Free walking tours in Ciudad Rodrigo and what to see

Must-sees

Ciudad Rodrigo keeps its walls almost complete, and the best way to start is with a walk along the wall-top path. From above you will see the river Águeda, the bridge of Roman origin and Henry II's castle, now a parador. Inside the walls the cathedral of Santa María stands out, with its Pórtico del Perdón, the cloister and choir stalls carved by Rodrigo Alemán. The tower still shows the marks of the sieges of the Peninsular War.

The Plaza Mayor is the centre of local life, with the town hall and its arcades. Around it are many noble houses and palaces, such as the Palacio de los Águila or the Casa de los Vázquez, now the post office. Next to the cathedral is the Cerralbo chapel. In February the town holds the Carnaval del Toro, its best-known festival, with bull runs and amateur bullfights in the square.

Free tours and guided visits

Ciudad Rodrigo sometimes has pay-what-you-like free walking tours in season, covering the walls, the outside of the cathedral, the Plaza Mayor and the palaces, with explanations about the sieges of 1810 and 1812. If none coincides with your visit, the tourist office has information on guided routes around the historic centre.

Among paid visits, the cathedral with its cloister and museum is the most worthwhile. Outside town, the Siega Verde site, with open-air rock engravings, is visited with a guide. You can also go to the Sierra de Francia and La Alberca, or cross into Portugal to see the fortified town of Almeida.

How long to spend

One day is enough for Ciudad Rodrigo. In the morning walk the walls and visit the cathedral; in the afternoon stroll around the Plaza Mayor and the palace streets, and finish by the river looking at the bridge and the castle. With two days you can add Siega Verde or a trip to the Sierra de Francia. Three days give time to include Almeida.

Where to stay

The best choice is to sleep inside the walls, near the Plaza Mayor or the cathedral. That way you have all the monuments and restaurants a few minutes' walk away, and at night the old town is quiet. The parador, in the castle, is an option with river views. Outside the walls there are simpler hotels, useful if you are driving and want easy parking.