Pack your suitcase and invite your friends to see the many beautiful places that Guadalajara has to offer. You will find iconic buildings, squares, churches, and beautiful natural parks that will make your trip a memorable experience. Just an hour away from the capital of Madrid, Guadalajara can be the ideal destination for a weekend getaway.
You won’t need much time to visit it from one end to the other, discovering all its must-see places – a couple of days will be enough. In addition to the city’s interesting monuments, you can also enjoy its unique gastronomy and spectacular architecture, so don’t hesitate to come and see it for yourself!
What are the best places to see in Guadalajara Spain?
1. Palacio de la Cotilla
This centrally located palace has Renaissance features and is full of treasures for you to discover during your tour of this imposing building. The history of this building dates back to the 17th century, being built for the Marquises of Villamejor. It also reflects the demands of the nobles of that time.
Its main attraction is the Chinese hall, which is decorated in a very oriental way. You can appreciate the Chinese rice paper dating back to the 19th century, depicting the former feudal life of the old Imperial China. Today, the palace houses craft schools and a number of exhibition halls.
Apart from the Chinese hall, the romantic garden is located at the back of this magnificent building. It is one of the best gardens you can find in Guadalajara, which you will definitely not want to miss.
The entrance to this palace costs 1€ and you can visit it on Fridays and Saturdays, from 10:30 to 14:00 and from 16:30 to 18:30 (winter), and from 17:00 to 19:00 (summer). Sundays and public holidays, from 10:30 to 14:00.
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2. Infantado Palace
The Infantado Palace is one of the most iconic places in Guadalajara. Iñigo López de Mendoza ordered its construction, the second Duke of Infantado. The Mendoza family played a leading role in the history of the city. As well as being nobles, they were involved in political life in Spain. In Guadalajara they ordered important constructions such as this palace, making this building a political and social reflection of how life used to be.
The façade is worth admiring, but the gardens are certainly not to be missed, thanks to the care that has been taken with the gigantic gardens typical of the nobles. This is therefore one more attraction to see in Guadalajara.
Keep in mind the opening times when visiting:
Monday to Friday: from to 9.30pm.
Saturdays: from 9am to 2.30pm and from 4pm to 7pm.
Sundays and holidays: from 10am to 2.30pm and from 5pm to 7pm.
Free visit to the Patio de los Leones of the Palacio del Infantado from Monday to Sunday: from 9 am to 2 pm and from 4 pm to 8 pm.
From 16 September to 14 June:
– Tuesday to Saturday: from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m.
– Sunday: from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
From 15 June to 16 September:
– Tuesday to Sunday: from 10 am to 2 pm.
– The general joint ticket costs 3 euros and reduced ticket 1.50 euros. Ask for free admission days.
– Good Friday.
– 1st May.
– Local holidays in Guadalajara: 8 September and Friday of Ferias (to be defined).
– 24th December.
– 25th December.
– 31st December.
3. Guadalajara Zoo
If you are looking for an ideal place to take a walk with the little ones, this place is certainly your best option. The variety of animals that live inside this ample and quite elegant zoo will leave children and adults alike amazed. Apart from seeing them in their natural habitat, you can interact with them, give them food and play some games.
With a calm and quite a safe environment, families visit this great zoo every day. Here you can see the magnificent care that the staff has taken with each of the animals that live there. If you love animals, come and enjoy a whole afternoon at the Guadalajara Zoo.
4. Chapel of Don Luis de Lucena
From the outside the chapel is quite striking, but upon entering you realise that you are in front of the history of Guadalajara. As interesting as it is profound, you will be able to learn about it from beginning to end. Furthermore, the guides can tell you one by one all the stories that the walls of this Chapel keep.
The best thing about this building is definitely the interior, although the façade and architecture outside of the building are undeniably impressive. The inside is a rare treasure. Thanks to the frescoed details that decorate the vault in a mannerist style, they create a totally original design seemingly from another world.
In addition, the tour is usually quite short, making it perfect for a leisurely stroll without getting bored at any time. It usually takes less than 20 minutes. This visit is a must.
5. Guadalajara City Hall
Visit the most popular and relevant building in Guadalajara. It stands out in the main square due to its colonial architecture that preserves years of history.
