A weekend in Alcalá del Júcar: a two-day plan

Alcalá del Júcar is the perfect destination for two days: small enough to see on foot and varied enough never to repeat a plan. It is about 50 km from Albacete, 150 km from Valencia and 300 km from Madrid, so you can drive there in an afternoon. This is the itinerary we suggest to guests staying in our homes.

Friday: arrival and a first stroll

Arrive before dark if you can. The approach to the village from the road, with the castle appearing between the bends, is part of the experience. Park in the upper part of the village or by the river, leave the car and do not touch it again until Sunday.

Once you have settled in, walk down to the bridge. At night the castle and the hillside are lit up and the reflection in the river is one of the images of the trip. Have dinner on a terrace by the Júcar or in one of the caves and go to bed early: tomorrow starts at dawn.

Saturday morning: the village

• Castle. Go up first thing, before the heat and the groups. From the keep you see the whole meander.
• Old town. Walk down without a map through the stairways and alleys to the church of San Andrés and the bullring, one of the few in Spain with an irregular shape.
• Caves. End the morning in the Cueva del Diablo or the Cueva de Garadén: cross the mountain through the tunnel and come out on the balconies above the river. Have a drink on the terrace.

You will find the details of each stop in our guide to what to see in Alcalá del Júcar.

Saturday afternoon: the river

Have a leisurely lunch and let the hottest hours pass. In the afternoon, choose according to the season:

• In summer, family rafting or canoeing on the calm stretch of the Júcar, or simply a swim from the riverbank.
• In spring and autumn, the flat walk to Tolosa following the river between poplars, returning at sunset.

For dinner, try gazpacho manchego, or atascaburras if it is cold. Our food guide tells you what to order.

Sunday morning: viewpoints and a short trip

Start with the climb to the hermitage of San Lorenzo or the short Corciolico loop, both little more than an hour with views of the castle. If you prefer the car, drive to the Casas del Cerro viewpoint, the classic panorama of the whole village.

Then, before heading home, a stop nearby:

• Jorquera, 12 km away, a walled village on another meander of the Júcar.
• Villa de Ves, with the hermitage of Cristo de la Vida perched over the canyon, and the Tranco del Lobo area.
• Casas Ibáñez if you want to visit a DO Manchuela winery and take home some Bobal wine.

Tips to make it work

1. Book in advance for long weekends, Easter and August. The village is small and rooms sell out.
2. Comfortable shoes. It is all slopes and stairs.
3. Cash. Some small bars and caves do not take cards.
4. Two nights are better than one. With a single night you lose Sunday, which is the quietest part.
5. Pets and cots. Ask us before booking and we will tell you how to arrange it.

Our three homes are in the centre of the village, fully refurbished and sleeping up to four. Check availability under accommodation and we will confirm within 24 hours.