A much-ignored city, not far from the Spanish capital, some say Avila beats Toledo for “the most beautiful walled city near Madrid.”
You can visit Ávila as part of a day trip from Madrid, visiting Segovia at the same time.
Best time to visit Ávila
On Fridays, there is an open air market in the Plaza del Mercado Chico.
Things to do in Ávila
- Walk along the walls of Ávila between the Puerta del Carmen and the Puerta de los Leales.
- Explore the many arches and turrets that once protected the city.
- Visit the Convent of Santa Teresa, which (somewhat grotesquely) includes Teresa’s ring finger, complete with a ring.
How to get there from Madrid
- By car: take the M30, direction A Coruña, before taking the A6 (direction A Coruña). In a short time you will see signs of Ávila.
- By train: take line C8 of the local Cercanías train network. Take the train in Atocha, Recoletos, Chamartin or Nuevos Ministerios. Check Avila train prices or look to get a Rail Pass.
- By bus: Avanza runs the bus service to Ávila, from the bus station at the Mendez Alvaro metro stop.
Car rental in Avila
easyCar, from the people who brought you easyJet, offers car rentals throughout Spain and their prices are quite competitive.
Before you book, compare your prices with the other big car rental companies on a website like Travelocity.
First impressions
Avila’s bus station is a five-minute walk from the city walls, and the train station a further five minutes. From the Jardín del Recreo walk along c / Duque de Alba to the Plaza de Santa Teresa. From here you can enter the city through the magnificent Puerta del Alcázar.
Once inside the gate, turn left and take a look at the cathedral. Turn left at Plaza de la Catedral. On your left is the main market. On Fridays, the Plaza del Mercado Chico hosts an open-air market that would be a great place for lunch.
Leaving the other end of the square, by c / Caballeros to the Plaza del Rastro. From there, you can leave the city again and see the views to the south of the city. Walk along the wall to the next arch, the Puerta de Santa Teresa, which allows you to return to the city right in front of the Convent of Santa Teresa, dedicated to the saint of the city.
Walk around the convent until C / Jimena Blázquez until Plaza Concepción Arenal and then head left towards Puerta del Carmen. Again, walk out this gate and take a look at the great views of the city wall before heading back and mounting the wall. Also, walk along the north side of the city before heading back down through the cathedral. While you are on the wall, you should see if there is anything else you want to see.
Where to continue?
Salamanca is only one hour from Ávila by train; if you have to return to Madrid, stay in Salamanca and come back the next day. Alternatively, Segovia is an hour away by bus. The best of Ávila can be seen in a few hours and both Ávila and Segovia can be seen in one day (although a lot would be lost in Segovia).
