Zamora: Holiday apartments and holiday homes

Zamora offers a strong cultural opening: the old town of Zamora is protected as a historic-artistic ensemble. Lago de Sanabria is the largest lake of glacial origin on the Iberian Peninsula.

Those choosing Zamora as a travel destination can combine their stay with the desire to rent a holiday apartment.

Nature and landscape

The cross-border Meseta Ibérica Biosphere Reserve extends along the northern border of Spain and Portugal and is connected with the province of Zamora. In Arribes del Duero, the landscape ranges from a succession of gorges and granite cliffs across the peneplain to dehesa landscapes. Outstanding animal species found there include the black stork and Bonelli's eagle.

Thousands of birds stop to rest at the Lagunas de Villafáfila. The Sierra de la Culebra has the highest wolf density in Spain.

Routes and activities

The Villafáfila visitor area can be reached via the N-630, turning onto the ZA-701, or via the A-6; the Villalpando/Villafáfila and San Esteban del Molar exits provide access. The circular routes in the municipality of Zamora begin and end at Plaza Mayor de Zamora and are between 8 and 30 kilometres long.

The Ruta de la Montaña offers hiking, horse-riding routes, mountain biking, and bird and plant watching. It runs through Sanabria-Carballeda, described as the most mountainous and ruggedest comarca in the province of Zamora.

City, architecture and history

Zamora Cathedral dates from the 12th century. Its dome is covered with stone scales and supported by a Byzantine-influenced drum. The Museo Catedralicio houses a collection of Flemish tapestries.

Zamora Castle now houses the Centro de Arte Contemporáneo Baltasar Lobo. The Museo de Semana Santa displays most of the groups of figures carried through the streets during Semana Santa. Semana Santa de Zamora was recognised in 1986 as a festival of international tourist interest.

Zamora is included in the Ruta Europea del Modernismo. In the historic network of routes, the Vía de la Plata follows the course of the ancient Roman road between Mérida and Astorga; the Ruta de la Plata crosses the province of Zamora from south to north.

The Monasterio de Santa María de Moreruela is a Romanesque monastic complex built at the end of the 12th century. In Castrotorafe, the visible ruins of a 12th-century fortress, as well as the remains of the town and castle, have been preserved.

The Museo de Zamora is housed in the Palacio del Cordón, a 16th-century building in the old town of Zamora. Its archaeological department includes works from prehistory to the Early Modern period. The fine arts department displays a significant collection of sculptures and paintings from the 14th to the 20th century.

The Convento de San Francisco dates from 1730 and was extensively and carefully restored while preserving the original building structure.

Wine and crafts

Vino de Toro is one of the four designations of origin in the province of Zamora. In the Toro wine-growing region, more than 50 wineries dedicated to this wine offer tastings, participation in the grape harvest, explanations of vineyard work, and interpretive routes around the vineyards.

Pereruela is known for its pottery; its cazuelas and ovens are made from exceptional clay. Moveros has an old pottery tradition, offering botijos, cazuelas, and the characteristic vessel shape known as a cantarilla.

Other places in this selection: Figueruela De Arriba, Zamora, Villaralbo, Villalpando, Santa María De La Vega, Puebla De Sanabria, Fermoselle, Benavente, Villardiegua De La Ribera, Piedrahita De Castro, Toro, Peñausende, Cobreros, Castroverde De Campos, Losacino, Peleagonzalo, Porto, Muga De Sayago, Coreses, Monfarracinos, Moralina, Trefacio, Villarrín De Campos, Almeida De Sayago, Pajares De La Lampreana, Palacios De Sanabria, Luelmo, San Vitero, Villar Del Buey, Fonfría, Galende, San Cristóbal De Entreviñas, Robleda-Cervantes, Torrefrades, Malillos, Pias, Santa Cruz De Los Cuérragos, Ricobayo, Vecilla De La Polvorosa, Ceadea, El Perdigón, Morales De Toro, Congosta, Quintanilla Del Monte, Fuentespreadas, La Tuda, El Cubo De Tierra Del Vino, Fontanillas De Castro, Fuente Encalada, Fornillos De Fermoselle, Vigo, Vime De Sanabria, Villamor De Los Escuderos, Trabazos, San Ciprián, Villaveza Del Agua, Santa Croya De Tera, Rozas, Villanueva De Campeán, Badilla, Samir De Los Caños, Entrala, Mámoles, Pedrazales, San Esteban del Molar, Valparaíso, Otero de Bodas, Gamones, Alcañices, Carbellino, Linarejos, Losacio, Ribadelago, Anta de Rioconejos, Villadepera, Montamarta, Viñas, Manzanal de los Infantes, Pedralba de la Pradería, Padornelo, Castrillo de la Guareña, Pereruela, Cerdillo, Lubián, Ferreras de Arriba, Villarino de Sanabria, San Justo, Muelas del Pan.

To the higher-level travel overview: Castile and León.