Free walking tours in Villalba de Duero and what to see

Must-sees

Villalba de Duero sits on a rise on the right bank of the Duero, about four and a half kilometres from Aranda de Duero. It is a Ribera del Duero village that lives mainly from the vine. The visit starts at the church of San Miguel Arcángel, Renaissance in style and completed in the 18th century: a great stone stairway climbs to its Plateresque doorway, and inside are three Baroque altars.

On the outskirts are two chapels. The 18th-century chapel of the Virgen del Prado stands on the site of the first medieval settlement. The chapel of San Pedro rises on a hill overlooking the village. For a walk, the Carrascal wetlands are lagoons formed in old gravel pits and now naturalised, with waterfowl and riverside vegetation, and you can cycle round them. The other big reason to come is wine: among the local vineyards there are wineries that open their doors to visitors.

Free tours and guided visits

There are no free tours in Villalba de Duero, but there is one specific option: a visit to a Ribera del Duero winery in the municipality, with a walk through the vineyard, an explanation of the winemaking, a tour of the barrel room and a tasting of its wines with local produce. Book ahead. From Aranda de Duero, a few minutes away, you can add a visit to the underground cellars of its old town.

How long to spend

The village takes an hour: the church, a stroll through the streets and the climb to the San Pedro chapel. With the winery visit, which lasts about an hour and a half, and a walk round the wetlands, you have half a day. Ideally combine it with Aranda de Duero on the same day, as they are practically joined.

Where to stay

Villalba de Duero has little accommodation, with the odd small place in the village itself, so book early if you want to stay here. The natural alternative is Aranda de Duero, five minutes' drive away: the old town is the best area for walking between roast houses, wine cellars and the Plaza Mayor. If you prefer the countryside, Ribera villages have rural houses and hotels among the vineyards.