Ávila
Ávila, about a 60-minute drive from Madrid, has kept a unique historical legacy. Named a World Heritage Site in 1985, this Castilian city is still enclosed by its Medieval walls, 2.5km in length. The Old Town is the fine result of fruitful interaction between the Jews, the Muslims and the Christians.
The Medieval walls, 2.5km long, are punctuated by 88 turrets and 9 gates, Puerta de San Vicente and Puerta de Alcázar being the most impressive of those guarding the Romanesque defensive rampart. You can walk along the entire perimeter of the city walls on the outer side. Activities include ‘Theatre in the City Walls’, “Legendary Guided Tours’, ‘Medieval Festivals”, and others.
Ávila Cathedral
The apse of the Cathedral actually forms part of the walls, which reminds us of its defensive nature. The interior contains Romanesque sections, while the newer ones show a Gothic style. In fact, Ávila was among the first Castilian towns to use Gothic elements.
Other sights of interest
- Los Cuatro Postes (The Four Posts). The so-called four poles (actually, four Doric columns). They’re a viewpoint affording unique views of the city.
- Basilica of San Vicente. This basilica is Ávila’s most outstanding Romanesque church.
- Basilica of San Pedro. It stands out for its unusual red stone and its Cistercian rose window.
- Church of Santo Tomé El Viejo. A Romanesque church within the Museum of Ávila, it contains a fabulous archaeological exhibition.
- Church of San Andrés. An unusual example of Ávila’s Romanesque architecture.
- Church of San Martín. Featuring the most original belfry tower in town, the brick and ashlar exterior endows the structure with an unmistakable Mudéjar character.
- Church of Nuestra Señora de la Cabeza. A church with the east end in granite, aisles with brick walls and apse chapels with really unique arches.
- House of Gómez Dávila or Valderrábanos Palace. Converted to a hotel, the house has a Gothic façade from the fifteenth century, decorated with figures, and a tower rebuilt in 1877.
- Royal Monastery of Santo Tomás. Some way from the centre, this Dominican convent is an emblematic monument and the home of the Asian Art Museum.
- St Teresa Convent and Museum. Standing on the site where St Teresa of Ávila’s birthplace used to be, this convent features a crypt that is quite unique in the history of religious architecture in Spain.
- House of Los Deanes. This traditional house is home to the Provincial Museum, showing valuable archaeological exhibits.
Guided tours
There are several guided and dramatised visits that are organised in order to discover the city through programmes like “St Teresa’s Train’, ‘The City Walls by Night’, ‘Legendary Ávila’, ‘Ávila and Its Noble Mansions’ or ‘Ávila, a World Heritage City’, Organise your visit by consulting the Ávila Official Tourist Guides.
It is necessary to bear in mind that summers in Ávila are hot and mostly clear, so we advise you to avoid the central hours of the day and places away from the shade. Winters, on the other hand, are very cold and partly cloudy.
City of Avila Medieval Fair - "The Market of Three Cultures"
During the first weekend of September, the streets of Ávila will be going back to the Middle Ages as they host the city’s popular medieval fair. The streets of the city are decked out to welcome thousands of visitors who will enjoy parades, tournaments, shows, food, music and fun. This annual event, which is also known as “The Market of Three Cultures”, fills the streets of the city with Moors, Christians and Jews, minstrels, merchants and sheriffs, accompanied by the residents of Ávila who help to make this the most important event in the city.
Named a Festival of Regional Tourist Interest in September 2017, it is one of the most spectacular medieval fairs in Spain due to its original and varied recreation of period activities and its authentic backdrop: the 12th century city walls, which are adorned for this special event that harks back to the times of archers, merchants, and maidens.
Other Events
Throughout the year, Ávila hosts other events of interest for the public, such as the Ilumina Ávila light and sound show that is held in the first fortnight of August. It is an event in which the city is adorned with lights, sounds and stories displayed on the most emblematic monuments using innovative techniques, such as videomapping. The Castile and Leon International de Circus Festival or the Tomás Luis de Victoria International Music Festival also stand out.
Other Tourist Trains
A unique way of travelling to and discovering Alcalá de Henares, the birthplace of Miguel de Cervantes. From 20 April to 7 December 2024!
A period train running between the capital and Aranjuez recreates the Madrid area’s first rail line. From 30 March to 10 November 2024.
Get on board this vintage train whose steam locomotive pushes its way past stunning landscapes in southeast Madrid. From 3 March to 26 May 2024.
Travel from Madrid to San Lorenzo de El Escorial on a vintage train and unveil the secrets of King Philip II’s empire. From 23 March to 16 June 2024.