Where can you sleep?
There are many options for you to enjoy your holidays in Ciudad Real, as it has a great number or charming towns and villages to visit.
One of the most famous of them, and which is connected with the so famous Don Quixote, is Campo de Criptana, a town known for the windmills that decorate its surroundings.
Another town where you'll be able to make your stay, thought to be the ?village of La Mancha? which opens Cervantes's novel, is Villanueva de los Infantes. Its impressive collection of historical buildings makes it one of the most beautiful and unique places in the whole region. If you stay here, don't forget to check out the coates of arms that decorate many of the houses in this town.
The town of Almagro is another destination that you'll love. It is in fact, one of the most popular destinations since this is one of the few places where you can visit a Corral de Comedias, a traditional courtyard-like building where Spanish 17th century theatre was staged. It is considered to be a preserved, national and historical complex, so if you're interested in making your stay here we recommend you book ahead because this destination is in high demand.
What to do in the area?
If you're visiting Ciudad Real, you can't miss out taking a chance to walk around the area of Daimiel, where the National Park of Las Tablas de Daimiel is found: an impressive place for its natural interest and value, so important that is now considered a Protected Biosphere.
Another hiking route in the area that we recommend you is that of the Natural Park of Lagunas de Ruidera, which is where one of the most impressive wetlands of the Iberian Peninsula is found. We recommend you check out both of them, if you can.
Amongst the landmarks of artistic heritage, we recommend you visit the Corral de Comedias from the 17th century, and where the Spanish International Festival of Classical Theatre is held every year.
Further, the mining complex of Almadén is part of the Unesco since it has the biggest mercury mines of the world, considered now a UNESCO World Heritage site, and that have been open since the ancient, Roman times.
The Castle of Calatrava la Nueva, the Plaza Mayor, or Puerta de Toledo are also musts to visit if you visit the city.
If you want to check out of a trip to Lagunas de Ruidera, we can give you some ideas.
What typical foods are recommended?
Ciudad Real's gastronomy is one of the most extended through all the Iberian Península. We must tell you, as it is the case in the kitchens of all Spanish provinces, that where you are determines what you'll eat, and this is a clear example of this.
Although the influence of manchegan traditional coking is present in it, the gastronomy of this region is also influenced by andalusian cuisine, resulting in traditional dishes that present a striking contrast.
Aubergines are amongst their famous local prducts, very famous in Almadén, and here filled with red pepper.
Manchegan ?pisto? (fried vegetable hash) is a favourite dish, and one that you'll see many times in this region. And so are ?migas? (fried breadcrumbs), another traditional dish that was usually eaten by shepherds and land workers so that they wouldn't need to eat more through the day.
To wrap it up, we must mention the importance of wine-making tradition in this area, with up to 30% of its land devoted to wine-making purposes, and Valdepeñas PDO status.
Where are the festivities?
As for celebrations that are traditional from this province, we must admit that they are very varied and the dates well-spread throughout the year, making this area a great one to visit any time of the year.
To begin with, the carnivals are the first event of the year celebrated, and here it is also one of Regional Tourist Interest, so don't be shy and enjoy the lively atmosphere and colourful procession of costumes of these dates.
Our next stop, and also one considered of National Tourist Inerest is at Easter, when up to 24 associations are gathered for the religious processions that will walk the streets of the city.
The ?fiestas? of Pandorga are celebrated in July, when you will be able to enjoy the offerings to the Virgin of el Prado, patroness of the city, and several days during August are dedicated to her, from the 14th to the 22nd , the 15th being when the most important celebrations are held for the ?Día Grande de la Ciudad?.
A you can see, if you come to Ciudad Real your calendar will never be blank with such a selection of events being celebrated during the year, so that you can enjoy of the true essence of this region.
