Avila and Salamanca Day Trip from Madrid

In this activity you will have the opportunity, for about 11 hours, to get on a comfortable bus and visit Avila and Salamanca from Madrid. Both cities are known for their vast and well-preserved cultural heritage, including the best-preserved walled enclosure in Europe and one of the oldest universities in Spain.

With an expert guide, you'll learn about the history of these two medieval cities and discover many interesting facts and anecdotes. In Salamanca, you will visit its famous university, the second oldest in Spain, behind only the University of Palencia.

The University of Salamanca was founded in 1218 by King Alfonso IX and was the first European institution to obtain the title of University. Its classrooms have had distinguished students such as the poet Luis de Góngora, the writer Miguel de Unamuno and Adolfo Suárez, the first president of Spanish democracy.

You will see the city's Plaza Mayor, with the clock tower in the background and meeting places for Salamancans in front of it. This public square, built in the 18th century, is one of Salamanca's most famous exponents of the traditional Spanish Baroque style. Today, it is an important place of meeting and public life in the city.

You will visit the New Cathedral which, together with the Old Cathedral, forms the two cathedrals of the city of Salamanca. Built between the 16th and 18th centuries, the New Cathedral has late Gothic and Baroque styles. In 1887, it was declared a national monument by royal decree.

Other attractions awaiting you in Salamanca include the Casa de las Conchas, the Church of the Holy Spirit and the Plaza del Corrillo, all known for their cultural and historical importance. Of all these places, the most famous is the Roman Bridge, which serves as the setting for the popular picaresque novel Lazarillo de Tormes .

Once you have seen Salamanca, you will have the opportunity to visit Ávila, known for its famous city walls. Of medieval origin, these walls have more than80 semicircular crenellated towers, as well as 9 gates that allowed access to and from the city.

Located on the outskirts of the city is the Mirador de los Cuatro Postes, one of the best places to enjoy panoramic views of the city walls and the historic centre of the city. Crossing the city walls, you will see the Plaza del Mercado Chico, which, located in the centre of the city, is Ávila's main square.

Throughout the tour, you will have free time to explore the city on your own and visit the Cathedral of Avila. This is a building over 700 years old, in late Romanesque and Gothic style, which was declared a site of cultural interest in 1914.

You will also see the famous Basilica of San Vicente, which, nearly a thousand years old, is considered one of the best examples of Romanesque architecture in Spain.

Once the activity is over,you will return to Madrid by bus, to the original starting point, as it is a round trip.