Tourist routes in the province of Jaén
Five themes for touring Jaén, with their essential stops.
Key points
- Five great themed routes: Renaissance, Castles and Battles, Iberians, Olive Oil and the Olive Oil Greenway.
- The Olive Oil Greenway runs for about 127 km between Jaén and Puente Genil (Córdoba).
- For nature, the Río Borosa trail is the province's most famous walk.
Jaén lends itself to touring with a theme. These are the routes we suggest, with the essential stops on each. You can combine them: most cross at Jaén, Úbeda and Baeza.
Renaissance Route
- Jaén. Vandelvira's cathedral and the Villardompardo Palace.
- Baeza. Plaza del Pópulo, the cathedral, Jabalquinto and the old university.
- Úbeda. Vázquez de Molina, El Salvador and the Hospital de Santiago.
- Sabiote and Canena. Castles turned into palaces in the 16th century.
- Cazorla. The ruins of Santa María, over the river.
Castles and Battles Route
The Jaén provincial council proposes six itineraries through castles and battlefields. Our pick for a weekend:
- Santa Elena: Despeñaperros and the Las Navas de Tolosa interpretation centre.
- Baños de la Encina: Burgalimar Castle.
- Bailén: museum of the 1808 battle.
- Jaén: Santa Catalina Castle.
- Alcaudete and Alcalá la Real: the Calatrava castle and the Fortaleza de la Mota.
Journey to the Time of the Iberians
The Iberian Museum and the Puente Tablas oppidum in Jaén; Cerrillo Blanco and the museum in Porcuna; the Toya tomb in Peal de Becerro; Cástulo and its museum in Linares; Cueva de la Lobera and the Iberian Museum in Castellar; and Giribaile, in Vilches. See the sites.
Olive Oil Greenway
The old «olive oil train» line is now a greenway of about 127 km, with thirteen metal viaducts. In Jaén province it passes through Torredelcampo, Torredonjimeno, Martos and Alcaudete. The stretch from Jaén to Martos, with gentle gradients, is comfortable by bike.
Olive oil route
Olive mills with guided tours, tastings, olive museums and places to stay among the olive trees. We have a full page on olive oil tourism in Jaén.
Nature walks
| Route | Where | Difficulty |
|---|---|---|
| Río Borosa and Cerrada de Elías | Sierra de Cazorla (Coto Ríos) | Easy at first; moderate up to the lakes |
| Cerrada del Utrero | Sierra de Cazorla (Vadillo Castril) | Easy |
| Source of the Guadalquivir | Quesada | Easy |
| Cimbarra waterfall | Aldeaquemada | Easy |
| Climb to Pico Mágina | Sierra Mágina | Moderate to hard |
| Encinarejo track | Sierra de Andújar | Easy (wildlife) |
Not sure where to start? Try our trip planner.