One of the world’s most visited locations, Spain may be best understood for its Mediterranean flair, lively seaside cities– hola, Barcelona– and sun-soaked islands like Mallorca, where travelers flock year-round, much to the dismay of residents.
But endeavor off the beaten course a little, and you’ll discover a variety of hidden spots that are still untouched by mass tourist.
Here at Travel Off Path, we have actually currently spotted a number of northern Spanish cities typically bypassed by travelers, from Bilbao, now connected to Newark by direct flights, to A Coruña, a Roman-era port straddling the Atlantic– however it does not end there.
Offered our love for lesser-known locations, it’s due time we presented you to Pontevedra, a medieval gem gaining traction recently, before it’s too popular:
Among Spain’s Last True Surprise Areas
Galicia is already a pretty unique location for first-time visitors to Spain. Occupying the northwestern end of the Iberian Peninsula, and boasting lavish landscapes and an
impressive shoreline, it mostly brings in nature lovers and devoted pilgrims, too. Ever become aware of the Method of St. James?
Beyond the scenic treking paths and the religious importance of Santiago de Compostela, nevertheless, there’s a host of culturally packed locations most tourists have actually been sleeping on.
Little, however mighty, this compact riverside settlement has actually seen a considerable 18% increase in tourist recently compared to the preceding year. An estimated 33% of visitors hail from abroad, symbolizing a bulk of visitors stem from the domestic market.
It’s not surprising that Pontevedra remains one of the most authentically Spanish cities out there:
An Intact Medieval Center
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An unspoiled middle ages city, it is home to the 2nd most historically considerable historical center in Galicia after Santiago: In your area referred to as Casco Antiguo, it is a maze of cobble-paved lanes lined with centuries-old stone houses, identified by their wooden covered terraces. These result in attractive plazas, flanked by heritage buildings and comfortable cafés, and leafy courtyards.
Much better even, virtually absolutely no crowds, and no angry residents displaying ‘Go Home!’ picket signs!
The ensemble of middle ages squares is Pontevedra’s main attraction, particularly Plaza de la Verdura, of rectangle-shaped shape, with tapas bars and boutique stores under arcades, and Plaza de la Leña, best known for its stone cross right in the middle, and the traditional Galician homes (the well-known pazos) that ring it.
Among Pontevedra’s numerous medieval landmarks, you’ll likewise find the elaborate Basílica de Santa María la Mayor, including a richly toned portal, Ruínas de Santo Domingo, the remains of a once-imposing Gothic convent, and Casa das Campás, a medieval home built in the 15th century.
A Food lover’s Paradise
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Beautiful as the architecture around the Old Town may be, it’s not a Spanish vacation up until you’ve sampled the local food. Galician seafood is among the absolute best in Spain, owing it to the area’s long-documented maritime heritage and fishing culture, so if you like attempting some of the regional pulpo a la gallega (Galician-style octopus), you’ll wish to ensure Casa Fidel O’Pulpeiro is on your list.
An easygoing restaurant in the heart of the historical center, near the Community Market (a short walk from Plaza de la Verdura), it has tapas from as cheap as $5.50, and main dishes from $11.
Yearning croquetas and Spanish tortillas rather? El Pitillo is a local-frequented, cost effective dining establishment serving bite-sized delicacies for under $10 up Rúa Alta, just a couple of steps from the medieval Plaza da Leña.
For homecooked meals– we’re talking broth, Galician stew, and grilled dish– Restaurante Novo Soto, near Calle da Virxe do Camiño, has menus del día starting from around $13, and you can usually choose between a starter and a primary, or a primary and a dessert, plus a soft drink.
Lovely Beaches A Brief 15-Minute Repel
Pontevedra isn’t exactly on the
coast, lining the winding Lérez River some 2 miles inland from the Atlantic coastline, however it’s located a short driving distance from various beaches. Now, before you load your beach attire, you ought to understand this is not the Mediterranean: though Pontevedra gets fairly warm in the summertime, it has a moderate North Atlantic climate, and the occasional rainfall is anticipated, especially entering into the fall period.
Additionally, the seas here are a lot colder than the Mediterranean, so keep that in mind before jumping right in. That being stated, Playa de Portocelo a 15-minute drive from the city offers calm, shallow waters, golden sands, and plenty of sandwich shop for when you get the munchies.
A more remote area, Playa de Lapamán is a slightly-farther 20 minutes away, and a picturesque cove bathed by turquoise seas, whereas Playa de Areas, near the drowsy coastal town of Sanxenxo (a half-hour drive from Pontevedra) has a large, Blue Flag beach and a wide variety of amenities.
Where To Remain in Portevedra
< img width="800"height="800"src="https://www.traveloffpath.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/Medieval-Castle-In-Pontevedra-Spain.jpg.webp"alt ="Middle ages Castle In Pontevedra, Spain"/ > Searching for a low-cost lodging in the center of Pontevedra, within strolling distance of all the main spots? Hotel Virgen del Camino Pontevedra is a 3-star listing that will set you back $98 as a taking a trip couple, or $49 per grownup.
Many hotels in the city center are within that range.
A bit farther out of the center, yet easily-reached by public transportation, San Pedro is a privately-managed guesthouse costing cheaper to book, with overnight rates beginning with $69 for 2 adults (or $34.50 each).
Last but not least, if you’re a pilgrim traveling on the Portuguese path of the Way of St. James, which typically begins in the Portuguese city of Porto, you can even stay for as low as $11.17 at the Virgen Peregrina Hostel, managed by the regional council.
A pilgrim-exclusive hostel, it has up to 86 beds in the high-season, and in order to check in you’ll require a Pilgrim Credential (quickly obtained at the starting point of the path in Porto).
On the other hand, you can’t reserve a bed ahead of time. It’s first-come, first-served.
If you’re heading to Spain this fall as a U.S. passport holder, make certain you prepare well beforehand by examining the Entry Requirements that use to you here (totally free!)
< img alt=""src ="https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/670a9f78091c16bd874672b1cb939f4e22e64fe6c391eb68b0f897b10dbfd49e?s=96&d=mm&r=g"height ="96" width="96"/ > Vinicius Costa Vini, our senior lead writer at Travel Off Course, has more than 60+ countries under his belt (and presently weaving tales from Paris!), and a flair for turning off-the-beaten-path experiences into informative stories that will have you loading your bags.
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