Most visitors to Spain include Madrid in their itinerary, but the colorful national capital is not all that the most central region of the country has to offer. About 20 miles east of the city is Alcalá de Henares, an idyllic gem of a city with centuries of history in every picturesque corner. While most people who visit Alcalá de Henares do it as a day trip, there is so much to see and do in the city of Cervantes that will get you hooked almost instantly.
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Immerse yourself in culture at the Cervantes Birthplace Museum
Direction
Calle Mayor, 48, 28801 Alcalá de Henares, Madrid, SpainGet directions
Telephone
+34918 89 96 54
Web
Visit the website
Even if you haven’t read “Don Quixote,” the name probably rings a bell. Its author, Miguel de Cervantes, is considered one of the greatest literary minds in the Spanish language. He was born in Alcalá de Henares on September 29, 1547, in a modest house that still survives today as a museum.
The historic two-story house has been restored several times over the centuries. However, it has been set up to closely resemble the life of the Cervantes family in the 16th century. Visiting it will immediately transport you back in time as you progress through the carefully preserved rooms, learning more about the iconic author and his life along the way.
In addition to its unsurpassed historical value, the museum also hosts regular cultural events for visitors of all ages. From workshops for children and teenagers, to theater performances, themed tours and much more, there is always something to do. Visit the museum’s website for a full calendar of events.
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Marvel at the impressive Magisterial Cathedral
Direction
28801 Alcalá de Henares, Madrid, SpainGet directions
Web
Visit the website
Europe is full of impressive churches, and to the untrained eye, many may start to look the same after a while. However, the Magisterial Cathedral of Alcalá de Henares deserves an absolute visit, both for its historical value and for its incomparable beauty.
Dating from the 15th and 16th centuries, the cathedral was built in honor of Justo and Pastor, two children who were martyred on the site centuries before. Its Gothic architecture and impressive details will take your breath away from the moment you enter, but the beautiful views are not only limited to the interior of the cathedral. Be sure to climb to the top of the cathedral tower for panoramic views of Alcalá de Henares from above.
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Learn something new in college
Direction
Plaza de San Diego, s / n, 28801 Alcalá de Henares, Madrid, SpainGet directions
Telephone
+34918 85 40 00
Web
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No, you will not be able to register for classes if you are only visiting the city for a short period of time. However, the University of Alcalá is one of the most famous in Spain. At the time of its founding in 1499, it doubled the size of the city and transformed it into a true Renaissance center of culture and education.
The main building of the university, the Colegio de San Ildefonso, is a quintessential representation of Spanish Renaissance architecture. For an entrance fee of 4.5 euros, you can see first-hand one of the oldest and most prestigious institutions of higher education in Spain, whose history is so intertwined with that of Alcalá de Henares that visiting the city without visiting the campus will be practically unthinkable
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People-Watch in Plaza Cervantes
Direction
Plaza de Cervantes, 28801 Alcalá de Henares, Madrid, SpainGet directions
After spending a few hours wandering around museums and churches, you’ll probably long for some fresh air. Head to Plaza Cervantes, the most picturesque square in Alcalá de Henares, to soak up the history and catch a glimpse of the daily lives of the modern inhabitants of the city.
The Plaza de Cervantes as a public square dates back to a time before the legendary writer was born. In medieval times, the space was used as everything from a bustling open-air market to a bullring.
Today, it serves as a meeting point for the residents of Alcalá de Henares, with a central location that provides easy access to the rest of the city.
Location : Plaza de Cervantes is directly west of the university campus and Plaza San Diego.
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Eat your heart in tapas
In the past, tapas were free with every drink you ordered in every city in Spain. Unfortunately, this practice is disappearing in many places, and now you will generally have to pay for both the drink and the tapa.
However, not in Alcalá de Henares. As one of the few Spanish cities that has kept the custom of free tapas, it is a fabulous place to go bars and try some different dishes in each place. And if you think tapas are generally small, think again: the portions at Alcalá are generous, so you’re sure to be full after a few rounds.
