Aldeadávila de la Ribera: Duero Gorge and Holiday Apartment

Aldeadávila de la Ribera can be explored along the self-guided route through the town centre of Aldeadávila and the associated village of Corporario. The route conveys the history of both places. It begins at the Ermita de San Sebastián, which houses the tourist information office, leads to Corporario’s traditional washhouse and from there back to Aldeadávila. Black ceramic plaques mark the route and make it easier to follow.

Culture

The architectural heritage includes several distinct examples. The parish church of San Salvador is one of the three religious buildings in Aldeadávila de la Ribera. The Palacio del Marqués de Caballero is a Neoclassical building made of granite masonry. The original chapel of the Convento de Santa Marina La Verde dates from the 13th century. The Ermita del Santo Cristo del Humilladero features murals on its cross-ribbed vault with terceletes.

The Convento de Santa Marina La Verde is privately owned. It is a former Franciscan monastery that was abandoned after the Desamortización de Mendizábal and restored by Iberduero to serve as a hostel. The various traces of different periods are not combined in a single architectural form: the medieval chapel, Neoclassical palace, sacred murals and the history of the abandoned monastery each represent a distinct aspect of the place.

Nature

The Mirador de Viña Cerrá is located in the Arribes del Duero Natural Park and offers impressive views of the Duero and neighbouring Portugal. The Mirador del Fraile also provides views of the deeply cut Duero Gorge in the Arribes del Duero Natural Park. From there, you can see the Presa de Aldeadávila and the granite walls of the Duero Gorge.

The Mirador de la Presa is situated above the Presa de Aldeadávila and can be reached by road from Poblado de la Verde. The Picón de Felipe is one of the classic viewpoints in Aldeadávila de la Ribera that is well worth visiting. At present, reaching the Mirador del Fraile requires walking approximately 1.2 kilometres downhill along a steep route; parking is available at the Merendero Llano de la Bodega.

Trails and Water

The Ecomuseo de Las Majadas del Rostro is a signposted, interpretively designed site. It provides information about the former way of life of the shepherds who lived there with their families and herds. Route 5, Majadas del Rostro, offers hikers impressive views along the way.

Playa del Rostro can be reached from Aldeadávila or via Corporario. In the area of Playa del Rostro, a boat trip lasting approximately 90 minutes is available, taking you along the Duero to the vicinity of the Presa de Aldeadávila. The Senda del Duero, also known as GR-14, includes Aldeadávila de la Ribera as one of its stages in the province of Salamanca.

If you are weighing up local history, viewpoints, hiking routes and a boat trip, different types of activity and time formats are available. The Centro BTT de Aldeadávila also offers more than 250 kilometres of properly signposted routes classified by difficulty. The local route, hiking trail, boat trip and cycling routes each provide a distinct focus for planning your day.

Regional Cuisine

The Fiesta de la Aceituna, el Aceite y el Olivo takes place in December in honour of the olive, one of the region’s most important fruits. At the Fiesta de la Aceituna, el Aceite y el Olivo, toast topped with oil from the year’s harvest, fried eggs and Arribes del Duero wine are served.

Other Places

Guijuelo, Martinamor, Gallegos De Argañán, Babilafuente, Cabrerizos, Vallejera De Riofrío, Sorihuela and Aldea Del Obispo

For the higher-level travel overview: Salamanca.