The Best Travel Guide to Ciudad Real (UPDATED 2024) | ArrivalGuides.com

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Ciudad Real

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Overview

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Ciudad Real The guide was updated: 2024-09-14

Forever immortalised as the setting for Don Quixote's misadventures, the beautiful medieval city of Ciudad Real is just a short train journey from Madrid or Seville. Remnants of ancient city walls, churches galore and spectacular cuisine based primarily on cheese, cured meats and wine are but some of the reasons to visit.

Facts

Population:	75,000
Currency:	Euro, 1 EUR = 100 cents
Search Accommodation:	Hotels »
Emergency numbers:	112
Newspapers:	La Tribuna de Ciudad Real — www.latribunadeciudadreal.es El Día de Ciudad Real — www.eldiadigital.es/sec/ciudad-real El Mundo — www.elmundo.es El País — www.elpais.com
Website:	www.turismociudadreal.com www.ciudadreal.es turismo.ciudadreal.es
Opening hours:	Shops in Ciudad Real are normally open from 10am to 2pm and from 5pm to 9pm on weekdays, but there are exceptions. Larger shopping centres and shops stay open all day.
Tourist information:	Concejalía de Turismo Plaza Mayor, 1, Ciudad Real +34 926 21 64 86 turismo@ayto-ciudadreal.es

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Section in Ciudad Real

Ciudad Real is a city of churches and cathedrals, each more impressive than the last. Be sure to also walk through the winding alleys in the historic centre, and marvel at the imposing Puerta de Toledo, a remnant of the ancient city walls.

Iglesia de Santiago

Iglesia de Santiago

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.

Puerta de Toledo

Puerta de Toledo

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.

Ciudad Real Cathedral

Ciudad Real Cathedral

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.

Don Quixote Museum & Cervantes Library

Don Quixote Museum & Cervantes Library

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.

Iglesia de San Pedro

Iglesia de San Pedro

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.

Plaza Mayor

Plaza Mayor

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.

Alarcos Archaeological Site

Alarcos Archaeological Site

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.

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