Free walking tours in Villacastín and what to see

Must-sees

Villacastín is in the south-west of the province of Segovia, at the foot of the Sierra de Guadarrama and by the pass towards Ávila. Its great monument is the church of San Sebastián, an enormous Herrerian-style church begun in 1529 that took almost a century to finish. Its size has earned it the name of the cathedral of the Sierra, and its silhouette dominates the town from every approach.

The old town has fine examples of its livestock and noble past: the town hall with Castilian arcades, palaces and houses with coats of arms such as that of the Counts of Alba Real, and old fountains such as Los Caños. Villacastín was a staging post for transhumance, and the Cañada Real Soriana Occidental drovers' road crosses its land. The chapels around it, such as the Santo Cristo del Valle, complete the walk.

Free tours and guided visits

There are no free tours or regular guided visits in Villacastín. The town is easy to explore on your own, starting with the church and continuing to the Plaza Mayor and the fountains. If you prefer a guide, the practical plan is to take a tour in Segovia or Ávila, where there is much more choice, and then drive to Villacastín as an add-on.

How long to spend

Two or three hours are enough to see the church inside and out, the square and the houses with coats of arms. It is a good half-day stop on a trip between Segovia and Ávila, both just over half an hour away. If you like walking, you can add a stroll along the drovers' road or in the nearby hills, with views of the Guadarrama.

Where to stay

Villacastín has little accommodation, mainly a guesthouse or two and rural houses near the centre and the main road. For more variety, the best plan is to stay in Ávila or Segovia and visit as a day trip. Another option is to stay in the mountain villages between the two cities, which are quieter and well placed for getting around by car.