Things to do in Zamora Spain

One of the star cities of Castile-León and a destination with great heritage, Zamora will surprise you from the very first moment you visit. As one of the best examples of Romanesque architecture on the peninsula, discover all the things to do in Zamora, Spain. The town is like a work of art, which combines perfectly with its traditional cuisine and beautiful landscapes.

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Things to do in Zamora Spain

Plaza Mayor

Located in the heart of the old town is the Plaza Mayor of Zamora. In this beautiful square we can highlight several buildings of great importance to the city. The first of these is the Old Town Hall built in 1493 and then rebuilt in the Plateresque style at the beginning of the 17th century.

The new town hall, which has served as the town hall since 1950, is located directly opposite the square. The Merlú Monument is another of the square’s key points. It is a statue from 1996 in homage to the Easter Week processions. Finally, the Church of San Juan, with its characteristic rose window, is one of the most iconic churches in Zamora. A walk around this square is one of the essential things to do in Zamora Spain.

Ramos Carrión Street

Calle de Ramos de Carrión is another place you cannot miss on your trip to Zamora, as it connects Zamora Castle to the Plaza Mayor. However, on this street you can find some of the most special corners of the city, such as the Church of Santa María la Nueva, built in 1158. You can also walk down to the Plaza de Viriato, where you will find the statue of the hero. Also, crossing Ramos de Carrión you can visit one of the oldest churches in the city, the Romanesque church of San Cipriano.

Zamora Cathedral

The Cathedral of Zamora is the most iconic monument to see in Zamora. The Romanesque style is severe yet harmonious, and is one of the most beautiful 12th century buildings. Its construction began in 1151 and twenty-three years later it was consecrated.

It has a Latin cross plan with three naves, the lateral ones with a groined vault and the transept arms with a pointed barrel vault, the central one with a simple transept. The Cathedral still has one of the three original Romanesque doors, the south-facing Bishop’s door, which has one of the best examples of Romanesque sculpture.

The Castle and Walls of Zamora Spain

Just behind the cathedral is Zamora Castle, or what little remains of it. The date of construction of the original castle is not known for certain, but it is thought to have been built in the time of Fernando I of León, in the 11th century. In any case, little remains from that period. Today, in fact, only three small restored towers, a section of the wall, part of the moat and the ruins of the parade ground remain.

The Stone Bridge

This is one of the five bridges that cross the Duero River as it passes through Zamora, Spain. For centuries it was the only river crossing in the city, connecting the suburbs with the historic centre of the city. As it formed part of the Silver Route, it was an important crossing point on the Duero River for people, goods and nomadic herds. It was completed at the beginning of the 13th century and later renovated. It is one of the symbols of the city.

Arribes del Duero Natural Park

The Arribes del Duero Nature Reserve is the most beautiful natural spot in the province. The Arribes are deep canyons of metamorphic rocks that reach up to 200 metres in height.

The river waters of the Duero have sculpted this landscape that extends over an area of more than 100,000 hectares, covering 37 municipalities in the provinces of Zamora and Salamanca. If you are a nature lover, this is one of the best things to do in Zamora; there are so many activities waiting for you at Arribes del Duero Natural Park.

Travel Tip: To organize your trip we recommend using Passporter totally free. You can be inspired by the experiences of other travelers, choose the places that interest you most, create the travel route with a geolocated map, upload all important documents such as reservations and invite your friends so that everyone can participate in the organization of the trip.

Things to do in and around Zamora Spain

Zamora is surrounded by amazing landscapes that are well worth visiting during your trip to this part of Spain.

Sanabria Lake National Park

Lake Sanabria, 1.5 km wide and 3 km long, is the largest natural lake in Spain and one of the largest in Europe. Created some 100,000 years ago by a huge glacier, it reaches a maximum depth of 53 metres. Today it is one of the favourite places for holidaymakers from Zamora, who occupy its wild beaches of sand and stone and various trees. In the summer heat, its icy waters are unbeatable.

Puebla de Sanabria

If the lake and its surroundings are one of the main scenic attractions in Zamora, Puebla de Sanabria has the honour of being one of the most beautiful villages in Spain. It is about 110 km north west of Zamora. Its strategic location next to the border with Portugal gave it great importance in the Middle Ages, being a fortified and walled town.

Puebla de Sanabria gained great political, ecclesiastical and military power, which led to the construction of architecturally important monuments. Thus, in 1994, the town was declared an Asset of Cultural Interest. A weekend getaway to the monumental Puebla de Sanabria is one of the best things to do in Zamora Spain.

Things to do in Zamora in one day?

With a day in Zamora you will be able to get to know the essence of this city and visit its most characteristic places without rushing. Here is a one-day itinerary through the city of Zamora, Spain.

Day 1:

• Plaza Mayor 
• Calle de Ramos Carrión 
• Zamora Cathedral
• Zamora Castle and Walls
• The Stone Bridge
• Arribes del Duero nAtural Park

Things to do in Zamora in two days?

With two days in Zamora you can discover the surroundings and rural areas of this beautiful city in Castile-León. We recommend visiting the uniquely beautiful area of Lake Sanabria. On your second day you can visit:

• Sanabria Lake National Park
• Puebla de Sanabria

To find out all the things to do near Zamora you can read our post: Things to do in Castilla y León Spain.

How to organise what to see in Zamora?

You can use this post as a reference and combine it with the suggestions on the Passporter website. There you will find a wide variety of ideas and inspiration on things to do in Zamora.

• Get inspiration from the experiences of other travellers.
• Create your own itinerary and add the app’s suggestions to it.
• Add the spots you are most interested in, as well as the restaurants and bars where you want to eat (you can use the points of interest listed in this post as a reference).
• Organise your itinerary by days and according to their location (you can take inspiration from the routes presented in the post).
• Check the travel budget that the app calculates for you based on your travel stops, restaurants, and leisure activities.
• Make the necessary modifications and you are ready for your trip.
• Share your experience. Upload photos of each of the places you have visited to the app to inspire other users.

If you have any doubts, you can read our post: How to create your travel itinerary with Passporter.

Frequently asked questions about a trip to Zamora