Guide to Avila, Spain

Guide to Avila

what to do and see in Avila, Spain

Travel guides to Spain	Avila Guide
What to do and see in Avila,

A short break in Avila, Spain is an ideal choice especially for people who live Madrid or plan to visit this area of Spain. Avila is well-known for the amazingly intact wall surrounding the city, for being the birthplace and home of Santa Teresa of Jesus (a devout Catholic nun famous for writing poems dedicated to Jesus to in which she expressed her devotion to Him) and for sweetmeats made by local nuns and sold in small shops throughout the city. Especially "yemas" made with egg yolks and sugar.

A trip to Avila is a treat at any time of year, but we especially enjoy Avila in the freezing Winter temperatures or in the Autumn. Few cities and surroundings give you the opportunity to travel back in time in such a special way.

Places to visit in the city of Avila, World Heritage Site

The City Wall (11th century), this is Avila's most emblematicand spectacular monument. It surrounds the old town, illustrating the wealth, power and influence this fortified city enjoyed centuries ago. Beautifully illuminated at night. Look for the impressive Alcázar and San Vicente gates.
The Cathedral of Avila (10th - 14th century), temple fortress
Convents: The Convent of Santa Teresa, the Convent of Las Madres and the Convent of Santo Thomas…
Chapels: The Chapel of Nuestra Señora de Sonsoles, and of San Segundo...
The four posts: magnificent views of the city and the city wall, a pleasant 15 minutes stroll away from the center and an ideal place from which to take photos
Museums and exhibitions: The Provincial Museum of Art, the Museum of Oriental Art, The Serrano Palace

Shopping in Avila: Take advantage of the fact that the nuns of the Convent of Santa María de Jesúis (nuns of the Order of Saint Clare) and the Monastery of Santa Anathe make delicious sweets, biscuits,chocolate and cakes. You don't have to go to the convents to buy them - all the local shops selling things typical of Avila stock them. You can also buy some beans (judias) from nearby Barco de Avila, which are said to be the best beans of the whole of Spain (use them for this bean and chorizo stew recipe). There is a modern shopping center on the outskirts of the city which you pass if you arrive on the motorway from Madrid. If you like religious articles then you will enjoy the numerous little statues and images dedicated to St. Teresa in particular and the Catholic church in general.

Eating out in Avila:
Restaurants: There are three in the city that stand out. El Almacen (creative cuisine, Salamanca Road no. 6 Telephone: 920 25 44 55), Doña Guiomar (classic cuisine and also some innovations Tomás Luis de Victoria no. 3 Telephone: 920 25 37 09), Alcaravea (cheaper than El Almacen and for the younger crowd Plaza de la Catedral no. 15 Teléfono: 920 22 66 00).
Tapas: Another possibility are the excellent tapas bars located in the city (El Sol, El Tablón, La Oca, Casa Postas...)

Avila cuisine: Meat is the most important dish, the famous Avila veal - dark Iberian meat of an exceptional standard, from one of the oldest protected breeds in Europe. The roasts are exquisite (piglets, lamb...) In addition, the pulse dishes are exceptional, especially the beans froms 'Barco de Ávila'. The goat cheese from the Tíetar valley is also excellent not to mention the 'yemas' and 'glorias' (pastries and cakes) from the Santa Teresa convent. Also try the "patatas revolconas", potatoes flavoured with spicey chorizo. Throw all caution to the wind, and resolve to live on fruit and salads for a week after your visit.

Accommodation in Avila - Hotels: Our recommendation is the Parador of Ávila (****), strategically set within the city walls.Although it is now possible to find other attractive alternatives, including:

Ávila Golf Hotel (****), a modern hotel with a golf course and spa, perfect for those who want to combine culture and leisure (see photos and read more)

Palacio de Los Velada (****), historical hotel in a spectacular setting just next to the Cathedral (see photos and read more)

Palacio de Valderrábanos (****), set within the city walls (see further information and photos)

Ávila Province
Magnificent countryside and places to visit. The most important and attractive villages are Arenas de San Pedro, Arévalo, El Barco de Ávila, Hoyos del Espino and Piedrahita. We strongly recommend a visit to the nearby villages of Piedrahita and Barco de Ávila, where you can enjoy a meal in the Casino (in El Barco) or in the Gran Duque in Piedrahita.

Sierra de Gredos (the Gredos mountains). This place deserves a special mention. You can access the north face which gives easy access to 'la plataforma' through Hoyos del Espino (Circo de Gredos, La Laguna Grande..). If you can, set aside a whole weekend to visit the area of Gredos, especially if you enjoy walking. Stay in the recently reformed Gredos Parador.