The Chinchón Guide for Tourists (2026)

Why Chinchón

Chinchón owns one of the most extraordinary squares in Spain: an irregular oval of three-storey houses laced with 234 wooden balconies, which has served as bullring, open-air theatre, film set and royal court since the 15th century — and still converts to all of them. Around it, a hill town of whitewash and garlic ropes distills the anís that carries its name across every Spanish bar shelf.

There is no train — which is why Chinchón keeps its skin. Come by bus or car, 50 minutes southeast, sleep in a balconied room over the plaza or in the parador's Augustinian cloister, and have the square to yourself before the Sunday lunch crowds arrive for roast lamb at the mesones.

The walk to do first

Balconies, castle & the anís lanes — 3 km · 1.5 h. Plaza Mayor → Iglesia de la Asunción → the castle ruin's viewpoint → down through the whitewashed lanes past the Teatro Lope de Vega → the Alcoholera for a tasting. Short, steep in bursts, and best at golden hour.

Getting there and around

Bus 337 from Madrid's Conde de Casal every 30–60 minutes (50 min). Drivers take the A-3 then M-404 (50 min) — combine with Aranjuez, 25 minutes west, for the classic vega day. No rail; that's the moat that keeps it quiet.

Where to stay

Sleeping on the Plaza Mayor itself — several small hotels occupy the balconied houses — is the whole point; book months ahead for weekends. The parador in the old convent is the luxurious alternative, one minute uphill. Weeknights the town is nearly private.

Chinchón lists around 14 bookable hotels and guesthouses, from roughly €55/night. Prices on the area page are live; booking 3–6 weeks out usually lands the best rate, with free cancellation on most rooms.