Free walking tours in Montilla and what to see

Must-sees

Montilla means wine. It is the centre of the Montilla-Moriles designation, famous for its finos and the Pedro Ximénez grape. Within the town several century-old wineries can be visited, with their halls of casks in criaderas and solera. It is the best way to understand the character of the town and its countryside.

The historic centre is easy to explore on foot. At the top is the castle, of which the old ducal granary survives, with views over the vineyards. Below, the church of Santiago, the convent of Santa Clara and the house of Inca Garcilaso, who lived here for much of his life, deserve a stop. Also worth a visit is the basilica of San Juan de Ávila, patron of the Spanish clergy, who spent his last years in Montilla.

Free tours and guided visits

Pay-what-you-like free walking tours are uncommon in Montilla. The norm is guided tours of the historic centre, sometimes combined with the climb to the castle, and above all winery visits. These usually include a walk through the cellars, an explanation of the criaderas and solera system and a tasting of several wines, often with a local snack.

If you are into wine tourism, the most complete option is a countryside route with a stop at a lagar among the vines. You can also combine Montilla with the city of Córdoba, about forty kilometres away, or with neighbouring towns in the same designation, such as Moriles or Aguilar de la Frontera, which share the landscape of vines and olive trees.

How long to spend

One day covers the essentials. In the morning, a stroll round the centre, the castle and the Inca’s house. At midday, a winery visit with a tasting, followed by lunch in town. In the afternoon, the basilica of San Juan de Ávila and Santa Clara. If you want to add country lagares or a nearby town, allow a second day.

Where to stay

The best place to stay is the centre, near Plaza de la Rosa and Calle Corredera. From there the town wineries, the monuments and the bars serving fino with a tapa are a few minutes away. If you have a car and prefer silence, the rural stays in the countryside leave you surrounded by vineyards and well placed for exploring the area.