The best cycling routes around Almeida

The Alcázar Gate in Ciudad Rodrigo is one of the historic entrances to the city walls and has great heritage and scenic value. It was opened in 1507 by Antonio del Águila, warden of the Alcázar, when he built the defensive barrier in that area. It is located next to the Castle of Henry II of Trastámara, in the section of the wall facing the Águeda River, known as the Battery, due to the cannons that were once installed there.

It's well worth a visit: it combines history, architecture, and excellent cuisine. It's a beautifully preserved walled city with cobblestone streets and a charming old town. Perfect for exploring on foot in one day, although if you want to enjoy it at a more leisurely pace and explore the surrounding area, two days are ideal.

Ciudad Rodrigo is one of the most beautiful towns in Spain, located in the province of Salamanca, very close to the Portuguese border. Declared a Historic-Artistic Site in 1944, it stands out for its impressive heritage, its history linked to battles between Castile and Portugal, and its welcoming atmosphere. It's ideal for a cultural and gastronomic getaway.

Castelo Rodrigo holds millennia of history, from Paleolithic and Roman remains to the Muslim presence in the castle. Conquered and reconquered between the 12th and 13th centuries, it became a town and municipality under King Alfonso IX of León and passed definitively to Portugal in 1297, when King Dinis rebuilt and repopulated the castle. Marked by wars, charters, and restorations, it welcomed pilgrims on their way to Santiago and remains today one of the twelve Historic Villages of Portugal.

At the entrance to Castelo Rodrigo, the Monastery of Santa Maria de Aguiar rises among chestnut trees, founded in 1174 by King Afonso Henriques and handed over to the Cistercian Order. From the sober church to the monks' quarters and the guesthouse loggia with its 1704 coat of arms, everything testifies to centuries of faith and hospitality for pilgrims to Santiago. Despite the damage caused by the French invasions and its abandonment in 1834, the monastery's former beauty remains intact.

Malpartida stands serenely on the border plain, preserving in its main church, with its romantic bell tower, the most visible trace of its memory. But the past here goes far beyond the stones: from the cave tombs of the Nave de Mouros to the ancient watchtower of the Restoration, from the echoes of the Castilian sack of 1762 to the fierce battle against the French in 1808. Even generals left their mark; Ney established his headquarters here, and Brenier boldly escaped the siege of Almeida. Malpartida is, therefore, a land where every stone tells of battles, losses, and exploits.

Almeida stands on the plateau like a table set for history: "Al-Mêda" was the name given to it by the Arabs. Previously, it had been a Lusitanian, Roman, and then Christian fort, conquered in 1190 and definitively Portuguese in 1297. Around the medieval castle grew the town, still marked by the Puerta do Sol. After the Restoration, the town transformed into a veritable war machine: the six-pointed star-shaped fortress, with bastions, ravelins, and underground galleries that served as both shelter and prison. It was the scene of decisive battles, devastated by the explosion of 1810 and contested in the liberal wars, always rising from the ruins.

Castelo Rodrigo is a village with a medieval soul, where time has left its deep marks: walls, stone streets and remains of an ancient community of New Christians. Surrounded by magnificent landscapes, from the Douro International Natural Park to the Côa Valley, passing through the Serra da Marofa and the Faia Brava Reserve, this village is an invitation to contemplation and to taste. Here, history is served at the table: Marofa lamb, octopus in migas or rice are flavors that count as much as the books.