First Stop Avila, the City Surrounded by Walls

The quickest route from Madrid to Ávila is the AP-6 highway (you have to pay a toll) and then the AP-51.
There is a regional road, the M-505 and N-403, if you prefer to avoid the toll. But it takes at least half an hour longer as it crosses the Sierra de Gredos (or more, if you stop to take photos)
So, have a nice breakfast before leaving for Ávila! You'll need energy to explore the city at a good pace. Let's go!

On the way along the M-505 you pass through the town of El Escorial and although it is not the main point of this route to visit the monastery of San Lorenzo de El Escorial, it is worth making a stop at the so-called Silla de Felipe II.
Legend has it that from this place the king controlled the construction of the monastery he had sent to build. Beyond this, the views of the town of San Lorenzo de El Escorial, the monastery and the mountains are worth the stop.
There is a car park located five minutes walk from the chair of Felipe II where you can leave your car and walk the few metres up the path.

Arriving to Ávila, there is a parking in front of the city walls to leave the car and pick it up the next day to go to Salamanca.

Of the nine gates leading into the walled enclosure, the Alcázar gate is one of the most impressive. Here is the access to climb the wall (which will be done after lunch).
In the archaeological excavations carried out underneath the gate, reminiscences of Roman times were found, such as a sentry box whose function was to collect taxes for the emperor.
The gate is worth a visit both during the day and at night, when it is fully illuminated.

The most important historical site of the walled interior of Ávila. It is the first gothic style church built in Spain, visitable with the audio guide that you get by scanning the QR code that comes next to the entrance.
Its fabulous stained-glass windows, the stone construction, the altarpiece of the main altar, the cloister and the small museum of sacred art are its main attractions inside.
The bell tower can also be accessed during limited hours. Here you can see the bell ringer's house and the views of the historic centre of Ávila and the walls. More information on the official website of the Cathedral of Ávila.
Open Hours: Monday to Saturday: 10:00 - 20:00. Last access half an hour before closing time. Sunday: 12:30 - 20:00. Last access half an hour before closing.

This restaurant is ideal for tasting typical food from Ávila. Its tasting menu to share between two people includes white beans, Castilian soup, traditional patatas revolconas (fried potatoes), and the famous veal chop of Ávila.
As if this were not enough, the setting of the restaurant is spectacular. It is housed in a fully restored 12th century stone building. It will seem that time goes back in time, and you are eating in the Middle Ages.
Open Hours: Monday to Saturday: 12:00 - 16:00, 20:00 - 22:30. Sunday: 12:00 - 16:00.

The best preserved medieval wall in Spain has a perimeter of 2.5 kilometres of which more than a kilometre can be walked over, to observe the historic centre from different perspectives and imposing sites such as the cathedral.
Its numbers are staggering: nine gates and more than 80 towers make it up. It has three entrances to go up and walk some small paths with audio guide. Take photos both from the top of the wall and from the outside, mainly on Madrid Avenue.
Open Hours: From April to October, daily: 10:00 - 20:00. From November to March, Tuesday to Sunday: 10:00 - 18:00. Last access 45 minutes before closing time.

From the outside, it looks more like a small fortress than a church. Its interior is of great beauty, with an altarpiece and high vaults. The church was built in honour of the three martyrs, Vicente, Sabina and Cristeta, who are buried here in a sepulchre.
Legend has it that these martyrs are not the only ones buried here; there is also the Jewish builder who built the church and who, after converting, was buried under its foundations.
Open Hours: Monday, Wednesday to Saturday: 10:00 - 18:30. Tuesday: 10:00 – 13:30, 15:00 – 18:30. Sunday: 16:00h – 18:00.

This was once the house where Teresa de Cepeda lived as a child. The church was built together with the convent of the Carmelitas Descalzas, which is still in use today.
The well-known Teresa de Jesús dedicated her life to religion and expressed her unusual feelings and rebelliousness in literary works, which is why it is important as a foundation of the Castilian language.
The tour of the place is really worthwhile, walking through the rooms where Teresa played as a child and the small museum with her works. On the main façade, don't miss the image of Teresa de Jesús sculpted in marble in the central part.
Open Hours: April-October: 10:00 -14:00, 16:00 - 19:00. November-March: 10:00 -13:30, 15:30 - 17:30. Last admission half an hour before closing time. Closed on Mondays.

Strolling through the interior of the walled enclosure, you will find pleasant architectural surprises, such as the tower of the Guzmanes.
It sounds even more interesting if inside there is a reproduction of the life and culture of the Vetones, a pre-Roman people who inhabited the place and laid the foundations of the city.

The central point of the city, where the young people take centre stage during the night in the surrounding open-air cafés.
Rectangular in structure, it is surrounded by beautiful buildings such as the town hall, although its brightness is given by the character of the place and the arcades and colonnades reminiscent of times gone by.

A small pedestrian bridge that crosses the river Adaja, on the way to the viewpoint, and which recalls the Roman settlement in the origins of Ávila.
Next to the bridge, there is a small viewpoint to observe one of the parts of the walls with numerous towers.

The best panoramic view of Ávila, with almost complete visibility of the walled perimeter, the reddish roofs of the medieval buildings and the Cathedral.
The best time to go up to the viewpoint is before sunset, to see the reflection of the sun on the walls and how the towers slowly begin to light up at dusk.

Specialists in ox meat, the preparation of the dishes they offer includes the breeding of the animal. The meat is matured for about 60 days, which gives it its special flavour.
The dishes with beef as the main ingredient range from tapas, hamburgers, stone-cooked meats and even their own sausages. The homemade desserts also taste good.
Open Hours: Wednesday to Monday: 9:00 - 0:00.

It is housed in an old palace with antique details. The rooms have been completely renovated, giving a feeling of comfort and modernity.
It is located opposite the Cathedral, which allows you to be within walking distance to the main sights, restaurants, and bars.