Quixote’s Giants: Traveling the Route of the Mills

Madrid is a must-see city. The capital of Spain is rich in history, culture, and immersed in the Spanish cosmopolitan atmosphere.

Beyond the city limits, this area of Spain has so much to offer, from the sumptuous city of Toledo to the expanse of La Mancha, making it the ideal destination for a road trip. And there is a driving route you absolutely cannot miss, the “Ruta de los molinos”.

The “Ruta de los molinos”

The “Ruta de los molinos” decisively crosses the province of Toledo and was made famous by the writer Miguel de Cervantes and his Don Quixote. The nickname “giants” comes from the episode where Don Quixote mistakes the emblematic windmills of La Mancha, which follow one after the other, for giants. It’s not hard to see why.

Get into your rental car, drive through the gentle Spanish countryside, and start exploring the giants along this 80 km route from Orgaz to Madridejos. With such a wealth of points of interest, we recommend taking a couple of days to calmly follow in the footsteps of Don Quixote. It is a perfect destination for a family trip as the route promises peaceful driving conditions and plenty of things to learn and explore.

Things to see and do along the “Ruta de los molinos”

If you start from Madrid, drive south for an hour and a quarter until you reach Orgaz; if you have already started your road trip in La Mancha with a stop in Toledo, you will reach Orgaz in just 30 minutes.

Start your journey from Orgaz

This picturesque Spanish town is the perfect starting point and offers a glimpse into the region’s history.

Park your rental car and start exploring Orgaz on foot, looking around to admire the medieval castle, the wonderful Iglesia de Santo Tomas Apostol, the noble palaces, the traditional Spanish squares (called “plaza” in Spanish), and the gates of San José and Belén, two of the four original entrance gates to the city.

A delightful visit to Mora

The Mediterranean diet is based on olive oil, so during any respectable trip to Spain, this ingredient must absolutely be part of your culinary experiences.

The town of Mora, about 6 km from Orgaz, is the home of olive oil. Mora is famous for this local product, obtained with traditional production methods illustrated both in the oil museum and in the mill museum, where the original oil production method is still used. Other sites of interest in Mora include the medieval castle of Peñas Negras, built on a rocky outcrop, and the chapel of Virgen de la Antigua.

The wonder of the windmills

At the heart of this La Mancha itinerary are, of course, the windmills. Start your 25 km route from Mora to Tembleque, but remember to make a stop along the way to find two very typical La Mancha windmills. The view from the top of the hill is priceless and one of the best ways to see these giants up close.

Once you arrive in Tembleque, explore the town on foot and admire the traditional buildings overlooking the town’s main square. They are built in the classic La Mancha style and are a great example of the typical architecture of this region.

From here, you can easily reach (6 km) the small village of El Romeral, an ideal destination for families. Despite its small size, here you will find four traditional windmills, all open to visitors, and two museums.

Visit the emblematic Consuegra ridge of La Mancha

Your journey through the places where Cervantes’ famous novel is set will reach its peak upon your arrival in Consuegra, after a journey of about 20 km.

This impressive group of 12 giants next to the medieval castle brings Don Quixote’s thoughts to life. Built in the 16th century, these twelve structures are perfectly aligned along the ridge called Cerro Calderico and form the Consuegra ridge of La Mancha. It is the emblematic image of this area.

Before entering to see the artifacts and temporary exhibitions inside the windmills, admire the magnificent panorama surrounding you. The rest of Consuegra is also worth exploring with the whole family. Stroll through the town’s streets with your camera at hand and admire the churches of Santísimo Cristo de la Vera Cruz and Santa María la Mayor, the municipal archaeological museum, and the Museo del Cristo.

A costume tour of the castle will take you back in time, and you will also have the opportunity to take a guided tour of the traditional craft workshops and studios in the town.

And finally, a visit to Uncle Genaro

Less than 3 km from Consuegra, you will find the final stop of the “Ruta de los molinos” and the last windmill in the town of Madridejos. Affectionately nicknamed “Uncle Genaro’s mill”, this mill has been well preserved over the centuries.

Take the time to admire one of the most emblematic traditional windmills of La Mancha, and if you’re lucky, you can take part in a theatrical guided tour conducted by the former owner, Uncle Genaro himself.

Do you want to continue exploring La Mancha? Check out our guide to make the most of your stay in Toledo and immerse yourself in one of the country’s most important cultural cities.