Atapuerca is today universally known because of the paleontological deposits found in the mountain range of the same name. The small municipality is 17 kilometers from the provincial capital of Burgos and is at an altitude of 966 meters above sea level.
The name Atapuerca is directly related to archaeology, but also to the Camino de Santiago. In this small town, two World Heritage Sites can be found, the Atapuerca Paleontological Sites of the Sierra de Atapuerca and the Way of St. James.
History of Atapuerca
From the 11th century onwards, the pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostela developed greatly. In Arnold Van Harff’s itinerary, written around 1499, it is noted that there are two ways to reach Burgos: the left-hand one is better and more careful, but the pilgrims follow the right-hand one to receive alms in the monastery of San Juan de Ortega, where they have a hospital. From here, through Atapuerca, the so-called ‘Camino Viejo de Burgos’ (Old Road to Burgos) was -and still is- reached.
Accommodation in Atapuerca
| Hotel Name | Type | Price range | Room | Other |
| Restaurante Hotel Rural Papasol | Hotel | Budget | Family rooms | Restaurant, WiFi, Bar, Good breakfast |
| La Turrumbera de Atapuerca | Holiday home | Splurge | Three bedroom townhouse | Swimming pool, garden, terrace, WiFi |
| El Rincón de Atapuerca | Holiday home | Splurge | Private rooms | WiFi, terrace, garden, BBQ facilities |
What To See
On top of a gentle hill, we can find the Iglesia San Martín de Tours from the 13-14th century, of Renaissance style. Inside are the 18th-century carvings of the Assumption of the Virgin and St. Martin.
The worldwide boom of the Camino has resulted in an increase in visitors, which has brought the installation of various catering businesses and rural accommodations for all types of visitors.
Olmos is located 3 kilometers from the town of Atapuerca. In 2019 it had 52 inhabitants. It is bathed by the Vena River and the San Juan stream, coming from San Juan de Ortega, and within its boundaries is the peak of Matagrande, at 1,082 meters.
In addition, the town is located at the foot of the Sierra de Atapuerca, where you can walk along trails suitable for the observation of fauna and flora, and discover landscapes and panoramic views of the “Corredor de la Bureba”.