Gothic cathedral or Fortress? You wouldn't know. Construction began as early as the 12th century,…read moreblending Romanesque and French-influenced Gothic by architect Fruchel. Truly an architectural oddity but pretty badass.

How do you even rate a church? This was one of my first stops on my day trip to Ávila and I was…read moreimpressed. I've been to the Sagrada Familia (5 stars) and cathedrals around the world, including the Basílica del Voto Nacional in Quito where you could walk a catwalk high above the sanctuary to get to stunning views on the roof (also 5 stars). The Catedral de Ávila doesn't have the gimmicky catwalk or the street cred of a world renowned church, but it does have friendly staff, an helpful audio tour, soaring ceilings, beautiful stained glass, and the amazing Altar of Kings, carved from limestone, which depicts scenes from Jesus's life--some of which I found very moving. Make sure to go through all of the open doors as they lead to various displays and a quaint chapel. I enjoyed my visit and found the artwork and historical exhibits fascinating.