
Castile-La Mancha is a land of vast plains, centuries-old customs and nature. In this area, in addition to visiting impressive World Heritage Cities such as Toledo or Cuenca, you can enjoy in many other unique and original activities. You can travel back in time to the age of the dinosaurs or ancient Rome, or discover the greatest figures in world literature. We invite you to immerse yourself in the stories that shaped the region's identity.
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Following the tracks of the dinosaurs
In the Serranía de Cuenca, you can explore the Dinosaur Route, a fantastic adventure that lets you discover what life was like in the area millions of years ago. The town of Fuentes has an visitor centre with numerous replicas of the finds discovered at the Lo Hueco site. In La Cierva there is also a centre dedicated to the Las Hoyas site, the most important in the Iberian Peninsula.Very close by, another point of interest in the province is Buenache de la Sierra, where secrets of the Jurassic world are hidden, such as “Pablito”, a freshwater shark fossil from 125 million years ago.Most of the remains found throughout the province can be seen in the Paleontology Museum of Castile-La Mancha in the city of Cuenca.
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Literary routes of great classic authors
Literature, adventure and history come together in Castile-La Mancha in a magical way, creating literary routes that pay homage to authors and works that withstand the test of time. A great option is the Don Quixote Route, where you can follow the adventures of The Ingenious Gentleman Don Quixote of La Mancha, the masterpiece by writer Miguel de Cervantes, whose legacy has transcended borders. This route has more than 2,000 kilometres of historic paths and cattle trails, crossing centuries-old villages, historic roads and natural landscapes described in the work.The legends of Gustavo Adolfo Bécquer come to life in Toledo, where the romantic poet found inspiration for stories such as “The Kiss” and “The Christ of the Skull.” As you wander through its cobbled streets and historic buildings full of mysteries, you’ll be able to relive the most evocative scenes from his work. You can also take the “Lazarillo de Tormes” tour in other places in the province and explore places linked to this anonymous work such as Escalona, Maqueda or Almorox.Another must-see itinerary is the Francisco de Quevedo route in Villanueva de los Infantes and Torre de Juan Abad (Province of Ciudad Real). This tour is dedicated to the Baroque author, with stops at his House Museum and the Santo Domingo Convent, where he died in 1645.More recent is Camilo José Cela and his Journey to Alcarria. Following in the footsteps of the Nobel Prize winner, you can explore Guadalajara, with stops in charming, peaceful villages like Pastrana, Torija, and Brihuega.
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Nature, adventure and thrills
If you are a lover of nature and adventure, Castile-La Mancha offers unique experiences. The most adventure-seeking travellers can launch from the longest urban double zipline in Europe, which will take you over the Huécar River in Cuenca. It is 445 metres long and the views are spectacular. Soaring at 70 kilometres per hour, the thrill is guaranteed. In Toledo, there is another zipline that rivals it in thrill level: you’ll glide over the Tagus River and see the city’s historic centre beneath your feet.If you prefer an adventure on solid ground, in Cabañeros National ParkCabañeros National Park you have the possibility of going on a 4x4 safari through the so-called “Spanish Serengeti”. There, you can spot eagles and vultures in their natural habitat, as well as deer, and their spectacular rutting season in autumn.
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Journey back to the Roman Empire
The Roman Empire left a deep mark on Castile-La Mancha and many of those vestiges are still well preserved today. Some of the most well-known archaeological sites are Segóbriga, Valeria, and Ercávica, but here we’ll highlight others that are also worth a visit.The Roman villa of Noheda, located in Villar de Domingo García (Cuenca), houses one of the most spectacular Roman mosaics in the Iberian Peninsula. It is a figurative decoration that shows mythological and everyday scenes, reflecting the opulence of the Roman elite.Another can't-miss site is Libisosa, in Lezuza (Albacete). The visit to the site, which shows the remains of a Roman settlement that was of great strategic importance in the region during the time of Emperor Augustus in the 1st century BC, also offers the possibility of enjoying it through virtual reality and augmented reality.
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Castile-La Mancha in cinema
The impressive landscapes and historical wealth of Castile-La Mancha make it a perfect film set to follow in the footsteps of great films and series taking different routes. Cuenca locations stand out in fantasy and action films: “Conan the Barbarian” (1982), filmed in the Enchanted City and “Flesh and Blood”(1985), filmed at Belmonte Castle. Johnny Depp walked the streets of Toledo in “The Ninth Gate” (1999) and “The Man Who Killed Don Quixote” (2018) captured the magic of Consuegra's windmills.Historical films take us to places such as the Uclés Monastery, the setting for the epic “Alatriste” (2006), the Palace of the Marquis of Santa Cruz in Ciudad Real or the castles of Consuegra and Belmonte in “El Cid” (1961). Spanish filmmakers have also immortalised the region in films including “La piel que habito” (2011), “Volver” (2006) and “Amanece, que no es poco” (1989). The legendary “Game of Thrones” converted Zafra Castle (Guadalajara) into the Tower of Joy.
Travel plans for inspiring you