Castilla-La Mancha is the land of Don Quixote, a destination many drive straight through, missing out on storybook cities, windmills, surprising nature and authentic villages, all a stone's throw from Madrid and very peaceful. It's perfect for spring and autumn getaways. Here are some ideas for discovering it by motorhome.
The heritage cities
- Toledo: the "city of three cultures", an open-air museum and World Heritage Site.
- Cuenca: with its famous Hanging Houses over the gorge, spectacular.
- Almagro, with its old theatre and main square.
- Sigüenza and its castle.
Park outside and walk into the historic centres.
The Don Quixote route and the windmills
The iconic windmills of Consuegra and Campo de Criptana, the "giants" of Don Quixote, are an essential image. The literary route runs through the novel's settings all across the region. Pure La Mancha.
The surprising nature
- The Lagunas de Ruidera: an oasis of chained turquoise lagoons.
- Cabañeros National Park: the "Spanish Serengeti", wildlife and dehesa woodland.
- The Serranía de Cuenca and the Enchanted City.
Practical tips
- Spring and autumn: summer in La Mancha is very hot.
- Close to Madrid: ideal for short breaks (see short getaways).
- Carry spare water in the more sparsely populated areas.
- Enjoy the wine from the world's largest wine-growing region by area.
In summary
Castilla-La Mancha offers heritage cities (Toledo, Cuenca), the windmills of Don Quixote and nature like the Lagunas de Ruidera, all peaceful and close to Madrid. The step to take today: link a heritage city (Toledo or Cuenca) with the windmills of Consuegra and the Lagunas de Ruidera; you'll get culture, La Mancha's iconic image and a natural oasis in a single route. Combine it with routes through Spain.