Free walking tours in Roa de Duero and what to see

Must-sees

Roa de Duero stands on a height by the river, in the heart of the Burgos part of the Ribera del Duero, and is home to the Regulatory Council of the wine appellation. Its origins lie in the Rauda of the Vaccaei and the Romans, which you can explore today in the Rauda Vaccea Archaeological Park, right in the centre of town. The church of Santa María, a former collegiate church, was begun in the 16th century and mixes Gothic and Renaissance.

The Espolón promenade is the best viewpoint over the Duero plain and the bridge. Roa also has two famous names in its history: Cardinal Cisneros died here in 1517 while waiting for Charles V to arrive, and Juan Martín Díez, known as El Empecinado, also died here and has a monument in the town. The hermitage of the Virgen de la Vega, the town's patron saint, completes the visit.

Free tours and guided visits

There are no regular free walking tours in Roa. The activity you can book is a winery visit, almost a must in the capital of the Ribera del Duero, with a tour of the facilities and a tasting of its wines. The rest of the town is easy to explore on your own, starting at the archaeological park and ending at the Espolón.

How long to spend

Two or three hours are enough for the church of Santa María, Rauda Vaccea and the Espolón. If you add a winery visit and a roast lamb lunch, give it the whole day. With two days you can visit other villages of the Ribera, such as La Horra or Haza, and head to Aranda de Duero or Peñafiel, with its castle, both less than half an hour away by car.

Where to stay

The most convenient option is to sleep in the centre of Roa, near the church and the Espolón, where there are a few small hotels and rural houses. That way the wineries and villages of the Ribera are close at hand without long drives. There is also accommodation among the vineyards around the town. For more choice, Aranda de Duero has plenty of beds and is very close.