Ciudad Real Travel & Vacation Guide

Before there was Ciudad Real, there was ancient Alarcos. 8 km from the city, this Bronze Age excavation site also contains Iberian and medieval remains (a castle and Gothic chapel). The site was a fortified city in the 6th century, and after conquest in 1212, the citizens relocated down river to modern-day Ciudad Real.

This 16th century cathedral boasts the intimidating full name "The Holy Priory Church Cathedral Basilica of the Military Order of Our Lady Saint Mary of the Prado of Ciudad Real". It is the city's main cathedral and houses the second largest nave in the country.

The small Don Quixote Museum houses a interesting mix of exhibits centred around Cervantes' masterpiece, which takes place in La Mancha and the area around Ciudad Real. Highlights include some 19th century illustrations depicting Don Quijote, as well as the library, which contains over 3,500 titles.

Perhaps the city's most beautiful and ornate church, the Gothic temple Iglesia de San Pedro dates back to the 14th and 15th centuries and boasts several gorgeous doors, gates and chapels that showcase masterful craftsmanship.

Dating back to the 13th century, the Iglesia de Santiago is the oldest church in Ciudad Real. It was constructed in the Gothic style, but the design shows signs of Romanic and Islamic influences.

Plaza Mayor, the city's main square, is the heart of civic life in Ciudad Real, a lively open space surrounded by shops, restaurants, cafes and bars. When the weather is nice throngs of visitors and local residents flock to the square, making it the best place in town for people watching, as well as the best place to go for food, shopping and nightlife.

A remnant of the city's Islamic past, the Puerta de Toledo is all that remains of the Royal Alcázar of Ciudad Real. It was constructed during the 14th century, and it still impresses with 6 arches, 2 square towers and the ornate coat of arms of Castilla.

Cervecería Dallas is a well-loved brewery and restaurant that offers creative home-style cooking, including tasty gazpacho and stews, as well as great refreshing beer varieties.

Deicy Reilly's is Ciudad Real's mandatory Irish pub, complete with a great selection of international beers (including, of course, Guinness), as well as hearty pub food and frequent live music performances.

Summer nights in the region of La Mancha need to be spent outdoors, in one of the numerous 'terrazas', open-air terraces for drinking, eating, and merriment. Terraza Platinum, located just east of the city centre, is one of the very best.

Plaza Mayor, the city's main square, is the heart of civic life in Ciudad Real, a lively open space surrounded by shops, restaurants, cafes, and bars. When the weather is nice, throngs of visitors and local residents flock to the square, making it the best place in town for people watching, as well as the best place to go for food and nightlife.

El Herbolario is a small but lovely boutique specialising in natural and organic beauty products, as well as health food, including gluten-free, sugar-free, vegan and whole-wheat items, the very best in healthy regional products.

Another great bookstore in Ciudad Real, Librería Serendipia carries a fine selection of both fiction and non-fiction. Regular literary events are also hosted, with invited speakers from around the country, and there is a small delicatessen area, as well.

Plaza Mayor, the city's main square, is the heart of civic life in Ciudad Real, a lively open space surrounded by shops, restaurants, cafes and bars. When the weather is nice throngs of visitors and local residents flock to the square, making it the best place in town for people watching, as well as the best place to go for food, shopping and nightlife.

Zona 84 offers a great selection of comic books, manga, board games and strategy games, as well as video games and merchandise. They also organise special events, including book launches and board game nights.

The Ciudad Real Central Airport is no longer in operation, so visitors will have to fly into either Madrid-Barajas Airport (MAD) or Sevilla Airport (SVQ). Luckily, with new connections on Spain's high-speed rail, AVE, the ride from Madrid can take as little as 50 minutes (with 15-20 daily departures) and under 2 hours to Sevilla.

Ciudad Real is small and compact enough to be explored on foot. For transport to other cities and areas, the central train station is listed below. High-speed rail connections to and from Madrid and Sevilla depart and arrive there.

Taxis are easy to find and can be hailed just about anywhere. They are usually white with a colourful stripe across the doors. Some reputable companies are: Taxi Abel Jesús Violero +34 667 69 43 68 Asistencia y Transporte Cano +34 926 53 10 71

220 v, 50 hz Standard European plug

Farmacia Rosario Romero

Oficina de Correos

Country code: +34 Area code: 826