Belmonte Castle
Belmonte, Spain
A fifteenth-century castle with a star-shaped plan and fine Mudéjar ceilings, above the village of Belmonte. It is one of the best-kept castles in La Mancha.
Belmonte Castle was begun in 1456 by Juan Pacheco, the first Marquis of Villena, as a residence in his birthplace. It was unfinished when the builder died; his son Diego López Pacheco continued the work in part. The castle, in the Gothic-Mudéjar style, stands on San Cristóbal hill: the inner courtyard is an equilateral triangle, around which the building forms a six-pointed star with a round tower at each point.
In the 19th century Empress Eugénie of France, born Eugenia de Montijo, had the castle restored from 1857: the exterior kept its original style, while the interior was modernised. It was restored again in 2010 and opened to the public. It has been protected as a monument since 1931, and today as a Bien de Interés Cultural. About 600 m away stands the collegiate church of San Bartolomé, with the family tombs of the Marquises of Villena. Check times and access in advance.
- Nearest town
- Belmonte, Spain
- Category
- History & culture
- GPS
- 39.5608, -2.7059
Hours, fees and access change. Confirm with the operator or park before you go.
Good to know
Best time to go
The most pleasant months are usually April–May and October. Still fine, with some compromises, in March, June, September and November. Hot in July. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)
Getting there
- Spain: Tolls on some roads, bridges or tunnels. Many former toll motorways are now free; some AP roads still charge. Motorway limit for cars: 120 km/h.
Featured in these trip guides
Nearby
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Campsites nearby
- AREADE BELMONTEMotorhome stopover0 km from Belmonte Castle · 10 pitchesMotorhomesWaste disposal
- El Toboso Área de autocaravanasMotorhome stopover25 km from Belmonte Castle · 4 pitchesMotorhomesDrinking waterWaste disposalFree
All campsites in Spain · Campsite data: © OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL 1.0 · Updated October 3, 2026
FAQs
Where is Belmonte Castle?
Belmonte Castle is in Belmonte, Spain, at GPS 39.5608, -2.7059. It is about 40 km from Campo de Criptana.
Can you camp near Belmonte Castle?
Yes. The nearest campsite listed in OpenStreetMap is AREADE BELMONTE, about 0 km away; within 25 km there are 2 campsites and motorhome stopovers.
Which road trips pass Belmonte Castle?
Belmonte Castle is a stop on these CampingSpirit trip guides: La Mancha: windmills and the hanging houses of Cuenca.
What is there to see near Belmonte Castle?
Places worth a stop nearby: Lagunas de Ruidera (68 km), Hanging Houses of Cuenca (76 km), Consuegra windmills (78 km) and Plaza Mayor de Chinchón (89 km).
When is the best time to visit Belmonte Castle?
The most pleasant months are usually April–May and October. Still fine, with some compromises, in March, June, September and November. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)