Located only 1 hour northwest of Madrid in Spain, the medieval town of Avila is the ideal destination for a day trip from Madrid. Avila’s historic center is small and dense, and you will have the best experience by exploring it on foot. Ideally with a guide.

If you were searching for “free tour Avila” and ended up here, you’re in luck. I’ve made a selection of the best Avila free walking tours to help you choose the one that best suits you. And if don’t like any of these options, I’ve also created a free map so you can walk Avila by yourself.

Let’s go!

 

The Best Free Walking Tours in Avila

Before we start the list, do you know what is a free tour? If not, let me clarify first.

A free tour you book in advance is a pay-what-you-want tour: it’s free to book, but most of the time, the guide can expect to be rewarded when the tour ends with a tip. You can give nothing or you can give much more if you want to, depending on your level of satisfaction. PS: tickets to monuments are at your cost.

Now that it’s clearer, let’s jump to the list of the best free tours!

 

the catedral de avila spain

 

1. Free Tours Illustrious Characters of Ávila

Conducted by a qualified guide who’s been based in Avila for more than 30 years, this is the perfect tour to visit Avila through its best monuments, but also through the famous figures who made the city shines all over the world.

Duration: 2 hours

Language: English, Spanish

Ticket: Book the Free Tour Illustrious Characters of Ávila

 

avila at night one of the best day trips from madrid

 

2. Free Mysteries and Legends Night Tour of Ávila

Starting at sunset, this one will offer you a unique glimpse of the World Heritage city. You’ll be able to discover all the best monuments, but also some lesser-known places such as the Calle de la Cruz Vieja. You’ll love hearing the guide’s stories and legends about the town.

Duration: 2 hours

Language: English

Ticket: Book the Free Mysteries and Legends Tour of Avila

 

plaza mercado chico avila spain

 

3. Free Tour Ávila Monumental

This Avila free tour is perfect if you don’t have too much time. It covers all the town’s main points of interest, from the Plaza Santa Teresa to the Cathedral in only 1h30 in a fun way with a local expert guide.

Duration: 1h30

Language: Spanish

Ticket: Book the Free Tour Ávila Monumental

 

muralla de avila fortified walls of avila spain

 

Ávila Free Guided Tour Itinerary Map + Tips

Do you prefer touring the city on your own? Well, the only way to do so without paying is to go on a self-guided tour. What itinerary should you follow?

I’ve created a custom map to make it easy for you to do your tour. And yes, it’s free. To get your itinerary map, simply click on the image below to open it in Google Maps. Then click on the “star” icon to save it to your own maps.

 

free tour avila

 

What to expect: epic churches, narrow cobblestone streets and fortified city walls!
Walking time: 50 minutes
Distance: 4 km / 2.5 miles
Total time recommended: from 1h30 (walking/taking in the views) to 3h30 (visiting everything along the way)

 

Here are the main spots you’ll cover on this tour:

  1. Puerta de Santa Teresa
  2. Iglesia de Santa Teresa de Avila
  3. Church of San Juan Bautista
  4. Plaza Mercado Chico
  5. Plaza de la Catedral
  6. Catedral de Ávila
  7. Puerta del Alcázar
  8. San Vicente de Ávila
  9. Puerta del Mariscal
  10. Puerta del Carmen
  11. Muralla de Ávila
  12. Mirador Los 4 Postes

So there you have it, your Avila walking tour itinerary. If you follow this 12 spots itinerary, you’ll discover the main points of the city.

Of course, this itinerary is meant to be used as a starting point – don’t follow it to the letter! I highly encourage you to be curious along the way.

 

view from the mirador los 4 postes avila spain

 

Tips For Your Ávila Free Tour

If you’re planning to discover Avila by walking around in the city and following one of these tours, then I have a few tips for you:

  • as for all tours on foot, make sure to wear proper footwear! Sneakers are ok for this short walk, but hiking shoes are always recommended
  • wear sunscreen and a hat if it’s sunny; the sun is no joke
  • remember to be respectful when you enter places of worship: take off your hats, and be quiet
  • bring a thermos with you on your walk, you’ll be happy to have cold water/hot coffee with you when you sit down for a break
  • if you’re planning to visit the monuments (the cathedral, go up the walls, and more) consider purchasing the Tourist Card to save some money

 

convento de santa teresa avila spain

 

Where to Stay in Ávila

If you’re planning to spend the night there after doing one of these tours, here are my hotels recommendation:

⭐️ Best Hotel –Vallespin Suite: the Vallespin Suite is my favorite accommodation for a comfy stay, for around 60€ per night for the full suite, which can host 3 people. It’s ideally located inside the fortified walls, and it’s an 8-minutes walk from the Cathedral. The beds are pretty comfy, and the included breakfast makes it a perfect choice for your stay.

💰 Best Budget Hotel –Hostel El Rincón: cheapest accommodation, for around 30€ per night. It comes with a private bathroom and wifi. This hostel has the best location, it’s within the fortified wall, and everything is within walking distance. There are also free toiletries in the bathroom for your comfort.

 

 

Visit More of Spain

Going to Ávila? You can find below several other articles about this wonderful part of the world to help you plan your trip.

You’ll find here a full guide of the best things to do in Avila.

Find below a few guides to some of Avila’s most famous monuments:

If you want to discover other cities near Avila after doing one of the guided tours, here are other posts:

For more places in Spain, check all my Spain travel guides here.

 
I hope you enjoy your trip to Avila! If you have any questions, let me know in the comments below, I always reply.