Chinchón

Town · Community of Madrid, 🇪🇸 Spain

Chinchón is a small historic town about 45 km southeast of Madrid. It is best known for its Plaza Mayor, an irregular, almost circular medieval square surrounded by three-storey houses with wooden balconies.

It also has a hilltop ruined castle, a Baroque church with a painting attributed to Goya, and a strong tradition of anise liqueur and garlic. It is a popular day trip from Madrid, ideal for lunch.

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When to visit

Spring and autumn are the most pleasant. Summer is hot and dry, and winter is cold. The town is busiest at weekends and holidays.

At Easter the town stages the Pasión de Chinchón, a passion play with local actors. In summer and early autumn the Plaza Mayor is used for events, and in the past for bullfights.

Best time to visit: May, June, September, October

Select a month

Typical weather in January

Poor

10° (feels like 6°) · extremes -4°–15°
0° at night
8 rainy days
13 sunny days
5 hours of sunshine per day
Dry air
Light breeze
UV index 2 · low

Typical weather in February

Poor

12° (feels like 8°) · extremes -5°–18°
1° at night
6 rainy days
13 sunny days
6 hours of sunshine per day
Dry air
Light breeze
UV index 3 · moderate

Typical weather in March

Fair

15° (feels like 11°) · extremes -3°–22°
3° at night
8 rainy days
14 sunny days
7 hours of sunshine per day
Dry air
Light breeze
UV index 4 · moderate

Typical weather in April

Good

18° (feels like 15°) · extremes 0°–26°
5° at night
9 rainy days
14 sunny days
8 hours of sunshine per day
Dry air
Light breeze
UV index 6 · high

Typical weather in May

Great

23° (feels like 20°) · extremes 4°–31°
9° at night
8 rainy days
17 sunny days
10 hours of sunshine per day
Dry air
Light breeze
UV index 7 · high

Typical weather in June

Great

30° (feels like 27°) · extremes 8°–37°
14° at night
5 rainy days
21 sunny days
12 hours of sunshine per day
Dry air
Light breeze
UV index 8 · very high

Typical weather in July

Fair

34° (feels like 31°) · extremes 13°–38°
17° at night
2 rainy days
28 sunny days
13 hours of sunshine per day
Dry air
Light breeze
UV index 9 · very high

Up to 11 days above 35°

Typical weather in August

Fair

33° (feels like 31°) · extremes 13°–38°
17° at night
3 rainy days
26 sunny days
11 hours of sunshine per day
Dry air
Light breeze
UV index 8 · very high

Up to 10 days above 35°

Typical weather in September

Great

27° (feels like 25°) · extremes 8°–33°
14° at night
6 rainy days
19 sunny days
9 hours of sunshine per day
Dry air
Light breeze
UV index 6 · high

Typical weather in October

Great

21° (feels like 19°) · extremes 4°–28°
9° at night
8 rainy days
15 sunny days
7 hours of sunshine per day
Dry air
Light breeze
UV index 4 · moderate

Typical weather in November

Fair

14° (feels like 10°) · extremes -2°–20°
4° at night
8 rainy days
12 sunny days
5 hours of sunshine per day
Dry air
Light breeze
UV index 2 · low

Typical weather in December

Poor

11° (feels like 7°) · extremes -4°–16°
1° at night
7 rainy days
12 sunny days
5 hours of sunshine per day
Dry air
Light breeze
UV index 1 · low

Climate data: NASA POWER (MERRA-2) · 1996–2025

Top sights

The Plaza Mayor is the main square, with its wooden balconies, bars and restaurants, and a Baroque layout from the 15th and 16th centuries.
The Iglesia de Nuestra Señora de la Asunción is the parish church, which has an altarpiece painting by Francisco de Goya, whose brother was a priest here.
The Torre del Reloj is the clock tower on the square, next to the church.
The Casa de la Cadena is a historic mansion.
The Castillo de los Condes is a ruined castle on a hill south of the square, with views.
The Teatro Lope de Vega is a historic theatre.
The Convento de las Clarisas is a convent in the old town, where nuns make sweets.

