Ávila, about a 60-minute drive from Madrid, has kept a unique historical legacy. Named a World Heritage Site in 1985, this Castilian city is still enclosed by its Medieval walls, 2.5km in length. The Old Town is the fine result of fruitful interaction between the Jews, the Muslims and the Christians.
The Medieval walls, 2.5km long, are punctuated by 88 turrets and 9 gates, Puerta de San Vicente and Puerta de Alcázar being the most impressive of those guarding the Romanesque defensive rampart. You can walk along the entire perimeter of the city walls on the outer side. Activities include ‘Theatre in the City Walls’, “Legendary Guided Tours’, ‘Medieval Festivals”, and others.
The apse of the Cathedral actually forms part of the walls, which reminds us of its defensive nature. The interior contains Romanesque sections, while the newer ones show a Gothic style. In fact, Ávila was among the first Castilian towns to use Gothic elements.
In Ávila you can choose among several guided or dramatised tours: ‘St Teresa’s Train’, ‘The City Walls by Night’, ‘Legendary Ávila’, ‘Ávila and Its Noble Mansions’, ‘Ávila, a World Heritage City’, and others.
A unique way of discovering the birthplace of Miguel de Cervantes (Saturdays, 7 April to 28 July // 1 September to 8 December).
A period train running between Madrid and Aranjuez recreates the Region of Madrid’s first rail line (Sat and Sun: 14 April-30 Jun and 22 Sep-21 Oct).
Go from Madrid to San Lorenzo de El Escorial on a vintage train and unveil the secrets of King Philip II’s empire.
Get on this vintage train whose steam locomotive pushes its way past stunning landscapes in southeast Madrid (Sunday Mar-May and Oct-Dec).