Free walking tours in Belmonte and what to see

Must-sees

Belmonte is a small Manchego village with a first-class monument: its 15th-century castle, built for Juan Pacheco, Marquis of Villena. It has an unusual star-shaped plan and keeps Mudéjar wooden ceilings inside. In the 19th century it was restored by Empress Eugénie de Montijo, and that era is also reflected in some rooms.

In the village, the Collegiate Church of San Bartolomé stands out, with fine choir stalls and altarpieces. Fray Luis de León was born in Belmonte, and you can see the house attributed to him. Part of the medieval wall and some of its gates are still standing. On the outskirts, windmills remind you that you are in the heart of Don Quixote country.

Free tours and guided visits

Belmonte has no steady supply of free walking tours. The usual visit is the castle, which you can see on your own with an audio guide or on a guided tour on certain dates, and which is the best way to understand its architecture and history. The collegiate church also offers visits, and combined tickets are often available.

From here it is easy to organise trips along the windmill route, towards Mota del Cuervo or Campo de Criptana. Another highly recommended outing is the Segóbriga Archaeological Park, near Saelices, with its Roman theatre and amphitheatre. In spring, the castle hosts a medieval tournament that draws big crowds.

How long to spend

Belmonte can be seen in half a day. Allow about two hours for the castle and another hour and a half for the collegiate church, the wall and a stroll around the village. If you stay a full day, in the afternoon you can visit the Mota del Cuervo windmills or Segóbriga. It is an easy stop on a route through La Mancha in Cuenca province, between Madrid and Valencia or on the way to Cuenca.

Where to stay

The best choice is to sleep in the old town itself, near the collegiate church or in the streets leading up to the castle. There are few places to stay, mostly rural houses and small hotels, but at night the village is very quiet and the floodlit castle can be seen from many spots. If there is no room, Mota del Cuervo, a few kilometres away, has more choice.