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    Ávila

    Spain

    Ávila

    City

    Ávila, at over 1,100 metres above sea level, is one of Spain's highest provincial capitals. The old town is completely enclosed by a Romanesque wall with 87 towers.

    by Felix Gillen

    1. Home
    3. Destinations
    5. Spain
    7. Castile and León
    9. Ávila
    Ávila, at over 1,100 metres above sea level, is one of Spain's highest provincial capitals. The old town is completely enclosed by a Romanesque wall with 87 towers. As the birthplace of Saint Teresa, Ávila is also a pilgrimage destination, and its old town is a UNESCO World Heritage site.

    Sights in Ávila

    Discover the most important sights and attractions

    1City Wall of Ávila

    The Romanesque wall encircles the Old Town for approximately 2.5 kilometers, with 87 towers and nine gates. Several sections of the ramparts are walkable, with access points including the Puerta del Alcázar and the Casa de las Carnicerías.
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    2Cathedral of Ávila

    The Cathedral began in the 12th century as one of Spain's first Gothic churches. Its apse, the Cimorro, is a fortified tower and part of the city wall. Inside, the red-and-white speckled sandstone, altarpiece, and choir stalls stand out.
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    3Real Monasterio de Santo Tomás

    This late Gothic Dominican monastery from the late 15th century served the Catholic Monarchs as a summer residence. The tomb of their son, Infante Juan, lies in the church. The monastery features three cloisters and a museum of East Asian art.
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    4Convento y Museo de Santa Teresa

    Baroque church and Carmelite convent from the 17th century on the site of Saint Teresa's birthplace. A museum in the crypt tells her life and displays relics.
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    5Los Cuatro Postes

    Four pillars around a cross on a hill west of the city, on the road to Salamanca. From here you overlook the entire Old Town with its wall, towers, and cathedral, especially in the evening light.
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    City walks in Ávila

    Curated walking tours through the city's highlights, handpicked by experienced travel journalists.

    Ávila's Hidden Beauty: Monasteries, Bridges and Panoramas Outside the City Walls

    Discover a different side of Ávila on this walk that leads you to impressive monasteries, historic bridges and breathtaking viewpoints outside the famous city walls. Immerse yourself in the spiritual and scenic beauty that is often overlooked, and experience the history and tranquility of these equally fascinating places beyond the center.

    ~2 Std. 30 Min.
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    Stops (5)

    Restaurants & Cafes

    1

    El Rincón

    Restaurant of a small hostel on Plaza Zurraquín in the Old Town with Castilian cuisine.
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    2

    Restaurante Reyes Católicos

    Restaurant in the Old Town, inside the walls, with Spanish and Castilian cuisine.
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    3

    El Truco Del Almendruco Restaurante

    Bar-restaurant in the Old Town near the Plaza del Mercado Chico.
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    Food and Drink

    Ávila's gastronomy is deeply rooted in Castilian tradition, offering hearty specialties. Be sure to try the famous Chuletón de Ávila at restaurants like El Medievo. For something sweet, the Yemas de Santa Teresa are a must-try, available for example at Pastelería Flor de Castilla.

    Chuletón of Ávila

    Large beef chop from Avileña cattle, grilled over charcoal.

    Judiones de El Barco

    Large white beans from El Barco de Ávila, as a stew with Chorizo.

    Yemas de Santa Teresa

    Sweet confectionery made from egg yolk and sugar, sold in the city's patisseries.

    Culture

    Walls and MysticismAfter its reconquest, Ávila was developed as a border fortress from the late 11th century, and the city wall dates from this period. The apse of the cathedral is integrated into the wall as a defensive tower. In 1515, Teresa of Ávila was born here; she reformed the Carmelite Order and, as a mystic, was elevated to Doctor of the Church. Her birthplace now houses a convent with a museum.In the Monastery of Santo Tomás lies the tomb of Infante Juan, the only son of the Catholic Monarchs.

    Local adventures

    Regional trains run from Madrid to Ávila in about an hour and a half, buses as well. From the station, you walk about 20 minutes to the old town. Within the walls, everything is accessible on foot, to the Los Cuatro Postes viewpoint it's about a 15-minute uphill walk from the Puerta del Puente gate.

    Accommodations in Ávila

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    Campgrounds in Ávila

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    Nearby

    San Lorenzo de El Escorial

    San Lorenzo de El Escorial

    San Lorenzo de El Escorial lies about 50 kilometres northwest of Madrid at the foot of the Sierra de Guadarrama. The town is defined by the monastery of El Escorial, which Philip II had built in the 16th century as a palace, monastery and royal burial place, and which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
    Segovia

    Segovia

    Segovia lies some 90 kilometers northwest of Madrid on a rocky ridge above two rivers. Its Roman Aqueduct, Late Gothic Cathedral, and the Alcázar perched on its rocky peak define the Old Town, a UNESCO World Heritage site.
    Madrid

    Madrid

    Madrid is the capital of Spain and its largest city, home to some 3.4 million inhabitants. Prado, Thyssen-Bornemisza, and Reina Sofía form one of Europe's densest museum districts, also home to the Royal Palace, Plaza Mayor, Retiro Park, and a nightlife that starts late.
    Madrid Region

    Madrid Region

    The Madrid region is located in the center of the Iberian Peninsula, at an elevation of around 650 meters. In addition to the capital, it includes the royal sites of El Escorial and Aranjuez, the university city of Alcalá de Henares, and the Sierra de Guadarrama mountains in the north.
    Salamanca

    Salamanca

    Salamanca is one of Europe's oldest university cities. The Old Town of golden-yellow sandstone, with the baroque Plaza Mayor, two cathedrals, and the university founded in 1218, is a UNESCO World Heritage site. Tens of thousands of students create a vibrant city life.

    Sources & method

    • Photos: Unsplash. Each photo carries its credit.
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