Is Chinchon worth a stop? --CC

100% yes in my opinion. Spent a whole day there once but would love to have spent longer.

The old sloping Plaza is fascinating, the castle has spectacular views and the church has a Goya (fresco?). The views over the village from the church are great.

When I visited, there was a wild fiesta going on - only it turned out not to be a fiesta, but a film crew filming a pretend fiesta for a Lenor fabric conditioner advert It was fun watching that from the cafes round the Plaza.

Oh, and the Chinchon aniseed drink thing is pretty nice too

It's a great place to be totally relaxed - it's tiny, but enough to keep you interested for a stopover.

Jo

hey everybody

yeah i think it is worth it.
for example:

if your in madrid you always have the chance to visit chinchon.its fairly near madrid.its better to visit the towns that are in your reach or that you have time for than just visiting fabulous madrid.i mean why not.
you could spend 1 day and a half in madrid and spend the next half in chinchon or even alcala de henares :p .
ive been to madrid and alcala de henares but not chinchon,but since i love spanish documentaries on spain t.v.
i ear chinchon is a very picturesque and charming place.
i you doubt me still then take in mind that alot of MADRIDLENOS love to spend there weekend there.

HAVE FUN CHINCHON
AND ENJOY SPAIN TO THE FULLEST
WHILE LUCKY TO BE THERE

have fun

Interesting agricultural village with two amazing suckling pig and roasted lamb restaurants. Beautiful parador with a famous cocido dish at lunch time. Worth visiting, but Toledo comes first by no means.

Andrés

I considered going this time and discovered that the bus schedule is quite good. I have heard is is a very nice side trip and hope to do it in the future.

I think the bus is hourly back to Madrid

With that resounding "ole," I think we'll overnight in Chinchon, rather than Aranjuez. After all, we'll have just spent time in Granada (and visited the Alhambra) so little Chinchon sounds like a nice change. Atmospheric, small, delicious! (Now for a place to stay? I posted in the hostels forum. I believe the parador is beyond our budget. Suggestions? And don't hesitate to tell us about the best restaurant in town!)--CC

Carole, I think you will love Chinchón. It is quaint and very atmospheric. Whenever we go we always eat at the Mesón Cuevas del Vino which is just a delightful place. I think you would like it too.

Chinchón is one of those cute little villages near Madrid which is where madrileños LOVE to visit on the weekends to have dinner. They're famous for their chochinillo/roasted suckling pig (or is it "ternera"? I don't recall now). I can't believe when I went there last with my madrileña ladyfriend that the place where we ate, at the corner of their Plaza Mayor, on the balcony overlooking the plaza, that they were OUT OF COCHINILLO!! I think I had ternera or cordero instead. BOTH delicious and my mouth is watering just thinking about it... Mmmmmm..

Chinchón is one of the cute little walkable villages... Just strolling along... VERY cute at dusk when the church overlooking the plaza is illuminated. Mmm.. Nice. Can't wait to go back.

Saludos, MadridMan

P.S. I wrote the above after 2 glasses of Rueda white wine from Valladolid. Mmmm..

Everybody has forgotten to mention the greatest treasure of Chinchón, the anis. It is an absolute requirement to order several "chupitos" if you visit this town. Of course, I prefer slightly La Castellana,as I am in love with the beautiful "moza" on its bottle and its smooth taste.

Saludos