Castles of Spain, for a Visit Steeped in History

Castilla-La Mancha

We suggest a new and original way of discovering Spain's historical and artistic heritage: a tour of some of its legendary castles, some of which offer dramatised visits. Come and find them in the regions in inland Spain. You'll see fortresses from bygone days where you can imagine yourself to be a knight or a princess.

Castles of legend
Come and recreate history in the inland regions of Spain by visiting its numerous castles and fortresses. This is an ideal way of learning more about the country's historical and artistic heritage while you explore the sites of battles, and imagine the life of a knight errant or a princess at the height of the Middle Ages. Come in and discover the monuments which are open to visitors, and enjoy the dramatised tours available at some of the sites for an extra special experience.

Castles of Aragon

How about a journey into the past, to the time of knights errant? In Aragon you can experience that sensation by visiting its castles and fortresses.

Simply by driving along the roads throughout the region you'll be able to enjoy attractive landscapes in small towns and villages which are home to these 'skyscrapers of history'. This is the case of places such as Uncastillo , Sos del Rey Católico and Loarre , whose fortresses are open to visitors. Other ideas include the fortified city of Jaca , a perfect pentagon whose unusual layout can clearly be seen from the air, and the Aljafería Palace in Zaragoza , whose façade conceals the imposing Arab presence that can be seen inside.

Other castles of interest in the region include Sádaba (Zaragoza), Aínsa and Montearagón (Huesca), in addition to the castle of Mora de Rubielos (Teruel).

Practical tips

• We recommend choosing two nearby places with castles and making a day-long visit to explore the entire historic mediaeval quarter of the town.
• On the website of the Aragon Tourist Board you can download a free PDF guide to the castles in the region.

More Information: Turismo de Aragón
Website: http://www.turismodearagon.com

Castles of La Mancha

The Alcazar (Castle) of Toledo

Looking for ideas for a short break? We suggest a trip to Castile-La Mancha to visit some of its fortifications through the routes around the castles of Albacete , Ciudad Real , Cuenca , Guadalajara and Toledo .

These are itineraries which are ideal for weekends, and which include features such as Almansa Castle , one of the settings of the Battle of Almansa, in Albacete; and in Ciudad Real, the site of the castle of Calatrava la Nueva , which was at one time the headquarters of the Order of Calatrava; the spectacular example of mediaeval palatial architecture at Belmont e Castle in Cuenca; the chance to follow in the footsteps of the legendary El Cid Campeador in the castles of Guadalajara; and discover the imprint of Christians and Muslims in the fortresses of Toledo.

Dramatised visits
There are castles which guarantee an entertaining visit while you learn all about the monument. These are places offering dramatised visits, and include the castles of Consuegra (Toledo) and Doña Berenguela (Ciudad Real). Furthermore, once a year Belmonte Castle (Cuenca) stages a major re-enactment of the 15th-century War of the Castilian Succession, which lasts several days and takes visitors back in time to the Middle Ages. Likewise, Oropesa Castle (Toledo) organises birdwatching events from its towers.

Practical tips

• These routes are designed to be done at your own pace in a few days using your own vehicle.
• We recommend spending the night in some of the castles along the way. A good place to do this would be the Castle of Pilas Bonas (Ciudad Real) or the castles which are today the site of Parador hotels, such as the castles of Sigüenza (Guadalajara), Alarcón (Cuenca), and Oropesa (Toledo). If you want to find out more about other unusual accommodation, visit this link
• The date of the historical re-enactment at Belmonte Castle varies from year to year, so we recommend checking dates in advance.
• Advance booking is required for guided visits and to take part in the historical re-enactment at Belmonte Castle.
• The dramatised visits are highly recommended, particularly for people travelling with children.
• The performances are usually only in Spanish, but this is still a very entertaining way to explore
  the spaces in the castle, and you may even pick up a little Spanish!
  
  Information and booking
  Ruta de los castillos de Albacete - Website: http://www.turismocastillalamancha.com
  Ruta de los castillos de Ciudad Real - Website: http://www.turismocastillalamancha.com
  Ruta de los castillos de Cuenca - Website: http://www.turismocastillalamancha.com
  Ruta de los castillos de Guadalajara - Website: http://www.turismocastillalamancha.com