Free walking tours in Los Hinojosos and what to see

Must-sees

Los Hinojosos is a La Mancha village in the west of Cuenca province, surrounded by vineyards, holm oaks and plains. Its history is curious: in the 13th century a boundary line split the place in two, and for centuries Hinojoso de la Orden, belonging to the Order of Santiago, coexisted with Hinojoso del Marquesado, under the lordship of Villena. Each half had its own church. The two villages merged in the 19th century under the current name.

That's why there are two churches only a few metres apart. The church of San Bartolomé, in the former Marquesado, has a prominent tower. San Bernabé, on the Order's side, dates from the 16th and 17th centuries. On the outskirts stands a windmill, and in the nearby countryside the Finca Antigua winery.

Free tours and guided visits

There are no free walking tours in Los Hinojosos. The activity on offer is a visit to a local winery, with a walk through the vineyard and a tasting of its wines, best booked in advance. The village can be explored on your own in a short time. To round off the trip, people usually drive to Mota del Cuervo, with its ridge of windmills, El Toboso or Belmonte and its castle, all on the Don Quixote Route.

How long to spend

The two churches and a stroll around the village take an hour or a little more. With the winery visit and lunch, you fill half a day without rushing. To get to know the La Mancha of Cuenca, two days is ideal: one for Los Hinojosos, the winery and Mota del Cuervo, and another for Belmonte and El Toboso, a short drive away.

Where to stay

Accommodation in Los Hinojosos is limited, mainly rural houses in and around the village, perfect if you're after silence and clear skies. Mota del Cuervo, about thirteen kilometres away, has more places to stay and restaurants and good road links. Belmonte is another good base, with small hotels by the old town and the castle, and works for exploring the whole area.