Avila, Spain, located in a province of the same name is a small town an hour outside of Madrid. As you approach it, you’ll feel the temperature drop as it’s situated over a kilometre above sea level.
Take a guided trip through the historical location, with its famous Cathedral (which began construction over 750 years ago), and it’s one-of-a-kind iconic city walls. Walk over the ancient walls that have surrounded the old city for near a thousand years, and explore the ancient churches, convents and courts within.
After visiting Avila, your tour will take you further on to the cities of Segovia and El Escorial.
Know before you book
- Make sure to bring a pair of comfy shoes, as well as a hat and sunscreen and some extra layers in case it gets cold.
- This tour is not fully accessible for persons with limited mobility as it covers stairwells and pavements that may be hard to access.
- If you book the Combo tour, your second day will consist of a full day tour of Toledo.
Highlights
- Visit the Avila Cathedral and Walls
- Enjoy a walking city tour
- See Cuatro Postes viewpoint
- Enjoy a guided tour of the city
Price for Avila Day Trip from Madrid Includes
The price includes a full-day trip from Madrid to Avila and Segovia or Salamanca – depending on the tour you choose! You’ll travel in an air-conditioned bus with a bilingual tour guide who will be showering you with history and facts all day, ready to answer any of your questions.
Check out the different tour options below:
Begin your tour approaching the historical city of Avila. See its famous city walls, and the monuments within it. With countless churches, monasteries and convents, it is home to a depth of Spanish religious history. After leaving Madrid in the early morning, you’ll travel to Avila for a walking tour, with a guide who will answer all the questions you might have while providing you with some historical knowledge of the city and its inner workings, as well as its past.
Pass by the Sanctuary of San Vincente, one of the best examples of Romanesque architecture in Spain, where the bodies if Vicente and two other Christian martyrs lie buried. Walk by the Cathedral of Avila, a crossover between Gothic and Romanesque architecture, and finally walk across the seminal walls that have surrounded the old city for centuries. These walls are considered some of the best-maintained worldwide, for their age.
After this, you’ll head to Segovia to visit the famous aqueduct and learn about its creation by the Romans, as well as seeing the Canonries, and ending up at the Alcazar, a historical Spanish monument. Next, you’ll break for lunch, with some free time to do some eating, shopping or exploring of your own.
Finally, depending on the tour your choose, you could visit El Escorial and its famous architectural complex which contains an incredible Royal Palace, a basilica, a pantheon, a library, a school and a monastery – an impressive collection that very few places in the world can boast about. Should you choose the combo tour, you will continue on the second day with a full tour of the city of Toledo.
All in all, this is a tour detailing and exploring the intense and tumultuous history of Spain, through its art, architecture and culture. Spain’s history of a melting pot of cultures and religions has lead to a rich and detailed past, which can be seen through the art and architecture that still stands today.
If you’re at all a historical person, this is the tour for you. If not, this might be the tour that changes that.
Tour of Avila, Spain – Attractions:
Here are some informational details about your tour. While the city lies quite far above sea level, allowing for extreme cold at times, the summers are conversely sweltering – so be sure to check the weather ahead of time and pack appropriately.
Avila Tour Times
The tour departs from Madrid in the early hours of the morning.
Duration
This is a full day, 11-hour tour.
Cost
Tickets start around $70 per person
Facilities
There will be a number of bathrooms along the way, as well as restaurants and shops along the route where drinks and snacks can be bought. Though, due to the long duration of the tour, it might be advisable to prepare a few to bring yourself.
Specification: Madrid to Avila Day Trip | Tours & Experiences
|
nistalasuresh –
We had a splendid time during the tour. A well knowledged guide, Carmen, and a safe driver, Antonio, made it possible to enjoy and learn about the history of the 2 cities.
moonshineschat –
Both Avila and Salamanca were amazing locations full of charm and history. Our guide Minerva was very knowledgeable, professional and friendly. She told us a lot about the history of both towns and was fluent in both Spanish and English. She also kept doing a headcount to make sure everyone was accounted for and she also gave us clear instructions on how to get back to our meeting point. At the end of the trip, people gave her a round of applause. Highly recommended!
Alex M –
Our guide Marissa (I am guessing on the name) is very knowledgeable and helpful and Sarah, the driver is very nice too. I highly recommend to book tours thru Viator.
vsv42019 –
If you want to see history must take the tour. Filled with historical facts and beauty. Wonderful tour guid.
Jeni E –
This tour will wet your appetite for even more. If you have more time, visit the cities individually. However, if you have limited time, this tour hits the highlights in these amazing cities and are well organized by Julia tours. Our guide led competently although I would have appreciated just a little more description of how far away the cathedral was from the lunch point so we didn't nearly miss it. Speaking of lunch, I highly recommend opting for one of the lunch options.
Tour112359 –
The trip was very rich and the guide was perfect, we really enjoyed the tour got proper education about the history of both cities but the only negative feedback I would give is that the lunch was really bad it was tasteless no options the soup was bad the main course was bad and the dessert was also bad
Mary – Australia –
Tiring but awesome The trip was fast paced but our guide Miguel was very informative. He recommended the suckling pig at Candido in Segovia & it didn’t disappoint, we were happy to forego the tour for the !!!
František – Czech Republic –
Professional, Guid Jose was nice and helpful, driwer Felix excelent Professional
Luis – Miami, United States –
Great tour, very well informed guide