What to See in Castile: Cities and Attractions Not to Miss

A magical land of castles, the birthplace of the legendary hero El Cid and Saint Teresa of Ávila, Castile is an ancient Spanish region, the largest in the country, and includes two autonomous communities (equivalent to Italian regions), namely Castile and León and Castile-La Mancha.

Peppered with charming medieval villages and impressive Gothic cathedrals, Castile boasts cities that resemble open-air museums. Names like Segovia, Burgos, Salamanca, and Ávila highlight the historical and artistic importance of the region. We must not forget that Castile is also home to stages of the famous Camino de Santiago.

History, art, religion, and plenty of nature. Here's what to see in Castile: cities and attractions not to be missed!

Among the most important cities in Castile-La Mancha, Albacete is located in the heart of vast countryside. The name comes from the Arabic word Al-Basit (the plain). It is a modern city that has retained some of its historical charm. The ancient Gothic Catedral de San Juan Bautista stands out in the old town. Another testament to Albacete's religious architecture is the ancient Monasterio de la Encarnación (16th century), now a cultural center, and the church of Purísima Concepción.

Among the beautiful sights to discover, you'll surely find the traditional houses, characterized by a central patio around which various rooms are developed. Notable mentions include the Casa de los Picos and the Casona Perona, both further enhanced by beautiful facades. Strolling through its streets reveals a commercial passion flowing through the main arteries, typical tranquility pervading the most beautiful corners, and the vibrancy of its September festivities, one of the best times to plan a visit.

The first capital of Spain. Toledo, dramatically positioned on a gorge of the Tagus River, is an ancient city where Catholic, Arabic, and Jewish cultures intertwine.

The center of Toledo is rich in beauties waiting to be discovered, and you can visit it with a guided tour of the main monuments. In addition to beautiful churches, mosques, and synagogues, which testify to its intricate historical background, there is the fortress and the Alcázar. Surrounding the old city is a perimeter of fortified walls interspersed with various gates, including the main Puerta de Bisagra.

Finally, its museums deserve mention, which include the Casa-Museo del Greco, a painter, sculptor, and architect who spent much of his life in this beautiful city and produced his best works here.

See also: How to get to Toledo and what to see

One of the oldest cities in Spain, Segovia is a popular tourist destination, often seen as a day trip from Madrid, attracting pilgrims and hikers walking the Camino de Santiago. Set in a naturally beautiful context, on an elevated territory between the courses of the Eresma and Clamores rivers and the Sierra de Guadarrama in the background, it is rich in magnificent historical monuments.

The main attraction of Segovia tourism is undoubtedly the impressive Roman aqueduct. Along with the Pont du Gard in France, it is one of the best-preserved elevated Roman aqueducts, as well as one of the symbols of the city, evident even in its presence on the city coat of arms. In 1985, it, along with the old town, was included as a UNESCO World Heritage site.

Do not miss, however, the Alcázar and the Cathedral, two buildings of breathtaking beauty.

See also: What to see in Segovia

The proximity to Madrid (less than an hour and a half) and its status as a UNESCO World Heritage city make Ávila one of the most visited places in Spain.

Its emblematic attractions are undoubtedly the Casa Museo de Santa Teresa de Jesús, and especially the imposing walls of Ávila, which surround the entire historic center and can be walked along the old 2-kilometer ringing pathway.

In addition to the aforementioned monuments, there is much more to see, such as the squares of San Vicente and Mercado Grande, the Davila, Polentino, and Bracamonte palaces, the Guzmanes Tower, and the statues of San Juan de la Cruz, the Cathedral, and the Basilica of San Vicente.

Nearby, a special mention goes to the Valle de Iruelas Natural Reserve, an area rich in wildlife, including deer, wild boars, squirrels, foxes, and lynxes. This area offers a range of rural tourism activities: hiking, trekking routes, gastronomic itineraries, outdoor sports, and more.

The province of Toledo has many wonders to offer. Its charm goes beyond its capital, declared a World Heritage site. There are unique landscapes, exceptional monuments, and cities worthy of a great vacation. A good example of this is Ocaña, a charming town in La Mancha located just 15 kilometers from Aranjuez. It is a fascinating city, an ancient stop on the Roman road connecting Mérida and Zaragoza. But that's not all; this city is the setting for the play "Peribañez and the Commander of Ocaña", a masterpiece by the important playwright Lope de Vega, after whom a magnificent theater is named.

Among the attractions to visit, you cannot miss its Plaza Mayor, a monumental example of late Baroque architecture and urban planning; in addition to the Palacio de los Cardenas, the Convento de Santo Domingo, the Great Fountain, and the aforementioned Lope de Vega Theater.

