Burgos
Burgos is a city in northern Spain known for its Gothic cathedral, a stop on the Camino de Santiago, and the Atapuerca fossil sites about 15 km away.
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Burgos is a city in Castile and León in northern Spain and the capital of Burgos province. It sits on the Arlanzón river about 248 km north of Madrid and is the region's second most populous city after Valladolid. Diego Rodríguez Porcelos, Count of Castile, founded it in 884 as a fortified outpost on the Christian frontier. It became the capital of Castile and a royal seat for much of the 13th and 14th centuries. The Gothic Cathedral of Santa María, a UNESCO World Heritage Site begun in 1221, is the city's landmark, and El Cid and his wife Doña Jimena are buried there.
The French Way of the Camino de Santiago still passes through the city. Burgos is known for Queso de Burgos, a soft white cheese, and for morcilla de Burgos, a sausage with rice as its main ingredient. Local wine from the Ribera de Duero, Rioja and Arlanza areas is a standard part of the meal. The Atapuerca sites lie about 15 km away, and the Museum of Human Evolution in the city is based on those finds. Winters are cold, windy and snowy, while summers are mild.
Burgos in five
- See the cathedral early or lateBurgos Cathedral is a UNESCO site and the city's main draw. Check the official page for current hours and tickets, and go at opening time to avoid tour groups.
- Walk a stage of the CaminoThe Camino Francés passes through Burgos, so the old town fills with pilgrims in spring and autumn. Follow the scallop shells along the river for a short, free walk.
- Book Atapuerca aheadThe UNESCO prehistory sites near the city are visited on guided tours that need advance booking. The Museum of Human Evolution in town is the easy alternative if tours are full.
- Pack for the coldBurgos sits high on the plateau, and winters are cold, with frost and some snow. Bring a coat from November to March, and layers for cool summer evenings.
- Order the local classicsMorcilla de Burgos (rice blood sausage) and roast suckling lamb are the regional dishes. Ask for a half portion if you are sharing.
Things to do in Burgos
See all attractions in Burgos
Need to know
- Airport
- Madrid (MAD) or Bilbao (BIO), each about 2–2.5 hr by road
- Getting there
- Train and bus from Madrid, León and Bilbao
- Getting around
- Walk the old town; bus or car for Atapuerca
- Best base
- The old town near the cathedral
- Time needed
- 1 day; 2 with Atapuerca
Weather by month
- Rainy days
- Snowy days
- Days with storms
- Festival
- Best
- Good
- Mixed
- Poor
- JanuaryPartly cloudy10 rainy days1 snowy dayHigh7°Low1°Cold, frostyJanuaryPartly cloudy
Poor
- High
- 7°
- Low
- 1°
- Precipitation
- 59 mm
- Rainy days
- 10
- Snowy days
- 1
- Days with storms
- 0
Cold, frosty
- FebruaryPartly cloudy8 rainy daysHigh10°Low2°Cold, clearFebruaryPartly cloudy
Mixed
- High
- 10°
- Low
- 2°
- Precipitation
- 52 mm
- Rainy days
- 8
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Cold, clear
- MarchRain13 rainy daysHigh11°Low2°Chilly springMarchRain
Mixed
- High
- 11°
- Low
- 2°
- Precipitation
- 64 mm
- Rainy days
- 13
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Chilly spring
- AprilRain12 rainy daysHigh14°Low4°Mild, showersAprilRain
Mixed
- High
- 14°
- Low
- 4°
- Precipitation
- 74 mm
- Rainy days
- 12
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Mild, showers
- MayPartly cloudy11 rainy daysHigh18°Low7°Green, mildMayPartly cloudy
Good
- High
- 18°
- Low
- 7°
- Precipitation
- 58 mm
- Rainy days
- 11
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Green, mild
- JunePartly cloudy10 rainy days1 day with stormsHigh23°Low11°Warm, dryJunePartly cloudy
Best
- High
- 23°
- Low
- 11°
- Precipitation
- 60 mm
- Rainy days
- 10
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 1
Warm, dry
- JulyClear4 rainy daysHigh28°Low13°Hot, dryJulyClear
Best
- High
- 28°
- Low
- 13°
- Precipitation
- 16 mm
- Rainy days
- 4
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Hot, dry
- AugustClear3 rainy daysHigh29°Low14°Hot, dryAugustClear
Best
- High
- 29°
- Low
- 14°
- Precipitation
- 12 mm
- Rainy days
- 3
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Hot, dry
- SeptemberClear6 rainy daysHigh23°Low11°Autumn startsSeptemberClear
Best
- High
- 23°
- Low
- 11°
- Precipitation
- 30 mm
- Rainy days
- 6
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Autumn starts
- OctoberClear9 rainy daysHigh18°Low8°Autumn colorOctoberClear
Good
- High
- 18°
- Low
- 8°
- Precipitation
- 62 mm
- Rainy days
- 9
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Autumn color
- NovemberRain12 rainy daysHigh11°Low4°Cool, grayNovemberRain
Poor
- High
- 11°
- Low
- 4°
- Precipitation
- 69 mm
- Rainy days
- 12
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Cool, gray
- DecemberPartly cloudy10 rainy daysHigh8°Low2°Cold, lightsDecemberPartly cloudy
Poor
- High
- 8°
- Low
- 2°
- Precipitation
- 46 mm
- Rainy days
- 10
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Cold, lights
Average daily high and low in Burgos, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.
