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Pro
Many historic sites to visit, a must for all the Don Quijote fans out there
Con
The modern world outside the old town centre left Alcala in no great impression
In a nutshell
University with a lot of foreigners
University of Alcala (Colegio Mayor San Ildefonso)
Jefie Says: The University of Alcala's origins date back to 1293, when King Sancho IV of Castile created a school in Alcala de Henares. Under Cardinal Cisneros, this school was granted full university status in 1499, which makes it one of the oldest universities in the world, and was...
Jefie Says: If you travel to Alcala by train, you'll most probably walk by the Palacio Laredo and it's impossible not to notice its very unique style of architecture. The house was designed by Manuel Laredo y Ordoño for himself - he simply wanted his house to stand out, and I guess we...
Jefie Says: Calle Mayor connects the Plaza de Cervantes with the Plaza de los Santos Niños, where you'll find the Cathedral of Alcala. It used to run through the Jewish neighborhood and for a while it was the city's most important commercial strip. Today, you'll still find different...
Jefie Says: The Plaza de Cervantes dates back to the 13th century, although it obviously had a different name back then. Like the Plaza Mayor in Madrid, this square was the social and economic center of the city - a weekly market was held there and most holidays and public events were...
Jefie Says: Located at the end of the Plaza de Cervantes, la Capilla del Oidor is one of the only buildings that remain after the destruction of the church of Santa Maria la Mayor during the Spanish Civil War (the campanile that stands in front of it was also part of the church). The...
Convento de San Juan de la Penitencia
Jefie Says: The San Juan de la Penitencia convent was one of the historic buildings we got to visit as part of the guided walking tour organized by the tourist office. This Franciscan convent was founded by Cardinal Cisneros during the 16th century and it was both a hospital for women...
Jefie Says: Next to the Monasterio de San Bernardo you'll find the Palacio Arzobispal (Archbishop's Palace). Although it was almost completely destroyed by a fire in 1939 and is not open to the public, people interested in history might still want to take a look at the place where...
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McDonald's: Try as you might to avoid it...
Jefie Says: This was my third time traveling to Europe and I had done everything I could to avoid eating at McDonald's while on another continent, especially since I don't even eat there at home. However, as Nico and I were walking around the Plaza de Cervantes, rain suddenly started...
DaLel Agnese: Great ice creams for the summer!
msocolin Says: There's not much to tell about the place. Just a usual ice cream parlor, with the exception that its owner is an argentine, who's brought the argentine ice cream flavors to Spain. There's a chocolate flavor (I can't remember the name), that's semi dark chocolate with...
Panederia: If You Get Thirsty on Your Way to Can-Can
julieann_tz Says: Stop by for a drink and get pumped to go out dancing. Filled with locals the Panderia is a good place to stop and loosen up your little lady. Soon she won't stop saying, "This is my jam!" when the Bartender/DJ starts mixing Prince and Guns-n-Roses. Semi-Casual.
Clandestino: Best Chill Out Bar
julieann_tz Says: This bar was a hidden gem that I didn't discover until halfway into my stay in Alcala. There's live music every week and a very good place to find young hip expatriots from all over the world. You can also buy and smoke hash inside if you're so inclined to devulge. A highly...
From Madrid to Alcala de Henares by train
Jefie Says: Traveling to Alcala de Henares from Madrid by train is a very quick and easy ride, which explains why so many people live in Alcala and work in Madrid. Trains depart from the Atocha station every 10 minutes, and it takes about 30 minutes to get to Alcala de Henares (trains...
Renfe train to Alcala de Henares
Misstyria Says: It is very convenient and easy to go to Alcala by train. Departing from Madrid 'Atocha' (central train station), it takes approx. 45 min. to get there. Return ticket costs around €4.50 and trains run every 10 min. throughout the day.
Helpfulness
If you're missing a mall atmosphere, Al Campo is the place to go. I think if you're going to make the effort to get there you might as well go the whole way and go to Madrid for shopping. But if you just want to catch a movie, Al Campo is your place.
Written Dec 3, 2005
julieann_tz Says: Every April, Alcala hosts the Abril de Cervantes - Festival de la Palabra. The Festival is a wide program of cultural activities including exhibitions, film, conferences, concerts, theater, poetry and presentations of books. Towards the end of the month, the king and queen...
julieann_tz Says: Those days that we couldn't quite make it to the bar we would drink in the Plazas with the kids. Probably my best memories of Alcala were the days that I'd get together with a bunch of friends and pass around a bottle of vodka mixed with Fanta. Oh the memories.
Helpfulness
Miscellaneous: The one thing you should definitely bring with you on your first trip to Alcala de Henares is a good map. While it is very easy to get around the old city area, finding your way from and back to the train station can be a bit of a nightmare. OK, I'll admit that I don't really have a good sense of directions but I'm not kidding: it took me half and hour to find my way back to the Paseo de la Estacion from the Plaza de Cervantes. And as the modern part of the city is nowhere near as charming as the historic part, you don't want to waste half an hour walking around there, trust me!
If you can't find a map beforehand, you can always stop by the tourist office booth located at the Plaza de Cervantes. They'll provide you with an OK city map and help you plan your day!
Updated Aug 2, 2008
Colegio Mayor de San Ildefonso
evona Says: The first University in the world was the University in Alcala and it was founded by Cardinal Cisneros in year 1499. In XVI century this was one of the most importand scholarly centres in Europa. Now is this beautiful renessaince building on the list of UNESCO World...
evona Says: I don`t know what is in those building, but it is very beautiful architectur. It is by the way from train station to University in Alcala.
Helpfulness
Favorite thing: Eat: Tortillas espanolas, churros con chocolate, coffee, strawberries, bananas
Drink: Wine
See: Plaza Mayor, University Buildings, Mercado (Food Market)
Fondest memory: I miss the funky cafe next to the school for foreigners. It had great fresh-squeezed orange juice and the best tortillas espanolas.
Also, I miss walking to class, and USEFUL public transportation.
Written Mar 2, 2003
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Alcala de Henares, Home of Cervantes
Alcala de Henares is located about 30 km away from Madrid. It is well-known for its university, the oldest in Spain, and for being the city where Spanish author Miguel de Cervantes was born. Because...
Alcalá de Henares - University since 1499
In Alcalá the first university in the world was founded by cardinal Cisneros in 1499. It is now a UNESCO World Heritage .... Page under construction!
I did a study abroad in the Spring of 2004 at the University of Alcala. In the 4 months I spent in Alcala, I never once felt homesick for the states. I had ups and downs like a lot of people but...
Alcala is located a few miles to the east of Madrid and is a lively university city with two complete different faces: the old heritage part of the town and the one with old as well as new apartment...
Build your own Alcalá de Henares page
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