Free walking tours in Guadalajara and what to see

Must-sees

The city’s great monument is the Infantado Palace, built in the late 15th century for the Mendoza family. Its façade, studded with diamond points, and the Courtyard of the Lions are an outstanding example of Isabelline Gothic. Inside is the Guadalajara Museum. Close by you can see the co-cathedral of Santa María, with Mudéjar features, and the church of San Ginés.

Other places worth seeing are the Cotilla Palace, with its room decorated in Chinese wallpaper, and the Luis de Lucena chapel. The Alvarfáñez tower recalls the old wall. A little further from the centre is the Pantheon of the Duchess of Sevillano, a late 19th-century complex with a richly decorated crypt.

Free tours and guided visits

Free tours are less frequent in Guadalajara than in big cities, although pay-what-you-wish walks of the historic centre are sometimes run, stopping at the Infantado, the co-cathedral and the palaces. Paid guided visits to the Infantado and the pantheon are a good way to see inside these buildings. The province offers some very interesting day trips. Sigüenza, with its cathedral and castle, is the best known. Pastrana, the ducal town, and the route of the black-architecture villages in the northern mountains also stand out.

How long to spend

The city is easy to see in a day. In the morning, visit the Infantado and its museum, and walk through the centre to the co-cathedral. In the afternoon, head to the Cotilla Palace and the pantheon. If you have more time, stay two or three days and spend the rest on trips around the province, such as Sigüenza or Pastrana.

Where to stay

The most practical choice is to stay in the centre, near the Infantado Palace and Calle Mayor. From there you can walk to almost all the monuments, with shops and restaurants close by. If you are driving for excursions, places on the outskirts with easy motorway access are also a good option.