Zamora or Avila?

[kdespot]

After a few weeks serving as an hospitalero, I'm going to visit Salamanca on my way to Madrid. I have time for one stop on the way and am considering either Zamora or Avila. Looking for fan favorites and why. All other suggestions are welcome, too!

 

[J Willhaus]

I love Zamora. So much history! From pre-Roman, through El Cid, right up to the war with Napoleon! We have been hospitaleros there, and in 2025, we have reserved an AirBNB for Semana Santa.

We also visited Avila although it was very hot and we didn't get to see much except the cool interior of the church and the imposing towers in the walls. It seemed more touristy to me.

 

[kdespot]

I love Zamora. So much history! From pre-Roman, through El Cid, right up to the war with Napoleon! We have been hospitaleros there, and in 2025, we have reserved an AirBNB for Semana Santa.

We also visited Avila although it was very hot and we didn't get to see much except the cool interior of the church and the imposing towers in the walls. It seemed more touristy to me.

Thank you!

 

[kdespot]

Thank you!

 

[Lindsay53]

I was in Avila the other day, just passing through so I didn't see much apart from the cathederal, which is magnificent, and some of the impressive city walls. It looked a place well worthwhile to spend a few days in.

 

[Rick of Rick and Peg]

I haven't been to either place though likely there would be tourist days for each if I'm passing through. Zamora is chock full of romanesque churches, more than two dozen if I remember correctly. If you love them then that's the place to go.

 

[AshtabulaJed]

I’ve never been to Zamora. But I was in Avila one day in August. I wish I could have stayed longer. I was on a bus tour with other pilgrims traveling from Lourdes to Fatima. That evening in Avila was one of the highlights of a really wonderful trip

 

[K_Lynn]

Avila! We stayed there last year after Camino Ingles. Beautiful town, lots to see. Stay at the Parador, reasonably priced gorgeous hotel.

 

[Camino Chrissy]

I had two days in Avila last year and absolutely loved it! Walking those pristine amazing walls with gorgeous views from on high was absolutely wonderful. I have read that the rampart walls are the most intact ones in Spain! Our hotel looked out at the at the walls which were lit up at night and an extra Wow factor!

I was in Zamora this past spring and was really glad I gave it an extra day. It is wonderful as well, but Avila was a stand out memory for me personally.

 

[AlanSykes]

Sorry not to be able to help, but I'm with @ChrissyOnTheCamino - both are fantastic. The walls of Ávila and its "entorno", together with its Teresiana associations are unforgettable. But Zamora, for me, has more charm, as well as being just as interesting, if less spectacular, architecturally. And its Duero riverscape is one of the finest ways to arrive in any city, anywhere.

I'm expecting to walk through both in the next month or so, so perhaps I'll be more decisive then.

 

[Cub]

Zamora is a wonderful place to visit I spent 2 days there after my latest Camiño en route to Salamanca. The Old town is magnificent and the views from the opposite side of the beautiful Douro River are stunning especially at night.
Excerpt from my notes:
Beautiful Plaza Mayor where I stopped for a daily G&T. Here in Zamora you have the choice of 2 caminos the Via de La Plata which is the one starting in Seville & going through Extremadura & Camino Zamorano Portugués which commences in Zamora! Always a Camino somewhere.
This morning I took the little train around to see the sights always a good way to get information for the rest of the activities. Some great Panoramic views. Good old El Cid also left his mark here, with the Arias Gonzalo Palace once being one of his abodes.
The Romanesque cathedral was built between 1151 and 1174. Elements were added to the cathedral over the years and include Gothic features (apses and sanctuary) and Herrera style features (cloister). The building has three naves, a transept and three semicircular apses. Its dome base with 16 double arches supports the scaled dome, which is the symbol of the city of Zamora and is what differentiates it from other cathedrals. It has only one square-based belltower. Inside the cathedral has a whole host of works of art, including the choir stalls, a figure of Christ of the Insults and an image of the Virgin Mary. It has a very impressive collection of large tapestries some of which are so big they are difficult to photograph.

 

[JDM]

Definitely Avila

 

[Philtration]

Haven't been to Zamora, but we stayed a couple of days in Avila on a road trip last spring. The walls are amazing, but the overall vibe was a bit touristy for us. In my experience, anything within day trip distance of Madrid is going to lean touristy.

 

[Camino Chrissy]

In my experience, anything within day trip distance of Madrid is going to lean touristy.

This is true, but I don't mind some "touristy" sprinkled in on a Camino, usually before or afterward.

 

[Varekai]

I haven't been to Avila, but I was able to spend about four hours in Zamora waiting for a bus. I got to explore a good chunk of the historic centre and it was really lovely. They have loads of Romanesque churches and even a castle.

 

[kdespot]

Thank you all so much! All of these replies are so helpful.