Albacete is a picturesque city with pedestrianised streets, tree-lined squares and leafy public parks. See priceless artefacts at the world-class archaeological museum and embrace the city’s passion for cheese and wine. Albacete is a gateway to Castilla-La Mancha, a beautiful region characterised by rolling plains, vineyards and olive groves.
Things to do in Albacete
Take a deep dive into the city’s ancient past at Museo Arquéologico. The museum showcases archaeological treasures from throughout the centuries, including prehistoric tools, ancient Roman coins and Greek sculptures. Paintings by masters like Benjamin Palencia and Roberto Ortiz Sarachaga bring a contemporary edge to the museum.
The tree-lined avenues and bubbling fountains in Parque Abelardo Sánchez draw comparisons with Central Park in New York City. It’s one of the largest urban parks in Castilla-La Mancha and shaded by towering pines, chestnuts, fig trees and leafy banana palms. Enjoy a picnic on the grass, watch squirrels scrambling up tree trunks and stroll around the duck-filled pond.
Spend the day in Alcalá del Júcar, an enchanting town crowned by a centuries-old Arab castle. The town cascades down a hillside and commands spectacular views over the Júcar River and surrounding countryside. Climb up to the castle to admire the pentagon-shaped tower and walk along the breezy ramparts. Beneath the castle is Cuevas del Diablo, a fascinating museum where you can see how locals lived 100 years ago. Explore a maze of underground tunnels and peer into caverns filled with antique furniture and historical artefacts.
Manchego cheese dominates the windows of artisan delis across the city. The semi-hard cheese is a local specialty and features a buttery texture and nutty flavour. The cheese pairs perfectly with local wines like Tempranillo.
Getting around Albacete
Albacete is pedestrian-friendly and easy to get around on foot. The city is in Castilla-La Mancha, a two-hour drive from Valencia and 2.5 hours from Madrid. Trains are faster and run between Albacete and Madrid in 1.5 hours. Adolfo Suárez Madrid–Barajas Airport is a 2.5-hour drive away.