The best traffic-free bike rides around Tomelloso

You absolutely must visit this unique and striking castle. I recommend climbing to the top to enjoy the views from its privileged elevated position and imagining the times when such thick walls were necessary.

The King's Lagoon, one of the most emblematic lagoons in the Ruidera Lakes Natural Park: It is located within the municipality of Ruidera (Ciudad Real), at the main entrance to the natural park. It is one of the first lagoons you see when traveling through the park by road, very close to the town of Ruidera. It stands out for the turquoise color of its waters, which in some places are reminiscent of the Caribbean. It is photogenic and easily accessible, ideal for those looking for a place to relax or take a swim. The bottom is clearly visible thanks to the water's transparency.

Laguna del Rey is one of the most emblematic lagoons in the Lagunas de Ruidera Natural Park, located within the municipality of Ruidera (Ciudad Real). It lies just outside the town of Ruidera, and is one of the first lagoons encountered when traveling through the park by road. It is easily accessible by car, although parking near the water can be difficult during peak season.

The Posada de los Portales is one of Tomelloso's most emblematic buildings, located in the Plaza de España. Construction: Second half of the 17th century (some sources indicate 1778), as an inn for travelers and merchants. Style: Traditional La Mancha architecture, featuring: A portico supported by four Tuscan columns and two pillars. Wooden galleries with turned balusters, reminiscent of classic courtyard houses. An interior with a primitive kitchen, a large fireplace, and original wooden beams.

A magnificent example of a montane castle, meaning one whose shape adapts exactly to the hill on which it stands. Its most beautiful feature is the main gate, opening into a bend in the wall and built as a reentrant in its uniform circular path. The magnificent ashlar work with which it was built is worth a visit alone, as is the pointed arch between its two strong towers. Erected by a Muslim garrison in the mid-12th century, it was continually conquered and recaptured, and Christians and Arabs alternated possession many times. It came to belong to the Order of Santiago in 1214, a possession confirmed by a papal bull. When the Alhambra district was divided between the Orders of Calatrava and Saint John, it lost its strategic importance and was gradually abandoned. The most curious thing about the castle is that, being mountainous, it never had an external enclosure or barbican, but rather a covered or protected path in its last section by a small wall, which allowed access under protected conditions.

Beautiful views

Beautiful castle ruins on top of the swamp

A magnificent example of a mountain castle, that is, one whose shape is exactly adapted to the hill on which it stands. Its most beautiful element is the main gate, opening at a bend in the wall and built as a re-entrant in its homogeneous circular path. The magnificent stonework with which it was built is worth the visit alone, as well as the pointed arch between its two strong towers. Built by a Muslim garrison in the mid-12th century, it was continually conquered and lost, and Christians and Arabs took turns in its possession many times. It came to belong to the Order of Santiago in 1214, possession confirmed by a papal bull. When the Alhambra district was divided between the orders of Calatrava and San Juan, it lost its strategic importance and was gradually abandoned. The most curious thing about the castle is that, because it is a mountain castle, it never had an external enclosure or barbican, but rather a covered or protected path in its last section by a small wall, which allowed access under protected conditions.