Jaén is a little known and rarely visited province. You know when you have entered Jaén by the endless rows of olive trees on either side of the road.
However, out of sight of the driver and beyond the olive tree plantations are some charming and historic towns...
The capital Jaén perched high on a hill-top, possesses some interesting sights, including a huge Renaissance cathedral, an intriguing baths complex dating back to the 11th century and a castle.
The towns of Baeza and Úbeda lying north-east of Jaén, attract those seeking extravagant Renaissance palaces, churches and squares. Both places prospered greatly in the 16th and early 17th century and their majesty is still there to see.
Further east is Spain's largest protected area - the Cazorla Natural Park, a rich mixture of sierras, gorges, lakes and forests inhabited by a surprisingly rich variety of wildlife.
