{"id":2343,"date":"2019-11-14T09:43:08","date_gmt":"2019-11-14T09:43:08","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.hellehollis.com\/en\/blog\/?p=2343"},"modified":"2021-08-19T10:39:09","modified_gmt":"2021-08-19T10:39:09","slug":"how-to-enjoy-a-day-out-in-jaen","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.hellehollis.com\/blog\/en\/how-to-enjoy-a-day-out-in-jaen.htm","title":{"rendered":"How to enjoy a day out in Ja\u00e9n"},"content":{"rendered":"

Ja\u00e9n is certainly one of southern Spain\u2019s most attractive cities. Known for its olive oil production, incredible fortresses, and beautiful architecture, there is so much to love. Heading to Ja\u00e9n on a day trip is a simple matter when utilising a car rental from Malaga<\/a> and should definitely be on your to-do list for your next Spanish holiday. There is a whole host of wonderful things to see and do in the city and in this article, we are going to highlight some of the top options available. This is how to enjoy a day out in Ja\u00e9n.<\/p>\n

Ja\u00e9n Cathedral<\/h2>\n

\"Jaen<\/p>\n

When wandering around lovely Ja\u00e9n, you might get a sore neck from looking at all of the beautiful architecture around you. One of the best examples, and a site of historic importance, is the breathtaking Ja\u00e9n Cathedral<\/a>. One of the city\u2019s most admired attractions, this Roman Catholic Church is situated on Santa Maria Square, dominating the local skyline. Construction began all the way back in 1249, being completed centuries later in 1724. The exquisite Renaissance architecture is sure to impress, and the cathedral is also home to important relics such as the Veil of Veronica.<\/p>\n

Molly, from the travel blog Piccavey<\/a>, has visited Ja\u00e9n Cathedral and was impressed with what she saw. Speaking to us about the experience, she said: \u201cThe symmetry of the building both inside and outside make it quite impressive. The 100-metre towers tower above you as you try to fit the fa\u00e7ade into frame. This grand monument is a little off the beaten path as Ja\u00e9n is not a busy tourist destination, although it is in Andaluc\u00eda. Inside the Cathedral the regional archive has documents dating as far back as the 13th century. These valuable historical documents are higher up in the Cathedral in an ancient library room.\u201d<\/p>\n

The Arab Baths<\/h2>\n

Found beneath the Palace of Villardompardo, visitors should make the trip to see the largest Arab baths <\/a>in all of Spain. Only discovered in 1913, it has a whopping surface area of 450 square metres and dates all the way back to the 11th<\/sup> century. Once an important place of social gathering for the local community, hammams like this were strongly associated with the mighty Ottoman Empire. The palace above it hid this gorgeous treasure from Ja\u00e9n for centuries but thankfully, it can now be experienced by locals and visitors alike. With four different rooms to visit (the lobby, cold room, temperate room, and hot room), the baths act as a great glimpse into a lost world.<\/p>\n

Molly from Piccavey has also visited the baths and highly recommends visiting: \u201cA legacy of Al Andalus, the hammam were important social places in Medieval Andalucia. Today there are several monuments that remain across southern Spain. Granada, Ronda and even the Alhambra Palace all have beautiful examples. As the baths are lesser-known than some of the other Muslim monuments, a visit is highly recommended.\u201d<\/p>\n

NAIF Art Museum<\/h2>\n

Above the Arab Baths, in the aforementioned Palace of Villardompardo, there are some other wonderful attractions to visit. The culture centre inside the palace houses the fantastic NAIF Art Museum<\/a> \u2013 a perfect spot for soaking in a bit of culture during your time in Ja\u00e9n. Opening its doors in 1990, the museum is the legacy of native artist Manuel Moral Mozas. Here you can enjoy and admire his various paintings and wood carvings alongside a fabulous collection of works from other artists in a similar style. When at the cultural centre, you can also consider visiting the Museum of Popular Arts and Customs<\/a> which promotes the local traditions of the city.<\/p>\n

Castle of Santa Catalina<\/h2>\n

\"Castle<\/p>\n

Impressive fortresses aren\u2019t hard to come by in this part of the world but when in Ja\u00e9n you can\u2019t leave without visiting the Castle of Santa Catalina<\/a>. Surveying its surroundings from up high on the Cerro de Santa Catalina, not only will you find a historically impressive building but some truly stunning views of the city. Beginning life as a Moorish fortress in the 8th<\/sup> century, the castle was transformed by the victorious King Ferdinand III of Castile in 1246. There have been dramatic events at the castle ever since, including defensive reinforcements during Napoleon\u2019s invasion in the 1800s. With an engaging historical tour available and the aforementioned views, this is an attraction not to miss.<\/p>\n

Trevor from the travel blog Trevor Huxham<\/a>, has fond memories of Ja\u00e9n and spoke to us about why he recommends visiting the castle: \u201cThe Castle of Santa Catalina is such a great place to visit in Ja\u00e9n because it offers panoramic views of the entire city as it fans out into the olive groves\u2014it’s one of the best views in all of Andaluc\u00eda.<\/p>\n

\u201cFor the best photos and for a magical experience watching all the streetlights come on, I’d recommend timing your visit around the Blue Hour, which lasts 20\u201330 minutes after sunset. Either hike the 50 minutes uphill to the castle or just take a taxi.\u201d<\/p>\n

Enjoy great food<\/h2>\n

Spain is pretty much synonymous with great food and its no different in the charming city of Ja\u00e9n. You will surely work up quite the appetite during your day of exploring the many delights the city has to offer, but the good news is that you won\u2019t have to break the bank to do so! The city has the much-appreciated custom of providing free tapas when you buy a drink at its various delightful establishments. Liz from the travel blog Young Adventuress<\/a> explains: \u201cWhenever you order a beer, a Coca-Cola, or a glass of wine, your servers will also bring out a little plate of munchies\u2014can be potato salad, toast with cured ham, or anchovies. If you\u2019re lucky, you\u2019ll get a dish of preserved olives, just because, in addition to your tapas.\u201d<\/p>\n

For one of the best meals anywhere in Ja\u00e9n, consider heading to Restaurante Tamesis<\/a>, a restaurant with top reviews on TripAdvisor, serving Mediterranean cuisine at breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Known for great food and service, it\u2019s certainly worth checking out during your visit.<\/p>\n

What to do when visiting Ja\u00e9n<\/h4>\n

\"Jaen<\/p>\n