Ávila: the back story

About Ávila: the back story

By the ULTIMATE Madrid Editorial Team

Editor-in-Chief: Jai Michael

Ávila’s medieval walls ring the old town on the Castilian plateau west of Madrid. UNESCO inscribed the “Old Town of Ávila with its Extra-Muros Churches” in 1985.

Getting there

Renfe trains from Madrid; book on renfe.com.

The walls

Walk a stretch of the walls and visit the cathedral.

Renfe trains from Madrid; the walls are a walk from the station.

Eating

Barro holds One MICHELIN Star in the 2026 guide.

Our advice: bring a warm layer: Ávila is high and cool.

Opening hours, prices and seasonal openings change, so please check with Ávila: the back story before you go.