Free walking tours in Astorga and what to see

Must-sees

Astorga brings two of its great monuments together within a few metres. The Episcopal Palace is Gaudí's work, neo-Gothic in style and built of white granite, and today houses the Museo de los Caminos. Next door is the cathedral of Santa María, with Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque elements and a richly worked façade. From there a stretch of Roman wall runs around much of the old town.

In the Plaza Mayor, the Baroque town hall stands out, with two figures dressed as Maragatos striking the hours on the clock. The town was Roman Asturica Augusta, and beneath the ground are remains you can visit on the Roman Route and in the Roman Museum. Astorga is also where the Camino Francés meets the Vía de la Plata, and it is famous for cocido maragato and mantecadas.

Free tours and guided visits

Pay-what-you-like free walking tours are uncommon in Astorga, although in high season there may be one around the historic centre. More common is the guided Roman Route, which shows remains of baths, houses and sewers. Gaudí's palace and the cathedral can be visited on your own, but with a guide their history is easier to understand. There is also a small chocolate museum, linked to local tradition.

For a nearby trip, Castrillo de los Polvazares is a very well-preserved stone Maragato village. Following the Camino west you reach the Cruz de Ferro and, with more time, Las Médulas. Many guided trips around the district combine several of these places in a single day, useful if you have no car.

How long to spend

Astorga can be seen in a day. In the morning, Gaudí's palace and the cathedral. At midday, a cocido maragato. In the afternoon, the Roman Route, the wall and the Plaza Mayor. With two days you can add Castrillo de los Polvazares and other Maragatería villages, at a relaxed pace.

Where to stay

The best option is to stay inside the walls, near the cathedral or the Plaza Mayor. Everything is a few minutes' walk away and there is a good choice of restaurants. There are many hostels and guesthouses geared to pilgrims, as well as simple hotels. If you are driving and want peace and quiet, the rural houses of Castrillo de los Polvazares and other Maragato villages are an alternative with lots of character.