What to see in Albacete?

Discover what to do in Albacete including the best places to visit, what to eat, the most beautiful villages and activities to do near the city.

TRAVELLING WITH TASTE

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Albacete is a city in Castilla-La Mancha that boasts exquisite cuisine, fascinating places to visit and charming little villages within relatively close proximity. There is a reason why the prolific writer and novelist Azorín described it as the ‘New York of La Mancha’, for its many qualities. What to see in Albacete? Read on and find out everything you need to know about this beautiful city in La Mancha.

What to visit in Albacete?

Knowing what to visit in Albacete is essential to be able to plan your visit well. One day is usually enough time to see the most important sights of the city, which are:

  • Jardinillos Park. This park is considered one of the most cherished and visited in Albacete, partly due to its age; in fact, one of its entrances is the Old Iron Gate, which stood at the entrance of Albacete’s fairground for nearly two centuries. In summer, the locals often relax on the many benches scattered throughout the park, sheltered by the shade. Its bandstand, on the other hand, is an ideal spot for hosting open-air concerts.
  • Plaza Mayor. It’s the commercial heart of the city and, historically, the site of the Town Hall, the Abastos market and the municipal prison. Every Sunday, the flea market takes place here, where you can find everything from books to coins and stamps, as well as other antiques. At certain times of the year, such as Christmas, a Christmas market is set up.
  • Plaza del Altozano. One of the oldest in Albacete and with some very peculiar buildings, flowerbeds and fountains. This square is also notable for two sculptures that represent the city’s symbols: the monument to the Cuchillero and the Bicha of Balazote (a sphinx that evokes the origins of Albacete). In this square, you can also visit the old Town Hall, today home to the Municipal Museum of Albacete and the International Museum of Popular Art of the World.
  • Albacete Cathedral. Dedicated to Saint John the Baptist, the cathedral is in the Gothic style and exhibits a very peculiar stylistic combination of neo-Romanesque and neo-Gothic elements. Particularly relevant are the enormous canvases inside, the work of the painter Casimiro Escribá. The cathedral also houses the chapel of the Virgen de Los Llanos, patron saint of the city.
  • Municipal Museum of Cutlery. The main museum of the capital is also located in the Cathedral Square itself, in a beautiful modernist building known as Casa del Hortelano. Here, you can find famous Albacete knives, blades and scissors, as well as other ancient objects. Cutlery has, understandably, been one of the activities carried out in the city since the 16th century, which is why it’s so well represented locally. The museum regularly carries out different activities with the aim of preserving the city’s cutlery heritage.
  • Lodares Passage. This elegant modernist gallery connects Calle Mayor and Calle Tinte in the city centre. It has a glass roof and columns sculpted in the shape of female figures that support it and flank the shops that can be visited.
  • Posada del Rosario. Considered one of the first lodgings in the city, it dates back to the 16th century. It’s currently designated as a historical-artistic monument and, interestingly, it’s the current location of the Albacete City Council’s Tourist Office. It has various study rooms. The building also combines Renaissance and Gothic-Mudéjar styles, and on the ground floor, it features an old kitchen covered by a dome.
  • Depósitos del Sol. These formerly served as enormous water tanks that supplied the city; later, at the end of the 20th century, they were converted into what they are today: the Municipal Library, the central hub of the Public Network of Municipal Libraries of Albacete and a cultural centre. The building has a 34-metre-high tower, which also houses a lookout point.



What to eat in Albacete?

The gastronomy of Albacete is hearty due to the low temperatures that usually occur in winter in the lands of La Mancha. So, if you are already wondering what to eat in Albacete, you should know that most of the recipes are energy-intensive. For example, gazpacho manchego, one of the most well-known dishes, is a broth-based stew made with various meats (chicken, partridge, hare or rabbit) that is sometimes accompanied by mushrooms and served over a cenceña flatbread.

Pisto manchego, on the other hand, also has many fans, both within and outside the borders of Castilla-La Mancha. It consists of a fried dish made with vegetables such as green peppers, red peppers and courgettes, which are produce that farmers used to gather from the garden – the original cooks of this delicious recipe. Ratatouille is usually served in an individual earthenware dish and can be accompanied by ham or other cold meats or eggs.

The atascaburras, also called ajoarriero or ajomortero, makes salted cod the main ingredient. Together with boiled potatoes, garlic and olive oil, it forms a mash-like mass. It can be served with walnuts and slices of hard-boiled egg on top. Ajomataero, also known as ajopringue, on the other hand, is prepared with liver and bread.