It is impossible to skip the City Hall. The architecture and design make it perfect to take the best pictures in front of this exceptional building. It will undoubtedly be a memorable souvenir of your visit to Guadalajara.
6. Pantheon of the Duchess of Sevillano
This monument was built in honour of the father and relatives of Countess María Diega. It is surrounded by trees and a well-marked, wide path that leads you to the entrance. The entrance of the Pantheon of the Duchess of Sevillano has an eclectic style, with its bright dome capturing all the attention.
Entry to the grounds is free of charge. However, to enter the mausoleum you must pay a fee of approximately 3 euros per person.
7. San Gines Parish Church Guadalajara Spain
The Catholic temple of San Gines is a must-see during your stay in Guadalajara. It is a Cultural Asset of this beautiful city that you should not miss.
In case you were wondering what is so special about it, the answer lies in its attractive external façade. Its structure consists of two towers on its sides gives it a colonial touch, thus decorating the Plaza de Santo Domingo.
As if the exterior were not enough, the interior of this temple is just as impressive. Merely upon entering you will feel at peace, with its pleasant atmosphere, and its design is even better. Here, you will find canvases, sculptures, chapels and temples with beautiful and ancient designs, which increases their importance. If you want to know more about the religious temples in Guadalajara, you can visit the parish of San Pedro and San Pablo.
8. Plaza Mayor of Guadalajara
During your trip to Guadalajara, a good activity is walking around the most iconic square, the “Plaza Mayor”. Located in the centre of the city, it is surrounded by buildings such as the town hall, shops, jewellers, restaurants, cafes and bars. This makes it one of the most popular and recurrent meeting places due to its commerce.
Here, different events are held, from summer through to Christmas, due to its size. Come and visit it!
9. Concordia Park
Depending on the season, this park will offer you different landscapes. No matter which, it will surprise you, thanks to the number of trees that you can find. Here, the simplicity of the park welcomes you, it gives a photogenic touch to each place.
Besides being a place where you can relax for a whole afternoon, the magic of nature is felt autumn. T becomeshe ground painted with orange leaves falling from the trees.
This place has swings and slides in every corner, making it a perfect place for children. One of its characteristics is its cleanliness and spaciousness. That is what makes this park a real tourist spot connected to the hectic commerce that characterises Guadalajara, Spain.
10. Museum of Guadalajara
Inside the immense palace of the Infantado are pieces of history, from Guadalajara and of the whole province. There, it explains the events that spanned centuries and centuries, to determine what we know today.
Visiting this museum is an intense journey into the past, where we can see both the wonders of human ingenuity and all the wars that characterise ancient times.
All this, has the added bonus of being inside one of the most symbolic palaces, whose architecture lends itself so that the tourist does not lose attention at any time. What are you waiting for? Go discover the history and art of Guadalajara!
11. Convent of La Piedad
The Convent of La Piedad is a truly incredible place, in which we can find an immense courtyard, product of the civil renaissance architecture of the time, in which every structure was based on the fresh ideas of renaissance Italy. At the main entrance, following the courtyard, there are two doors as gigantic as they are incredible.
Today, this work of modern art is used as a public teaching institution, which can be visited surrounded by the works oftalented students. All this makes you wonder how lucky these students are to be able to study in such a historical monument.
12. Alamín Tower
The Alamín Tower is a very special historical building for the community of Guadalajara and its surroundings. The view from the outside is excellent, given its elaborate architecture and elegant design.
However, the best part comes once you enter and walk up and down this imposing tower. At one time it was one of the defensive systems that Guadalajara had, but today it offers us one of the best panoramic views of the whole of Spain.
Travel Tip: To organize your trip we recommend using Passporter totally free. You can be inspired by the experiences of other travelers, choose the places that interest you most, create the travel route with a geolocated map, upload all important documents such as reservations and invite your friends so that everyone can participate in the organization of the trip.
What to see around Guadalajara Spain?
1. Valdenazar Forest
The forest of Valdenazar perfectly represents the image of a comfortable, quiet place with pure air circulating around it, worthy of a hill or mountain. Without going any further, this vast forest has several routes to walk and do some exercise, accompanied by the birds that nest in the infinite amount of trees. All this and much more makes it a very comfortable experience for the active tourist.
At night, this magical forest dazzles us with the moonlight and the clear starry sky, in a place where not even the noise of the city can interrupt you. And the best part? The peaceful silence and the animals that live there.
