Medieval stone buildings and Romanesque churches line the narrow streets of this calm Spanish city, located in central Spain's Castilla-La Mancha region.
An hour from Madrid, Guadalajara stretches along the Henares River in central Spain. Walk through the carved stone doorways of the 15th-century Infantado Palace, where lions and griffins decorate its Gothic-Renaissance facade. Step inside the 13th-century Santa María Church to see its original mosque pillars and horseshoe arches. Beyond the city, hike through the 150-meter-deep limestone canyons of Alto Tajo Natural Park or wander through mountain villages built entirely of dark slate.
Getting to Guadalajara
Take the A2 motorway from Madrid to reach Guadalajara in under an hour. For train travel, use either the central Guadalajara station for regional connections or Guadalajara-Yebes station for high-speed AVE trains to Madrid and Barcelona.
Main Squares and Streets
Walk down Calle Mayor, where local shops and sidewalk cafes line this car-free street. The stone arcades of Plaza Mayor mark the old town's center, with its 17th-century City Hall decorated with carved wooden balconies. Stop at Plaza de Jardinillo to see the Renaissance-era Neptune fountain, where residents gather in the evening for coffee and conversation.
Historic Buildings and Churches
Look up at the Infantado Palace's facade to spot the 400 carved stone pins decorating its walls. Inside the palace, walk through the Provincial Museum's rooms filled with Roman artifacts and medieval art. At Santa María Co-Cathedral, examine the Mudéjar-style ceiling and original mosque columns. The Church of San Ginés rises above the city with its baroque twin bell towers and gilded altarpiece.
Parks and Nature
Hike through the 105,721-hectare Alto Tajo Natural Park's network of river canyons, where limestone cliffs drop 150 meters to the water. Walk the marked trails through Valdenazar Forest's pine groves and oak woods. In autumn, visit Hayedo de Tejera Negra Natural Park when its beech trees turn golden.
Local Food
Try the region's signature roasted lamb or kid goat dishes in local restaurants. Sample morteruelo, a warm pâté made with game meat, liver, and spices. Order river trout caught from mountain streams or crayfish in garlic sauce. Buy Alcarria honey, certified for its origin from local wildflowers and rosemary.
Cultural Events
Watch medieval plays and join street festivals during the Festival of Medieval Theatre in Hita each July. The city comes alive from May through September with outdoor concerts in Plaza Mayor and art exhibitions in the Infantado Palace's courtyard.
