# Family Sunday at Atapuerca: the Olmos mine by boat and the fire at CAREX

The Olmos iron mine with lanterns and a boat, CAREX with fire-making and stone-carving demonstrations and lunch in Burgos, half an hour away; all with advance booking.

Fuente: https://www.geocalia.com/en/spain/castile-and-leon/atapuerca/itineraries/family-olmos-mine-and-carex · Revisado: 2026-11-12

## El día
- 09:30 · Salida: 30 min by car (from Burgos via the N-I towards Vitoria and the Atapuerca turn-off along the BU-701)
- 10:00 · Olmos de Atapuerca Iron Mine (Mina Esperanza · with boat €16, ages 4 to 12 €13 · booking; minimum six people) · Mina Esperanza, From €10 per adult
  - 5 min by car, 2,8 km
- 12:30 · CAREX, Atapuerca Experimental Archaeology Centre (12:30 slot · €7, under-8s free · booking on 947 421 000)
  - 30 min by car, 21,9 km
- 14:30 · Casa Ojeda Restaurant, en Burgos (Wood-fired lamb · on Sunday lunches only · booking) · Casa Ojeda Restaurant, €€€
  - 9 min on foot
- 16:30 · Paseo del Espolón, Arco de Santa María and Plaza Mayor, en Burgos (Walk along the Espolón to the arch · free)
- 17:30 · Vuelta

The Sierra de Atapuerca has a morning designed for children that does not go through the Trench: going down an iron mine with lanterns and by boat, and then seeing how fire is lit and a stone tool carved. Mina Esperanza, in Olmos, and the CAREX, in Atapuerca, are five minutes from each other and about half an hour from Burgos, where you have lunch. From Palencia or Logroño it is an hour and a half; from Vitoria or Valladolid, a little more.

## The day, hour by hour

9:30 · Set off. From Burgos, on the N-I towards Vitoria and, after about 12 km, the turn-off to Atapuerca on the BU-701. In Olmos, the meeting point is signposted as Mina Esperanza; when you book they send you a map.

10:00 · Mina Esperanza. An hour and a half in the old iron mine, closed in 1973: dark galleries with paraffin lanterns, wagons and rails, a stretch where ore is cut, the underground mineral museum and the exit through the ventilation shaft. With the Navigators of the Deep visit there is also a boat trip through flooded galleries: €16 adults and €13 for ages 4 to 12; under-4s do not go on the boat. The basic visit costs €10 and €7. Book on its website or on 947 421 714: the session only runs with six people or more. Inside it is between 10 and 14 ºC: bring a jumper and closed shoes.

12:30 · The CAREX. Five minutes by car to the Experimental Archaeology Centre, at the edge of the village of Atapuerca, with a large car park. The archaeologist guides light fires, carve stone, paint as in the caves and hunt with spear, spear-thrower and bow; outside there is almost a hectare of reconstructed scenes open to all. €7; ages 8 to 18, €5.50; under-8s, free. There is no online booking: book on 947 421 000 or at reservas@museoevolucionhumana.com.

14:30 · Lunch at Casa Ojeda. Back to Burgos, about 25 minutes. Casa Ojeda, opposite the Casa del Cordón, roasts lamb in a wood-fired oven and on Sundays opens at midday only. Book ahead.

16:30 · The Espolón and the Santa María arch. A stroll beside the Arlanzón to work off lunch.

17:30 · Head home.

## If you prefer to eat in the sierra

In the village of Atapuerca, Comosapiens cooks daily dishes in a former hayloft and has many gluten-free dishes. In Ibeas de Juarros, on the way back along the N-120, La Ventana de Los Claveles serves cheap sandwiches and raciones. Neither publishes its hours: call ahead.

## Cómo llegar

### By car
Burgos to Olmos de Atapuerca, about 19 km via the N-I and BU-701. From the CAREX to the centre of Burgos, about 21 km. From Logroño or Palencia, an hour and a half; from Vitoria or Valladolid, between an hour and three quarters and two hours.

## Consejos

### Two bookings before you set off
The mine and the CAREX operate only with advance booking. In November and December the CAREX phone line is answered until 14:00.

### If you are fewer than six
The mine does not run with fewer than six people: ask when booking whether there is another group on the same session.

### Warm clothes
It is cold in the mine all year, and the CAREX is largely outdoors.

## Cuándo no ir

On Mondays, because the CAREX is closed, and in January, because the CAREX does not publish sessions. With children under 4, choose the mine visit without the boat.

## Preguntas frecuentes

### From what age is it a good plan?
From 4 years old, which is the minimum age for the mine boat. The CAREX works well from very young.

### How much does the day cost?
Between €55 and €85 per adult: €23 in tickets with the boat, plus lunch.

### Do you need to book?
Yes, both visits and lunch.

### Can you also see the Trench?
Yes, but it is another hour and three quarters on your feet: with children, better another day.