An often-underrated holiday destination, Castile-La Mancha is a land of historic towns and cities set amongst fertile plains and high plateaux studded with windmills. Immortalised in Cervantes’ Don Quixote, it’s a beautiful region and easily accessible from Madrid for long weekends or as part of a road trip through central Spain. Accommodation options are tremendously wide-ranging, with everything from old town guesthouses to magical restored convents and country house hotels catering to an array of tastes and budgets. Most of the best places to stay in Castile-La Mancha are characterful and historic, reflecting the region’s ample charm.
Ciudad Real, the regional capital, promises towers, Gothic churches, a 16th-century cathedral and the Don Quixote Museum, all surrounded by four kilometres of protective walls. The area’s bucolic plains are home to vineyards and family-owned farms producing game and cheeses. Enjoy tours and tastings at the wineries themselves, or at cellar doors on and around the city’s lively Plaza Major.
Fortified Toledo, once Spain’s capital, is undoubtedly Castile-La Mancha’s most famous destination. Brimming with religious and cultural landmarks, it’s a favourite amongst those looking to delve into the area’s rich and turbulent history. Evenings in Toledo are particularly special, when the day-trippers have left and the light is dazzling. Those interested in history of architecture should also venture across to Cuenca, with its striking old town and astonishing hanging houses built onto the surrounding cliffs.
Head into the countryside for hiking, mountain biking and horse riding, or to experience the wonders of the region’s spectacular national parks. Some of the best places to stay in Castile-La Mancha are tranquil rural escapes, perfect for outdoorsy adventurers.
