Alcalá de Henares

Spring and autumn are the best seasons, with mild, sunny weather. Summers are hot and dry, and winters are cold.

The Cervantes Prize ceremony takes place on 23 April, and the Cervantes Week (Semana Cervantina) in October brings a market and street theatre. In November, the play Don Juan Tenorio is staged around the town.

• Universidad de Alcalá de Henares is the historic university founded in 1499 by Cardinal Cisneros, with a Plateresque façade and courtyards. The ceremonial hall hosts the Cervantes Prize.
• Catedral Magistral is the Magisterial Church, which is the city's cathedral.
• Palacio Arzobispal is the Archbishop's Palace, a large building next to the cathedral.
• The Museo Casa Natal de Cervantes is a reconstruction of the house where Cervantes was born, with a museum.
• Calle Mayor is a long, arcaded street with more than 2 km of colonnades, lined with shops and cafés.
• Museo Arqueológico Regional has archaeology of the region, in a former convent.
• Complutum is the site of the Roman town of Complutum, with a house and forum.
• Necrópolis de la Villa Romana del Val is a Roman villa site with a necropolis outside the center.
• Museo de Escultura al Aire Libre is an open-air museum of sculpture on the university campus.
• Colegio de Málaga is another historic college building, next to the university.

• Walk along Calle Mayor and stop for tapas and the local pastry.
• Take a guided visit of the University and the Cervantes birth house.
• Visit the Roman remains of Complutum.

• Madrid (about 35 km, 30 minutes by train): the capital.
• Aranjuez (about 80 km, 1 hour by car): a royal town with a palace and gardens.
• Chinchón (about 55 km): a village with a round main square.
• El Escorial (about 80 km): a monastery and royal palace.
• Guadalajara (about 30 km): a nearby historic town with a ducal palace.

Other places nearby:

• Madrid area: Madrid, El Escorial, Aranjuez and Chinchón.
• Historic cities: Toledo.

• By air: Madrid-Barajas airport is about 15 km away, and it takes about 30 minutes to reach by taxi or train.
• By train: Commuter trains (Cercanías, lines C-2 and C-7) run from Madrid, in about 30 to 40 minutes. Book on Renfe for long-distance trains.
• By bus: Frequent buses run from Madrid's Avenida de América station.

• On foot: The historic center is compact and flat. The main sights are within a 10 to 15 minute walk of each other.
• Cycling: There are bike lanes, and the city is mostly flat.
• Public transport: City buses reach the Roman sites outside the center.

• Is a car worth it?: Not needed. The trains from Madrid are quick and the center is walkable.
• Parking: Use an underground car park near the center.
• Restrictions: Parts of the historic center are pedestrian only.

Alcalá is known for its rosquillas (small ring-shaped sweets) and costrada, a layered custard pastry. Madrid-style dishes such as cocido (chickpea stew) and roast lamb are common in the traditional restaurants.

Tapas bars around the central streets serve a small dish with each drink.

Alcalá is a safe city. Summer heat is strong, so wear sun protection and drink water. Pickpocketing is possible on busy streets, so keep an eye on your belongings.

Alcalá began as the Roman town of Complutum. In the Middle Ages it was ruled by the Moors, and it was later a seat of the archbishops of Toledo.

Cardinal Cisneros founded the university in 1499, and it became one of the leading centers of learning in Spain. Miguel de Cervantes was born here in 1547. The university moved to Madrid in 1836 and returned to Alcalá in the 20th century. The historic precinct was listed by UNESCO in 1998.

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