Valencia to Teruel and Cuenca: Private day trip

While the area has been settled since pre-history, Teruel proper didn’t get its start until 1171, when Alfonso II founded the city. Within a few centuries, it became a fortified border town, at the edge of the Muslim kingdom of Valencia, which strongly influenced the Christian city. This cultural melding culminated in the UNESCO listed, 12th century Cathedral, which features outstanding ceramic decorations on its square tower. Inside, the cathedral’s richly decorated Mudejar coffered ceiling is one of the most important in the country. Also on the UNESCO list is the tower of San Salvador, with its brick façade, double set of arches and elaborate tiled decoration. Also preserving the city’s Mudejar aesthetic are the tower of the 14th century church of San Martín, and San Pedro. Within San Pedro are 2 sarcophagi, which hold the mummified remains of Diego and Isabel, a pair of ill-fated 13th century lovers

While uninhabited when the Iberian Peninsula was part of the Roman Empire, the Moors quickly realized the value of this strategic location when they captured the area in 714. They built a fortress surrounded by a 1 kilometre-long wall, and Cuenca soon became and agricultural and textile manufacturing city. Visitors can enjoy an impressive list of notable sites, including the 12th-century Cathedral of our Lady of Grace, the first Gothic-style cathedral in Spain; the 13th-century Church of Saint Michael; and the Bridge of Saint Paul, originally built in 1533 and rebuilt after collapse in 1902, giving visitors a stunning view over the river. Perhaps the most famous buildings in Cuenca, however, are the Hanging Houses. Built on the rock above the Huecar River gorge in the 15th century, these well-known structures get their name from their position, seemingly hanging off the edge of the cliffs high above the river below.