Festivals: May Baby jumping · Jun Baby jumping
Right now in Burgos
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
8
- Feels like
- 4°
- Humidity
- 62%
- Wind
- 19 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 0%
Burgos
09:47 PM
Monday, November 2
- Today15°4°0%Monday: Cloudy. High 15°, Low 4°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Tue8°2°0%Tuesday: Drizzle. High 8°, Low 2°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Wed10°0°0%Wednesday: Clear. High 10°, Low 0°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Thu11°0°5%Thursday: Clear. High 11°, Low 0°. Chance of rain 5%.
- Fri14°1°33%Friday: Cloudy. High 14°, Low 1°. Chance of rain 33%.
- Sat12°5°37%Saturday: Drizzle. High 12°, Low 5°. Chance of rain 37%.
- Sun19°9°75%Sunday: Drizzle. High 19°, Low 9°. Chance of rain 75%.
Updated 07:17 PM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
Every year
- May–JunBaby jumpingBurgos
Day trips by train
- Leónabout 2 hours by roadA Gothic cathedral with glass walls and a tapas street.Read the guide
- Atapuercaabout 20–30 min by carUNESCO sites that trace early human life in Europe.
- Santo Domingo de Silosabout 1 hr by carA Romanesque cloister in a small monastery town.
Before you go to Burgos
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Rules for Burgos, checked
- Spain is in the Schengen area. Check passport validity and visa requirements on the Spanish Ministry of Foreign Affairs website before you travel.
- Vehicle access to Burgos' historic centre is limited, and several old-town squares and streets are pedestrianised. Check the city council's traffic rules before you drive in.
- Opening hours and ticket rules for the cathedral, the Cartuja de Miraflores and the Huelgas monastery change. Check each site's official website before your visit.
Plan around Burgos
Cities, regions and entry rules for visitors
Read the guideLeónGothic cathedral and tapas, about 2 hours west
Read the guideValladolidA Castilian city on the road to Madrid
Read the guideBilbaoThe Guggenheim city, about 2 hours north
Read the guideSantanderA bay and beaches on the Cantabrian coast
Read the guideGetting around SpainTrains, coaches and when a car pays off
Read the guideBurgos FAQ
How many days do you need in Burgos?
One day covers the cathedral and the old town. A second day adds Atapuerca or a drive to Santo Domingo de Silos.
Is Burgos worth visiting?
Yes for one of Spain's great cathedrals and a relaxed old town, especially as a stop between Madrid and the north coast. It is not a beach or nightlife city.
Is Burgos on the Camino de Santiago?
Yes. The Camino Francés passes through, and many pilgrims rest here for a day. You can walk a stage without committing to the whole route.
When is the best time to visit Burgos?
May, June, September and October for mild weather. July and August are warm and dry. Winters are cold, so pack a coat.
How do you get to Atapuerca from Burgos?
About 20 to 30 minutes by car or taxi, or by tour. Visits need advance booking, so check the official site before you go and consider the museum in town as a backup.