Free walking tours in Fuentesaúco and what to see

Must-sees

Fuentesaúco is the main town of La Guareña, a farming area in the south of the province of Zamora, among cereal and pulse fields. Its name is linked to its chickpeas, which have Protected Geographical Indication and are known for their thin skin and buttery texture. It is the product that makes the town famous, and worth taking a few kilos home.

In the centre, the arcaded Plaza Mayor stands out, and nearby is the church of Santa María del Castillo, a Herrerian-style church rebuilt in the 17th century after the original collapsed. Its 18th-century tower was left unfinished. The other great local flavour is Zamora sheep's cheese, made in the town itself. Walking its streets you see a quiet, flat Castilian town.

Free tours and guided visits

There are no free tours in Fuentesaúco. What you can book is a guided visit to a local cheese maker, where they explain how sheep's cheese is made and you finish with a tasting. The rest you will see on your own, as the town is small and easy to explore on foot. If you are in Salamanca or Zamora, both cities have free tours and a much wider range of visits.

How long to spend

A morning is enough for the square, the church and a stroll round the centre. Add the cheese maker visit and a lunch of local chickpeas and give it a relaxed full day. Fuentesaúco works well as a stop on a longer trip, combined with Toro or Salamanca, under an hour's drive away.

Where to stay

The town has little accommodation, mainly rural houses and the odd simple place near the centre, where everything is close at hand. If you cannot find a room, the most practical option is to stay in Salamanca, with much more variety, or in Zamora, and drive over. Both let you combine the town with a historic city.