The village an hour from Madrid with waterfalls and thermal waters

There is no need to head to the coast to cool off in summer. An hour from Madrid, in Guadalajara, lies a picture-postcard village closely tied to water, with spectacular waterfalls right in the middle of town. This is Trillo, in the Alcarria region.

A village shaped by water

Water is undoubtedly the main feature of Trillo. The village has grown along the banks of the River Cifuentes, a tributary of the Tagus that runs through the municipality, creating fairytale-like scenery.

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Trillo is often called the village of waterfalls, thanks to its many cascades. The best known is El Chorrerón, an impressive waterfall described by Nobel Prize-winning writer Camilo José Cela in his Journey to the Alcarria as “a lovely horsetail, some fifteen or twenty metres high, with foaming, roaring water”.

A history stretching back millennia

The existence of this Guadalajara municipality has been documented since Roman times, when it stood in the borderland between Carpetania and Celtiberia. It became an established settlement after the Reconquista, towards the end of the 11th century, during the reign of Alfonso VI the Brave.

A place with far more than waterfalls

Trillo is also worth visiting for its historical, cultural and natural heritage. Highlights around the village include:

• Trillo Castle, a former 14th-century medieval fortress. A few remains still stand, with excellent views across the Tagus Valley.
• The bridge over the Tagus, of medieval origin and one of the municipality’s symbols, which also serves as a fine viewpoint over the river.
• The Church of the Assumption, built between the 15th and 16th centuries, combining Gothic and Renaissance features.
• The Monastery of Santa María de Óvila, founded by Cistercian monks in the 12th century. It is particularly notable because some of its stones were moved to California during the 20th century.
• Casa de los Molinos, the oldest building in the village and now home to the Prometeion Energy Interpretation Centre.
• Las Tetas de Viana, a striking Natural Monument made up of two twin hills, with one of the Alcarria’s finest panoramic views.

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A relaxing short break

The municipality is also a good spot for some downtime. Carlos III Spa is located in the village and provides thermal treatments using mineral-rich, therapeutic waters from the River Tagus.

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Trillo is also one of the main gateways to the Alto Tajo Natural Park, one of the Iberian Peninsula’s most remarkable protected natural areas.

Covering more than 105,000 protected hectares, alongside a broad peripheral protection zone, the area stands out for its deep canyons and gorges carved out by the clear waters of the Tagus. Its exceptional geological, botanical and wildlife heritage makes it one of Spain’s most ecologically valuable places.