Located in the northwestern part of Spain, Salamanca is a city of exceptional beauty. It was declared a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1988 and in 2002 was named European Capital of Culture. For a first approach to the city, we recommend participating in a private tour with a local.

Salamanca offers an exciting journey back in time to the most regal and enlightened age of the Iberian Peninsula. It is the site of the oldest university in Spain, and it is here that the first Spanish grammar was codified.

The center of the city is Plaza Mayor, surrounded by beautiful ancient buildings, bars, and restaurants. It is said that the Plaza Mayor of Salamanca is the most beautiful in Spain, even more so than its counterpart in Madrid. The square hosts numerous events throughout the year, such as book fairs, markets, or religious celebrations, making it a lively meeting place at any hour of the day or night.

But that's not all; there are many other beauties to discover in the city, such as the Old Cathedral, the palaces of the University of Salamanca, and the Casa de las Conchas.

See also: Must-see attractions in Salamanca

Located in Ramacastañas, in the Tiétar valley, south of the province of Ávila. The current appearance dates back about 12 million years, with spectacular formations in its great hall of approximately 10,000 square meters, including numerous 'eccentrics', stalactites, and suspended drapes of multiple shapes, some tubular, and stalagmites created drop by drop from the earth. The cave was discovered on December 24, 1963, by five children who were wandering around hunting in the area and noticed steam coming from a hole.

After extensive conditioning work, it was opened to the public on July 18, 1964. It is practically fully accessible, having been very well conditioned and marked, and its path is not dangerous (1,000 meters in about 30 minutes). The internal temperature is constant throughout the year, averaging 17°.

Valladolid is not one of the cities of mass tourism; however, it boasts streets, monuments, and attractions of great interest. Located in Castilla y León, this city of nearly 300,000 inhabitants is a good option to visit in the fall and winter months, when the weather is not yet favorable for planning a beach vacation.

It is a city incredibly suitable for all, ideal for visiting with family or friends, but also for a romantic getaway with your partner. It offers a vibrant nightlife thanks to the many venues where you can dance until late at night. Similarly, its cultural and historical offerings are very interesting and vast, plus it has a respectable gastronomic tradition. Iconic attractions in the city include the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Assumption, the Pimentel Palace, the Santa Cruz Palace, Paseo Campo Grande, the largest green park in the city, Plaza Mayor, the San Gregorio College, which houses the National Museum of Sculpture, the Churches of San Pablo and Antigua, and the University.

One of the main stops on the Camino de Santiago, Burgos is a city of great historical and religious importance. The birthplace of the legendary Cid Campeador, it boasts numerous monuments and places of artistic and cultural interest, including the magnificent Gothic cathedral and the ancient castle, an important Christian stronghold during the Reconquista that still dominates the city.

South-east of the province of Burgos, in the Sierra de la Demanda, lies a natural gem: the Lagunas de Neila. An impressive series of glacial lagoons that make up a protected natural space. A paradise for hikers and mountain and fishing enthusiasts.

The most spectacular are the Laguna Negra and Laguna Lunga. The Laguna Negra circle is the largest and most perfect formation of the Iberian system; waterfalls tumble down and freeze spectacularly in winter. Just below are two other large lagoons: Laguna de Las Pardillas and the Contadero niche, beneath whose cliffs two new lagoons have been created: Los Patos and Brava.

An imposing town just 20 km from Palencia, Dueñas is situated near the Canal de Castilla and extends over a hill from which to admire the beautiful plains of the Carrión and Pisuerga rivers. Its historic center, declared a Heritage of Historical Artistic Interest, is filled with notable civil and religious architectures, including the Puerta del Ojo and de la Virgen and the Church of Santa Maria. Plaza España stands out for the presence of typical Castilian porches; the area around the Hermitage of Christ hosts numerous cellars.

In the heart of Tierra de Campos, also in the province of Palencia, sits Paredes de Nava, an historical locality famous for being the birthplace of illustrious figures. The historic center houses authentic jewels like the Church of Santa Eulalia and the Parish Museum, both declared Historical-Artistic Monuments in 1981.

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Castile occupies the central northern part of the Iberian Peninsula and, as mentioned, is politically divided into two separate autonomous communities: Castile and León and Castile-La Mancha; situated between the two is the autonomous community of Madrid. Castile and León extends north of Madrid, in the northern zone of the Meseta plateau, and encompasses 9 provinces: Ávila, Burgos, León, Palencia, Salamanca, Segovia, Soria, Valladolid, Zamora.

Castile-La Mancha, on the other hand, develops south of Madrid and comprises 5 provinces: Toledo, Albacete, Guadalajara, Ciudad Real, and Cuenca.

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