Who doesn’t know the story of Don Quixote from his childhood? The story of the young noble who loses his sanity and ends up fighting against windmills which he mistakes with giant monsters. These windmills actually exist. The Don Quixote Windmills in Spain – in the South of Madrid.
There is a little town called Consuegra in the province of Toledo in the area of Castilla la Mancha where twelve windmills are tucked on a little hill overlooking the area. This is where writer Miguel Cervantes found its inspiration for writing the famous story of Don Quixote. Visiting the Don Quixote Windmills in Spain is perfect for a day trip from Madrid.
What was the story of Don Quixote about?
For those of you who can’t recall the story, I’ll give a short wrap up: It is a story of a young noble who loses his sanity and decides to become a knight. He wants to serve his country under the name of Don Quixote and his adventures begin in the early dawn when he starts attacking windmills because he thinks they are cruel giants. This scene became the symbol of Miguel Cervantes famous Novel from 1605.
How to get to the Don Quixote Windmills in Spain?
Consuegra is located 140 kilometres south of Madrid and is best reached by car. I think it might be possible somehow by train and taxi, but the easiest is really by car.
What to do at the Don Quixote Windmills in Spain?
I recommend going to the windmills in the afternoon (possible throughout the whole year). The location on top of a little hill will give you pretty nice 360 degrees view of the whole area. You can have a little walk along the 12 windmills and just enjoy the scenery. Most of the windmills can be entered and contain little exhibitions or explanations. There is a little cafe or wine bar in one of the bigger windmills with tables outside.
Make sure to get one of these tables and enjoy a stunning sunset. I was so lucky and could enjoy a very pink and beautiful one, see yourself:
Our day trip looked like this: We started the day having breakfast at a little cafe on the way, called “Masamiga”. This place is in the middle of nowhere, but depending on where you are staying in Madrid it might be on your way to the Don Quixote Windmills. Start your day with a typical Spanish breakfast which means Pan con Tomate (bread with fresh tomato sauce and olive oil) and a cappuccino which is very delicious in Masamigas.
After a late breakfast (Ok, I admit it was already lunch time but we wanted to take the day easily) we headed to Consuegra and arrived there in the afternoon, walked around, took pictures, took a little vino in the wine bar of one of the windmills and waited for the sunset.
I hope that makes you want to visit the Don Quixote Windmills in Spain already? If not, I’ll you show some more places close by.
Are there any more places of interest on the way?
Just next to the Don Quixote Windmills in Spain is a little Medieval castle which is worth a walk. From there you will also have a great view of the windmills:
Around 2 or 3 hours are more than enough at the windmills. If you want to still have time and want to visit more places you can head further South to the Don Quixote Museum in Ciudad Real or visit the lovely Town of Toledo.
Toledo is a town beautifully built on a hill and surrounded by a river. It is the capital of the region Castilla La Mancha was built with Medieval Arab, Jewish and Christian influences which makes the town very interesting because cultures are mixed throughout the whole town. There is nothing special to do there, but still visiting this place, strolling around in the little alleys, checking out one of the handicraft or art stores and enjoying the views from this town is very worth it. See some impressions:
I hope I could inspire you to visit the Don Quixote Windmills in Spain? Or maybe even the whole area of Castilla la Mancha? If you have any questions or want to know more about a certain place, just drop me a comment below. Or are you interested in more day-trips you can do from Madrid? Let me know also and I’ll share more about it. I spent quite some weekends in Madrid and around because my boyfriend used to live there.
Never stop exploring!
