Jaca Voyage Tips and guide

Jaca is a city in Aragon. More of a stopping point than a destination, Jaca sees its fair share of travellers headed for the Pyrenees - summer or winter. With a constant flow of tourists passing through, the town has more than its fair share of restaurants, cafes, and hotels, and it is a comfortable place for a halt in Northern Spain.

Jaca is an ancient fort on the Aragón River, situated at the crossing of two great early medieval routes, one from Pau to Zaragoza. Jaca was the city out of which the County and Kingdom of Aragon developed. It was the capital of Aragon until 1097 and also the capital of Jacetania.

Jaca is also an important garrison town for the Spanish Army. It is the headquarters of the EMMOE (Military School of Mountain and Special Operations), and specialised units like the "Galicia" 64 Infantry Regiment. The city is also home to the Ciudadela (The Citadel of Jaca), one of the few perfectly preserved fortifications of its kind in the world.

42°34′18″N 0°32′50″W

Map of Jaca

• 42.5707-0.54931 Catedral de San Pedro Apóstol, Plaza de la Catedral. It was the first Romanesque cathedral built in Aragon (1070s - early 12th century) and one of the oldest in the Iberian peninsula. Its current appearance is the result of later additions and modifications introduced especially in the early modern period (from the late 15th to late 18th century).  (updated Sep 2019)
• 42.572-0.55162 Castle of San Pedro, Av. del Primer Viernes de Mayo. 16th-century castle.  (updated Sep 2019)
• The Citadel of Jaca: This 16th-century pentagonal fortress is the city's most iconic landmark. It remains important because it is one of the few perfectly preserved fortifications of its kind in the world.
• The Diocesan Museum of Jaca (Museum of Medieval Sacred Art) protects Romanesque and Gothic frescoes, some of which were found in the most remote locations in the Jaca district.

Jaca is a tourist destination in the region for summer holidays and winter sports. There are two major winter resorts (Valle de Astun and Candanchu) within a 30 km drive of the city. The city bid unsuccessfully for the 1998, 2002 and 2010 Winter Olympics.

For hiking lovers, going up the Peña Oroel is a quintessential local experience, offering a classic route with panoramic views of the Pyrenees and the city. For those staying in town, ice skating at Jaca’s rink is a must.

Don't miss the chance to visit the Ciudadela, a 16th-century fortress. Its moat is home to a colony of deer, a sight that delights visitors, especially the little ones.

• 42.57501-0.54881 Mountain House, Av. de Francia, 34, ☏ +34 974 36 36 13. Lots of vegetarian and vegan options  (updated Sep 2019)
• 42.5706-0.54822 Casa del Arco, Calle San Nicolás, 4, ☏ +34 974 36 44 48. Vegetarian restaurant close to the Cathedral  (updated Sep 2019)

• 42.62788-0.547591 ^{[dead link]} Hotel Lacasa Faus Hutte, Carretera de Francia, km 658.5, ☏ +34 974378136. Check-in: 14:00, check-out: 12:00. Lacasa Faus-Hutte is 1000 meters above the heart of the west side of Pirineos Mountain, 12 minutes from the ski stations of Astún & Candanchú. Jaca city is 12 far from Lacasa Faus-Hutte. There is easy access to the valleys of Ansó, Hecho, Ordesa, El Roncal and Valle de Tena. €42-96.  

Pau ← Canfranc ←

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→ continues as → Huesca → Zaragoza