A favourite with Madrilenos, the village of Chinchon is only 50 kilometres from Madrid and accessible by local bus. Nestled against a hill, the compact little town is dominated by the church of Nuestra Senora de la Asuncion. Inside the church is Goya’s painting of the Assumption of the Virgin while the grounds offer panoramic views of the rooftops of Chinchon against a backdrop of the plains of Castile in the distance. Near the church is a seventeenth century clocktower.
The sixteenth century Plaza Mayor is fascinating. Unlike the central plazas of many Spanish towns, Chinchon’s Plaza Mayor is not level. Rather it follows the contours of the hill. The Plaza is ringed by taverns and restaurants with tables spilling out onto the cobble stoned square. Choose a table at one of the many outdoor cafes and sample the excellent chorizo and locally produced anis. Choose carefully, however, as some tables, because of the sloping pavement, look too precarious to support a glass of anis.
The second and third floors of every building surrounding the plaza boast wooden porticos overlooking the plaza, which in the bullfight season in August are rented out to spectators. However the decks of these centuries old buildings are, like the square itself, not level, giving the appearance that they might collapse at any minute. Nevertheless some of the restaurants provide dining tables on the balconies.
It is also worth taking a stroll through the Parador. A renovated Augustinian convent called St Mary of Paradise, its cloisters have been glassed-in and surround a pretty garden with a central fountain.
Perhaps the best day to visit Chinchon is Saturday which is market day. On this day the square is filled with fruit, vegetable and cheese sellers ,as well as stalls selling fascinating antique farm implements and an intriguing array of household bric a brac.
While most guidebooks recommend day trips to Toledo, Segovia and Aranjuez because these places are accessible by train, Chinchon, although not on a train line, is less than an hour from Madrid and cheap and easy to get to by bus from Madrid.
How to Get to Chinchon
- Take the Madrid Metro Circle Line to Conde de Casal. From the metro take the exit marked Avenida Mediterraneo. Walk downhill about 200 metres to the line of bus stops until you get to Number 337. The departure times from Madrid and Chinchon are posted on the bus stop. A ticket will cost 3.40 Euros.
- Once you arrive in Chinchon walk up the gentle hill and you will arrive in the Plaza Mayor.
