Cigales combines a strong wine tradition with a rich historical heritage. Its wine cellar districts, the Bodega Tradicional Cigaleña and the Iglesia de Santiago Apóstol offer different ways to discover the town: through its cellars, regional winemaking and architectural history. There is also a viewpoint overlooking the Pisuerga and routes of very different scales—from a stretch of canal entirely within Cigales to a 93-kilometre route through twelve towns. When planning your visit, you can first decide whether wine, architecture or landscape will be your main focus.

Clarete, Rosé and Historic Wine Cellars

Cigales is considered the birthplace of Clarete, a pale and highly aromatic wine. This is distinct from the characteristic way rosé wines from the D.O. Cigales are made: they are produced from a blend of red and white grape varieties. These two descriptions of wine offer a glimpse of the diversity that defines the name Cigales.

The Bodega Tradicional Cigaleña is a centuries-old winery in the Barrio de Bodegas “Los Gatos”. It is dug nine metres into the ground and contains labyrinthine sisas (cellar passages), as well as an 18-metre-long Roman beam weighing more than a tonne. During a visit, you will learn about different winemaking methods in Cigales and the history of the D.O. Cigales. The tour ends with a tasting of a rosé wine from the D.O.

Visits to the bodega are available for groups of two to ten people by prior reservation. Check the latest booking details in advance. The cellar landscape extends beyond this one bodega: Cigales has two traditional wine cellar districts dating from the 16th century, with more than 250 cellars. This makes the cellars themselves an important part of the town’s history, not just a setting for a wine tasting.

Church, Architecture and Festivals

The Iglesia Parroquial de Santiago is protected as a Bien de Interés Cultural in the “Monument” category. Its construction began in 1535 to plans by Rodrigo Gil de Hontañón. Juan de Saravia and Diego de Praves eventually carried out the project, and the church was completed in 1772. Guided tours are organised through the Cigales Tourist Office. Ask there for the latest booking details.

Another historical connection is the Palacio de los Condes de Benavente, where Empress Ana de Austria was born. The Ermita de Ntra. Sra. de Viloria lies outside Cigales and can be reached via the Camino de los Mártires. Its 16th-century choir has a star vault; the single-nave building, dating from the 17th century, is covered by a barrel vault. These examples highlight different aspects: the parish church’s long construction history, the palace’s historical connection and the clearly defined architecture of the ermita.

The Fiesta de la Vendimia takes place in September. It is considered the oldest grape harvest festival in Castilla y León and is recognised as a regional event of tourist interest. Traditional elements include grape treading, tasting the first must, folklore groups and folk dancing; the detailed programme may vary from one edition to another. Another recurring tradition is the Virgen de Viloria procession on 8 and 9 September, when the image is carried to the church, accompanied by dances. Here too, the exact proceedings may vary from year to year.

Routes, Views and the Wider Region

For a view of the landscape, the Mirador del Pisuerga, beside the stretch of the Canal de Castilla in Cigales, offers a panorama of a meander in the Pisuerga. A section of the Canal de Castilla begins at Puente de Santa Cruz and runs entirely within Cigales. The Senderos del Clarete are on a different scale: they extend for 93 kilometres through twelve towns on the Ruta del Vino Cigales. Conditions and signage may change, so it is worth checking them before setting out.

Within Cigales, there is also the El Barrero recreation area, a public, easily accessible space with parking, tables and seating. For the wider regional context, the Ruta del Vino Cigales lies between Valladolid and Palencia, and the Autovía A-62 connects its towns. This places the town’s attractions alongside a wine route that extends beyond Cigales, without equating the different scales of the individual trails and destinations.

Discover more destinations: Valbuena De Duero, Tiedra, Serrada, Canalejas de Peñafiel, Olmedo, Villanueva De La Condesa, Rueda, Traspinedo.

For the overview of the wider region: Valladolid.