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Valladolid, Spain: 11 Best Things to Do and See

Valladolid, the capital of Castile and León, is a bit of a hidden gem, less talked about among tourists, but all the better for those of us who appreciate authenticity and a calmer atmosphere. In this guide I will share with you Valladolid, Spain: 11 Best Things to Do and See. Let’s take a look at the sights to see, where to grab a coffee, and where to stay.

Valladolid Spain

When to Go to Valladolid

When to visit Valladolid? Spring or autumn are ideal, when you’ll find pleasant temperatures between 15 and 20 °C.

Summer is sunny and hot, with temperatures regularly exceeding 30 °C, so you’ll only manage to be out on the streets in the evening at most.

Winter is colder, with temperatures around 5–10 °C, so it’s suitable for those who want to avoid tourists entirely and don’t mind it being quite cold.

Valladolid, Spain

Valladolid, Spain: where to Stay

If available, staying at Hotel Boutique Gareus is a sure bet. Luxurious but not snobby, modern but still cozy – exactly the kind of hotel that offers everything you need after a long day of wandering around the city.

The rooms are spacious, clean, and the location is absolutely perfect, as you’re right in the heart of the action. And breakfast? Excellent! Sure, parking in the city center is a bit of a challenge, but the hotel has it sorted – even if you have a larger car, you’ll manage.

We always appreciate great staff, and here they are absolutely wonderful – friendly but not intrusive, and happy to help with anything.

Valladolid, Spain: 11 Best Things to Do and See

Let’s now look at what to see and do in the city of Valladolid. One full day will be enough for a city tour, but if you want to take it easy, we recommend at least two days.

Plaza Mayor, Valladolid
Plaza Mayor, Valladolid

Plaza Mayor

Start your walk at Plaza Mayor – yes, this square is not hard to find, almost every city in Spain has a Plaza Mayor, but Valladolid’s was the first to have a rectangular layout, and it was here that the architecture of squares we now know from Madrid or Salamanca was born.

Plaza Mayor in Valladolid has a rich history dating back to the 13th century, when it served as a market place.

After a devastating fire in 1561, the square was rebuilt according to the design of architect Francisco de Salamanca. This made it the first regular square in Spain with a rectangular layout and arcades, which later became a model for other Spanish squares.

Iglesia de San Pablo
Iglesia de San Pablo

Iglesia De San Pablo

If you are a lover of Gothic architecture, a visit to the Iglesia de San Pablo in Valladolid is an absolute must. This church, whose construction began in 1445 at the behest of Cardinal Juan de Torquemada, is a true jewel of Isabelline Gothic.

What will captivate you at first sight is its imposing facade. Imagine a stone altarpiece in the open air, where statues of saints, heraldic emblems, and rich ornaments intertwine.

This facade, completed around 1500 under the direction of architect Simón de Colonia, is considered a masterpiece of Gothic sculpture.

When you step inside, you’ll find yourself in a space with a single nave, typical of late Gothic, with side chapels between the buttresses. The interior is adorned with ribbed vaults, which were added around 1540, and Renaissance consoles. In the transept, you’ll find two stone portals by Simón de Colonia, dated around 1490.

This church is not only an architectural gem but also a place rich in history. It witnessed significant events, including the baptisms of Kings Philip II and Philip IV. Moreover, it was visited by Napoleon during his stay in Valladolid in 1809.

Valladolid Cathedral
Valladolid Cathedral

Valladolid Cathedral

The Valladolid Cathedral was never completed. And yet, it is amazing. When you look at it, you can imagine how monumental it would have been if it had actually been finished.

Originally designed by architect Juan de Herrera in the 16th century, it was intended to be the largest cathedral in Europe. However, fate had other plans – when the royal court moved to Madrid, funds for construction dried up, and only about 40–45% of the grand project was completed.

Today, the cathedral is known as “La Inconclusa” – “The Unfinished”. Although incomplete, its architecture is impressive. The lower part of the main facade, designed by Herrera, is in the Renaissance style, while the upper part, added by Alberto Churriguera in the 18th century, features Baroque elements.

Inside, you’ll find treasures such as a 16th-century altarpiece by Juan de Juni, originally from the church of Santa María La Antigua. The cathedral also houses a rich musical archive with over 6000 works.

Not into history at all? No problem, you can climb the tower and enjoy the view of the city from there.

Parque Campo Grande

This triangular park, covering approximately 11.5 hectares, is bordered by Acera de Recoletos, Paseo de los Filipinos, and Paseo de Zorrilla.

It was established in the 15th century, when it was an important urban space, and in 1787 it was transformed into a garden area.

Today, it is home to diverse fauna, including peacocks, pheasants, and pigeons, which roam freely among visitors.

The park is also a botanical garden with a wide variety of trees and plants that provide shade and a peaceful refuge from the hustle and bustle of the city.

Mercado del Val
Mercado del Val

Mercado Del Val

No Spanish city would be complete without a market where you can buy everything from fresh vegetables and fruits to gourmet specialties. I recommend tasting wine here too; Valladolid is known for its quality wines, especially from the Ribera del Duero, Rueda, and Cigales regions.