Migas ruleras, another dish from Manchego cuisine, also has its origins in the past. In this case, it was the shepherds who used the leftover dry bread to make them. These migas are cooked together with chorizo, pork bacon, ham, garlic and olive oil and toasted in a frying pan over a low heat. They can be accompanied by some fruit, such as grapes or melon.

One should not overlook typical products from the area such as lomo de orza and ribs; Manchego lamb, known for its tenderness and juiciness; or Manchego cheese. As for fresher dishes, the mojete stands out, which is a salad made with tomato, spring onion, hard-boiled egg, canned tuna, black olives, salt and olive oil. It’s usually accompanied by bread for dipping, hence the name mojete.

In terms of sweets, the miguelitos from La Roda stand out — these are puff pastries filled with cream and dusted with icing sugar, typical of this locality. Additionally, there are the bollos de mosto, exquisite pastries whose main ingredient is must, along with flour, eggs, lemon zest, sugar, yeast, and olive oil. Suspiros are typical of Ayna, a village in the Sierra del Segura, and are made with egg whites, sugar and almonds. Lastly, fried flowers and hojuelas (typical during Holy Week) are other delights for sweet lovers.



The most beautiful villages in Albacete

Outside the city, there are several charming villages to explore. Here are some ideas of what to do near Albacete, although we should warn you: there isn’t just one beautiful village in Albacete, but several, and most of them combine a medieval past with Muslim remnants, which makes them unique and full of character. Here they are:

  • Los Calares del Mundo and La Sima Natural Park. Waterfalls, karst formations, canyons... This and much more is what you will find in this natural spot located just over an hour and a half from Albacete. The most impressive waterfall is that of the Mundo River – a visual spectacle. While you’re in the area, you can also visit Riópar, a locality that retains its medieval atmosphere and is, in fact, the gateway to the natural park; and Yeste, where you’ll find the interpretation centre for the natural space and one of the most beautiful castles in the region, of Muslim origin.
  • Ayna. Considered the ‘Switzerland of La Mancha’, this village is located next to one of the deepest gorges of the river Mundo and its stone walls have forced visitors to cultivate the land in terraces, thus shaping the mountainside. As a point of interest, this is where the iconic film Amanece que no es poco was shot. A little further on is Bogarra, another small town worth visiting.
  • Alcaraz. This village is a must-visit due to its medieval and Renaissance heritage, which can be seen in the Plaza Mayor, the Church of the Most Holy Trinity and the Tardón Tower. The Sierra de Alcaraz also offers the chance to enjoy more active pursuits, such as hiking, cycling, and even horseback riding, as well as adventurous activities for the more daring in the form of via ferratas.
  • Alcalá del Júcar. Its spectacular scenery makes it one of the most beautiful villages in Spain. Its white façades, set against the hillside, conceal caves, and the Roman bridge that welcomes visitors is worth seeing. You can visit its castle, built by the Almohads in the 12th century, which sits atop the hillside. Nearby is Jorquera, a perfect village for canyoning.
  • The Cancarix Volcanic Piton. This ancient volcano can be reached by two routes. It is a four-kilometre climb, but the fantastic views are well worth the effort. Just fifteen minutes away by car is Hellín, another town with remnants of Roman and Moorish times.
  • Liétor. In this municipality of the Sierra del Segura, you can admire the stars, which is why it’s known as a ‘Starlight destination’. There is also a lookout point with an explanatory panel to help locate the constellations. The cluster of village houses also overlooks one of the cliffs formed by the dramatic gorge of the River Mundo, creating a very distinctive scene.
  • Pétrola lagoon. Just half an hour from Albacete you can visit this natural saltwater area, which is not really a bathing area, but a wetland full of species such as herons and flamingos. Bird lovers will especially enjoy it in spring.
  • Ruidera Lagoons. These create a visual spectacle of deep turquoise waters and waterfalls, providing a small paradise for water sports enthusiasts. It’s also the place where the locals go to take a dip and escape the heat during the summer. During your stay, you can also visit trails and places such as the cave of Montesinos, one of the settings of Don Quixote, or the Quebrada del Toro, a deep crevice 400 metres long that you can walk through on wooden walkways.
  • Almansa, Alarcón and Belmonte. These three places are mainly known for their castles. One of the best-preserved fortresses is located in Almansa. Alarcón and Belmonte, on the other hand, are officially in Cuenca, not in Albacete, but you can also take this opportunity to visit them. The castle of Alarcón stands out because of the river Júcar at its feet, and Belmonte is the scene of national and international medieval combat tournaments.


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