LOTUS EATERS TRAVEL

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A SHORT GUIDE TO VISITING PONTEVEDRA, GALICIA.

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My most recent visit to this great Galician city, marked my fourth time here. And I was reminded just how much I enjoy being in Pontevedra.

It’s not a city that is on every tourist’s radar – which is one reason that I love it. Another, is that every time I have explored this city, it seems to show me something new. Each time I’ve entered the city, the weather and atmosphere has been vastly different – and each time, I feel I see a different side to the place.

I’ve created this blog as a short guide to anyone visiting Pontevedra as a tourist. But in particular, for anyone walking the Camino de Santiago who has a day to spend and wants to see as much as possible (but without walking too far!)

Each time I have come to Pontevedra, it has been on foot. Staying for different lengths of time on every visit – because, by the way, this is an excellent place to stay for a rest day!

Below you can find 14 of my favourite things to do in the city.

Is Pontevedra worth visiting?

Absolutely. In fact, after four visits, I’d say it’s one of those cities that deserves a little more attention than it often receives.

What I love about Pontevedra is that it manages to offer so much without feeling overwhelming. There’s a beautiful historic centre, impressive architecture, a fantastic food scene, museums and plenty of independent shops. And, if you have more time, you’re perfectly placed to explore the surrounding Rías Baixas.

It’s also a particularly good city for anyone walking the Camino Portuguese. You can see a lot without having to walk enormous distances, and there’s enough to do to fill a proper rest day without feeling as though you need to rush around.

But perhaps the biggest reason I’d recommend it is that Pontevedra is a city I enjoy simply being in. I like wandering around its squares, stopping for food, looking at the buildings and discovering another little corner I hadn’t noticed before.

14 great things to do in Pontevedra

Here are 14 of my favourite things to do in Pontevedra when I visit.

1/ Explore the old town

If there’s one thing I recommend doing in Pontevedra, it’s simply wandering around the old town.

Pontevedra has one of the best-preserved historic centres in Galicia, and it was declared a Historic-Artistic Site in 1951. There are narrow streets, traditional stone buildings, little squares, ornate balconies and beautiful old houses.

One of the things I particularly enjoy about Pontevedra is that the historic centre doesn’t feel as though it’s been preserved solely for tourists. It feels like a place where people genuinely live, work, meet friends and go about their everyday lives.

Look out for the traditional pazos, or Galician manor houses, as you wander. Many have beautiful stone facades and architectural details that hint at the city’s historic importance.

2/ Visit the Sanctuary of the Pilgrim

You can’t visit Pontevedra without seeing the Sanctuary of the Pilgrim Virgin, known locally as the Santuario de la Virgen Peregrina.

This is one of the city’s most recognisable buildings and an especially important place for anyone walking the Camino Portuguese. The Virgin of the Pilgrim is the patron saint of the Portuguese Way to Santiago, so there’s a lovely connection between the church and the thousands of pilgrims who pass through Pontevedra every year.

What makes the sanctuary so distinctive is the connection to the scallop shell, via the floor plan. There are also religious figures on the outside of the building, all wearing items of pilgrim clothing.

The sanctuary dates from the late 18th century. It is open every day from 08:00 to 21:30.

Even if you’re not particularly interested in religious architecture, I think this is a place worth visiting for its significance to the city and to the Camino.

3/ Spend time at the Pontevedra Museum

On my most recent visit to the city, it was the Museo de Pontevedra (found here) that I saw afresh. This museum is so vast that we needed at least 2 hours to see everything. That said, it is free to enter, so if you can’t dedicate that long in one sitting – you can always come back.

To be honest, it’s worth visiting just to see the building alone – it really is special. Inside, there are a number of archaeological exhibits. But it was the art that really got our attention. There are rooms dedicated to Spanish art, featuring some incredibly famous artists – like Dali and Picasso. Yes, you can see these for free!

There are also entire floors dedicated to Galician artists – which we thoroughly enjoyed. If you’re visiting whilst walking the Camino, you might see some landscapes that look familiar too.

Tip: this museum is also often called the archeological museum, but they are in the same place.

