From Segovia Bus Station

The best option from Segovia to Ávila is taking the bus (company Avanza). If you plan to go on a weekend, remember that only two buses a day leave from Segovia bus station. You have much better options if you go on weekdays with 4 departures a day. The same happens with your return journeys. The journey takes about 1 hour.

Timetable and prices

From Salamanca

The bust company Avanza takes you from the Salamanca bus station to Ávila. There are four departures a day from Salamanca. The earlier bus leaves at 8.30, and the last bus returning to Salamanca departs at 22.00. The journey takes about 1 hour and 30 minutes.

Timetable and prices

By Car: The distance between Madrid-Barajas Adolfo Suárez Airport (MAD) and Avila is 125 km, and the journey takes about 1 hour and 30 minutes if you decide to go by car ➔ Rent a car

#1 Walk The Medieval City Walls

Walking the medieval city walls (Spanish: Muralla de Ávila) is a Must-Do when you are in Ávila. This 2.5-kilometer eye-catching sight encloses the historic old town and counts nine gates. The most popular access gates are the Gate of Saint Vincent (Puerta de San Vicente) and the Gate of the Fortress (Puerta del Alcázar).

While walking the walls, you will notice a lot of defensive towers; there are 88 semi-circular defensive towers in total! No wonder the walls of Ávila are listed in the top 10 best medieval walled cities worldwide.

If you stay overnight, you can enjoy a pleasant walk alongside the walls with the lights on, which is a memorable experience. Check out the route around the wall and its gates.

TIP: For the best views, go to the viewpoint of Los Cuatro Postes

#2 Visit Ávila Cathedral And The Bell Tower

The initial project of constructing the Cathedral of Ávila (Spanish: Catedral de Ávila) started with Frenc master builder Giral Fruchel, also considered the introducer in the Iberian Peninsula of the Gothic style à la Ile de France.

With constructions that began in the 11th century until the 16th century, the final result is an 85-meter-long and 42-meter-wide temple with Gothic style in the exterior and renaissance style in the interior.

You will find an ambulatory, nine chapels, a choir, and a cloister in its interior. I also recommend visiting the Cathedral’s museum in the eastern corridor of the monastery, which used to be a library in the past.

For a self-guided tour, the Cathedral offers audio guides with valuable information and historical research to guarantee an enjoyable time. The audio guides are already included in your entrance ticket, so there are no extra costs here.

TIP: For an extra charge of 2 € to the general entrance price, you can visit the Bell Tower and enjoy panoramic views of the  entire city

#3 Take A Break At Mercado Chico Square

Like everywhere in Spain, each city has its main square (also known as Plaza Mayor) that always deserves a visit! I loved sitting on one of the terraces of Plaza del Mercado Chico, surrounded by stone columns, and having a lovely break with a glass of vermút (vermouth). The town hall building impressed me the most; seeing it by night with its lights on must e even more impressive. The little streets near the suwar are also well worth exploring. To name a few; we have Calle Reyes Católicos or Calle Caballeros. Fridays are market days!

#4 Basilica Of Saint Vincent

You will find this outstanding achievement in Romanesque and Gothic-style architecture outside the city walls. Constructions of the Basilica of Saint Vincent (Spanish: Básilica de San Vicente) began in the 11th century and were finished in the 13th century, which took two centuries to complete. Like many medieval buildings, the basilica’s granite walls have a striking texture, making it even more interesting to visit.

Tip: You have a fantastic view of the monument from the city walls!

#5 Visit The Convent Of Saint Teresa De Jesús

Maybe you ask yourself why this convent (Spanish: Iglesia de Santa Teresa de Jesús) is worth visiting, right?

When you visit Ávila, you might notice that many bars, restaurants, churches, and monasteries are connected with Saint Teresa’s life. She is one of the most popular Catholic saints, and many pilgrims visit Ávila because of her. Born in 1515, she joined the Carmelite Order at 19 and helped reform monasteries and founding new ones. The crypt underneath the convent contains a statue of Saint Teresa de Jesús.

If you want to learn more about her life and mission, you can visit the museum, which will teach you everything you need to know about this important religious figure.

#6 Step Into The Palace Of Los Verdugo

Enter the Gate of Saint Vincent (Puerta de San Vicente), look to your left side, and you will see the Palace of Los Verdugo (Spanish: Palacio de los Verdugo). Once you enter the building, you will quickly notice that the courtyard, with its arcades and floral decoration, is the prettiest part.

The monument, built in the 16th century, currently houses the Headquarters of World Heritage Cities, the Municipal Archives, and the Department of Heritage and Tourism. Make sure to check it out when you come to Ávila!

#7 Get The Best Views Of The City Walls

This place undoubtedly offers the best views of the medieval city walls. The viewpoint of Los Cuatro Postes is also a sacred place. According to legends, the city’s inhabitants of the 12th century decided to thank the end of the plague.

To get here, you have two options

1. You leave the historic city at the Gate of Adaja (Puerta de la Adaja) and cross the New Bridge (Puente Nuevo). Next to this bridge, you will see the old Roman Bridge. You will then need to turn right and walk toward the viewpoint.

2. From the Basilica of Saint Vicente (Básilica de San Vicente), you can take a pleasant 20-minute walk alongside the city walls. This way, you can admire the long stretch of the walls from the outside. Cross the New Bridge (Puente Nuevo), turn right and walk toward the viewpoint.

#8 Royal Monastery Of Saint Tomás

You will find the Gothic-style monastery outside the city walls, only about a 10-minute walk from the Gate of Alcázar (Puerta del Alcázar).

This tourist attraction is an exciting and informative visit as it is the resting place of Don Juan (also known as Juan de Aragón, Prince of Asturias), the only son of the Catholic Monarchs Isabella I and Ferdinand II. He died at nineteen years old at the end o the 15th century. His gracefully carved white tomb is worth checking out. Also, yo will find three different cloisters here. One is devoted to the monarchs, the second to dead monks, and the third cloister to the monastery’s novices.

#9 Experience A Medieval Fair

If you visit Ávila on the first weekend in September, you will be able to experience one of Spain’s most significant medieval fairs. Step back in time and make long-lasting memories when the historic center gets into the spirit, and all you’ll see will be people dressed as farmers, knights, monks, and royalty. In addition, many authentic-looking stalls sell local produce that was popular back then in the region, like various kinds of cheese, herbs, artesian crafts, and incense.

Chuletón de Ávila: Sample the province’s most famous dish! The Chuletón de Ávila is a veal steak of high-quality and certified meat of the Avileña-Negra Ibérica breed. It is a large steak weighing up to 1 kg and is usually served on a wooden board as it won’t find on a regular plate. So you better have an empty stomach when ordering this excellent slice of meat.

Patatas Revolconas: A simple yet delicious dish made of mashed potatoes, spicy and sweet paprika, garlic, salt, and oil. It is topped with fried crispy bacon.

Judías del Barco: These large white beans got their name from the area they are produced in, Barco de Ávila. You can usually find them on your plate in the colder months as they play a big part in hearty stews that also come with Chorizo (Spanish pork sausage), broth, and sometimes vegetables.

Yemas de Santa Teresa: A pastry worth trying! These little treats are made of egg yolks (yemas), sugar, and a little bit of lemon zest and are produced by the Santa Teresa monastery’s nuns in honor of Saint Teresa.

Browse through the list below for some of the most notable museums in Ávila, and check entrance fees, opening hours, and location.

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