Burgos - Burgos City Guide

Burgos lives up to it’s name, Land of Castles. Established in 884, Burgos has as much heritage as the monuments are tall. The rich history and diverse culture makes this town’s cup overflow with the charm of medieval ambience. While the Gothic Cathedral may be the most recognized and noteworthy, there are many more important monuments that you must see while in Burgos. Leave your luxury or boutique hotel and visit the Cartuja de Miraflores or the Monastery of Las Huelgas. Burgos has some of the most historical and imaginative sights without ever stepping inside of a museum or art gallery. The splendor of this town is found through it’s cityscape.

While you could spend days outside just wandering through the vast amount of beauty, inside of the Gothic Cathedral you will find features of the 13th to 15th centuries. The history is apparent with the Cathedral’s beginning in 1221, through it’s declaration as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO on October 31, 1984. This Chapel was built with magnificence, displaying picturesque facades, pictures depicting the martyrdom of saints, architecture such as octagon towers and stonework traceries. Statutes and relief art showers the design making the ambience even more striking. Coats of arms, shields, lions, angels, and armored knights displays the extraordinary ensemble in Corinthian style. This is a must see and a very good reason to leave the comforts of your boutique or luxury hotel.


The Monasterio de las Huelgas must keep with it’s competition and area reputation. This famous royal monastery was founded in 1180 by Alfonso VIII. The Monasterio de las Huelgas is from the architectural period between Byzantine and Gothic, which is more than, but almost every other style has been introduced over the years. With the convents two remarkable
Clusters of elegance and beauty, it has been considered unsurpassed in it’s age and style when comparing it to other structures throughout Europe. Alfonso’s tomb, as well as other royal figures, can be found inside of the monastery.

The breath-taking Cartuja de Miraflores intrigues it’s visitors on first glance with it’s life-like statute of St. Bruno made out of beautiful wood, the display of exquisite workmanship in the stalls and the statutes of King John II and his wife Isabel constructed of the finest marble and delicately carved, appearing to be made of wax rather than stone. The proof of the War of Independence in 1814 is still present. Here the French mutilated the beautiful angels, cutting off some of the heads and carrying them away. While your boutique or luxury hotel may leave you awe-inspired, the grandeur of these buildings will take your breath away.

The sights are endless in Burgos, offering an array of museums, art galleries, parks, events and cathedrals to see. Besides the Gothic Cathedral, Monasterio de las Huelgas and Cartuja de Miraflores, some of the most notable attractions include Capilla del Condestble, La Casa del Cordon, Iglesia Nuestra Senora La Antigua de Gamonal, Iglesia de San Esteban, Iglesia de San Gil, Iglesia de San Lesmes, Iglesia de San Nicolas, Cartuja de Miraflores, Puerta de Santa Maria, and the Archaeological Museum. You may also want to visit the Old City Walls, well conserved and located at Puerta de San Esteban and Paseo de los Cubos.

You may not think that night life is robust is Burgos, after seeing all the religious artifacts and architecture, but to the contrary, concentrated around the Cathedral, you will find a number of bars and pubs where you can get snacks and drinks. Most open late and a few do not close until 5 a.m. If you are really trying to get the most out of you vacation, try las Bernardas and las Calzadas which both stay open until 9 a.m. Here you will find a somewhat more formal atmosphere where locals and a more mature public will be available to mingle. If you are looking for a younger crowd, try out Quarters of la Flora and las Llanas, which sets the mood for a good time through it’s ambience and surroundings.

Burgos is rich in history, very old, lovely and robust all at once. You will find breathtaking architecture, historical views, proof of wars and independence and luxury and boutique hotels that will cater to your every need. Burgos would feed the hunger of any tourist or vacationer, leaving them relaxed, rested and cultured.

View all our Burgos hotel videos











Back