A getaway to Ávila begins with a picture-postcard view. Imagine a blanket of snow covering everything, with the city walls rising majestically on top of a hill. The best way to appreciate their sheer scale is from a distance: before stepping inside, stop at the Humilladero de los Cuatro Postes viewpoint or, if you are staying at our Sercotel Cuatro Postes, simply look out of the window. Afterwards, head downstairs for a coffee to ward off the Castilian chill.

If this UNESCO World Heritage Site looks beautiful from a distance, just wait until you see it up close. Start with the city walls. Their origins date back to Roman times, although their present-day appearance is mainly medieval. They stand an average of 12 metres high and feature 87 towers. You can explore part of their perimeter from above by walking along the wall-walk, before completing the final stretch at ground level, alongside their base. All the while, you will catch glimpses of the treasures hidden within Ávila.

One of these is the cathedral, whose most unusual feature is that its fortified apse forms part of the city walls. In fact, it is a unique example of military and religious architecture being combined in a single building. When you visit, you will also be standing inside Spain’s first Gothic cathedral. And the fascinating facts do not end there: its magnificent stained-glass windows were damaged by the Lisbon earthquake of 1755, meaning that some had to be rebuilt, while Adolfo Suárez is buried in the cloister.

Afterwards, wander through the city’s cobbled streets, passing traditional Castilian houses, palaces, Romanesque churches, basilicas and convents. Stop for a while in Plaza del Mercado Chico and, from all the sights on offer, choose the church standing right in front of you: San Juan Bautista Church. Teresa de Cepeda y Ahumada was baptised here. You may know her better as Saint Teresa of Ávila.

It has taken us a while to mention the city’s patron saint. To learn more about her, visit the Basilica of Saint Teresa. Built on the site of her birthplace, it also houses a museum beneath the basilica.

We will start at the end, because we firmly believe that you should always save room for dessert. Especially when that dessert is Ávila’s most traditional sweet treat: yemas de Santa Teresa. Before reaching them, enjoy a feast that might begin with a tapa of patatas revolconas, followed by a warming bowl of judías del Barco, garlic soup or cocido morañego; and then the famous Ávila T-bone steak. Those who prefer something other than meat may want to try the fried trout, prepared with garlic or stuffed with ham.

Your getaway will be complete if you combine this heritage tour with a visit to the Sierra de Gredos. Yes, even in winter, when the snow gives the landscape an elegant, magical and peaceful atmosphere. You can park at the Plataforma de Gredos, provided that the access road is open, and set off from there along one of the hiking trails. One of these leads to Laguna Grande de Gredos. Before you start walking, remember to check the weather forecast, access conditions and the state of the trail. In snowy or icy conditions, the route requires suitable experience and equipment.

If you enjoy discovering charming towns and villages and your getaway takes place in February, it may coincide with the Cebreros Carnival, a celebration officially recognised as a Festival of National Tourist Interest. Located around 40 minutes by car from Ávila, the town’s streets fill with costumes, floats, carnival groups, parades and dancing… It is a spectacular celebration with more than two centuries of history.

We will end this journey just as we began it: enjoying the views of the city from our Sercotel Cuatro Postes. This time, however, there will be one small difference: it will be at dusk, watching the city light up as the sun sets, before heading to our restaurant to enjoy the local dishes featured on its menu.