Free walking tours in Coria and what to see

Must-sees

Coria keeps a wall of Roman origin around much of its old town, with several gates still in use. Inside is the cathedral of Santa María de la Asunción, Gothic with Plateresque portals, overlooking the Alagón plain. Next to it is the castle, with its pentagonal keep. Strolling between the two is the best way to understand the town.

At the foot of the cathedral is the bridge over the Alagón, known as the dry bridge because the river changed course and no longer flows beneath it. In the old town, the Royal Prison Museum, the convent of the Madre de Dios and the stately homes are worth seeing. The streets are quiet and easy to explore on foot at a relaxed pace.

Free tours and guided visits

Coria is not a place for frequent free walking tours, although guided routes of the historic centre and the wall are sometimes on offer. The most useful option is the guided visit to the cathedral and its museum. From here, guided excursions to the Sierra de Gata, Las Hurdes and the abandoned village of Granadilla, by the Gabriel y Galán reservoir, are common.

How long to spend

Half a day is enough for the wall, the cathedral, the castle and the dry bridge. If you want to go into the museums and stroll without hurry, allow a full day. With two or three days you can use Coria as a base for the Sierra de Gata, Las Hurdes or Granadilla, all a short drive away.

Where to stay

The best choice is to sleep inside the walled area or very close to it, to have the cathedral and castle a few minutes’ walk away. The old town is compact and quiet at night. The newer part has a little more choice and easier parking, useful if you plan car trips around the area.