Alcalá de Henares (Madrid) World Heritage Site
History of Alcalá de Henares in a few lines:
Origins:
Alcalá de Henares has Roman roots under the name of Complutum, founded in the 1st century AD. It was an important urban center in Roman Hispania, located in the valley of the Henares river.
Middle Ages:
After the Muslim invasion, the city was called Al-Qal'at al-Nahr (“castle on the river”). In the 11th century it passed into Christian hands and became an episcopal see, standing out for its religious importance.
19th Century:
During the 19th century, Alcalá lost some of its relevance after the confiscation of church property and the relocation of the University to Madrid. However, it maintained its historical and cultural character.
Present:
Today, Alcalá de Henares is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, famous for its University and for being the birthplace of Miguel de Cervantes. It is a key cultural and tourist center in the Community of Madrid.
Definitely recommended, firstly because it's our city, secondly because of its history, and thirdly, and not least, because of its tapas! 🤤. You can really see it all in a single day since the points of interest are very close to each other (except for the Roman ruins, which are a little further away).
There was a time when absolutely everything was free, but that has changed. It seems our taxes aren't enough to cover public attractions, so they charge for everything, even breathing. But since it's what we have to deal with, I'll at least leave you a link to a website where you can buy tickets: Web.
Tapas:
The range here is enormous and there are thousands of places that serve good tapas; in fact, going into a bar and not being served a tapa is a real shame. Alcalá It's an insult. Here are a few examples:
One of the most typical is the Indalo. There are 3:
Another is the Tupamaro, of which there are also 5:
In the center:
>The one we like the most: Ebano Gastro Experience Take a look HERE.
>The Indalo (as discussed previously)
A little further away from the inside:
>Bras&Beer Brewery in Ronda Fiscal.
>El Refugio Brewery in the Ensanche.
>Corcoba Reeds and Tapas in the Ensanche.
Where to eat: If you want to eat at a restaurant, there's also the app. TheFork which has many discounts. If you book with the code 7C1B79A3 When you are finishing the booking, you will get 1000 Yums = €10 discount at your next meal. In addition to other special offers they often have, or simply to accumulate points and use them for discounts on your next payments.
It operates in several countries, including Spain, France, Italy, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, Belgium, Switzerland, Portugal, Denmark, Sweden, and Australia.
Parking: Finding parking in the city center is difficult, as most areas are metered parking and the remaining parking options are quite expensive. Therefore, we recommend trying your luck in the following locations:
Bishop's Peak Parking. Outdoors and free (Left Photo): Address Here.
Fairgrounds Parking (Right Photo): Address Here.
Cervantes Market: Apart from being able to boast that Alcalá de Henares has been a World Heritage City since 1998, we can also boast of having the largest medieval market in Europe, which takes place in October, as well as having the longest arcaded street in Europe, on both sides.
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Round trip flight: XXXX
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Airbnb: XXXX
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Visit to parliament: XXXX
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1-hour cruise: XXXX
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Ruin Bars Route: XXXX
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Széchenyi Thermal Bath: XXXX
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Great Synagogue of Budapest (Dohány): XXXX
Practical tips for traveling to Alcalá de Henares
If you are traveling to Alcalá de Henares from Madrid Capital, One of the most convenient options is to take the train, which takes about 30–40 minutes—something often overlooked compared to driving. Furthermore, trains run frequently throughout the day, making it easy to plan your visit. Alcalá de Henares is one of the most interesting historical destinations near Madrid, ideal for combining culture, gastronomy, and sightseeing in just a few days.
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