Travel blog - Tips to explore the world on a budget: Ubeda

Úbeda, located in the olive-rich province of Jaén in Andalusia, is home to one of Spain's best-preserved Renaissance architectural collections and was named a UNESCO World Heritage site in 2003. Known as the "stone-carved city," it features impressive 16th-century palaces, churches, and plazas, built when the local nobility turned their medieval fortress into a Renaissance showpiece during the reign of Emperor Charles V. The Plaza Vázquez de Molina is a highlight, with the Sacred Chapel of the Savior, grand palaces, and beautiful stone buildings forming a stunning example of Renaissance design. As you wander Úbeda's winding streets, you'll find hidden patios, Renaissance courtyards, and charming squares that feel unchanged since the 1500s. Only 10 kilometers from Baeza, Úbeda offers a true taste of Andalusian culture, surrounded by vast olive groves in Spain's top olive oil-producing area.