Avila Spain: Best Things to Do, a Walking Tour Guide
The ancient town of Avila in Spain has plenty to offer in terms of sights, experiences and several things to do. It is still untouched by the craze for high rise concrete structures.
As we approached the fort walls it seemed as if we were approaching a movie setting.
Avila is located close to the mountain range of Gredos Sierra and is built on the banks of the River Adaja.
Walking Tour of Avila Spain
Half a day should enable you to experience Avila in Spain, but for a decent exposure a night halt there would be best; else you would be just chasing the sights there.
You can take a buggy and do the tour of the whole of old town of Avila or be on your own. Take a map from the tourism office to chalk out your path.
Walking Tour of Avila
Things to Do in Avila Spain
Walls of Avila
The walls of Avila undoubtedly tops the list of tourist attractions of Avila.
There are 100 towers and 9 huge gates in the old medieval walls of Avila. You can take the tours organized there. They start in batches from 10 in the morning to 8 at night and closed on Mondays. It is free for kids below 8 and 4 euros for adults.
The best views of the walls are from ground level, you can comprehend the mightiness of the wall well. Again the best views are from the wall too, so climbing and tour of it gives lot of virtual delights.
Avila’s Cathedral
Avila’s Cathedral is a beautiful example of historical architecture of Spain, the Cathedral here is a must see. With a fortress like exterior the cathedral surprises with interiors having mix of Romanesque and Gothic styles.
It was built between 12th to 14th centuries. The contrast of red-white and pure white stone clearly distinguishes the two eras.
Cathedral Museum houses good amount of artifact collection dating from the 12th to the 18th century. Several valuable tapestries and embroidered pieces are housed here.
Cathedral of Avila Spain
Tickets and Timings of Avila Cathedral
Tickets cost 4euros, with an extra 2euros for audio guide.
Open timings are 10hrs to 20hrs and on holidays from 11.30hrs to 19.30hrs.
Tour time can take anywhere between half an hour to one hour. With grown up kids it can be quite challenging to do a leisured tour of the interiors of the cathedral.
Convent of St. Teresa
At a 10minutes walking distance from the Cathedral is the Convent of St. Teresa. It is believed that St. Teresa was born here.
The convent has come up on the childhood home the saint. Look out for the lavishly gilded chapel which is believed to mark the exact spot of her birth. The stain glass windows are a sight to behold!
St. Teresa (1515 – 1582) was a devout Catholic nun. She wrote poems dedicated to Jesus in which she expressed her devotion to Him. St. Teresa experienced many visions and mystical ecstasies.
She built several churches throughout Spain and was canonized in 1622. The entrance to this convent is free. The open timing almost matches with Cathedral, but check it out before the actual visit.
Convent of St. Teresa Avila
Two friendly residents of Avila I met during my walking tour there.
Jewish Quarter of Avila
Jewish community flourished in the town of Avila during medieval period. Their population was more concentrated in the north east and south west parts in the region inside the fort walls of Avila.
Walk down Calle de Santo Domingo, which was once the main street in the Jewish Quarter. Even today this area maintains the charm of Jewish times with its low buildings and irregular street plans, humble homes, many with a yard, still enjoying peace and quiet.
After the expulsion of the Jews in 1492, the area was abandoned and became one of the town’s marginal areas.
Statues of Lions in Avila Spain
Y for Yemas de Santa Teresa
Besides checking out the must see sights of Avila don’t forget to taste a bit of Avila too!
Yemas are a kind of pastry made by local nuns. Their origin is believed to be from a recipe from one of the convents of the city.
Some say it was produced about 130 years ago by Mr. Isabelo Sánchez. A cake shop which belonged to him sells these pastries which are named ‘Yemas de Santa Teresa’.
Yemas pastry made by local nuns (Pic from www.avila.com)
Basically they are soft boiled egg yolks, cooled and sugar coated with a dash of lemon juice to give a tangy touch. They are deliciously delicate, melt in the mouth without pressure and have a pleasant crunchy texture because of the layer of sugar covering them.
Location and How to Reach Avila
Avila is 111km north-west of Madrid, and it makes an ideal day trip destination from Madrid. However we were on a road trip from Salamanca and headed towards Segovia. Avila made an ideal place to halt. Salamanca to Avila is 109km and distance from Avila to Segovia is 72km.
