Buendía is a pretty medieval town in Alcarria de Cuenca. Its wall and caves in the town centre bear witness to the Muslim and Visigoth past. Noteworthy sites include the porticoed main square, the Renaissance-style Church of the Assumption, and the Casa de la Tercia which is currently home to the Carriage Museum.

We recommend two excursions from Buendía, both in the heart of nature. Take good footwear and suitable clothing. A day trip to pack your backpack with food and drinks, just in case.

The first option, 4 km from the town, is a magical, surprising place perfect for taking the kids: the Caras de Buendía. The site is covered by a vast, young pine forest, next to the Buendía lake between rosemary, thyme and sage, in the spot known as The Peninsula. Here, the façade repairman Eulogio Reguillo and the ceramicist Jorge Juan Maldonado started to carve sculptures in sandstone, with spikes, chisels and other tools, back in around 1992. Some of these draw inspiration from the Gods in India, Buddhas, temple crosses and even from the composer and pianist Beethoven.

In just 1 hour, we can walk along the las Caras trail.

Hiking fans can trek the trail signposted as PR CU 46, which departs from the town of Buendía with a round trip of 14 kilometres where, in addition to the Las Caras route, you’ll visit the Peña de la Virgen lookout point and old archaeological sites.

The second option, 12 kilometres from Buendía and on the banks of the Guadiela river, is to visit the Shrine of Our Lady of the Abandoned. The drawback –which makes it even more special!– is that it can only be accessed by a 5 km trail, surrounded by bushes and grove, alongside the adjoining river. The location is a beautiful spot known as El Sitio –as legend has it that this was the place where the Virgin appeared in the 16th century–. The area surrounding the shrine features picnic facilities, a fountain with drinking water, several benches and even toilets, for relaxing and unwinding for as long as you want in this spectacular environment. In summer, you can even take a dip.

In Garcinarro, either on the way there or on the way back, we recommend stopping to see one of the province’s most elegant churches, designed by Pedro de Albiz, with three naves of the same height covered with spectacular, triangular-shaped vaults.