Alarcón, Administrative division in Cuenca Province, Spain
Alarcón is a municipality in Cuenca Province perched on a hilltop above the Júcar River. The town spreads across steep slopes with narrow winding streets leading to a fortified structure at its highest point.
The settlement was founded by the Moors and later became an important fortress during the medieval Christian Reconquest. The castle played a key defensive role in protecting the region from eastern threats.
The town's name reflects its Moorish past, a heritage visible in how the settlement is laid out and built. Walking through, you notice architectural details and street patterns that echo this earlier period of the region's history.
The best way to explore this place is on foot, since narrow lanes and steep slopes make driving difficult. Wear sturdy shoes, as streets are uneven and sometimes slippery.
The castle was built on a narrow strip of land between two loops of the Júcar River, making it surrounded by water on three sides. This natural defensive position was one reason why the fortress was so hard to capture.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
