This list of places to visit in Valladolid, will help you prepare a city break that we are sure will exceed all your expectations.
This modern city, capital of Castilla y León, has an interesting historical center where you can visit several architectural wonders, important museums and taste their delicious skewers accompanied by a good wine from the region, among many other things.
And although it is a city in which you can explore all its points of interest in one day, we recommend you spend the night in the city and enjoy all the experiences it offers with more tranquility.
Based on the experience of our visit, considered one of the best excursions in Madrid, we have made this list of what we believe are the 10 essential places to see in Valladolid. We start!
1. Plaza Mayor
Walking through the commercial Calle de Santiago you will reach the Plaza Mayor, located in the heart of the city and one of the most beautiful places to visit in Valladolid.
This porticoed square, which was a market before the Middle Ages, has several highlights such as the City Hall, the Zorilla Theater and the statue of Count Ansúrez, located in the center and whenever you can, we recommend you to spend several moments of the day in the square, meeting point for tourists and locals, and have a drink in one of its terraces.
Once you have enjoyed it, you can leave the square through one of the northern streets to reach Cebadería Street, our favorite in the city, where you can see an old guild street, where barley and cereals were traded and still It retains one side with arcades and beautiful colored facades.
Main Square
2. Gutierrez Passage
Touring the Gutierrez Passage, built in 1886 and one of the few commercial galleries in Spain, is one of the best things to do in Valladolid.
In addition to moving to Paris a century ago, in this glazed passage you can find charming shops and cafeteria and a statue of Mercury, god of commerce.
A good way to know the interesting history of the city is to book this guided tour in Spanish or this private tour where you choose the itinerary through Valladolid.
Gutierrez Passage
3. Old Coso Square
The Plaza del Viejo Coso, an old bullring, is another of our favorite places to see in Valladolid, especially for its architecture and for the representation that what has stopped happening in that place.
This square of octagonal floor and built in 1833, is surrounded by two-story houses with open balconies, which were old boxes and that give it a charm of other times in which in addition to the architecture in which stone, wood and iron, it is worth approaching the square to enjoy an oasis of tranquility in an unbeatable environment.
Old Coso Square
4. Campo Grande
The Campo Grande is the green lung and another of the places to visit in Valladolid more interesting in which you can enjoy a pleasant walk along the park's paths, during which you will probably find peacocks, centuries-old trees, a small waterfall and a beautiful lake full of ducks and swans.
You can leave the park through the Plaza de Zorilla where there is a statue of the poet José Zorrilla and the huge building of the Cavalry Academy and if you have time you can also travel a piece of the sidewalk of Recoletos with several modernist buildings.
Big field
5. National Sculpture Museum
The National Museum of Polychrome Sculpture, located in the Palace of the Marquis de Villena, the Chapel of the Colegio de San Gregorio and the Palace of the Count of Gondomar, is the most important to see in Valladolid and one of the best in Spain.
After seeing the spectacular facade of the Colegio de San Gregorio with a refined decoration, you can enter the museum to see some of its wonders such as the Neapolitan Bethlehem, the Altarpiece and the Sillería of San Benito el Real, the Virgen de la Piedad, the Burial of Christ, the sculpture of Magdalena Penitente and the Processional Steps, among many others.
Admission is free if you have the Valladolid Card, which includes 10 other museums in the city such as the Cervantes House Museum and the tourist bus.
Visiting hours: Tuesday to Saturday from 10am to 2pm and from 4pm to 7:30 pm; Sundays and holidays from 10am to 2pm.
National Sculpture Museum
Our recommended hotel in Valladolid
The best area to stay in Valladolid if you arrive by public transport is near the station, located a few minutes from the historic center.
One of the best in this area is the Hotel Colón Plaza, located two minutes from the train station and 10 minutes from the Plaza Mayor.
In addition to its great location and excellent value for money, this hotel has friendly staff, comfortable rooms and a great breakfast.
6. Churches to visit in Valladolid
Among the many churches to visit in Valladolid, we recommend these:
- Saint Paul: This 1286 Gothic church impresses with its facade, richly decorated with numerous figures.
- The old one: This 11th-century church with a magnificent Romanesque portico and bell tower is one of the most beautiful to see in Valladolid.
- San Benito: This huge church belonging to a monastery, stands out for its tower-shaped facade that was reduced in height due to structural problems.
- Saint Michael and Saint Julian: This 16th century temple is one of the best examples of Jesuit architecture.
San Pablo, one of the churches to see in Valladolid
7. Palace of Santa Cruz
The Palace of Santa Cruz, the first example of Renaissance art in Spain, is another of the essential places to visit in Valladolid although before entering this palace of the late fifteenth century you can stand a moment in front of the beautiful facade full of decorative figures.
From the inside you will be surprised by the white color of the limestone masonry, with which the two floors of the patio are carved and for hosting a fantastic historical library.
This palace is also the current headquarters of the Rector of the University, which has several historic buildings scattered throughout the city such as the Faculty of Law with an impressive baroque facade and located in the University Square.
Santa Cruz Palace
8. Valladolid Cathedral
Entering the street of Cascajares, with two fantastic colorful buildings on each side, you will reach the Cathedral, another of the essential buildings to visit in Valladolid, in herreriano and baroque style, in which Count Ansúrez is buried and that is still about to end in almost 50%.
In addition to visiting its sober interior, we advise you to climb the 75 meters of the tower to enjoy the best views of the historic center. Remember that to climb the tower you will have to book a guided tour that will allow you to know its history.
The cathedral also houses the Diocesan Museum and Cathedral, where you can see remains of the old cathedral.
Visiting hours: Monday to Friday from 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. and from 4:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. weekends and holidays from 10am to 2pm.
Valladolid Cathedral
9. Las Moreras Beach
Although Valladolid is not a coastal city, it does have a magnificent beach of fine sand washed by the waters of the Pisuerga River. In this piece of beach located near the center and with all the services, you can sunbathe lying on a towel or a hammock, take a bath, have a drink in a beach bar or even exercise on several gym machines.
Playa de las Moreras, one of the places to visit in Valladolid
10. Skewers
In addition to watching a show at the magnificent Teatro Calderón, another of the best activities to do in Valladolid is to try the delicious skewers.
Many of the best-known venues such as Jero and Los Zagales, the place that has won the most times, are concentrated on Correos Street and its surroundings The Golden Skewer, a national tapas contest.
We tried the Jero and we loved it, although it is advisable to go early to avoid queuing and be recommended by the waiters.
Jero skewers
If you spend the night in the city you can book this night tour to see the best illuminated buildings or this theatrical ghost tour, both located among the best valued by travelers visiting Valladolid.
How to get to Valladolid from Madrid
The most common way to get to Valladolid is from Madrid by high-speed train or car.
The AVE train will leave you in one hour for 25 euros in Valladolid from Madrid's Chamartín Station and we recommend you, especially if you travel in high season or weekend, check the schedules and even make the reservation of the tickets in advance here .
Another of the cheaper alternative would be to take the ALSA company bus that leaves from the Méndez Alvaro South Bus Station and takes you to Salamanca in about 3 hours for 17 euros.
Both the bus station and the train station are just a few minutes walk from Campo Grande Park.
If you feel like helping us complete the list of the 10 places to visit in Valladolid, add yours in the comments.
