Why This Lesser-Known Medieval City In Spain Is Skyrocketing In Popularity

One of the world’s most visited destinations, Spain may be best known for its Mediterranean flair, vibrant coastal cities—hola, Barcelona—and sun-soaked islands like Mallorca, where tourists flock year-round, much to the dismay of locals.

But venture off the beaten path a little, and you’ll find a number of hidden spots that are still untouched by mass tourism.

Here at Travel Off Path, we’ve already spotted a number of northern Spanish cities often bypassed by tourists, from Bilbao, now connected to Newark by direct flights, to A Coruña, a Roman-era port straddling the Atlantic—but it doesn’t end there.

Given our love for lesser-known destinations, it’s high time we introduced you to Pontevedra, a medieval gem gaining traction lately, before it’s too popular:

One Of Spain’s Last True Hidden Spots

Galicia is already a pretty offbeat destination for first-time visitors to Spain. Occupying the northwestern end of the Iberian Peninsula, and boasting lush landscapes and an epic coastline, it primarily attracts nature enthusiasts and devoted pilgrims, too.

Ever heard of the Way of St. James?

Beyond the scenic hiking paths and the religious importance of Santiago de Compostela, however, there’s a host of culturally loaded destinations most tourists have been sleeping on.

Small, but mighty, this compact riverside settlement has seen a significant 18% rise in tourism recently compared to the preceding year. An estimated 33% of visitors hail from abroad, signifying a majority of visitors originate from the domestic market.

It’s no wonder Pontevedra remains one of the most authentically Spanish cities out there:

An Intact Medieval Center

A well-preserved medieval city, it is home to the second most historically significant historic center in Galicia after Santiago:

Locally known as Casco Antiguo, it is a maze of cobble-paved lanes lined with centuries-old stone houses, distinguished by their wooden covered balconies. These lead to picturesque plazas, flanked by heritage buildings and cozy cafés, and leafy courtyards.

Better even, practically zero crowds, and no angry locals brandishing ‘Go Home!’ picket signs!

The ensemble of medieval squares is Pontevedra’s main attraction, particularly Plaza de la Verdura, of rectangular shape, with tapas bars and boutique shops under arcades, and Plaza de la Leña, best known for its stone cross right in the middle, and the traditional Galician houses (the famous pazos) that ring it.

Among Pontevedra’s countless medieval landmarks, you’ll also find the ornate Basílica de Santa María la Mayor, featuring a richly sculpted portal, Ruínas de Santo Domingo, the remains of a once-imposing Gothic convent, and Casa das Campás, a medieval house built in the 15th century.

A Foodie’s Paradise

Gorgeous as the architecture around the Old Town may be, it’s not a Spanish getaway until you’ve sampled the local food.

Galician seafood is one of the absolute best in Spain, owing it to the region’s long-documented maritime heritage and fishing culture, so if you’re keen on trying some of the local pulpo a la gallega (Galician-style octopus), you’ll want to make sure Casa Fidel O’Pulpeiro is on your list.

A laid-back eatery in the heart of the historic center, near the Municipal Market (a short walk from Plaza de la Verdura), it has tapas from as cheap as $5.50, and main dishes from $11.

Craving croquetas and Spanish tortillas instead? El Pitillo is a local-frequented, affordable restaurant serving bite-sized delicacies for under $10 up Rúa Alta, only a few steps from the medieval Plaza da Leña.

For homecooked dishes—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 pick between a starter and a main, or a main and a dessert, plus a soft drink.

Beautiful Beaches A Short 15-Minute Drive Away

Pontevedra isn’t exactly on the coast, lining the winding Lérez River some 2 miles inland from the Atlantic shoreline, but it’s located a short driving distance from numerous beaches.

Now, before you pack your beach attire, you should know this is not the Mediterranean: though Pontevedra gets relatively warm in the summer months, it has a mild North Atlantic climate, and the occasional rainfall is expected, especially going 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 said, Playa de Portocelo a 15-minute drive from the city offers calm, shallow waters, golden sands, and plenty of snack bars for when you get the munchies.

A more secluded spot, Playa de Lapamán is a slightly-farther 20 minutes away, and a scenic cove bathed by turquoise seas, whereas Playa de Areas, near the sleepy coastal town of Sanxenxo (a half-hour drive from Pontevedra) has a wide, Blue Flag beach and a wide range of amenities.

Where To Stay In Portevedra

Looking for an inexpensive accommodation in the center of Pontevedra, within walking distance of all the main spots? Hotel Virgen del Camino Pontevedra is a 3-star listing that will set you back $98 as a traveling couple, or $49 per adult.

Most hotels in the city center are within that range.

A bit farther out of the center, yet easily-reached by public transport, San Pedro is a privately-managed guesthouse costing cheaper to book, with overnight rates starting from $69 for 2 adults (or $34.50 each).

Last but not least, if you’re a pilgrim traveling on the Portuguese route of the Way of St. James, which typically starts in the Portuguese city of Porto, you can even stay for as little as $11.17 at the Virgen Peregrina Hostel, managed by the local council.

A pilgrim-exclusive hostel, it has up to 86 beds in the high-season, and in order to check in you’ll need a Pilgrim Credential (easily obtained at the starting point of the route in Porto).

On the other hand, you can’t book a bed in advance. It’s first-come, first-served.

If you’re heading to Spain this fall as a U.S. passport holder, make sure you prepare well in advance by checking the Entry Requirements that apply to you here (for free!)

Vinicius Costa

Vini, our senior lead writer at Travel Off Path, has over 60+ countries under his belt (and currently weaving tales from Paris!), and a knack for turning off-the-beaten-path experiences into informative stories that will have you packing your bags.