Walls of Ávila
Murallas de Ávila
One of Europe’s best-preserved medieval city walls, about 2.5 km long with 87 towers, where you can walk along the top.
The walls were built in the 11th and 12th centuries and encircle the old city. They are a UNESCO World Heritage Site. You can buy a ticket (about €5 to €8) to walk along sections of the walls, overlooking the Romanesque churches inside and the plains outside. About 1.5 km northwest of the city is Los Cuatro Postes, the best spot to photograph the full walls. Inside the city are the cathedral, which is built into the walls, and the Monastery of Santa Teresa, birthplace of St. Teresa of Ávila. The local specialty is the egg-yolk sweet “Yemas de Santa Teresa.” From Madrid it takes about 1.5 to 2 hours by train, or about 1.5 hours by bus. It can be combined with Segovia for a day trip.
Opening hours
City walls approx. 10:00–20:00 (shorter in winter)
Nearby sights
- Royal Monastery of San Lorenzo de El Escorial
- Segovia
- Royal Palace of El Pardo
- Royal Chapel of St. Anthony of La Florida
- Teleférico de Madrid & Casa de Campo
- Temple of Debod
- Royal Palace of Madrid
- Almudena Cathedral