Ávila‎: Best Things to Do

Pixabay - Photo by jacqueline macou

Avila is a city of Spain located in the autonomous community of Castile and León.

Plaza Mercado Chico is the main square in Avila which located in the city center.

Considered as the greatest achievements of Romanesque architecture in Spain, San Vicente de Ávila finished build in two centuries from 11th to 13th.

When September comes every year, the city reaches its busiest time to prepare the Medieval Festival.

Take some snaps from the most iconic wall in the city, Muralla de Ávila so you can prove that you have been to Avila.

Lastly, to wrap up your visit to Avila, you have to capture the majestic charm of Convento de Santa Teresa with your camera.

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SIGHTSEEING

Plaza Mercado Chico is the main square in Avila which located in the city center. This historic pedestrian plaza is the right place to visit getting know about the city vibes. You can explore many city's landmarks in this square since it is surrounded by arcades with stone arches, town hall and church.

Plaza Mercado Chico

A beautiful and well-maintained plaza.

It is probably one of the crucial points of the old city.

This square is very unique, in the center of the old town of Ávila.

You can rest in one of its many terraces and enjoy the tapas, as well as the famous yolks.

Address : Plaza Mercado Chico, 11, 05001 Ávila, Spain

DOWNTOWN

Considered as the greatest achievements of Romanesque architecture in Spain, San Vicente de Ávila finished build in two centuries from 11th to 13th. This catholic church has granite walls and an eye-catching texture like any other medieval buildings. This church was built on top of three Christians martyrs' (Vicente, Sabina and Cristeta) tomb.

San Vicente de Ávila

Interesting gothic Basilica.

it is a Church with lots of intriguing historic stories.

Awesome interior because of the colorful stones used in the construction.

You will be delighted by the shades of yellow and red of the stones.

And the cleanness of the stone arches and vaults.

Address : Calle San Vicente, 4, 05001 Ávila, Spain

SHOPPING

You may head to Cactus Regalos Y Complementos to get some souvenirs to your beloved one. In this shop, you will any cute to artsy things which will remind you about the time while you are in Avila.

Cactus Regalos Y Complementos

Good place to make a good gift.

There are gifts of everything and for all tastes.

If you are looking for a gift, it is the ideal place to find it.

Super friendly shop assistants.

Address : Calle las Eras, 4, 05002 Ávila, Spain

FOOD & DRINK

When you are in Avola, you should take a bite of Amarguillos, to mark your visit to the city. It is a sweet pastry which has varied presentation and ingredients depends on where it was produced. The most common Amarguillos is made from almonds, eggs and sugar.

CULTURE

When September comes every year, the city reaches its busiest time to prepare the Medieval Festival. You will see the locals dressing up like monks, knights, even king walking down to the street. You will smell incensed and hear melodic screams of the medieval merchants. Surely it will bring you back to the medieval era.

BEST TIME TO VISIT

The best time to visit Avila is from March to May when the spring is around the corner and the temperature is warm.

HOTEL

Do you ever wonder how it feels to sleep at a 16th-century palace? You may book a room at Hotel Palacio de Los Velada to know how it feels. This hotel is located in the heart of the city and still preserve its original architecture, so spending some nights in this hotel may give you more than a stay experience. Still, in the same complex, Hotel Palacio Valderrábanos is the right place to stay if you bring your four-legged buddy on vacation because this hotel is pet-friendly. The hotel has a modern style but still has 14th-century palace vibes by its architecture.

Hotel Palacio de Los Velada

Very elegant, centrally located hotel in Avila.

Rooms are tiny but cozy and very clean.

Lovely set menu meal - huge tasting starter made of 3 different local specialities.

Followed by an enormous beef rib steak and airy light cake.

Reception is very helpful and welcoming.

Address : Plaza de la Catedral, 10, 05001 Ávila, Spain

Hotel Palacio Valderrábanos

Beautiful hotel and excellent location in the centre of the Old Town.

The rooms are large, the beds are extremely comfortable.

The breakfasts are perfect served by attentive waiter.

The staff are very welcoming.

This is a must to visit and stay absolutely fantastic.

Address : Plaza de la Catedral, 9, 05001 Ávila, Spain

RESTAURANT

You have to try the authentic cuisine of Avila in Mesón del Rastro to giving a nice impression on your taste buds about the city. The restaurant firstly opened in 1885 and still preserve its original interior and exterior until today. On the other hand, Revolutum always packed with locals and tourists who loved to have a meal in a homey atmosphere. The pastel color furniture and low light, bring such a warm and cosy vibe once you arrived in the restaurant.

