Free walking tours in Ciudad Real and what to see

Must-sees

Ciudad Real is a quiet capital of La Mancha that is easy to see on foot. The Puerta de Toledo is the main remnant of the old wall and one of its most recognisable monuments. In the centre are the cathedral of Santa María del Prado, with a large altarpiece, and the Gothic church of San Pedro.

Plaza Mayor is the city’s meeting point. Look out for its carillon, with figures of Cervantes, Don Quixote and Sancho that come out at certain times. The Quixote Museum devotes its rooms to the novel and its era. For a stroll, the Gasset and Pilar parks are pleasant spots.

Free tours and guided visits

Ciudad Real has few free tours and they do not usually run daily, so check before you go. When they do, they cover the centre, the cathedral, the Puerta de Toledo and Plaza Mayor, explaining its origins as a royal town and its link with Don Quixote.

The province has plenty to offer with a guide. Almagro, very close, keeps its 17th-century Corral de Comedias, which you can visit inside. Las Tablas de Daimiel National Park is a good trip for birdwatching. There are also excursions to the castle of Calatrava la Nueva and routes to the windmills of Campo de Criptana.

How long to spend

You can see the city in an unhurried day, including a museum. The real interest is using it as a base for two or three more days to explore the surroundings. A day for Almagro, another for Daimiel and Calatrava, and another for the windmill route or the Valdepeñas wineries make a complete trip through La Mancha.

Where to stay

The centre, around Plaza Mayor and the cathedral, is the best area: everything is a few minutes’ walk away and there are plenty of bars and restaurants. If you arrive by high-speed train, places near the station are practical for short trips. For excursions, a car is advisable, as public transport to the villages is limited.