Getting Around Baeza: A Practical Transport Guide

Baeza is a walking town. The historic centre is car-free, the distances are short, and the Renaissance streets reward those who explore on foot.

The short answer: you'll walk everywhere in Baeza. The UNESCO-listed historic centre is compact, largely pedestrianised, and designed for feet rather than wheels. From one end of the old town to the other takes about 15 minutes at a gentle stroll.

There's no public bus network within Baeza itself.

Taxis exist but you'll rarely need them unless you're carrying heavy luggage or heading to the outskirts. The real question isn't how to get around Baeza, but how to reach it and how to explore the surrounding region.

Compare hotel prices in Baeza

Find the best deal across booking sites

Booking.com Hotels.com Expedia

The Quick Summary

Getting Around Baeza

Walking is how you'll explore the historic centre
No local bus network within the town
Taxis available for luggage or outskirts
A car is essential for exploring Jaén province
Úbeda is just 9km away (taxi or bus)

Walking: The Only Way to See Baeza

Baeza's historic centre is one of the best-preserved Renaissance towns in Spain, and it's built for walking.

The streets are narrow, often cobbled, and frequently closed to traffic. You couldn't drive through most of it even if you wanted to.

What you need to know:

The entire monumental zone is easily walkable
From the Plaza del Pópulo to the cathedral takes about 5 minutes
The Paseo de la Constitución is the main promenade for evening strolls
Streets are uneven and cobbled in places, so comfortable shoes matter
Limited shade in summer, so carry water and time walks for morning or evening

Local tip

The best walking route in Baeza follows the ramparts along the edge of the old town. The views across the olive groves to the Sierra de Cazorla are spectacular, especially in the golden light of late afternoon.

Walking Distances

From	To	Time
Plaza del Pópulo	Cathedral	5 min
Cathedral	Antigua Universidad	3 min
Paseo de la Constitución	Plaza de la Constitución	2 min
Old town	Bus station	10 min
Old town	Rampart viewpoints	5 min

Taxis in Baeza

Baeza has a small taxi service. You won't find taxis cruising for fares, but you can call for one or find them at the taxi rank near the Paseo.

When you might need a taxi:

Arriving with heavy luggage from the bus station
Getting to accommodation outside the centre
Reaching restaurants in the outskirts
Quick trip to Úbeda (about €15-20)

Practical information:

No ride-hailing apps operate in Baeza
Call the local taxi number or ask your hotel to arrange one
Fares are metered and reasonable
A taxi to Úbeda takes about 15 minutes

Tip:

If you're staying without a car and want to visit Úbeda, a taxi each way is often easier than the bus schedule. Agree on a price beforehand or confirm the meter is running.

Getting to Baeza

Baeza doesn't have a train station or airport. Getting here requires some planning, but it's straightforward once you know the options.

By Bus

Buses are the main public transport connection to Baeza. The bus station is about a 10-minute walk from the old town centre.

Key routes:

From Jaén: Regular buses, about 45 minutes
From Úbeda: Frequent service, about 15 minutes
From Granada: Several daily, about 2 hours
From Madrid: Direct buses available, about 4 hours

The main bus company serving Baeza is ALSA. Check schedules at the ALSA website or the bus station.

Local tip

Bus schedules can be limited on Sundays and holidays. If you're arriving on a weekend, check times in advance and have a backup plan (taxi from Úbeda if needed).

By Car

A car is strongly recommended for visiting Baeza, especially if you want to explore the surrounding olive country, the Sierra de Cazorla, or the small villages of Jaén province.

Driving to Baeza:

From Granada: About 1.5 hours via A-44
From Córdoba: About 1.5 hours via A-4 and A-316
From Madrid: About 3.5 hours via A-4

Parking in Baeza:

The historic centre is largely pedestrianised
Free parking available outside the old town walls
Main parking areas near the Paseo de la Constitución
Some hotels have private parking (confirm when booking)

Warning:

Don't drive into the historic centre unless your hotel has specifically told you to. The streets are narrow, confusing, and mostly closed to traffic. Park outside and walk in.

