Pontevedra - Pontevedra

Pontevedra is a city and the capital of the province of Pontevedra and the Rías Baixas region.

To know

The city of Pontevedra is an international urban planning model thanks to its pedestrianization. It is known as the city where pedestrians are kings and has received many international awards such as the UN Habitat Award in Dubai in 2014, the Intermodes Award in Brussels in 2013 or the Active Design Center in New York in 2015. The city is an important point on the Portuguese pilgrimage route to Santiago.

How to orient yourself

• The entire historical center is considered the best of the Galicia with that of Santiago de Compostela.
• Plaza de la Leña - Famous square that can be seen in many brochures. Across the street is the Provincial Museum of Pontevedra.
• Plaza de Teucer - Surrounded by majestic old Galician buildings with large coats of arms.
• Plaza de la Herrería - The center of the social life of the historic center.
• Plaza de Méndez Núñez - Where there are several old Galician palaces with coats of arms and the statue of Valle-Inclán.
• Plaza de A Pedreira - With the Baroque Mugartegui Palace in its center.
• Plaza de las Cinco Calles - With an emblematic decorated Baroque Calvary in the center.
• Plaza de Santa María - With the basilica in the background.
• Plaza de España - Large pedestrian area next to the architect Sesmero Park and Gran Vía de Montero Ríos with its impressive 19th century official buildings
• Plaza de Abastos - Seat of the municipal market.
• Promenade - Overlooking the island of Tambo.
• Central area and old city - Entirely pedestrianized.

How to get

The city is well served by motorways, roads, trains or buses.

By plane

The most important and closest international airports to the city are:

• 42.896333-8.4151451 Santiago de Compostela airport (IATA: SCQ) (12 km east of Santiago de Compostela).  
• 41.235556-8.6780562 Porto airport (Francisco Sá Carneiro Airport, IATA: OPO) (TO Port).  

By car

There are several highways and roads that connect Pontevedra with other Spanish cities.

On boat

The city has a marina and an important port 6 kilometers away, located in Marín.

On the train

Pontevedra has a railway station that connects it with the other cities of the Galicia and of Spain.

By bus

Eurolines connects Pontevedra with many Spanish and Italian cities. However, the travel times are long. The city is very well connected with other Spanish cities.

How to get around

The city is 50% pedestrianized, so walking and cycling is a real pleasure.

What see

• Church of the Madonna Pelegrina, Plaza de la Peregrina. Baroque circular church, with a curious plant in the shape of a scallop, symbol of pilgrims. It contrasts its small interior, collected and well preserved, with the height of its two bell towers. 
• Basilica of Santa María La Mayor. Gothic-Renaissance, with a Plateresque facade like a large stone altarpiece. 
• Gothic church and convent of San Francisco. Large Galician Gothic style church. 
• Baroque church of San Bartolomé. With facade with large columns in the Italian Baroque style. 
• Ruins of Santo Domingo. The best example of pure Gothic in Galicia. 
• Gothic convent of Santa Clara. In one of the entrances to the ancient city walls. 
• Sanctuary of the Apparitions, Via Sor Lucía. Located in the historic center of the city, it is a place of pilgrimage and Catholic worship where Sister Lucia, shepherd and seer of Fatima lived, and where religiosity had received the apparitions of the Madonna and Child Jesus. 
• Pontevedra Museum. One of the best provincial museums in Spain. Vast and very representative collection of Castelao, politician, painter and writer who laid the foundations of Galician nationalism. 
• Palmeras Park. 
• Isla de las Esculturas Park. 

What to do

Shopping

• Municipal market (Located in the monumental area). It is an authentic sight to see fresh fish and seafood, even if you don't buy anything. For all those who love to cook it is a highly recommended visit. On the first floor there is a large gastronomic area with numerous restaurants dedicated to Galician and international cuisine. 

How to have fun

Where to eat

The city has many restaurants and tapas bars.

Moderate prices

• Santa Clara. Traditional Spanish and Galician cuisine. 
• Carabela (In the city center). A traditional coffee. Waiters in uniform white jacket, golden buttons and red collar. Inside, there is an excellent view of the Plaza de la Herrería. 
• Crepeo. Creperie. 
• Cre-Cotte. Creperie. 

Average prices

• Eirado da Leña, Plaza de la Leña. To eat you have to book, because the dining room is small and very crowded. Traditional Galician cuisine, fish, octopus. Cooking with a touch of craftsmanship. Comfortable dining room overlooking the square. Good value for money. There are tapas on the terrace, at a moderate price. 
• Loaira, Plaza de la Leña. Traditional cuisine. 
• The small. Voted best Italian restaurant abroad. 

High prices

• Alameda. Extensive wine list, dishes prepared with affection and a point of innovation, but without pride. Price around € 40 per person. You will be satisfied. 
• Ultramar by Pepe Vieira. International cuisine and the latest trends. 
• Román, Avda. Augusto García Sánchez. 
• Solla New kitchen (4 kilometers from Pontevedra towards Sanxenxo). Cook: Pepe Solla, a famous chef, has a Michelin star, so the prices are high, even if they are fair. Magnificent location and view. Parking area. 

Where stay

Moderate prices

• Avenida hotel. 
• Boa Vila hotels. 
• Hotel Rúas. 

Average prices

• Virgen del Camino hotel. 
• Hotel Apartments Dabarca. 
• Rías Bajas hotels. 

High prices

• Galicia Palace Hotel. 
• Hotel Parador Casa del Baron. 

Safety

Pontevedra is a safe city.

The city is the seat of the Provincial Commissariat of the province of Pontevedra and the provincial seat of the Guardia Civil (Carabinieri).

How to keep in touch

Around

The city is located in the center of the Rías Bajas and the Ría de Pontevedra, the most popular tourist destination in the Galicia. In its surroundings there are many seaside, beach and mountain destinations:

• Sanxenxo
• Bueu
• El Grove
• La Toja
• Combarro
• Petroglyphs of Campo Lameiro and Mogor (in Marín)
• Soutomaior Castle
• Castiñeiras Lake

Other projects

• Wikipedia contains an entry concerning Pontevedra
• Commons contains images or other files on Pontevedra

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