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Avila looks like a beautiful city to explore. I’m heading to Spain this fall and will have to try and add it to my trip. I think getting to try those Yemas would be worth the trip.
Yum…that beautiful melt-in-your mouth pastry. Could eat it right through the screen 🙂 Great overview of Avila. Love your article and the charm of the city through your pictures. Sounds like I better get there soon, while it still has its charm:)
Sweet overview of Avila. Those Yemas though sound so delicate and delicious. An egg yolk!!
What a beautiful place! I haven’t tried Yemas but they look delicious. Although, I tried something that looked similar in Hong Kong and it was awful. Hopefully, these were much better!! I’m sure those little ol’ nuns put lots of love in them. 🙂
What a beautiful town! I’ve been to Spain a few times but not for many years and would love to return and explore more of the country. Polly
I absolutely love stained glass windows, so I’d be heading to Convent of St. Teresa first! It looks like a lovely place, need to put on the Spain roadtrip 🙂
I love those old walled towns. They are so perfect for strolling and Spain is a great place for strolling
Great tour- those yemas look delicious! I’ve been to Spain before but never made it to Avila.
Thanks for this informative tour of Avila. I have visited many years ago and your blog post reminds me of what a lovely town it is to visit.
Yemas look so delicious. I’ve never heard of these before, but i can imagine that the delicate egg yolk is completely delicious with the lemon and sugar additions. Decadent!
The walls look great, you’d know it very different from the other place you;’ve been and I would like to be sitting at the tables gazing at them but not for long. The two ladies photo is superb – they were really into posing and smiling at the camera. Are you with them?
Hi Jerny, thanks for the visit and comment. 🙂
The women are locals there, I clicked as I crossed hem and said hi.
I love the photo of the two Spanish ladies. What a great picture! We are checking out to visit Spain later this year and will see if we can make it to Avila. It looks original and not so busy, which suits us #TPThursday
Adding to out wish list.Informative Post.Thanks for sharing.:)
Cheers,
Sriram & Krithiga
Adding another place to the list of must visits now! Informative one ..
Lovely place ! Thanks for sharing
Lovely pictures,interesting place.
What a gorgeous city!
The Avila walls and convent are a visual delight. The pastries sounds adventurous 🙂
History all around…loving it. Love the pictures.
Avila looks architecturally very rich. And artistic too.
Nice knowing more about the place.
Spain is so high on my list!
The cathedral looks very vintage & classy. Beautiful post 🙂
Oh yes, so many beautiful places in the world to explore, isn’t it? Thanks.
Informative post with beautiful captures 🙂
Fantastic details, and th picture of the two beautiful ladies is my favourite! The pastries look yummy too 🙂
I’d love to visit Avila some day. it must feel like walking through history.
Awesome and brilliant.
Long to visit and experience these places personally some day..!
Thank you.
Wow….gorgeous is the least to say.
Beautiful…. Love the pics!!!
Oh, such a nice tour you gave us – I felt like I was right there with you strolling through town. Hope you submit the photo of the two women to Evelyn Hannon’s ‘Journeywoman’s’ annual International Women’s Day photo roundup – you’ve caught friendship at its finest there.
The Avila walls are brilliant! I would really like to try Yemas. Sounds really tempting!
looks amazing…
I really need to plan a vacation n soon
The walls look great and I would like to be sitting at the tables gazing at them. The two ladies photo is superb – they were really into posing.
I sincerely hope to visit some day!!
This is perfect! I hope to do all these one day. 100 towers in the wall? Wow! I have to see that with my own eyes.
Wonderful.
Looks beautiful. Nice captures of these lovely places.
Walls of Avila look attractive. Nice guide. Thanks for sharing.
Wow! Majestic walls of Avila
Every thing is so beautiful
Love your pic of the two women — beautifully captured. I’ve been feeling a tug to visit Spain again. Went there for the first and only time in 2012. Time to return. From your account and photos, Avila looks like a good choice.
Awesome pics. Thanks for the post 🙂
Thank You!
Hello, wonderful post and suggestions. The convent is beautiful and the pastries look delicious. Thanks for sharing. Happy Thursday, enjoy your day!