Alcala de Henares
Make the most out of your trip and explore the old town to discover all of its secrets during your holidays in Alcalá de Henares. Plaza de Cervantes square is the emblematic centre of the town, and is home to important monuments such as the town hall, the Capilla del Oidor chapel and the ruins of the church of Santa María. At its centre is the statue of Miguel de Cervantes and a bandstand.
The imposing University of Alcalá rises to the east of the square. This is a set of colleges and faculties, each more impressive than the last. The historic neighbourhood and the rectorate are the most well-known spaces, built in the Spanish Renaissance. The courtyard of Santo Tomás de Villanueva, a beautiful place where students meet and the Capilla de San Ildefonso chapel are also two good options to visit.
Find out for yourself how great an option the package deals to Alcalá de Henares are if you’re thinking of visiting this beautiful town. Experience the Jewish past of the city on the lively Calle Mayor up to the Cathedral of Santos Justo y Pastor, home to the image of the patron saint of Alcalá. Along the way you can take in some other interesting buildings, such as the birthplace of Cervantes, converted into a museum, the hospital of Antezana and the Corral de la Sinagoga which was home to the town’s largest synagogue.
Explore the Romanic Alcalá at the Casa de Hippolytus archaeological site, located close to the train station at La Garena. The visit takes you to the headquarters of the Complutum young people’s college, an ancient institution dedicated to training the youth of the urban nobility. In its interior you can see a perfectly preserved fish mosaic, as well as other mosaics and paintings.
We don’t want you to miss anything, so we recommend you take advantage of the cheap trips to Alcalá de Henares. If you're travelling by plane, you can get to this great little destination in less than half an hour from Madrid-Barajas Airport.