Mesón del Rastro

Pleasant restaurant for enjoying meal.

Typical Avila meats with great quality and quickly served by a friendly waiter in a tastefully designed rustic setting.

The food is very good,especially the revolconas and the desserts, homemade, with homemade cream.

Waiters and waitresses attentive and very friendly.

Address : Plaza Rastro, s/n, 05001 Ávila, Spain

Revolutum

Informal place to eat some hamburgers in Ávila.

The restaurant is pleasantly surprised by the quality and portion size.

Mix of traditional products with more innovative dishes.

The waiters are very friendly & helpful.

Address : Calle Comuneros de Castilla, 10, 05001 Ávila, Spain

CAFE

Café Fortaleza is such a great place for you if you are looking for a coffee shop with a laid back atmosphere. Whether coffee latte or espresso you have to make sure that a piece of the sweet cake comes along with that. But if you prefer to sip caffeine or a pot of tea in a homey vibe, you may head to Café del Mercado. The shop has a living room concept with comfortable sofa and lives music.

Café Fortaleza

Good place to have breakfast in the center of Avila.

Lots a variety of coffees and pastries, homemade cakes also have several flavors.

There are many tables and you can have a good time having a snack.

The super attentive, friendly and nice waitress.

Address : Calle Reyes Católicos, 13, 05001 Ávila, Spain

Café del Mercado

Local very cozy and with good atmosphere.

Local chosen by many people to have cocktails,coffees or infusions, and chat quietly with good music.

Very careful environment with area for performances.

Super attentive waiters.

Address : Calle Bracamonte, 6, 05001 Ávila, Spain

BAR AND NIGHTLIFE

You can sip a cold beer while enjoying the majestic charm of the old city wall in Alavirulé. This tapas bar has modern decor which offers indoor and outdoor seating. Another cool bar to go is Barraca brewery which offers a great cocktail and coffee if you are not an alcoholic. This bar is located in Convento de San Jose complex, so it is easy to reach after exploring the city's landmark.

Alavirulé

A very nice place to have a drink and they put on some generous tapas.

The food is very good, original and classic.

They also serve delcious cocktails.

The waiters are helpful and nice.

Address : Calle de San Segundo, 40, 05001 Ávila, Spain

Barraca brewery

Very cozy place to have a beer or a good coffee.

It has a great variety of beers,very good coffee, very rich stuffed tortillas.

Their tapas are the best.

The waiter tells you the origin and the tones of the beers.

Address : Calle San Juan de la Cruz, 23, 05001 Ávila, Spain

INTERESTING PLACE

Museo de Ávila is the right place to go when you want to getting know about the city's history. The Ministry of Education, Culture and Sport grouping the museum collection into three, there are Archaeological, Fine Arts, and Ethnographic collection. On the other hand, the historic of Catedral de Ávila always worth to explore since it was the first two Gothic cathedrals in Spain. The cathedral shows French influences and great resemblances to the Abbey Church of St Denis, the first European Gothic church.

Museo de Ávila

A fairly simple museum located in a beautiful building.

This interesting museum tells about history, customs and life of this area of ​​Spain.

For lovers of archeology and ethnology.

Friendly and professional staff It deserves a visit.

Address : Plaza Nalvillos, 3, 05001 Ávila, Spain

Catedral de Ávila

Spectacular ancient cathedral.

Good spot to consider the art, architecture, and culture woven into this living history.

There are plenty of interesting objects in the cathedral museum.

The audio guides are simply reciting the different saints and bishops portrayed.

Address : Plaza de la Catedral, 8, 05001 Ávila, Spain

INSTAGRAMMABLE SPOT

Take some snaps from the most iconic wall in the city, Muralla de Ávila so you can prove that you have been to Avila. This 2.5km-long walls were built n 12th century and was made from granite sandstone and brick. Lastly, to wrap up your visit to Avila, you have to capture the majestic charm of Convento de Santa Teresa with your camera. This church was build in the 17th century in a place where Saint Teresa of Avila was born.

Muralla de Ávila

Impressive and extensive medieval city walls which have UNESCO world heritage status.

The wall at Ávila is great and super charming.

It’s cheap and the audio guide is probably one of the best,fun,and infinitive.

Really impressive that gives an excellent view to almost the entire city.

Address : 05001 Ávila‎, Ávila, Spain

Convento de Santa Teresa

Important site for catholic especially for those devoted to Santa Teresa.

Very interesting place and it's history.

And the scene of the saint as a child in the garden is beautiful.

The church is great for tourist.

Address : Carmelitas Descalzos, Plaza la Santa, Nº 2, 05001 Ávila, Spain