Free walking tours in Valdepeñas and what to see

Must-sees

Valdepeñas, in the south of Ciudad Real province, is synonymous with wine, and that identity is everywhere, from the bodegas to the taverns. The centre revolves around Plaza de España, with its arcades and whitewashed houses, and the Gothic church of La Asunción that presides over it. Around them are shopping streets and bars where wine takes centre stage.

To understand the town, visit the Wine Museum, set in an old bodega, and the Molino de Gregorio Prieto, with work by the painter born here. On the outskirts is the Cerro de las Cabezas, an Iberian site you can walk round. If you coincide with the Grape Harvest Festival in early September, you will see the town at its liveliest.

Free tours and guided visits

Free tours are not frequent in Valdepeñas. The usual options are bodega visits with tastings, the most recommended experience, and some guided walks of the centre or the Cerro de las Cabezas site. Nearby trips worth making include the Palace of the Marquis of Santa Cruz in Viso del Marqués, the square of San Carlos del Valle, Villanueva de los Infantes and Almagro, with its corral de comedias.

How long to spend

One day covers the centre, the museums and a bodega. In the morning, take in Plaza de España, the church and the Wine Museum. In the afternoon, the Molino de Gregorio Prieto and a visit with a tasting. With two days you can add a trip to Almagro or Villanueva de los Infantes, or to Viso del Marqués and San Carlos del Valle.

Where to stay

The most practical choice is to stay in the centre, near Plaza de España, to walk to the museums, bars and restaurants. If your plan revolves around wine or you are driving, there are also places beside wineries in the surroundings, quieter and surrounded by vineyards.