Free walking tours in Chinchilla de Montearagón and what to see

Must-sees

Chinchilla de Montearagón sits on a hill a few kilometres from Albacete and keeps one of the most interesting historic centres in the province. It is crowned by a 15th-century castle, once used as a prison, with wide views over the La Mancha plain. Below, the Plaza Mayor brings together the town hall, with its stately façade, and the church of Santa María del Salvador, Gothic with a richly decorated Renaissance apse.

Walking through the old town you come across houses with coats of arms, stone doorways and remains of the wall. The former convent of Santo Domingo has a chapel with a Mudéjar ceiling, and the town has a museum devoted to ceramics. On the hillside is the cave quarter, homes dug into the rock that show a traditional way of life in the area.

Free tours and guided visits

There are no regular free walking tours in Chinchilla, but there is a guided visit of the old town that helps you understand its past and notice details you would miss on your own. The town's tourist office also has information on visits to the monuments. If you are in Albacete, it is so close that it makes an easy half-day trip.

How long to spend

Three or four hours are enough for the castle, the Plaza Mayor, the church and a stroll through the old town and the cave quarter. If you want to visit the museum and watch the sunset from the top, stay the whole day. Over a weekend you can combine it with Albacete and a village in the Sierra de Alcaraz.

Where to stay

The nicest option is to sleep in the historic centre, near the Plaza Mayor, where there are a few characterful places in old buildings. Choice in town is limited, so if you cannot find a room, Albacete is fifteen minutes away by car and has many more options for every budget.