Free walking tours in Aldea del Rey and what to see

Must-sees

Aldea del Rey is a village in the Campo de Calatrava, in Ciudad Real province, on the banks of the river Jabalón. Its great treasure lies within its municipality: the castle of Calatrava la Nueva, once the seat of the Order of Calatrava. It is a huge fortified convent on a hilltop, with walls, conventual buildings and a church with a large rose window. Opposite, on another hill, are the remains of Salvatierra castle.

In the village itself, the Palacio de Clavería stands out, built by order of Philip II for the Order's claveros, who guarded the castle and the convent. It is now being restored. You can also see the 19th-century church of San Jorge Mártir and the hermitage of Nuestra Señora del Valle, of medieval origin. Around it stretches the volcanic area of the Campo de Calatrava, with a Mediterranean scrubland landscape.

Free tours and guided visits

There are no free walking tours in Aldea del Rey, but there is a guided visit of the castle of Calatrava la Nueva, the best way to understand the history of the Order of Calatrava and life in the fortified convent. The castle can also be explored on your own. Routes through the volcanoes of the Campo de Calatrava are also organised in the area, and Almagro, very close, has a wide range of guided visits.

How long to spend

Allow about two hours for the castle of Calatrava la Nueva, including the climb and the view from the top. The village, with the Palacio de Clavería and the church, takes another hour. Half a day is enough for the essentials. With a full day you can add Almagro, with its Plaza Mayor and its open-air theatre, the Corral de Comedias, or a route through the area's volcanoes.

Where to stay

Aldea del Rey has little accommodation, with a rural house or two in the village or the nearby countryside. Most people stay in Almagro, which has charming hotels in its historic centre and is a short drive away. Ciudad Real and Puertollano are alternatives with more beds and lower prices, and from both you can easily reach the castle.