Free walking tours in Colmenar Viejo and what to see

Must-sees

Colmenar Viejo is about 35 kilometres north of Madrid, at the foot of the mountains and surrounded by dehesa pasture. Its great monument is the Basilica of La Asunción de Nuestra Señora, a Castilian Gothic church of granite with a tower visible from afar. Inside is the Museum of Sacred Art. In the centre you can also visit the Casa Museo de la Villa, a traditional house that keeps its wine cellar and press.

Much of the municipality belongs to the Cuenca Alta del Manzanares Regional Park, so the town is a good starting point for walks. By the river are the mills and fulling mills of El Grajal, old installations for grinding grain and treating wool. The protected Navalvillar dehesa also holds remains of Visigothic settlements. The best-known festival is La Vaquilla, held in early February.

Free tours and guided visits

There are no regular free walking tours in Colmenar Viejo. What you'll find are occasional guided visits organised by the town council, some with costumed actors, on the history of the town and its basilica, as well as hikes in the Cuenca Alta del Manzanares. Check the municipal events calendar before you go. If you want a classic guided tour, the most practical option is to join one in Madrid and come here on your own.

How long to spend

The centre, with the basilica and the Casa Museo de la Villa, can be seen in a morning. If you add a walk to the El Grajal mills or through the Navalvillar dehesa, allow a full day. From Madrid you can get here by Cercanías train, so it works very well as a day trip, and you can combine it with nearby Manzanares el Real and its castle.

Where to stay

Accommodation in Colmenar Viejo is limited and concentrated in the centre and along the approach from the Madrid road. Staying in the centre lets you get around on foot with the station close by. If you want more of a mountain feel, Manzanares el Real is a good alternative. For more variety, Tres Cantos or Madrid itself are a short distance away.