The Duero on Foot: Stone Bridge, Olivares Mills and the Olivares District

Go down from the old town by the Cuesta de Balborraz or by Calle de San Cipriano and follow the Duero. From the bank you have the best view of the cathedral and the castle, and the riverside walk, flat, takes an hour at an easy pace.

The Stone Bridge

The Stone Bridge was finished in the early 13th century and crosses one of the widest stretches of the Duero with sixteen pointed arches. For centuries it was the only crossing of the river at Zamora: it joined the suburbs on the other bank with the centre, and travellers, goods and transhumant flocks of the Vía de la Plata passed over it. It had two great defensive towers, one at each end, battlements and a chapel dedicated to the Virgen de la Guía, patron saint of travellers, whose image is today in the church of the Santo Sepulcro. The towers, the battlements and the chapel were removed in the early 20th century to let cars through. Today it is pedestrianised.

Cross it to the other bank and turn round: from the south bank you see the whole city on its rock, with the cathedral's lantern tower on top.

The Olivares mills

Downstream, below the cathedral and the Olivares district, are the aceñas, the medieval flour mills on the river. They reopened as the Interpretation Centre of Traditional Water Industries, with a mill, a fulling mill and a trip hammer rebuilt with traditional materials and techniques, and explain the river's role as a productive force before industrialisation. In 2026 the town council restored their wheels, axles and sluice gates, which are moved by hand.

Note: the official listing gives them as closed until further notice in 2026, and even when they open, they can close at any moment if the river rises. Admission is free when they are working. Before going, call the Municipal Tourist Office, on 980 533 694, or the centre, on 980 534 908. Even if they are closed, they can be seen from the bank.

With a guide

The guided route "Zamora medieval" passes here on Saturdays at 16:30 in winter. If you prefer a full visit to the upper city, the Romanesque Zamora guided tour leaves every day at 11:00.

What to combine

Afterwards climb the slope towards the cathedral and the castle, or visit the churches of the Romanesque Mile, such as San Cipriano, on the edge of the old town above the river. The walk is free and can be done at any hour.