Romanesque Zamora" Guided Tour with Official Guides

The Asociación Zamorana de Guías de Turismo, made up of official guides licensed by the Junta de Castilla y León, sets out every day at 11:00 from the Plaza de Viriato, in front of the statue, and in about two hours crosses the upper city to the castle. It is the most comfortable way to see Zamora if you only have one morning.

The route

The route begins at the Plaza de Viriato and goes into one of the Romanesque churches, which varies depending on which is open that day. It continues along Calle de la Rúa with the exteriors of San Ildefonso and La Magdalena, looks out over the river from the Troncoso viewpoint and goes into the Cathedral of the Saviour and its museum, with its scale-patterned dome. Then it passes the Portillo de la Lealtad, the gate in the wall linked to the story of the siege of Zamora, and ends at the castle, which is seen from outside. In case of force majeure, the guide may change the order or the itinerary.

Price and booking

It costs €12 for adults, €6 for ages 5 to 12, and free up to age 4, always with an adult; VAT is included. Admission to the cathedral and the church is paid separately, and at the cathedral the group has a reduced rate. Booking is free but compulsory, on their website or by writing to [email protected]; they also answer on 686 639 551, from 9:00 to 14:00 and from 17:00 to 19:00. You pay the guide at the start, and cancelling costs nothing.

When the group is large, they give out a radio receiver to hear the guide: bring your own headphones. The tour runs every day of the year except 25 December and 1 and 6 January; on Maundy Thursday it leaves at 10:00, and on some days there is an extra departure at 16:30, which is checked by email. The association also offers "Toro Esencial", in neighbouring Toro, and a themed route, "Zamora en femenino".

Another option

On Fridays and Saturdays, Inzatur runs "Descubre Zamora" at 11:15 from the Plaza de la Catedral, with the cathedral and the castle inside, for €15.

Before or after

If afterwards you want to go into more churches, the Romanesque Mile pass opens them all for €6. The castle is free and open in the morning, so you can go in when the tour ends. Next to the Plaza de Viriato is the Ethnographic Museum, and for the afternoon, the walk along the Duero to the Stone Bridge.