Parking in Avila

There is a free parking lot at Aparcamiento Centro Exposiciones y Congresos outside the walls. From it you’d walk to the Puerta del Carmen (600 meters). There is an access to the walls there. Wall access was a few Euros per person.

There’s another wall access location along C. Marqués de Santo Domingo near the Adaja gate.

For a good view of the town from a distance drive the half mile to Cuatro Postes. It has its own free parking.

Other than the wall there’s little else that’s memorable in the town. There is the Church and birthplace of Saint Teresa of Jesus if it happened to be open when you’re there. You can see everything the town has to offer and walk the walls in a couple hours. Last year we stayed at the Parador just inside the gate.

If you’re visiting Ávila as a day trip, the train might be best. If you’re touring that area, there are plenty of castles.

Thank you so much, @jaimeelsabio! We will be driving on to Segovia. Any castles to see along the way?

Along the direct route, no. However, about 30 miles north there are castles in Arévalo, Medina del Campo, Coca, Cuellar, and Portillo. A little further away are castles in Peñafiel and Pedraza. Between Medina del Campo and Coca is Olmedo. It is known for the storks that nest around town.

Most of the castles are best seen from the exterior and have limited public access. Some of them have government offices or agencies, or private companies in the interior. Others are privately owned. Architecturally I like Mota castle (Medina del Campo) and Coca castle the best. Peñafiel castle is long and narrow. There’s a wine museum in it, but it can be visited.

We don’t look up the hours castles are open. If they are closed when we get there (since we seldom know when we’ll get to them) we just walk around them.

If you enjoy palaces and gardens you might enjoy the Royal Palace of La Granja of San Ildefonso. It’s about 8 miles outside of Segovia.

Again, thanks.