What to experience

Have lunch on a balcony of the Plaza Mayor, with roast lamb or suckling pig.
Taste anís de Chinchón, the local liqueur, at a distillery.
Climb to the castle ruins.
Visit at Easter for the Passion play.

Tours & Activities

Chinchón — Map

Day trips

Madrid (about 45 km): the capital.
Aranjuez (about 40 km): a royal town with a palace and gardens.
Alcalá de Henares (about 55 km): a UNESCO university city.
El Escorial (about 90 km): a monastery and royal palace.

Where to explore

Other places nearby:

Madrid area: Madrid, Aranjuez, Alcalá de Henares and El Escorial.

Getting there

By bus: Buses run from Madrid's Plaza Elíptica station in about an hour. Check the timetable, as services are less frequent on Sundays.
By car: The A-3 motorway and the M-404 reach Chinchón in about 45 minutes from Madrid.
By air: Madrid-Barajas airport is about 60 km away.

Getting around

On foot: The town is small and the sights are all within a short walk. The streets are steep and cobbled.
Taxi: Few taxis are available, so plan your return trip in advance.

Driving

Is a car worth it?: It is the easiest way to arrive from Madrid, but the bus also works.
Parking: Park on the edge of town. The center is pedestrian only in parts.
Roads: Good roads, with heavy traffic at weekends.

Food & drink

Chinchón is known for roasts: cordero asado (roast lamb) and cochinillo (suckling pig), cooked in wood ovens. Local garlic (ajo de Chinchón) is used in many dishes, such as garlic soup. The town is also known for anise liqueur (anís de Chinchón), distilled locally, and for sweet anise rolls.

Breakfast

Churros Churros con ChocolateFried dough sticks served with a thick, dark hot chocolate for dipping — a classic Spanish breakfast or late-night snack.

Lunch

Paella ValencianaA saffron-scented rice dish cooked in a wide, shallow pan. The traditional Valencian version uses chicken, rabbit, and green beans — best eaten at midday.

GazpachoA cold, blended soup of raw tomatoes, cucumber, pepper, garlic, olive oil, and vinegar, originally from Andalusia. Served as a drink or a starter, especially in summer.

Dinner

Pulpo a la GallegaBoiled octopus sliced onto a wooden board and dressed with olive oil, coarse salt, and smoked paprika — a signature dish of Galicia.

Snacks & street food

Jamón IbéricoDry-cured ham from acorn-fed Iberian pigs, sliced paper-thin and eaten on its own or with bread. The finest grade, jamón ibérico de bellota, is one of Spain's most prized products.

Tortilla EspañolaA thick potato and egg omelette, served warm or at room temperature, found in virtually every bar in Spain. Often eaten as a tapa or a quick meal.

Patatas BravasFried potato chunks served with a spicy tomato sauce or aioli — one of the most common tapas across the country.

PintxosSmall snacks anchored to slices of bread with a toothpick, the Basque Country's answer to tapas. Found in bar counters across San Sebastián and Bilbao, often with elaborate toppings.

CroquetasCrispy breaded cylinders with a creamy béchamel filling, typically made with jamón, bacalà (salt cod), or mushrooms.

Drinks

Rioja Wine Vino de RiojaSpain's best-known wine region produces full-bodied reds from Tempranillo grapes, aged in oak. The crianza, reserva, and gran reserva labels indicate increasing age and complexity.

Safety & health

Chinchón is a safe town. The cobbled streets are uneven and steep, so wear good shoes. In summer the heat is strong, so bring water and sun protection.

History

The town developed in the Middle Ages, and the Plaza Mayor was laid out in the 15th and 16th centuries. The castle was built in the 15th century by the Count of Chinchón, and was damaged in the Peninsular War in the early 19th century.

The town has been declared a Historic-Artistic Site, and the Plaza Mayor remains its public center for fiestas and festivals.