Free walking tours in Aranda de Duero and what to see

Must-sees

Aranda de Duero is the capital of the Ribera del Duero and its name is tied to wine and roast lamb. The church of Santa María la Real has a richly detailed Isabelline Gothic doorway, attributed to the workshop of Simón de Colonia. The church of San Juan, also Gothic, houses a sacred art museum. The Plaza Mayor and the Plaza del Trigo are the centre of daily life.

The most original part is beneath your feet. The ground under the old town hides a network of cellars dug between the 12th and 18th centuries, with several kilometres of galleries and ventilation shafts called zarceras visible in some streets. Several of these cellars can be visited. On the outskirts, the sanctuary of the Virgen de las Viñas, the city's patron saint, is another pleasant walk.

Free tours and guided visits

Aranda usually offers guided visits of the historic centre, sometimes as a pay-what-you-like free walking tour. They cover Santa María, San Juan and the squares and tell the story of the town. A visit to an underground cellar, normally guided and with a tasting, is almost a must.

The most popular trips are visits to Ribera del Duero wineries. Nearby are Peñaranda de Duero, with its castle and Renaissance palace, the Roman city of Clunia and the Hoces del Riaza Natural Park. Peñafiel, with its castle and wine museum, is about forty kilometres away.

How long to spend

A full day is enough to see the city: the morning for the churches and squares, and midday for roast lamb and an underground cellar visit. If wine interests you, spend a second day at Ribera wineries and Peñaranda de Duero. With three days you can add the Hoces del Riaza or Peñafiel without rushing.

Where to stay

The most convenient area is the historic centre, between the Plaza Mayor, Santa María and the Plaza del Trigo. From there you have everything on foot, including the roast lamb restaurants and the cellars you can visit. If you are driving and prefer easy parking, hotels on the avenues into the city are practical. For a wine break, there are also places to stay among the vineyards in nearby villages.