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Before you go
Your trip to Pontevedra.
Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.
Pontevedra – Galicia Destination Santiago de Compostela and Galícia about 60 km from Santiago de Compostela
How to get there
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Aeroporto de Vigo (Aeropuerto de Vigo-Peinador) (VGO) Vigo · 30 km
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Estação de trem de Pontevedra (Estación de Pontevedra) 1 km
Approximate road distances. Check flights and bus schedules before you travel.
Check before you buy. The nearest airports are Vigo, about 30 km away, and Santiago, about 70 km away. Pontevedra station has trains on the Eixo Atlântico to Vigo, Santiago and A Coruña. There are buses to Galician towns. By car, take the AP-9 motorway.
How many days
One day is enough for the historic center, the Peregrina, the basilica, San Francisco, the ruins of San Domingos and part of the museum. With two days you have time for the whole museum, the Ponte do Burgo and the Ilha das Esculturas. Many people do a day trip from Vigo or Santiago by train.
When to go
From May to October it usually rains less and the squares fill with outdoor seating. In early September the Feira Franca takes place, a medieval festival in the historic center. Winter is rainy, but the arcades help.
The seasons shown are the most usual ones; nature doesn't always follow the calendar.
Do you need a car?
No. The train links Pontevedra with Vigo and Santiago, and the center—closed to traffic—is explored on foot. The station is about a 15-minute walk from the historic center.
Suggested itinerary
An order that works
Built with the places on this page. No rush: it's paced so you have time to see them.
One day in Pontevedra
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Morning
Peregrina and San Francisco
Start at the Igreja da Virgem Peregrina, in the square of the same name, and cross Praça da Ferrería to the Convento de San Francisco.
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Morning
Central squares
Walk through Praça da Leña, Praça da Verdura and Praça do Teucro, with stone houses and arcades.
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Afternoon
Museu and San Domingos
Visit the buildings of the Museu de Pontevedra and the Gothic ruins of San Domingos, with tombs and coats of arms.
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Late afternoon
Basilica and Ponte do Burgo
See the façade of the Basílica de Santa María a Maior and walk down to the Ponte do Burgo over the Lérez river.
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Evening
Tapas in the squares
Do a tapas crawl at the bars in Praça da Leña and Praça da Verdura, with pulpo, peppers and Albariño wine.
2 days in Pontevedra
Day 2
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Morning
Ilha das Esculturas
Cross to the Ilha das Esculturas on the Lérez river and walk among the outdoor works.
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Afternoon
The rest of the Museu
Return to the center for the museum buildings you missed, such as the Castelao building.
Check before you go. Opening hours and days change, and places may close for renovations, holidays or events. This itinerary is a suggestion from Cidade Turismo, not a commitment: plan yours by checking directly with each place you intend to visit.
Before you go
Frequently asked questions
Is the center of Pontevedra closed to cars?
Yes. The historic center was closed to traffic from the late 1990s and is explored on foot.
Can you do a day trip from Vigo or Santiago?
Yes, by train on the Eixo Atlântico, in under 1 hour from Santiago and about 30 minutes from Vigo, depending on the service.
Does the Camino de Santiago pass through Pontevedra?
Yes. the Caminho Português central and the Caminho da Costa pass through the city and by the Igreja da Virgem Peregrina, the patron of pilgrims.
When is the Feira Franca?
In early September, with a medieval festival in the historic center.
What language is spoken in Pontevedra?
Galician and Spanish.