Alcorcón

This city of 172,000 inhabitants (2023), located 15 kilometres southwest of Madrid, has managed to combine its historical heritage with modern urban development. Its proximity to the capital has made it a strategic enclave for business, leisure and culture, attracting thousands of people every day.

Alcorcón's origins date back to medieval times, when it was a small settlement of Muslim artisans. Its name, Al-Qadir, which means "hill" or "watchtower", reflects its strategic position on a hillock. Over the centuries, the city has experienced remarkable growth, especially in the 20th century, thanks to industrialisation and the growing demand for housing.

Alcorcón offers a wide variety of tourist attractions, from historic monuments such as the Church of Santa María la Blanca, built on the site of a former mosque, to modern cultural spaces such as the Alcorcón Glass Art Museum (MAVA), which houses an outstanding collection of contemporary glass works by national and international artists.

The city also has numerous parks and green areas, such as Los Castillos, an urban park with a collection of monumental sculptures.

Among Alcorcón's most unique cultural offerings is the Puppet Center, a unique space dedicated to the dissemination, study, training, and creation of puppetry.

Alcorcón is also an ideal destination for leisure and shopping. The city has a wide range of restaurants, bars and shops, concentrated mainly in the city centre and in large shopping centres such as San José de Valderas, Tres Aguas and X-Madrid.