Linares Car Hire

Guide of Linares

Geography

Linares is a city located at the foot of the Sierra Morena Mountains in Andalusia, sunny southern Spain. The city is surrounded by rugged hills, valleys and fertile slopes growing olive trees and cork oaks. There are a handful of natural parks within easy reach of the city, like the Sierra de Andujar Natural Park. The Guadalquivir River, one of Spain’s most important rivers, flows close to the city.

Climate in Linares

Linares experiences a typically Mediterranean climate with hot, short and arid summers and cold winters. Summer kicks off in June and lasts through September, with average high temperatures of 36°C. January is the coldest time of year to visit Linares, when temperatures drop as low as 2°C. Spring and Autumn are both pleasant times to visit, with mild temperatures of 18°C-24°C. November and December are the rainiest months in Linares.

Culture

Linares was founded by the Iberians, who established it as an important mining hub. It quickly became well-known for its silver and lead mines, and by the Roman times, it had become one of the most important villages along the “Silver Road”, which connected Cordoba to Cartago Nova. Mining has played a significant role in the city’s history and customs, reaching its peak during World War I.

Beyond silver and lead, Linares is well-known for its long tradition of bullfighting and the Plaza de Toros de Linares is one of the city’s most iconic landmarks. Flamenco is popular too, and visitors can enjoy performances at flamenco festivals, bars and competitions throughout the year.

Things To Do in Linares

Explore the Roman village of Cástulo

Located just outside the city, Castulo was the original Iberian settlement and Roman municipality that later became Linares. The archaeological site features a well-preserved Roman theatre, ancient walls, several temples and sanctuaries, and an impressive necropolis.

Brush up on the local history

The Archaeological Museum of Linares is one of the city’s top sights. It provides a fascinating insight into the origins of the city, as well as shining a light on its culture, customs and traditions. There is an impressive collection of Iberian ceramics, jewellery and tools, as well as Roman, Visigothic and Islamic artefacts. There are several temporary exhibitions throughout the year too.

Visit the Santa Maria la Mayor Church

This magnificent cathedral is the oldest building in the whole of the city. It was built in the 13th century on the site of an ancient mosque and has evolved over the centuries to incorporate Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque styles. It features an intricate facade with ornate carvings, a richly decorated nave and several chapels dedicated to saints and decorates with retablos and artworks.

Take a stroll around the historic centre

Linares boasts a picturesque historic centre with winding alleys, elegant squares and charming architecture. It’s where you’ll find some of the city’s liveliest and most authentic cafes, bars and restaurants too.

Eating Out in Linares

Like many Andalusian cities, Linares takes food and drink seriously. Local dishes and regional specialities showcase local ingredients, such as olive oils and cured meats. Popular tapas dishes include patatas bravas (spicy fried potatoes), boquerones en vinagre (marinated anchovies) and jamon iberico (Iberian ham). You’ll also find dishes like gachas (a porridge-like dish served with egg or chorizo) and pipirrana (salad made with fresh vegetables like cucumber, peppers and onions) throughout the summertime too.

The region is well known for its excellent wines, particularly those from the Jaén and Granada DOP. The region is renowned for its red wines made from tempranillo, cabernet sauvignon and merlot grapes. The wider region of Andalusia is also renowned for its sherry, so don’t leave without sampling a variety of vintages.

Unsurprisingly, Linares isn’t short of excellent eateries and you’ll find a whole host of brilliant bars, restaurants and cafes across the city. Los Sentidos comes highly recommended by Michelin and has received a Bib Gourmand for its contemporary cuisine that showcases the bygone flavours and history of the region. Cantina la Estacion is also highly rated. The authentic ‘cantina’ features a tapas bar in the style of an old railway station, which leads to a dining room styled as an old train carriage.

Transport

Airport

The nearest airport to Linares is the Federico García Lorca Granada-Jaén Airport (GRX), which is located approximately 58 miles (94 km) southwest of the city. The easiest way to reach the city from the airport is by rental car. The journey takes around 1 hour and 25 minutes. If you’re planning on taking public transport, you will need to take a bus or taxi from the airport to Granada city centre. From here, you can take a train from Granada train station to Linares-Baeza train station. It’s a short taxi or bus ride from the station to Linares.

Alternatively, you could fly to Córdoba Airport (ODB), which is 65 miles (104 km) northwest of Linares or Jaén Airport (JAE), which is 71 miles (114 km) northeast of Linares.

Getting around Linares

Linares is a compact city and most of its best-known landmarks and sights are within walking distance of each other. Restaurants, bars and cafes are all concentrated around the central zone too. The city operates a reliable and affordable local bus service that connects various neighbourhoods and key locations across the city, though you’ll need to check the timetable in advance since services can run infrequently.

However, if you’re hoping to explore the surrounding area, hiring a car will give you the most flexibility and freedom to travel at your own pace. Main roads and highways are well maintained and rarely congested, particularly when compared with other larger cities. Roads in the city centre can be narrow, but there is ample parking for visitors.