And what to taste here? Mantecados de Portillo, traditional sweet pastries from the town of Portillo, perfect with coffee.

Playa De Las Moreras

Yes, Valladolid is not by the sea, but it still has its own beach – Playa de Las Moreras. A pleasant spot by the Pisuerga River where you can sunbathe, stroll, or play volleyball.

National Sculpture Museum

This museum, founded in 1842, is housed in the historic Colegio de San Gregorio, which is worth a visit in itself thanks to its magnificent Gothic architecture.

The museum boasts one of the most important collections of Spanish sculpture, covering the period from the Middle Ages to the 19th century. Among the most valuable exhibits are works by masters such as Alonso Berruguete, Juan de Juni, and Gregorio Fernández, who are considered pillars of Spanish sculptural art.

In addition to the permanent exhibition, the museum regularly hosts temporary exhibitions and cultural events that enrich the visitor experience.

National Sculpture Museum
National Sculpture Museum

Cúpula Del Milenio

So you don’t think Valladolid isn’t modern, let’s look at the Cúpula del Milenio – a futuristic structure that stands somewhat in contrast to the rest of the city. T

his impressive structure was originally built as the Pabellón de la Sed for Expo Zaragoza 2008 and subsequently relocated to Valladolid, where it opened to the public in May 2011.

The Cúpula del Milenio is a multifunctional space with a diameter of 46.5 meters and a height of 15 meters, offering 1,500 m² of area.

It is designed to host various events, from sports competitions to concerts, exhibitions, and fashion shows. The pavilion’s capacity allows it to accommodate over 1,000 spectators, with flexible seating arrangements and a stage ensuring versatility for different types of events.

Coffee Shop Tips

If you need to take a break and love good coffee, be sure to visit Franela Café de Especialidad or try ADELAIDA Sweet & Coffee, where you can also get something tasty, and if you crave something more traditional, you’ll find a Starbucks here too.

Valladolid, Spain
Valladolid, Spain

Plaza Del Viejo Coso

This square, originally built in 1833 as Valladolid’s first permanent bullring, is one of the few surviving examples of octagonal arenas in Spain.

With a capacity of up to 8,000 spectators, Plaza del Viejo Coso served as the main venue for bullfights until 1890, when a new arena was built on Paseo de Zorrilla. After the bullring closed, the building was adapted into a Guardia Civil barracks and later, in the 1980s, converted into residential spaces.

Valladolid, Spain
Pje. de Gutierrez

Today, Plaza del Viejo Coso is a peaceful and picturesque place that has retained its historical charm. The original palcos, where important citizens of the city used to sit, have been converted into apartments, and the former ruedo now serves as a small square with a park.

Access to the square is possible from San Quirce and San Ignacio streets.

Valladolid, Spain
Pje. de Gutierrez

Pje. De Gutierrez

This covered shopping arcade, located between Fray Luis de León and Castelar streets, was opened in 1886 at the initiative of merchant Eusebio Gutiérrez, after whom it is named.

The arcade was designed by architect Jerónimo Ortiz de Urbina, who was inspired by similar galleries in Paris, Italy, and Germany. It is a great example of Beaux-Arts architecture, combining classical elements with modern technologies of the time, such as iron structures, glass roofs, and gas lighting.

As you walk through the arcade, you’ll be captivated by the ceilings adorned with paintings by Salvador Seijas, depicting mythological and allegorical motifs, and rich stucco decorations with plant motifs.

Pje. de Gutierrez
Pje. de Gutierrez

In the central rotunda, there is a statue of Mercury, the god of commerce, which commemorates the original purpose of this place.

After years of decline, the arcade was restored at the end of the 20th century and declared a cultural monument in 1998. Today, you’ll find various shops, cafes, and bars here, where you can enjoy a peaceful atmosphere away from the bustling city streets.

Tips and Tricks for Your Vacation

Don’t Overpay for Flights

Search for flights on Kayak. It’s our favorite search engine because it scans the websites of all airlines and always finds the cheapest connection.

Book Your Accommodation Smartly

The best experiences we’ve had when looking for accommodation (from Alaska to Morocco) are with Booking.com, where hotels, apartments, and entire houses are usually the cheapest and most widely available.

Don’t Forget Travel Insurance

Good travel insurance will protect you against illness, accidents, theft, or flight cancellations. We’ve had a few hospital visits abroad, so we know how important it is to have proper insurance arranged.

Where we insure ourselves: SafetyWing (best for everyone) and TrueTraveller (for extra-long trips).

Why don’t we recommend any Czech insurance company? Because they have too many restrictions. They set limits on the number of days abroad, travel insurance via a credit card often requires you to pay medical expenses only with that card, and they frequently limit the number of returns to the Czech Republic.

Find the Best Experiences

Get Your Guide is a huge online marketplace where you can book guided walks, trips, skip-the-line tickets, tours, and much more. We always find some extra fun there!

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