What to Visit on Your School Trip to Ávila?

Ávila is a small city that you can easily explore in a full day during your end-of-year trip. And what about the remaining days? Ávila is a province with hundreds of typically Castilian villages — built of stone, ancient and authentic. Their inhabitants, nearly all elderly, have lived in their homes their entire lives, know the region like the back of their hand, and talking with them is like opening a history book, but far more interesting and truthful. In this article we tell you which are the most important sights on a school trip to Ávila and why you should discover this unexplored region.

In Ávila, rural tourism and cultural tourism can be combined. You can organise hiking routes to discover its natural landscapes: pools, waterfalls, mountains, lakes, and more. Visit the small villages and sample the local cuisine. Discover the churches, museums, and viewpoints of the city of Ávila and its surroundings. Don’t miss a thing on your end-of-year trip!

A tour of the city of Ávila

What should you visit on your school trip to Ávila to make sure you don’t miss anything? If you have a day to take a sightseeing tour of the city, here are the most important iconic landmarks:

  • The walls of Ávila are without doubt the city’s greatest tourist attraction, considered the best preserved in Spain. Another of the city’s main monuments, and common to each of the capitals of Castile and León, is the cathedral. It is considered the first Gothic cathedral in the country.
  • On the other hand, make sure you visit Los Cuatro Postes, the most famous viewpoint in the city, both by day and by night, from which you can take in the entire illuminated city from above. A visit to Santo Tomás Monastery is another of the city’s important highlights. It lies outside the old town, but it is well worth making the journey to admire its Gothic style.
  • One of Ávila’s principal monuments is the Convent of Saint Teresa of Jesus, situated opposite the Puerta de la Santa. The convent was built in 1636 on the site of Saint Teresa’s birthplace. The main feature of the convent’s interior is the room in which Saint Teresa was born, which has been converted into a baroque chapel of great value.
  • The Mercado Chico square is another of the most important sights on a school trip to Ávila. It is the main square and sits at the heart of the city. This was the location where the market was held in former times. The square is entirely pedestrianised and is presided over by Ávila’s Town Hall, with the Church of Saint John the Baptist standing opposite.

Excursions and hiking in Ávila

Laguna Grande in the Sierra de Gredos

The famous and spectacular Gredos cirque is a glacial cirque situated in the mountain range of the same name. The excursion is 100% recommended for all ages and fitness levels, although care must be taken to stay well hydrated and to wear sun protection if you go in summer, as there is not much shade along the route and it can be extremely hot. It is a 14 km round-trip route, straightforward but always requiring appropriate equipment and clothing since, at the end of the day, it is a high-mountain route.

Senda de los Pescadores, Arenas de San Pedro

The Senda de los Pescadores (Fishermen’s Path) is one of the best-known and most highly recommended hiking routes in the area. Starting in Arenas de San Pedro, this short and easy route always ends with a well-earned dip in the natural pools of the area.

Las Chorreras Trail

Near the small village of Hoyos del Espino you will find the Las Chorreras Trail. It is very popular in the area and can be walked by anyone of any age, as it is an accessible and easy route: large pine forests, pleasant paths, and breathtaking riverside spots.

Complete guide to organising a school trip to Ávila

Want to find out more? Activities, places to visit, accommodation, typical dishes. We give you all the information you need to make your end-of-year trip to Ávila a complete success.

For more information about all the end-of-year trips we organise to Ávila from Natuaventura, write to us at info@natuaventura.com or call us on 91 714 06 36.