2. Alto Tajo Natural Park
Make the most of the surroundings of Guadalajara, especially the southeast, and visit the Alto Tajo Natural Park, which is sure to impress. You will find nature at its best, with a great variety of wildlife, a place that guarantees wonderful views, so don’t hesitate to take your camera with you.
If its scenery is captivating, the activities you can do here will seem like another level, since you can do activities such as hiking, kayaking, mountain biking and abseiling – ideal for adventurous travellers. And don’t worry about accommodation, as it’s a popular place to stay, you’ll find many rural lodgings and restaurants. This being the case, it’s a must-see!
Map and travel itinerary to Guadalajara Spain
Here is our map with the places we recommend in Guadalajara and its surroundings, so that you can organise your trip easily and quickly. You can also add important documents such as travel tickets, hotel reservations and even invite your friends to be part of the itinerary organisation. Moreover, using Passporter is free of charge and will help you travel in a more organised way. You have the option of registering on the website or downloading the app to keep everything in one place and in your pocket 🙂
Visit every corner of Guadalajara following our itinerary that takes into account the most popular places and your days of stay. We can make your trip a unique experience!
What to see in 1 day in Guadalajara, Spain?
To visit everything that Guadalajara has to offer is a difficult task considering the amount of places and how far apart they are from each other, that’s why we recommend the following route in which you will be able to see one by one every wonder that this lovely Spanish city hides.
- Concordia Park
- Museum of Guadalajara
- Infantado Palace
- Palace of La Cotilla
- Guadalajara Zoo
- Chapel of Don Luis de Lucena
- Alamín Tower
- Guadalajara Town Hall
- Main square Guadalajara, Spain
- Alto Tajo Natural Park
What to see in 2 days in Guadalajara, Spain?
On your second day in Guadalajara, we have prepared a route which promises to fascinate you with its natural landscapes, as well as focusing exclusively on the power of nature that adorns all the surroundings of this magical city. That’s why you can’t miss all these places, a bit further out, that we have in store for you:
- La Piedad Convent
- Valdenazar Forest
- San Ginés Parish Church
- Alto Tajo Natural Park
- Infantado Palace
How to get to Guadalajara Spain?
Guadalajara, being in the centre of the country, is only 54 kilometres northeast of Madrid, and 30 minutes from Madrid-Barajas International Airport, which is 35 km away. As it is close to the capital it is easy to access Guadalajara, not only from the airport but also from road, bus and train routes.
Road routes:
There are two motorways, you can take the A2 Madrid-Barcelona motorway or the R2 Madrid-Guadalajara motorway.
What is the weather like in Guadalajara Spain?
It is characterised by a Mediterranean climate, with warm seasons, days reaching a temperature of approximately 28°C during the months of June to September. In the cooler seasons, the temperature reaches 14°C, from November to March.
How to plan your itinerary of places to see in Guadalajara Spain?
Sign up to Passporter, so you can start planning the places you want to see based on your days of visit.
Apart from organising the spots you want to visit, you can:
- Get inspiration from the experience of travellers.
- Archive informative websites about the place you’re visiting.
- Store tickets and reservations.
- Organise your routes from Google Maps, taking into account your current location.
- Know your travel options.
- Save and publish photos of your trip through Guadalajara, to inspire other users of the Passporter community.
- Finally, create your itinerary with us, for more information visit our post: How to create a travel itinerary on Passporter.
Frequently Asked Questions About Guadalajara Spain
Have a gastronomic experience that will let you to leave Guadalajara without any complaints, by visiting the favourite restaurants for locals and travellers, such as:
Casa Palomo: Characterised by its good value for money and pleasant atmosphere.
Taberna El Buen Vivir: It is located in the surroundings of Concordia Park. Here, good service and a variety of local, Mediterranean and international dishes are the main features.
Biosfera: If you want to eat a Japanese dish, this is a place you must have as an option, but you can also find Mediterranean or Spanish dishes.
The most common dishes that you can find in the different restaurants are: Roast lamb and goat, cochifrito which is made from young pork, garlic soups, Morteruelo. There are also the desserts from Guadalajara such as Bizcochos Borrachos and crispines.
It is located in the centre of the Iberian Peninsula, more specifically in the west of the province of the same, “Guadalajara”.
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