Visit Alcalá de Henares: the city of Cervantes

Visit Alcalá de Henares is a great idea! Alcalá de Henares, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is just 30 kilometres from Madrid, and is served directly by Cercanias and bus. Alcalá de Henares is one of the nine cities in Spain that Unesco has classified as “unique”. Its slogan, “Cuidad del saber”, translates as “city of knowledge”, and reflects the importance of its cultural heritage, including its renowned universities. You’ll be amazed by the city’s historic past. We’ve listed the must-see places in Alcalá de Henares and things to do in 1 day or more

1- What to visit in Alcalá de Henares ?

You’ll have enough time in a day to see it all. Alcalá de Henares means “castle on the river Henares”. Which means there’s a castle somewhere! In fact, it’s a palace that was once used by royalty.

Arzobispal Palace (Palacio Arzobispal)

The palace of the archbishop of Alcalá de Henares witnessed the Catholic monarchs’ talks with Christopher Columbus. It has undergone numerous destructions and fires, and has been rebuilt and extended. Today, it is the seat of the bishopric of Alcalá de Henares.

The La Plaza de Cervantès

The Plaza de Cervantes is the authentic heart of Alcalá de Henares, the core of the old town and the main meeting point for visitors and locals alike. This square is beautifully lined with trees and gardens that surround the statue of Miguel de Cervantes.

La Calle Mayor (La Calle Mayor)

Calle Mayor de Alcalá is the main street in the city centre, dating back to the 12th century. Its special feature is its pretty arcades, which give it a great deal of charm. It is the epicentre of the daily life of the city’s citizens, and is the ideal place to stroll, have a drink on a terrace or do a bit of shopping.

The House of Cervantes (La Casa de Cervantès)

The house in which Miguel de Cervantes was born on 29 September 1547 is now a museum where you can see for yourself what life was like in the time of the author of Don Quixote.

The Cervantes Birthplace Museum is a monographic museum owned and managed by the Community of Madrid, located in the building where, according to researchers, the writer was born. It recreates the different environments of a well-to-do house from the 16th and 17th centuries.

University of Alcalá (Universitad de Alcalá)

The University of Alcalá de Henares was founded in 1499 and is the third oldest in Spain. Its cultural character was a decisive factor in Alcalá de Henares being declared a World Heritage City by UNESCO in 1998.

The University of Alcalá de Henares was founded in 1499 by Cardinal Francisco Jiménez de Cisneros, minister to the Catholic monarchs, with a papal bull from Pope Alexander VI.

The magisterial cathedral

In Alcalá’s magisterial cathedral, you’ll find the physical core of Christianity’s presence in the Complutense city for almost two thousand years, a Catholic Christianity like in the rest of Spain that has marked daily life for centuries in half of Europe.

The magisterial cathedral was built on top of an ancient church, which in turn was built in the so-called Campo Laudable, where in the year 305 (4th century AD) two children, possibly teenagers, were shot for not denying their faith, by order of the emperor Diocletian. The stone on which they were martyred is preserved in a crypt inside the cathedral.

Corral of Comedias (Corral de Comedias)

The Corral de Comedias de Alcalá de Henares (1601) is considered to be the oldest in Europe. It is a living jewel both as an active theatre and as a building that shows the imprint of the different eras it has passed through.

The Corral de Comedias consisted of a stage at one end of the patio, against the wall of the back house. In front of the stage was the patio, usually paved, as you can see in the alcalaíno.

The Palacio de Lared (La Palacio de Lared)

The Palacio de Laredo, a neo-Mudejar marvel with a romantic 19th-century garden, its unique architecture will take you away into an oriental dream, amidst the modernity of the neighbouring buildings. One of the oldest planetariums in the world can be seen in the original Gothic vault of the Laredo Palace.

If you’re coming with children, don’t hesitate to opt for the Alcala de Henares mini-train tour. The ticket is valid all day from the moment it is activated. This means you can get on and off whenever you like! From €7, €6 for 5/9 year-olds and free for under-5s.

Stork nests

The storks’ nests are a real treasure of the city. They were here long before Cervantes. Today, you can see nests all over the rooftops. It’s a real treat!

Visit Alcalá de Henares free of charge in Spanish or in a private group in English .

2- In the footsteps of Cervantes

The house-museum where Cervantes was born

The house where Miguel de Cervantes was born on 29 September 1547 is now a museum where you can see for yourself what life was like in the time of the author of Don Quixote.

The Cervantes Birthplace Museum is a monographic museum owned and managed by the Community of Madrid, located in the building where, according to researchers, the writer was born. It recreates the different environments of a well-to-do house from the 16th and 17th centuries.

Los Universos de Cervantes interpretation centre

The interpretation centre is located in the Plaza de Cervantes, with two emblematic landmarks: the Antezana and Oidor chapels, part of the temple where the author of Don Quixote was baptised,

If you want to find out more about the history of Cervantes, you can continue your visit to Madrid, and in particular to the Barrio de Las Lettras, an important part of Spanish literary history.

Another Cervantes house-museum can be visited in Valladolid, and finally the Cervantes Museum in Cuidad Réal is dedicated to the work of the writer.

Enjoy a half-day visit with a guide

3- Visit Alcalá de Henares during the annual festivities

If you want to visit Alcalá de Henares in a different way, here’s an overview of the traditional festivals held in Alcalá de Henares every year, some of which are really great for the atmosphere, such as the medieval festival in October

• 17 January: Anthony the Great, at the hospital in Antezana, every year on 17 January hundreds of people come to have their animals blessed.
• Holy Week: Eight penitential brotherhoods and night adoration take place during the processions.
• 23 April: Anniversary of the death of Cervantes. The week is declared to be of Regional Tourist Interest.
• 6 and 7 August: Feast of the city’s patron saints. Processions take place
• 24 August: Alcalá Fair.
• 9 October: the biggest event of the year: the Alcala Medieval Festival celebrates Cervantes.
• 2 December: anniversary of the city’s inscription on the unesco World Heritage List.
• 13 December: the bonfire of Saint Lucia, a celebration with a traditional parade and a bonfire on which potatoes are burnt.

As well as these important dates for the city, you can also visit one of the city’s many popular markets, where you’ll find food, clothing and handicrafts:

• Mondays in Paseo de Aguadores,
• Tuesdays in calle Mejorada del Campo
• Wednesdays in the Avenida del Ejercito.
• Sundays and public holidays: a craft market is held in Calle Mayor.

4- Where to stay in Alcalá?

If you’re planning to stay for a few days, I’d recommend staying in the city itself.

Alcalá has its own parador.

Find all accommodation in Alcala de Henares HERE.

5-Visit Alcalá de Henares with our good places.

Doughnuts of Alcalá and Costrada (Rosquillas de Alcalá )

This is not an address directly, but a typical dessert of the city to discover.

Rosquillas de Alcalá, one of the most typical desserts, after the Costrada: made from puff pastry with cream and meringue and icing for the rosquillas.

It’s possible to eat in a crêperie in Alcalá!

La Marmite : original Gastro Bar based on Mediterranean cuisine, with Asian nuances and a touch of Alcala.

Address: Calle Andrés Saborit 16, Alcalá de Henares

El Parador de Alcala: this is the place to go if you want a really good restaurant!

Address: Calle colegios 8 Alcala de Heranes

I hope this article will help you discover all the secrets of Alcalá de Henares! Don’t hesitate to share your recommendations and addresses in the comments. If you’re visiting Alcalá in July, you might like to synchronise your visit with a trip to the lavender fields near Brihuega.

Emilie