Towns and villages
San Sebastián de los Reyes
History surrounding the square, memory of the trades and walks through the Dehesa Boyal
Automatically translated from Spanish. Leer original en español
San Sebastián de los Reyes is part of the northern urban area of Madrid, along with Alcobendas and the A-1 highway. The town center retains traces of its rural past, while the neighborhoods and commercial areas reflect its more recent growth. The Dehesa Boyal (common pastureland) provides a holm oak landscape very close to the town.
Its origins are linked to residents of Alcobendas who settled near the hermitage of San Sebastián seeking protection from the lordship they came from. The support of the Catholic Monarchs allowed the new municipality to be consolidated in 1492. The church of San Sebastián Mártir, built in the 16th century on the site of that hermitage, clearly maintains this foundational link.
During the 20th century, residential and business growth transformed the town. The Plaza de la Constitución, however, retains a connection to its history: El Caserón, a late 17th-century building, houses a museum dedicated to traditional trades and ways of life. The running of the bulls and local celebrations are another part of this shared memory.
What to see and what to do
The walk begins in the Plaza de la Constitución. Nearby are the Town Hall, El Caserón, and the Church of San Sebastián Mártir. Observe the exterior of the church and confirm it is open if you wish to enter; religious services may affect access.
The El Caserón Ethnographic Museum, located at Plaza de la Constitución, 1, offers a glimpse into tools, household utensils, and materials related to traditional trades and education. The museum also includes exhibits on historical memory and bullfighting traditions. To confirm which rooms are open to the public and their opening hours, please contact the museum at +34 916 258 852 or at [website address missing][email protected].
Complete your visit with a stroll through the Dehesa Boyal. For a day focused on shopping, the Megapark and Plaza Norte 2 areas offer another side of the town; plan this trip as a separate stop from your tour of the town center.
Plan for a day or a weekend
For a day trip, dedicate the morning to the Plaza de la Constitución, the church, and El Caserón, with the museum visit confirmed beforehand. After lunch, reserve the afternoon for a walk through the Dehesa Boyal or the linear parks along the streams, depending on the time available.
For a weekend getaway, separate the heritage and nature activities into two days. The first day can focus on the town center and the museum; the second, on a municipal route through the Dehesa Boyal and Tempranales, using the corresponding map.
If you prefer to combine culture and shopping, add Plaza Norte 2 to one of your days. Check the route between visits beforehand: the old town, natural areas, and shopping districts require different journeys.
Where to eat
Tejas Verdes is located at Paseo de Europa, 8. It offers Castilian-Basque cuisine with seasonal dishes, meats, and fish, in a building with a courtyard and gardens. Its menu includes options such as suckling lamb shoulder and steak tartare.
The contact phone numbers are 916 527 307 and 916 522 318. You can also contact them by [email protected] check the daily service, the menu, and the reservation conditions before arranging your meal. If you need a table for a group or have dietary requirements, please inform the restaurant directly.
Routes and nature
The Dehesa Boyal preserves an oak grove that offers a glimpse into the Mediterranean landscape of the municipality. Its paths provide an alternative to urban visits; plan your access and route using the municipal information.
Municipal route 2 connects Parque de los Arroyos, Dehesa Boyal, and Tempranales. Route 1 links Dehesa Vieja, the Quiñones stream, the Jarama River, and the Viñuelas stream. Choose the route that best suits your plans and check its distance and current conditions before setting out.
The linear parks of Quiñones and Valdeconejeros offer opportunities for urban walks. On any route, please respect the paths and signs for protected areas, carry water, and check the weather forecast. The published routes do not guarantee the current condition of the terrain or the openness of all access points.
How to get there and park
For commuter trains, use the Alcobendas–San Sebastián de los Reyes station, served by the C-4a branch line. Access is near Avenida de España. Check Renfe for timetables and any travel disruptions.
Metro Line 10 also serves the municipality, with stations such as Baunatal, Reyes Católicos, and Hospital Infanta Sofía. If you're coming from the central section of the line, the Consortium's map indicates a train change at Tres Olivos. Choose the station based on your first visit and check your ticket and travel conditions.
By car, the A-1 is the main access route from Madrid. Plan your specific destination before leaving and check traffic conditions. For parking, use authorized spaces and areas and check their conditions; during the festivities, there may be restrictions in the town center and along the bull run route.
Upcoming parties and plans
The traditional calendar includes the feast of Saint Sebastian the Martyr on January 20th and the commemoration of the town's founding on May 2nd. These are annual events, and their specific schedules must be confirmed each year.
The festivities of the Holy Christ of the Remedies are usually celebrated at the end of August, around the 28th. The bull runs are one of its best-known manifestations, along with other festive and religious events.
To attend an upcoming celebration, please consult the current municipal program and the conditions for access or participation. Traditional dates do not guarantee the actual dates of the bull runs, concerts, or other activities in a future edition.
Where to sleep
AC Hotel San Sebastián de los Reyes is located at Avenida del Cerro del Águila, 15–17, in the commercial and business area near the A-1 motorway. Its telephone number is 916 237 055.
It can serve as a base for a multi-day stay. Before booking, check the distance to the town center and the starting point of your chosen nature walk. Inquire directly about availability, rates, cancellation policies, parking conditions, and any other services you may need.
Practical information
The Municipal Office of Festivals and Tourism is located on the ground floor of El Caserón, in the Plaza de la Constitución. The municipal contact telephone number is 916 597 100 and the email address [email protected] the service before traveling.
For the El Caserón Ethnographic Museum, use 916 258 852 [email protected] the opening hours and available rooms when planning your visit.
The AEMET municipal weather forecast uses code 28134. Check the weather before heading out to the pasture and plan your access, route, and return. If you're traveling by train or Metro, check for any disruptions that day and the last service that will allow you to complete your plan.