Free walking tours in Manzanares and what to see

Must-sees

Manzanares is a La Mancha town in the centre of the province of Ciudad Real, beside the A-4 motorway, which grew up in the 13th century around an estate of the Order of Calatrava. From that period comes the castle of Pilas Bonas, a fortress more residential than defensive, square with corner towers and a central courtyard. Today it is a hotel and cultural venue, so you can see part of the interior. In the centre, the church of Nuestra Señora de la Asunción stands out, its tower clearly visible from the Plaza Mayor.

Manzanares has several unusual museums. The Manchego Cheese Museum explains the area's star product, the Manuel Piña Museum is dedicated to the fashion designer born here, and PlomHist recreates episodes from history with toy lead soldiers. The bullring is known as the place where Ignacio Sánchez Mejías suffered the goring that inspired Lorca's famous lament. Wine matters too: the area has a single-estate wine with its own designation.

Free tours and guided visits

There are no regular free tours in Manzanares. What you can book is entry to the toy soldier museum, and for the rest of the heritage the practical step is to ask the town tourist service what is available. If you are interested in wine, there are wineries in the area that open for visits, and Valdepeñas, very close, rounds off the day nicely.

How long to spend

Half a day or a relaxed day is enough for the castle, the church, the Plaza Mayor and a couple of museums. If you stay two days, you can head out to the Tablas de Daimiel or the Lagunas de Ruidera, both under an hour's drive, or visit Almagro and its corral de comedias.

Where to stay

The most convenient choice is to stay in the centre, near the Plaza Mayor and the church of La Asunción, where everything is within walking distance. Another option is the accommodation by the A-4, practical if you are passing through on the way to Andalusia or want to drive around the area. For more variety, Valdepeñas and Ciudad Real have far more choice and are close by.