Location: Pontevedra
Top Things to do in Pontevedra
The 10 Best Things to Do in Pontevedra, Spain
Pontevedra (Galician: [ˌponteˈβɛðɾa], Spanish: [ponteˈβeðɾa]) is a Spanish city in the northwest of the Iberian Peninsula. It is the capital of both the Comarca (County) and Province of Pontevedra, and of the Rias Baixas in Galicia. It is also the capital of its own municipality which is, in fact, often considered as an extension of the actual city. Pontevedra is the provincial district court seat.
Restaurants in Pontevedra
1. Casco antiguo de Pontevedra
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 863 reviews
Reviewed By Leena S - Turku, Finland
We got a map from our hotel that included a guided walk in the old city. We did that and it is something that we recommend that you do if you visit this city. The walk was about 2 hours and gave us a perfect picture of this medieval part of Pontevedra.
2. Plaza de la Lena
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 238 reviews
Reviewed By backpacker31 - Boynton Beach, Florida
Intimate praza/square full of lovely granite arcades that surround an antique central stone cruceiro (cross). There are several cafes and a hotel that line the square. In the evening (after 7pm) the square gets lively with people sitting outside having drinks and meals. There is also an excellent museum here - Museo de Pontvedra.
3. Basilica of Santa Maria
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 222 reviews
Reviewed By areview28 - Silver Spring, Maryland
The Basilica is just a short walk from the Plaza Espana parking garage. The altar is lovely and not too elaborate. Although you enter by the side go out the front entrance to see some wonderful stone carving at the entrance. Definitely worth the visit.
4. Iglesia de la Virgen Peregrina
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 497 reviews
5. Museo de Pontevedra
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 144 reviews
This is the main museum in the city of Pontevedra. Located in the heart of the Old Town it displays the golden celtic treasure of Caldas de Reis as well as the ship chamber of Mendez Nunez. A must see in Pontevedra. Travel guides available in Spanish, Portuguese, French, German and English.
Reviewed By backpacker31 - Boynton Beach, Florida
This provincial museum is a series of buildings, some dating back to medieval times. The main, and newest building (c. 2003) is a multi-story glass structure that houses a comprehensive collection of Spanish artwork (19th-20th centuries) as well as Galician art from the 14th century to the present. A separate collection houses works from Alfonso Daniel Rodriguez Castelao, Galician politician, writer, painter and doctor. Some of the interior corridors between exhibits offer access to outside terraces where incredible views overlooking the historic city center can be had. Prepare to spend several hours as there is simply so much to see.
6. Convent of San Francisco
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 94 reviews
Reviewed By backpacker31 - Boynton Beach, Florida
Occupying a large swath of real estate in Praza da Ferreria (square) adjacent to Santuario da Peregrina, this imposing 14th century church and attached convent is indeed imposing. Massive and heavily weathered granite blocks make up the majority of the structure that overlooks a spacious plaza. Several wide flights of stone steps lead to/from the convent/church and the peaceful Gardens and lawn below. Inside the austere chapel are several tombs as well as paintings that date back to the 16ht-18th centuries.
7. Plaza de la Verdura
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 58 reviews
Reviewed By Colin D
This is the square in Pontevedra with the greatest buzz, featuring several good tapas bars and the lovely Hotel Rúas in one corner. It's also the location of the tourist office which deals with the city, as opposed to the region and the Rías Baixas zone. The hotel does an excellent Menú del Día, if you want more than tapas. Great atmosphere, until the very early hours of the morning. But, as elsewhere in the city, plagued by itinerant beggars. And bloody pigeons that some people are dumb enough to feed.
8. Pazo de Oca
Overall Ratings
4 based on 149 reviews
Those who have written about this architectural monument of stone and plants-dubbed the "Generalife of the North" and "Galician Versailles"-found they needed to compare it to universally known monuments in order to express both the singularity and significance of what is the best preserved of the Galician country estates. Although seemingly exaggerated, the comparison aptly conveys the fact that, although it was built very far from the Court, its design was based on courtly baroque Gardens.
Reviewed By Salme G G - Melbourne, Australia
The Pazo (palace) de Oca consists solely of the Gardens, which were really beautiful and tranquil. It's about 30mins drive from the city of Santiago de Compostela. If you don't have a car you can take the bus - Castromil Monbus from Santiago de Compostela. The stop is Balboa, and you will need to walk about a kilometre from where the bus leaves you on the highway to the palace - there are signs to point the way. There were not many places to buy food, but if you bring your own you cannot take it into the Gardens. It took us about 1.5 hours to fully explore the grounds, and if we had have rushed through we wouldn't have come across some of the orchards or tucked away areas - one included animal sculpted hedges. I definitely recommend this to anyone wanting to escape the cities, it was fun and refreshing.
9. Plaza de la Herreria
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 61 reviews
Reviewed By backpacker31 - Boynton Beach, Florida
One of the largest squares/plazas in Pontevedra. Situated across from Convento de San Francisco and adjacent Gardens. The open plaza is surrounded by numerous bars, cafes and restaurants, many of which have outdoor Seating. There are plenty of park-type benches that surround the plaza which are great to people watch or enjoy a takeaway snack. The traditional stone buildings and colonnaded archways that encompass the plaza are quite beautiful.
10. Ruinas de santo Domingo
Overall Ratings
4 based on 93 reviews
Reviewed By backpacker31 - Boynton Beach, Florida
Located in a busy square, adjacent to a large park (Alameda), these church ruins seem somewhat neglected. There are a few empty tombs lying within the ruins and the skeletal remains of the structure give some impression as to the size and grandeur of what once was. However, today all is seemingly forgotten. Sad.
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