Chinchón
Chinchón is a medieval town located close to Madrid in Spain.
It is not a major tourist area so it is worth a visit if you want to see Spain in the raw. The town also features a fort and is surrounded by olive groves.
Get in
By plane
The main passenger terminal is Madrid–Barajas Airport (MAD IATA), to the west of the capital city, which links via a toll-road to the three concentric peripheral routes M-50 (outer) M-40 and M-30 (inner) autovías. There are also direct rail and metro services from Terminal 4.
By bus
It is the only way! There is no rail service but regional (green) bus line 337 leaves about every half hour on work-days from Conde de Casal bus station (outside in Plaza Conde de Casal around the corner from metro station Conde de Casal on metro line 6) in central Madrid. Ask for a bus schedule at the tourist office (Centro de Turismo) in the Plaza Mayor in Madrid.
By car
By private vehicle, use either M-50, M-40, or M-30 peripheral major roads around Madrid which connect to A-4 (Autovia Sur/direction Cordoba) use exit at Km 37 (under arched footbridge) to M-305 (regular road direction Aranjuez - take care of tight bend left and 2 lanes converging). At roundabout simply follow signs along the M-404 road.
Get around
The medieval town has narrow streets and is built on the side of a hill, so the only practical option is to walk! Dedicated and very fit cyclists do travel here from Aranjuez, and that may be an alternative for some, otherwise a private motor vehicle is needed.
See
- 1 . The plaza which is circular and doubles as a bullfighting arena. This was one of the locations of the 1956 film Around the World in Eighty Days. There is a school of tauromachia, and the young trainees do sometimes jump over young cattle!
- 2 . Gothic building started in 1543
- 3 Clock-tower - Torre del reloj. Dates from the 15th century
- 4 Castillo de los Condes. A 16th century renaissance fortress stands atop the hill - once used as a brew-house, now part ruined
- Convent of San Agustín - 16th century, now a Parador luxury hotel
Do
Get fit walking through narrow streets and along winding lanes - all packed with history and interest
Buy
There are many fine artisans selling locally produced traditional iron, wood and cloth artefacts, mostly of traditional, rural design. Onions, garlic, melons and wonderful bread is on offer in and around the main Plaza Major
Eat
There are many open-air cafes in Plaza Major, but also some notable eating places, mostly a short distance along roads radiating from Plazar Major
- La Balconada - Plaza Mayor
- Bat's Cave - Meson Quinones Cuevas del Murcielago - Calle Quinones, Nr. 20
- Parador de Chinchon - Generalisimo Nr. 1
- Meson Cuevas del Vino - Calle Benito Hortelano Nr. 13
Drink
Chinchon produces wine! It is one of the denominated wine production areas of Madrid! Although it is twinned with Chinon in the Loire valley, France, Chinchon does not yet reach that high standard, but local wine, enjoyed in the locality is good quality and eminently drinkable - but the cheap stuff is best avoided!