castle

    Ascent to the castle hill and the viewpoint.

  3. Late afternoon
    Espolón

    Arco de Santa María, Espolón and Casa del Cordón.

  4. Evening
    Tapas

    Streets San Lorenzo and Sombrerería.

Day 2

  1. Morning
    Museu da Evolução Humana

    Visit the Museu da Evolução Humana, on the riverbank, with the fossils from Atapuerca.

  2. Afternoon
    Las Huelgas

    Walk to the monastery of Las Huelgas for the guided visit to the royal pantheon and the museum of medieval textiles.

  3. Late afternoon
    Cartuxa de Miraflores

    Take a bus or taxi to the cartuxa de Miraflores, 3 km away, to see the alabaster tombs by Gil de Siloé.

  4. Evening
    Dinner in the center

    Castilian cuisine, with roast lamb and Castilian soup.

Check before you go. Opening hours and days change, and places may close for renovations, holidays or events. This itinerary is a suggestion from Cidade Turismo, not a commitment: plan yours by checking directly with each place you intend to visit.

Before you go

Frequently asked questions

What to see in Burgos in one day?

The cathedral, the castle with its viewpoint, the Arco de Santa María, the Espolón promenade and the Casa del Cordón.

Where is El Cid buried?

In the catedral de Burgos, beneath the crossing, together with his wife, Dona Jimena.

How to get from Madri to Burgos?

By train, in about 1h30 to 2h30 depending on the type of service, or by car via the A-1 in roughly 2h30. It's about 240 km.

Can you visit Atapuerca from Burgos?

Yes. The sites are about 15 km away, with guided tours and buses that depart from the Museu da Evolução Humana on visiting days. Book in advance.

Is Burgos on the Camino de Santiago?

Yes. It is one of the major cities on the Camino Francés, and pilgrims enter the centre through the Arco de Santa María.

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