Tourist in front of the windmills in Consuegra, Toledo, Castilla-La Mancha

Five charming villages in Castilla-La Mancha

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Fancy a tour of classical theatres, castles, film sets and windmills? All this in addition to delicious traditional cuisine. This is the fascinating journey we have for you at www.spain.info. A visit to five villages in Castilla-La Mancha, one in each province, which stand out for their beauty, tranquillity, the charm of their people and their authentic natural, historical and cultural heritage.

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Plaza Mayor de Almagro, Ciudad Real, Castilla-La Mancha

Almagro (Ciudad Real).

What makes it specialThe magic of theatre permeates every corner of this town in the province of Ciudad Real. You will feel like the protagonist of your own play as you stroll through its streets to the Plaza Mayor, visit its monuments and enjoy its handicrafts. Its Corral de Comedias, the only courtyard theatre in Europe to still be in use since its inauguration in the 17th century, is the heart of the renowned International Classical Theatre Festival. And what better place to stay than in the Parador, converted from a 16th-century convent.How to get thereCiudad Real (a stop for several high-speed train lines) is less than 30 kilometres away, with easy links to Almagro by train, bus or car. Madrid is just over two hours away by road (about 200 kilometres).Bonus: protected landscape and typical dishVery close by, some 35 kilometres away, you can contemplate nature in the Tablas de Daimiel National Park.As for the local speciality, have you heard of Almagro’s pickled stuffed aubergines? Don't leave without trying them.
Parador de Sigüenza, in the medieval castle, Guadalajara, Castilla-La Mancha

Sigüenza (Guadalajara)

What makes it specialWe travel back in time to the Middle Ages to reach Sigüenza, in the province of Guadalajara, where we are welcomed by an imposing 12th century castle. The castle is now a parador, a very welcoming hoteland a reference point for regional cuisine, with lovely views of the landscape from its crenellated towers. Other essential sights on your tour include the cathedral, of Romanesque origin, and the Diocesan Museum, housed in a 16th-century mansion, with works by El Greco, Zurbarán and Salzillo, among others.How to get thereThere are buses and trains from Madrid. The drive takes approximately one and a half hours (about 130 kilometres). There are also regular buses and trains from Guadalajara (about 75 kilometres away).Bonus: the Doncel and his sepulchreWhen you enter the cathedral, look for the famous Doncel, one of Spain's greatest tomb effigies. It is a Gothic sculpture of surprising delicacy and realism, representing the knight Martín Vázquez de Arce, who died in a battle against the Muslims and is depicted reclining on his own tomb while reading.
Castle of Belmonte, Cuenca, Castilla-La Mancha

Belmonte (Cuenca)

What makes it specialThe province of Cuenca is home to one of the best-known castles in the region. It is located in Belmonte. As well as enjoying beautiful views of the wide plains of Castilla, you can visit its galleries, rooms and museum. It also hosts numerous events each year, such as medieval jousting, dramatised tours and the Trebuchet Park, where you can see full-scale siege machines in operation, just as they were in the Middle Ages.Belmonte offers much more. You can visit the Collegiate Church of San Bartolomé, the different windmills on the hills surrounding the town, and the Puerta de Chinchilla, the most monumental of all the gates in the fortified town walls.How to get thereThe most convenient way is by car. From Madrid it is less than two hours on the A-3, taking the turn-off at Saelices on the CM-310 which crosses the Archaeological Park of Segóbriga. It is one to two hours by road from Cuenca, Albacete or Ciudad Real.Bonus: a movie-worthy castleDid you know that the 1961 film "El Cid", starring Charlton Heston and Sofia Loren, was filmed in the castle of Belmonte? The fortress has also been the setting for TV series and other productions.
Plaza de España in Consuegra, Toledo, Castilla-La Mancha

Consuegra (Toledo)

What makes it specialLegend has it that the windmills of Consuegra could be the ones that Don Quixote mistook for giants in one of the best-known chapters of the classic book by Miguel de Cervantes. If you travel to this town in the province of Toledo you can relive his adventures by visiting its twelve windmills on the Calderico hill, and others in nearby places on the route to discover the windmills of Spain. Next to this enclave is the 10th-century castle of La Muela.How to get thereYou can easily get to Consuegra from Toledo or from Madrid, as there are regular, fairly fast local buses between these towns. If you prefer to arrive by car, it will only take you an hour and a half from Madrid along the A-42 to Toledo and then along the CM-42; or just 40 minutes from Toledo along the same CM-42.Bonus: the earth turns purple with saffron bloomsSince 1963, the Fiesta de la Rosa del Azafrán has been held in Consuegra at the end of October, when the landscape is tinged with lilac tones and it is time to pick the flower of this spice that enriches many dishes of Spanish cuisine. Locals and visitors celebrate with music, food, drink and colourful traditional costumes.
Night view of Alcalá del Júcar, Albacete, Castilla-La Mancha

Alcalá del Júcar (Albacete)

What makes it specialAlcalá del Júcar, in the province of Albacete, stands out for its views over the river gorge, its Arab fortress and its cave houses in the mountainside. One way to enjoy the stunning scenery that surrounds this municipality is to take one of the hiking routes. And if the weather is fine, why not visit its natural river beach for a dip?How to get thereIt is just over 50 kilometres from Albacete, where several high-speed train lines stop. If you prefer to drive, from this town it will take you no more than 45 minutes on the CM-332.Bonus: a village out of a fairy taleThis is an ideal place to take out your camera and capture hundreds of unforgettable moments: its castle, the Devil's Caves, the Roman bridge or its magnificent night-time illumination. If you like Alcalá del Júcar, don't hesitate to discover other villages that seem to be straight out of a fairy tale.These five destinations are just a sample of the charm of Castilla-La Mancha, a land full of history, incredible natural landscapes and traditions that make it special.Discover other options on www.spain.info, the official tourism portal of Spain.