The Cervantes Train is one of the most unique cultural jewels offered by Madrid’s heritage on rails. This thematic train departs from the Madrid-Atocha commuter train station and travels in just 35 minutes to Alcalá de Henares, birthplace of Miguel de Cervantes. What makes this trip so special is the theater: actors dressed as characters from the Golden Age and Cervantes’ universe accompany passengers and stage excerpts from Don Quixote and other works by the author from Complutense.
The experience does not end when arriving at destination; in Alcalá de Henares -declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO- a guided tour of the main historical and literary corners of the town is organized. Travelers can visit the wonderful Plaza de Cervantes, the University, the Calle Mayor, Cervantes’ birthplace, the Regional Archaeological Museum, the Plaza de las Bernardas or the Casa de la Entrevista, always accompanied by explanations and short performances by the theatrical cast.
The plan includes free time to enjoy the gastronomy and the Cervantes atmosphere, and even the possibility of participating in cultural activities and contests, raffles and tastings of typical sweets.
When the next Cervantes Train departs
The Cervantes Train will run again this Saturday, September 20, inaugurating its autumn season. The train departs from Madrid-Atocha station at 10:32 am (after a welcome at 10:15 am) and arrives in Alcalá at 11:07 am, where period actors accompany travelers on a tour of Cervantes’ corners and key monuments of the city, a World Heritage Site.
This edition also covers September 27. In October, on Saturdays 4, 11, 12 (special Cervantine Week), 18 and 25; in November, on 1, 8 (as part of the Alcine 53 festival), 15, 22 and 29; and in December, on 6 (Constitution Day) and 13. The return trip is scheduled from Alcalá de Henares at 6:30 p.m., arriving at Atocha at 7:09 p.m., although passengers can return on any Cercanías train that day.