Hello and welcome to all the travelers, are you ready for a new adventure? The place we are heading this time is Valladolid, another Spanish city. We anticipate that unfortunately this is our last stop in Spain but don’t think about it and enjoy it till to the end in the same way we did with all the other destinations.

Valladolid is a large metropolitan area and it is the largest city in north-western Spain. The city is located at the confluence of the rivers Pisuerga and Esgueva which together the Duero are the most important rivers of Valladolid. Its history and its economy are the characterizing elements. A curiosity not yet possible to satisfy is the origin of its name in fact there are a lot of theories still not entirely clear but that is worth knowing. However the city is known for the remarkable initiatives in the cultural field but also for the various events that happen each year. For example the Semana Internacional de Cine de Valladolid is celebrated annualy as the most important film festival in Spain. Another traditional event is the Holy Week, of a great artistic value that attracts every year a large number of visitors from all over Spain and from the rest of the world.

To know more (what to eat, where to eat, where to have fun, things to visit…) continue to read.

The city of Valladolid owns a huge cultural heritage (and not only for its two famous universities); it shows some structures still intact and monuments of its past times… We just have to discover them starting our exploration.

 

PLACES TO VISIT (MUSEUMS/THEATERS…)

Colegio de San Gregorio

• Colegio de San Gregorio: it is a remarkable building that certainly, it is in Isabellino style (typical architectural style of Castile, which in the city we also can find it in the monastery of San Benito el Real) and now houses the Museo Nacional de Escultura, where there are works that go from the 13th to the 19th century and among these many important works like Raising of the Cross by Francisco del Rincon and Adoration of the Magi by Alonso Berruguete that make it one of the most important museums of the city. Among the most important parts of the structure we find, Portada monumental (the main facade where symbolic statues are represented), chapel, Patio de los Estudios, Patio Grande (the courtyard), the ruins Edificio de las Azoteas and the monumental staircase. The Colegio de San Gregorio has been designated a World Heritage Site.
• Catedral de Nuestra Señora de la Asunción: this is the main church of the city. The structure consists of a high tower while the interior is composed of the majestic gold altar and the beautiful organs. The cathedral also houses many chapels such as (Capilla del ábside, Capilla de San Pedro Regalado, Capilla de San José…). Its history is so immense and great that it would take hours to tell it but this place perfectly encloses everything there is to know, a series of events to be listened to.
• Santa María La Antigua: is a church with an adjoining tower (composed of four floors), symbol of the city and it has been designated a World Heritage Site. The building overlooks a large and well-kept square and therefore in this climate of beauty it is so pleasant to visit it both externally and internally for its precious objects. The church is located near the city’s cathedral (perfect and strategic distances to visit everything without wasting too much time). Make this a milestone during your tour.
• Royal Palace of Valladolid: this was the official residence of the Spanish kings, today it is the headquarters of the army headquarters. It is a very beautiful building due to its architecture and interesting from the historical point of view and to be explored. It will surprise you!
• Museo de la Ciencia de Valladolid: is the science museum of Valladolid, it is located to the southwest of the city. Its modern appearance announces what we can find inside it; in fact we can report a beautiful planetarium, several rooms with fossil remains, insects and many temporary and non-temporary exhibitions. Of great importance are the history, the customs of ancient Egypt and the treasures of tutankamon. Surely this museum is a very interactive place which makes it perfect for the little ones.
• Museo de Valladolid: the museum is housed in the Fabio Nelli de Espinosa building, which has a typical Spanish patio and many statues that symbolize history and myths. The museum is divided into two sections, archeology and fine arts, offering on the side of the archeology material of the various historical phases occurred in the city (Paleolithic, Neolithic…) chronologically ordered while on the side of the fine arts there are paintings of the XV and XVIth century, sculptures, Spanish ceramics and a section dedicated to the history of the city. A right mix of culture to get to know the city in a better way. Nearby, at its corner, we find another palace famous for its architecture (which ends in a tip shape) and is the Palacio del Marqués de Valverde, very nice to see.
• Palacio de Villena: is a palace located at the Plaza de San Pablo. The building is sumptuous and elegant, not only on the outside but also on the inside and this is noted by the white steps, and it is part of the Museo Nacional de Escultura. The building houses a library, laboratories, a patio, a conference room and other rooms where very interesting temporary exhibitions take place. The two towers at their disposal are a sign of its renovation. In the same square another sumptuous palace (also a must) the Palacio de Pimentel that currently serves as the headquarters for the provincial council of Valladolid.
• Casa de Zorrilla: a house where the homonymous famous poet of the romantic age was born. The house is very simple as regards its architecture and consists of two floors, a cellar and a garden. Inside there are some original pieces of furniture belonging to the poet (such as the desk, wardrobes, armchairs…). Among the paintings there are also some significant ones that tell a bit of history and photos of buildings as they were once compared to today. An opportunity not only to get to know a great local artist but also to know the furnishing and to understand how the houses were in that specific period.
• Castle of Simancas: the foreness dates back to the fifteenth century and aims to preserve the documents of the Crown of Castile. The archive is divided almost thirty sections, containing collections and documents (legal, legislative…) ancient and precious. Its appearance in gray stone makes it very characteristic and typical of the castles of the past. Obviously the building is open to tourists but also to researchers. Another castle that you should visit if you still have time and you love castles is the Fuensaldaña Castle.
• Museo Patio Herreriano: museum of contemporary art that houses a permanent collection that offers a vision of the historical development of Spanish art as well as allowing to know the main artists and the main trends from the twentieth century until today. The right place to enjoy true art!

