Attractions and Places To See in Ciudad Real - Top 20

Return to the town of Campo de Criptana

Beautiful castle ruins on top of the swamp

La Laguna del Rey is one of the most outstanding lagoons in the Lagunas de Ruidera Natural Park, located in Castilla-La Mancha. This lagoon is known for being one of the largest and deepest in the lagoon complex. La Laguna del Rey is ideal for water sports such as canoeing and paddle surfing. Its natural surroundings and crystal-clear waters make it a perfect place to relax and enjoy nature.

It is located next to the town centre of Pozuelo de Calatrava. It is popularly known as the unexpected lagoon. If you pass by, it is a unique opportunity to enjoy the flora and fauna of the saltiest lagoon in the area.

The Iron Bridge over the Guadiana River, also known as the Austrias Bridge, is a significant engineering work in the history of Ciudad Real and the region of Castilla-La Mancha. It was built to be part of the railway line that connected Ciudad Real with Badajoz, being an important route for transport and communication in the first half of the 20th century. The construction of the bridge began in 1921 and was completed in 1927. Its design and construction were carried out by the company Material para Ferrocarriles y Construcciones S.A., which used advanced techniques for the time. The bridge is made up of an iron metal structure, supported by masonry pillars, which gives it its characteristic name. During the Spanish Civil War, the bridge played a strategic role and was damaged due to its importance for the movement of troops and supplies. It was later repaired and continued in use until the railway line was decommissioned in the 1960s. Today, the Iron Bridge is a protected monument and a testament to the region's industrial heritage. It is a popular place for walks and hiking trails, allowing visitors to appreciate both its historical value and the natural views of the Guadiana River and its surroundings.

The Malvecinos bridge is located in the northwestern quadrant of the municipality of Carrión de Calatrava, at km 6,500 of the CR-211 provincial highway that goes from Carrión to Fernán Caballero. Since the Middle Ages, its dam-bridge was one of the most notable historical passages of the Guadiana River in this area, forming part of the route of the Cañada Real de la Plata. Unfortunately, its current state is critical due to the uncontrolled growth of vegetation, which has made urgent intervention necessary for its conservation and to avoid its ruin. The Tablas de Calatrava Naturalist Association has promoted a rehabilitation project in four phases to preserve this historical heritage. We hope that this unique enclave in Alto Guadiana can be protected and restored! 🌉🌿

These iconic mills are symbols of Campo de Criptana and all of Castilla-La Mancha. Its blades preside over the life of the town of La Mancha from above. The mills are of the “tower” type, built in masonry and whitewashed with lime. They have a circular plan pierced with small windows, which served as a guide for the orientation of the wind. This indicated where to turn the conical cover so that its blades could take advantage of the wind as desired. Each mill has three floors: the upper one with the grinding stones and the lower ones for storage and packaging. The oldest mills, such as the Sardinero, Burleta and Infante, have been standing since the 16th century and preserve their original mechanism. There are also more modern mills, such as the Inca Garcilaso, the Cariari, the Vicente Huidobro, the Pilón, the Lagarto, the Culebro and the Poyatos, which date back to 1900. Currently, some of these mills can be visited, such as the Molino Infante, the Burleta, the Culebro (which houses the Sara Montiel Museum), the Quimera (which houses the town's Holy Week Museum) and the Poyatos Mill (current tourist information point). The others are closed to the public. I hope you enjoy exploring these iconic windmills! 😊

Also beautiful to look at at dusk