4/ Explore Pontevedra’s great plazas (or prazas)

One of my favourite things about Pontevedra is its collection of beautiful little squares. They’re scattered throughout the historic centre, some larger and well known and others more intimate.

I’d recommend looking out for at least three.

Praza da Ferraría (Plaza de la Herrería) is one of the most important squares in the city. Its name comes from the blacksmiths who once worked in the arcades here.

Next, head to Praza da Leña (Plaza de la Leña). This is one of those postcard-perfect corners of Pontevedra, with traditional stone buildings, wooden balconies and a stone cross at its centre.

Finally, find Praza do Teucro (Plaza del Teucro). This is a more stately square, surrounded by historic manor houses dating from the 17th and 18th centuries.

There are plenty of other squares to discover, too, including Praza da Pedreira and Praza da Verdura (my personal favourite for a lively drink).

5/ Join a walking tour

Although I love exploring independently, a walking tour is a great way to understand a city beyond what you can see on the surface.

Pontevedra has a fascinating history, and a local guide can help you to understand this best. This inexpensive walking tour takes you to all major points of the Medieval areas.

6/ Take a tapas crawl

If there’s one thing I associate with visiting Spain, it’s finding a little bar, ordering something delicious and then deciding that one drink and one plate simply aren’t enough. Pontevedra is an excellent city for doing exactly that.

I’d recommend trying a few different places rather than committing to one restaurant for the whole evening. Order a couple of dishes to share, see what’s on the menu, and then move on when you’re ready.

Some of my favourite spots over the years have been Kamelia Taberna (lovely seating outside), Tabula Rasa (a small place with good seafood) and Pintxo Viño (with a great view over the plaza.)

7/ Sample local wine

Pontevedra sits in the heart of the Rías Baixas, one of Galicia’s best-known wine-producing regions.

The wine to look out for is Albariño, a fresh, deliciously aromatic white wine that pairs particularly well with seafood.

I always think that trying local wine is a lovely way to get a better sense of a destination. You can order it at any bar or restaurant in the city.

If you’d like to learn a little more, you could also look into visiting a winery in the wider Rías Baixas region. This is a good option if you’re staying in Pontevedra for more than a day and want to explore beyond the city itself.

8/ Browse unique stores

Pontevedra is a lovely city for shopping, particularly if you prefer independent shops to large shopping centres.

The pedestrianised streets around the historic centre make browsing a pleasure.

One particularly interesting shop is Cestigar, a traditional basket-making business on Rua Real. It has been trading since 1975 and sells wicker baskets, decorative pieces and other handmade items.

Another historic business is A Moda de Abaixo, near Plaza de la Herrería. Established in 1896, it specialises in traditional fashion accessories, including hats, berets and umbrellas.

For a more contemporary shopping area, have a look around Rúa Michelena and Rúa de Benito Corbal. You’ll find a mix of well-known brands and a few smaller shops.

9/ Try a local bake

I couldn’t write a guide to Galicia without mentioning the food, and that includes the bakeries!

Galicia has a wonderful bread-making tradition, and Pontevedra is a great place to try some of it. You’ll find bakeries selling everything from rustic loaves to pastries, cakes and regional specialities.

One thing I’d particularly recommend trying is a Galician empanada. Although you might think about empanadas being a South American staple, they are also hugely popular in Galicia.

Fillings can include scallops, squid, tuna, pork, cod with raisins and other combinations. The pastry and filling vary from one bakery to another, too.

Empanadas also have an interesting connection to the Camino. They have long been a practical food for travellers because they’re easy to carry and can be eaten cold. So if you’re walking the route, picking one up for lunch feels particularly fitting.

I’d also recommend visiting the Mercado Municipal de Pontevedra, Pontevedra’s main food market.

10/ Sample a tasting menu

One of our favourite things to do in a new city, particularly in Galicia is to sit down for a long and slightly indulgent lunch.

For food lovers, Pontevedra has so many fantastic options. There are three Michelin star restaurants, just in the city. I’m a huge fan of seafood, so we chose to visit O Eirado, a Michelin star option with an enticing set menu. It’s on the expensive side (we dined here for a birthday treat), but was so worth it.

Another great option is Trasmallo, which despite being Michelin star, is well priced. You can get a main course for around €20, or tapas to share.

