Alcorcón: Parks, Glass Art and Puppet Exhibitions

Alcorcón offers a range of options for a stay: extensive green spaces and signposted trails, as well as museums, puppet exhibitions and workshops. If you are looking for a hotel in Alcorcón, you can first consider whether nature, glass art or municipal activities are of particular interest for your trip. These places and activities differ considerably in character.

Green spaces from city parks to woodland

The municipality includes 16 city parks, three forest parks and smaller green spaces. In total, there are more than 340 hectares of green space, around ten percent of the municipal area. Two parks showcase different aspects of this offering.

Parque de Los Castillos is a 12.65-hectare city park in the San José de Valderas district. It was established in 1991 and lies between Avenida Alcalde José Aranda and the streets La Paz and Juan Antonio Bueno. Las Presillas covers 57.50 hectares and is considered the city's most valuable peri-urban forest because of its size and natural diversity. The park includes an extensive pine forest and a group of centuries-old cork oaks, which are home to numerous plant and animal species. Its facilities include rest areas, signposted trails and a children's playground.

Signposted routes and navigation

Alcorcón has three signposted walking routes designed to promote health. Information boards along the routes provide details such as the route profile, length, elevation gain and difficulty, as well as the approximate time needed to complete the entire route. When planning, you can therefore take into account both the time required and the route details provided. Municipal route information and trail conditions may change; check the information on site before setting out.

Glass art and puppet exhibitions

MAVA, the Museo de Arte en Vidrio de Alcorcón, is a municipal museum of contemporary glass art. Its international works include pieces made entirely or partly from glass. The museum opened on 23 October 1997 and is housed in Castillo Grande de Valderas. Admission and guided tours are free. Check the current visitor guidelines before your visit.

Another cultural focus is the Centro del Títere, which offers visits to puppet exhibitions and the puppet-making workshop. The two venues thus offer contrasting experiences: contemporary glass art on one hand, and puppets and their creation on the other. This can help you choose a visit based on the subject that interests you during your stay.

Festivals and municipal activities

The traditional festivals in the San José de Valderas district take place every year. They bring together live music, cultural activities and opportunities to enjoy food together. Check the dates and program for the relevant year before your trip if you would like to combine your visit with the festivals.

A municipal program for young people includes activities such as tree and shrub planting workshops, routes to identify species, and map-reading and navigation. It also includes guided visits to the Quercus nursery or various parks, as well as workshops on propagating ornamental and food plants. Specific dates may change, so check the program in advance.

Green routes and connections

Alcorcón's green routes connect important hubs on Madrid's Metro and Cercanías networks with natural areas or notable parks in the Community of Madrid. They provide connections to other places for both everyday journeys and leisure excursions. Together with the signposted walking routes and urban green spaces, they form a distinct focus alongside the cultural offerings. When deciding what to do, you can consider whether you are more interested in parks and nature, a museum visit or a specific program.

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