Salamanca & Avila Guided Day Trip from Madrid

The medieval walls of Ávila

Ávila stands at more than 1,100 metres and is famous for its granite walls, built from the end of the eleventh century. They run for about two and a half kilometres and are protected by dozens of towers, making them among the best-preserved medieval city walls in Europe. The city is also a UNESCO World Heritage site.

On this tour you admire the walls from the outside, and entry to walk on top of them is not included in the standard option. Your guide explains how the fortifications were built and how the city was defended, and takes you to the cathedral and the old town. It is the classic first stop on a day trip from Madrid.

Salamanca's Plaza Mayor and old town

Salamanca's Plaza Mayor is one of the most beautiful squares in Spain, a harmonious Baroque space built in the eighteenth century by the Churriguera family and Andrés García de Quiñones, with arcades and medallions of Spanish kings. It is the city's meeting place and the best spot for a coffee or a break.

From the square the guide leads you through the old town, which is listed by UNESCO and built from warm golden sandstone that glows in the afternoon light. The city is very walkable, so this is the part of the trip where you have most of your free time to look around on your own.

The University of Salamanca and the Casa de las Conchas

The University of Salamanca was founded in 1218 and is the oldest in Spain and one of the oldest in Europe. Its ornate Plateresque façade hides a tiny frog among the carvings, and tradition says that students who find it will pass their exams.

Nearby stands the Casa de las Conchas, the House of Shells, a fifteenth-century mansion whose walls are decorated with several hundred scallop shells. These two landmarks show why Salamanca has been called a city of knowledge, and both can be admired from the street as part of the guided walk.

The Old and New Cathedrals of Salamanca

Salamanca has two cathedrals side by side. The Old Cathedral is Romanesque and dates from the twelfth century, while the New Cathedral was begun in 1513 in late Gothic style and finished in the eighteenth century, with Baroque additions. Together they dominate the city's skyline.

The standard option includes an entry ticket to the cathedral, so you can go inside to see the vaults and chapels. If you choose the option without tickets, you can still admire the cathedral from outside. Opening hours change by season, and the guide arranges the visit around them.