Castilla-La Mancha - Featured Destinations

Castilla-La Mancha Map and Guide

Welcome to this map and guide of Castilla-La Mancha region of Spain. This map shows a growing collection of 360 panoramas taken around Castilla-La Mancha and Spain by various panoramic photographers. Simply select a pin on the map to begin exploring the towns, villages and tourist attractions. View this map as either a street map, terrain map or as a satellite image of Castilla-La Mancha. Select the 'Earth' option to view it using the Google Earth plugin.

About Castilla-La Mancha

Castilla-La Mancha is the most sparsely populated autonomous regions in Spain. It is the third largest autonomous region, covering 15.7% of Spain's national territory.It is surrounded on all sides by the other Spanish regions of Castile and León, Madrid, Aragon, Valencia, Murcia, Andalusia, and Extremadura. The capital city of the region is Toledo, but the most populous city is Albacete.

Castilla-La Mancha witnessed many battles between Muslims and Christians between the 11th and 13th centuries as the Moors were gradually expelled from the Iberia. In 1492 the region was also where the Crowns of Castilla and Aragon were unified in 1492 under Queen Isabel and King Ferdinand. The region is full of medieval castles.

Castile-La Mancha - Geography

Castile-La Mancha covers most of the Submeseta Sur plains in the middle of the Iberian Peninsula, bordered north and south by mountains. To the north lie the Sistema Central mountains that separate the region from Submeseta Norte plains and the community of Castile and León. To the northeast are the Sistema Ibérico mountains and to the south are the Sierra Morena and Montes de Toledo ranges. The mountains that surround the central Meseta (or plain) form natural boundaries to the region.

The central Meseta itself has little relief. It is dotted with villages and small towns most of which make a living from agriculture. However, within it are the Montes de Toledo, whose highest peaks rise to 1600m. Being in the center of the Iberian Peninsula, Castile-La Mancha has a Mediterranean climate but with greater extremes in temperature resulting in hotter summers and colder winters than found at the coast.

Castile-La Mancha - Tourist Attractions

Tourism is increasingly playing an important role in the economy of Castile-La Mancha.

Those holidaying in the region are looking for quiet rural retreats, and agrotourism is becoming increasingly popular with many family run hotels springing up in converted ancient houses served by locally grown produce. Many of the attractions revolve round the slower pace of life and relative solitude compared to the coastal areas. Visitors explore the countless Medieval forts and castles, relax at village cafes and explore the old towns and churches. Top destinations and attractions in the region include:

• Toledo - Capital of the region. The main attractions here include the Cathedral, Hospital de Santa Cruz, Casa y Museo El Greco, the Monasterio de San Juan de los Reyes, Puerta del Sol in the Plaza de Zocodover, Puente de Alcántara and Puerta Vieja de Bisagra.
• Ciudad Real (Royal Town) - nestled between the Guadiana and Jabalón rivers, contains the Don Quixote's Museum and many historical churches and buildings.
• Albacete - home to the Museo Arqueológico,
• Alcalá de Jucar - small, picturesque village on a rocky hillside above the Río Jucar dominated by a Medieval tower.
• Alcaraz - Medieval town near a Moorish castle, birthplace of Andrés de Vandelvira, a famous 16th century architect.
• Argamasilla de Alba - small market village close to the Castillo de Peñarroya and Lagunas de Ruidera Natural Park
• Almansa - with a massive Moorish castle around which was fought the last battle of the War of the Spanish Succession in 1707
• Balazote - containing the 5th century Bicha de Balazote statue which was found in 1898.
• Chinchilla de Monte Aragón - Moorish stronghold built on a steep sided crag at an altitude of 896m. Above the town is the Castillo, built by Don Juan de Villena in the 15th century.
• Cuevas de la Vieja - ancient caves containing Stone Age rock paintings.
• Hellín - small town full of Baroque churches and buildings.
• Belmonte - typical fortified Medieval town.
• Cuenca - important Moorish stronghold whose main attractions include Our Lady of Grace cathedral, Saint Peter church, Saint Michael church, The Savior church (Iglesia del Salvador), Saint Paul bridge, El Castillo (The Castle), Mangana Tower, Hanging Houses and many other notable buildings.
• Guadalajara - Moorish town with some Roman remains. Important attractions include the Palacio del Duque del Infantado, tapestries in Pastrana, the Cathedral and buildings around the Old Town.
• Forests of Tejera Negra - forests full of beech with some oak and yew, full of roe deer and wild pigs, golden eagles, red kites and hawks.

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