Immerse yourself in cozy home-style tapas at Las Cuadras de Rocinante, a rustic pub located in an unpretentious, unblinking venue on Carmen Calzado Street. For a more international variety of tapas, try the fusion-style options at El Quinto Tapón.
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Explore the past at the Regional Archaeological Museum
Direction
Plaza de las Bernardas, s / n, 28801 Alcalá de Henares, Madrid, SpainGet directions
Telephone
+34918 79 66 66
Web
Visit the website
Ready to travel thousands of years into the past? The Regional Archaeological Museum can help. This fascinating museum offers a retrospective look at the history of the Community of Madrid (the geographical region where Alcalá de Henares is located, not to be confused with the capital of Spain) over the millennia.
Housed in a magnificent 17th-century convent, the museum is worth a visit for the building alone. Enter, however, and you will be greeted with a host of priceless artifacts and displays documenting how different civilizations lived in the local area throughout history. From prehistoric days to Roman occupation to the Arab period and the subsequent medieval Christian reconquest, you will experience thousands of years of history, all under one roof.
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Take a walk down Calle Mayor
Direction
Calle Mayor, 28801 Alcalá de Henares, Madrid, SpainGet directions
Many cities and towns in Spain have a Calle Mayor (which literally translates to “Main Street”), but none like the one in Alcalá de Henares. It is not just one of the most picturesque streets in the city, it is the center of urban life, with locals going about their daily routine and visitors pausing to admire its spectacular architecture.
Built on the ruins of an ancient Roman road in the 12th century, it originally marked the commercial center of the city’s former Jewish quarter. It has been the most important street in Alcalá since then, connecting the Cathedral Square with the Cervantes Square. Do some shopping or just enjoy a relaxing stroll along with people watching.
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Enjoy the architectural wonders of the Laredo Palace
Direction
Paseo de la Estación, 10, 28807 Alcalá de Henares, Madrid, SpainGet directions
Telephone
+34918 85 64 87
Web
Visit the website
Do you want to visit the Alhambra, but can’t get to Granada this time? Or is marveling at the Pompeii frescoes more your speed? No matter what architectural style and historical period fascinates you, you will find it all at the Laredo Palace.
Despite its otherworldly appearance, the palace is relatively new, dating from 1882. The different interior areas span the most important eras in Spanish history and European architecture, inspired by Roman times, Arab days, Gothic styles and modernist and much more. . It is an architecture lover’s dream come true, and easily one of the most fascinating buildings in Alcalá de Henares.
The palace also houses a museum dedicated to Cardenal Cisneros, the founder of the University of Alcalá.
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Explore Ancient Rome in Complutum
Direction
Camino del Juncal, 12, 28802 Alcalá de Henares, Madrid, SpainGet directions
Telephone
+34918 81 32 50
Many visitors to Alcalá are aware of the city’s rich Renaissance heritage, thanks in part to its association with Cervantes and the university. However, the history of the city dates back thousands of years later. At the beginning of the 1st century AD. C., the city that is now Alcalá de Henares was home to a prosperous Roman settlement known as Complutum.
At its peak, Complutum was one of the most privileged cities in Roman Iberia due to its strategic location along one of the main roads. Today, the old city center survives, consisting of a Roman forum, a handful of private houses, a few streets, and the old sewage system.
The main entrance to Complutum is in the southwest corner of Alcalá de Henares along the Camino de Juncal.
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Enjoy cakes fit for a royal
After walking around town exploring all day, you’ve likely had quite an appetite. Fortunately, the gastronomic fun in Alcalá de Henares doesn’t just stop with the huge free tapas. The city is also home to some of the most delicious pastries in Spain.
When it’s time for snack (the mid-afternoon snack enjoyed throughout Spain), go ahead and treat yourself. Try Alcalá’s famous donuts, a local favorite similar to a light and juicy glazed donut, at Pastelería Lupe (Calle Sebastián de la Plaza, 2). This iconic bakery is said to be the favorite of the Queen of Spain.
Another excellent option is crust — layers of puff pastry and meringue blended to perfection — at Salinas Bakery in Plaza de Cervantes.