Tip: if you prefer something more lowkey, look out for one of the Menu del Dia options instead – these tend to be inexpensive and offer a hearty meal.

11/ Visit the Convent of San Francisco

The Church of San Francisco is another historic building worth visiting while exploring the centre of Pontevedra.

You’ll find it beside Plaza de la Herrería, making it easy to combine with a wander around the square and the nearby gardens.

The church dates back to the 14th century, with its chancel dating from the 15th century. It was built outside the city’s former walls and is an important example of Pontevedra’s religious architecture.

12/ See the Basilica of Santa María A Maior

The Basilica of Santa María A Maior is one of Pontevedra’s most impressive historic buildings and deserves a place on your itinerary.

Built in the 16th century at the initiative of the city’s seafarers’ guild, the basilica reflects Pontevedra’s historical importance as a maritime town.

The building combines fabulous Gothic architecture with Portuguese Manueline influences and Renaissance elements.

13/ Explore the river

The river is quite a prominent feature of the city, with four bridges crossing from one side to the other.

You can walk alongside the river, which is particularly pleasant early in the morning when the city is waking up and the lights settle on the water.

14/ Take a day trip

If you have more than a day in Pontevedra, it’s well worth exploring the surrounding Rías Baixas, with its coastal villages, beaches and beautiful estuary views. Here are a few ideas:

Combarro

Just 7km from Pontevedra by car, Combarro is a charming coastal village known for its narrow cobbled streets, traditional stone houses and hórreos – raised granaries that line the waterfront. It’s a lovely place to wander, enjoy some seafood and take in the views across the estuary. It’s also small enough to explore in a few hours.

Tip: try to avoid visiting on a weekend if you can. It get’s very busy and as it’s such a small place, it can feel crowded.

Ponte Sampaio

Around 12km from the city, Ponte Sampaio is known for its historic stone bridge over the Verdugo River. The bridge was the site of an important battle against Napoleon’s French forces in June 1809. It’s a good option if you enjoy history and exploring the surrounding countryside.

For anyone walking the Camino de Santiago, you’ll see this as you leave Pontevedra on your journey to Santiago!

You can find more ideas for exploring Galicia here.

How to get to Pontevedra

Pontevedra is located in Galicia, in north-west Spain, and is relatively easy to reach by train, bus or car.

For international visitors, the nearest airport is Vigo Airport, around 30km away. Santiago de Compostela Airport is another option, approximately 74km from Pontevedra. Depending on your flight, Porto in Portugal may also be worth considering.

From Vigo, you can travel onwards to Pontevedra by train or bus. The train journey from Vigo takes around 20 minutes on some services, although the exact journey time depends on the train you choose.

From Santiago de Compostela, there are also train and bus connections to Pontevedra. Check the current timetables before travelling, particularly if you’re arriving late in the day.

If you’re travelling around Galicia as part of a lonn the region.

For anyone walking the Camino Portuguese, of course, you’ll probably arrive on foot!

Where to stay in Pontevedra

I’d thoroughly recommend staying overnight in Pontevedra if you have the time, rather than treating it as somewhere to pass through for a few hours.

This is particularly true if you’re walking the Camino de Santiago. After several days of walking, a rest day in a city like this can be just what you need.

You can enjoy a slower morning, visit the museum, spend time in the old town, stop for a long lunch and then head out for tapas in the evening. It’s a much more relaxed way to experience the city than trying to fit everything into a couple of hours.

There are several types of accommodation available, from hotels and guesthouses to hostels, pilgrim albergues and tourist apartments.

BUDGET: Albergue GBC or Acolá Rooms.

MID-RANGE: Galicia Palace.

LUXURY: Parador de Pontevedra (if you like hotels with history), or Rias Bajas (a more modern option).

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Written by Emma

Wine Lover. Yogi. Hiker. Writer.

British travel writer and long-distance hiker, native to Kent. Emma has walked the Camino de Santiago more than ten times, completed trails across Europe from the Corfu Trail to the Fisherman’s Trail, and covered thousands of kilometres on foot. She always writes from first-hand experience. Her goal? Inspire just one person to go on their first long-distance hike.

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