Free walking tours in Ayllón and what to see

Must-sees

Ayllón is in north-east Segovia province, at the foot of the sierra that bears its name. You enter the historic centre through a medieval arch beside the Palacio de Contreras, whose late 15th-century façade is decorated with a Franciscan cord. Inside awaits the broad arcaded Plaza Mayor, presided over by the town hall, with the Romanesque church of San Miguel on one side.

Then climb towards the church of Santa María la Mayor and continue up to the Martina hill, where remains of the fortress and a tower survive. From there you can see the town and the Aguisejo river plain. The ruins of the old convent of San Francisco and the church of San Juan are also worth a stroll. Nearby are the red villages, such as Villacorta and Madriguera, with houses of reddish stone.

Free tours and guided visits

There are no regular free walking tours in Ayllón. The usual options are guided visits of the historic ensemble, organised in season and at weekends, and guided routes through the area's red villages. There are also nature and hiking excursions in the Sierra de Ayllón. From Madrid or Segovia, some day trips combine Ayllón with Riaza and other villages in north-east Segovia.

How long to spend

You need three to four hours for the historic centre, with time for the square, the churches and the climb to the tower. If you want to see the red villages, allow another half day by car. A weekend lets you add Riaza and a hike in the sierra. In summer the evenings are long and pleasant, and in winter it's bitterly cold, so bring warm clothes.

Where to stay

The best option is to stay in the historic centre itself, near the Plaza Mayor, where there are rural houses and small hotels in stone buildings. That way you see the town at night and have everything to hand. Around the area there are rural houses in the red villages and the sierra, good if you're driving and want silence. Riaza, a few kilometres away, is an alternative with a bit more choice.