From Airports

The nearest airports to Baeza are:

Airport	Distance	Travel Time	How to Get There
Granada (GRX)	115km	1.5 hours	Rent car or bus via Granada
Málaga (AGP)	230km	2.5 hours	Rent car recommended
Seville (SVQ)	280km	3 hours	Rent car recommended
Madrid (MAD)	330km	3.5 hours	Rent car or direct bus

Recommendation: Rent a car at the airport.

Public transport connections to Baeza are limited, and you'll want a car anyway to explore the region. Granada airport is the closest and most convenient.

Getting to Úbeda

Úbeda, Baeza's UNESCO-listed twin, is just 9km away. You'll almost certainly want to visit, and getting there is easy.

Your options:

Bus: Regular service between the two towns (about 15 minutes, under €2)
Taxi: About €15-20, convenient if buses don't align with your schedule
Car: 15-minute drive with parking available outside Úbeda's old town
Walk: Ambitious but possible (about 2 hours along quiet roads)

Local tip

The bus between Baeza and Úbeda is cheap and frequent on weekdays, but the schedule thins on weekends. Check times at the bus station or ask your hotel.

Day Trips Without a Car

While a car opens up the region, some day trips are possible by bus:

Úbeda: Easy by bus or taxi
Jaén: Regular buses, about 45 minutes
Granada: Several buses daily, about 2 hours
Córdoba: Possible but requires planning

For destinations like the Sierra de Cazorla, olive mills, or smaller villages like Sabiote and Iznatoraf, you'll need a car or an organised tour.

Renting a Car in Baeza

Car rental in Baeza itself is limited. Your best options:

Rent at the airport: Granada, Málaga, or Seville airports have full rental options
Rent in Jaén: Some rental agencies in the provincial capital
Rent in Úbeda: Limited options available

Tips for driving in the region:

Roads are generally good but winding in the mountains
Petrol stations are scarce in smaller villages
Olive harvest season (November to January) means slow-moving tractors on rural roads
GPS is helpful but sometimes directs you down farm tracks

Accessibility

Baeza's historic centre presents challenges for wheelchair users and those with mobility issues:

Many streets are cobbled and uneven
The town is built on a slope with some steep sections
The main Paseo de la Constitución is flat and accessible
Some attractions have steps without ramps
Hotels vary in accessibility (confirm when booking)

Tip:

If you have mobility concerns, stay near the Paseo de la Constitución where the terrain is flattest. The main monuments are within a short distance, though some will still require navigating cobbles and steps.

Practical Tips

Before You Arrive

Book accommodation with parking if driving
Download offline maps (mobile coverage can be patchy)
Check bus schedules for your arrival day
Bring comfortable walking shoes for cobbles
Consider renting a car at the airport

Money and Payments

Most restaurants and shops accept cards
Smaller bars and cafés may be cash-only
ATMs available in the town centre
Keep some cash for taxis and small purchases

When to Walk

Morning (before 11am): Cool and quiet, best for photography
Midday (11am-5pm in summer): Hot and many places close for siesta
Evening (after 6pm): The town comes alive, locals promenade on the Paseo
Night: Safe and atmospheric, though very quiet

Plan Your Baeza Trip:

The Bottom Line

Baeza is one of those places where you don't need to think about transport once you're there.

The historic centre is your world for a day or two, and it's explored entirely on foot. The Renaissance streets, the viewpoints, the cathedral, the old university: everything is within walking distance.

The real transport consideration is getting to Baeza and exploring beyond it.

For that, a rental car is the best answer. Public transport exists but it's limited, and Jaén province rewards those who can venture into the olive groves and mountain villages independently.

Arrive with a car, park it, and forget about driving until you're ready to explore the surrounding region. Baeza itself asks only that you bring comfortable shoes and a willingness to wander.