Free walking tours in Ávila and what to see

Must-sees

The walls are the first thing you will want to see. They completely surround the old town and are one of the best-preserved medieval enclosures in Europe. You can walk along several stretches of the wall-walk, with views over the rooftops and the mountains. For the full photo, head to the Cuatro Postes viewpoint, across the river Adaja.

The cathedral's apse is built into the wall itself, which makes it unlike any other. Outside the walls, the Basilica of San Vicente is a great Romanesque church. Ávila is also Santa Teresa's city: visit the convent built over her birthplace and the monastery of La Encarnación. The royal monastery of Santo Tomás completes the list.

Free tours and guided visits

There are tip-based free tours of the historic centre. They usually walk the walls inside and out, the cathedral and the squares of Mercado Chico and Santa Teresa, and tell the story of the city and the saint. Some run at dusk and focus on legends.

Among paid visits, it is worth seeing the cathedral or San Vicente with a guide, as their architecture makes much more sense. From Madrid it is common to combine Ávila and Segovia in a day trip. If you stay longer, the Sierra de Gredos is nearby and makes a good nature outing.

How long to spend

A full day lets you see the main sights: the walls, the cathedral, San Vicente and the places linked to Santa Teresa. With two days you can go at a gentler pace, visit Santo Tomás and La Encarnación, and see the walls lit up at night. If you have a third day, use it for Gredos or a trip to Segovia or Salamanca.

Where to stay

The most convenient option is to stay inside the walls or right beside them, near Plaza de Santa Teresa. From there you can walk everywhere and stroll the centre after the day visitors have gone. Outside the walls, the area near San Vicente is also well placed and usually a little cheaper.