The Aqueduct and Other Surprises of Ávila

The first recommendation in this article is to visit the Ávila Aqueduct. While there isn't much left and it's not easy to see, these two arches from the 16th-century canalization are as unexpected as they are little known. To view its remaining stones, you must peek into a private courtyard on the short Isaac Peral street and ask for permission to take a look at the nearby shops. As a UNESCO World Heritage City, Ávila aims to preserve everything. Just like the Basilica of San Vicente, where the eight bells have recently been restored. Among the monuments, one of the most notable (with permission from the walls) is the Royal Monastery of Santo Tomás, which, besides its famous altarpiece, has curiosities such as the Museum of Oriental Art and the Museum of Science. They are basic, but visitors may find some interesting pieces.

Another manageable exhibition is at the General Military Archive (Vallespín, 19), which has created a Museum of the Quartermaster Corps, celebrating ten years, that traverses the history of the military on the peninsula. The Archive is in the Casa de Contreras, from the 16th century, and you access it through a beautiful porticoed courtyard. Admission is free. This year's museum novelty will be the opening of the Prado Museum's branch at the Palacio de los Águila (López Núñez street). The 6,300 square meters that make up the project-which includes a cutting-edge redesign next to a classic palace-will be ready for use in June. This branch will store part of the 3,000 works that the Prado has outside the museum and will host traveling exhibitions. Ávila is also home to the Claudio Sánchez Albornoz Foundation (Paseo Dos de Mayo, 8), dedicated to the memory of the Abulense, which has organized exhibitions and concerts.

In addition to the interior Ávila of the museum spaces, there is the more famous one, the outdoor museum that represents its walled enclosure. From Paseo del Rastro, on the Southern Wall, you can get impressive views of the Amblés Valley and the Pico Zapatero. To the north, there are shorter views, and the wall overlooks the new Congress Palace. To its right, the Studio Café Terraza is a cozy stone establishment with a quiet patio to relax for a while with a coffee or a drink. For leisure, the surroundings of the city include Naturávila, a vast estate that came from a donation and now hosts a golf course and an equestrian center-where you can hire lessons and excursions-along with the Fontecruz Ávila hotel.

Ávila is also a destination for a culinary excursion: its beef is famous for its tenderness. Among locals, the most popular thing is to enjoy tapas, which are often free with a drink. There are places where the complimentary tapas menu features dozens of options or includes touches of signature cuisine, like Dvinos (Avenida de Portugal, 24), serving tapas such as eels with egg and apple vinaigrette alongside a beer for 1.50 euros. To enjoy more tapas in the center, behind the Cathedral and next to the wall are five bars that occupy both sidewalks of a stretch of San Segundo street. The two classics are Casa de Postas and La Bodeguita, facing each other, while the more modern options are Caramel and Villoldo. The fifth, El Bar, has higher prices and doesn't always offer a tapa.

For dining, near the Cathedral is the Restaurante Alcaravea, located on the first floor, offering a home-like experience but with some creative touches. For coffee or drinks afterward, a good option is La Taberna del Tostao (plaza de la Catedral, 10), in the basements of the Hotel Palacio de los Velada, popular with a young crowd.