There are lots of theaters among them there are some best known and some less known and now we will list some of them: Teatro Calderón, Valladolid, Teatro Zorrilla, Azar Theater, Teatro Cervantes, Lava (concert hall). Hospederia De San Benito, a beautiful outdoor patio used as a theater.

Castle of Simancas

 

ENTERTAINMENT (PUB/DISCO/PARKS…)

Plaza Mayor

A bit of fun or a bit of relax never fails, the important thing is to do it in the right place so let’s see where.

• Campo Grande: it is a large public park, one of the main ones, located in the heart of the city. Its conformation is a trinagular shape. The main entrance is located in the Plaza de Zorrilla and inside you can find everything, waterfalls, fountains, picturesque lakes, gardens full of flowers and plants. A notable feature of the park is the abundant population of birds such as peacocks but also squirrels. When the evening goes down then the tree-lined venue lights up making everything even more beautiful.
• Pasaje Gutiérrez: it is a nineteenth-century shopping arcade. The passage connects the streets of Calle Fray Luis de León and Calle Castelar. It was built according to the model of the Paris shopping arcades. Inside the long corridor there is so much history (shown by the paintings, statues and the structure itself) but also lots of fun with the beautiful windows of shops and the different bars. The roof, the atmosphere created by the illuminations, a place so suggestive that you seem to be transported intoanother era!
• Parque de las Moreras: it is a park with a great atmosphere and a very beautiful view. This includes a fluvial beach (the Pisuerga river) and a bridge. The beach is frequented by a large number of people, especially during events such as the San Juan festival. Nothing more beautiful than enjoying the city by the river, maybe just at sunset in one of the most beautiful moments of the day… aaah! Parque Ribera De Castilla is an equally nice park to walk around and stop to eat something in the picnic area.
• La Leyenda del Pisuerga: a boat ride on the Pisuerga river is a truly enjoyable experience both for sight and for the mind. Recommended!
• Continuing our tour in the city center we meet: Plaza Mayor, central square of Valladolid (not far from the other famous Plaza Zorrilla square). The square has a rectangular shape and consists of porticos (where there are shops, bars and restaurants) and is home to the best known events but also the place where the town hall is located (where there is a tower with the clock). Surely the best time to visit the square is in the evening when it is all lit up. Plaza de zorrilla, is also a square that connects several major streets of the city such as El Paseo Zorrilla, Calle Santiago, La Acera Recoletos and Calle Miguel Íscar and in addition is very close to the train and bus station and therefore easily accessible. Inside there is Edificio de Caballería, El Campo Grande (which we have already seen in this section), Fuente de la Plaza Zorrilla, Monument to José Zorrilla and much more. Plaza de San Pablo, a beautiful square that houses one of the most extraordinary ecclesiastical facades of northern Spain and the Palacio de Pimentel (which we have already visited). Other two smaller squares are Plaza Universidad (with the Estatua De Cervantes), Plaza de Colón (with an anterior monument).
• And also a walk along the Douro canal to enjoy the sun, the landscape… aaah! But if this is not enough for you or you prefer another place to enjoy the sun, there is always the magnificent beach, playa de valladolid. And even if you prefer to do something fun (but this time not in the light of the sun hahah) there are two good escape games, the Enigma Valladolid and the Time Over Escape.

Pasaje Gutiérrez

The nightlife of Valladolid take place in the areas close to each other: Coca (a more expensive area), San Miguel, Portugalete and Cantarranas and each of these has different characteristics for all tastes. To these ones we can add streets such as: Calle del Paraíso, Calle de Vincente Meliner, Ángel, Santa Ana and so on.

• Tamberly Sound Club: disco.
• Boogaloo – Café, Jazz Bar & Club de Baile: nightclub.
• Cister Sunday: disco.
• Goa Cocktails & Music Club
• Bar la piedra: lounge bar.

 

TYPICAL FOODS

Sopa de ajo

And now it’s time to eat!

Although Valladolid is an inland province, and therefore not near the sea, the fish remains one of the most consumed foods. Next to this dish the city offers a great assortment of mushrooms, endive, asparagus, pine nuts and many legumes. Whatever the dish is, the important thing is that it is accompanied by bread.

• Lechazo, or the milk lamb is one of the most typical dishes of the city. It is generally roasted in a wood oven and served with salad. Various specialties are: lechazo asado (precisely roasted lamb); while in addition to this there is the Cochinillo asado (roast pork).
• The famous pecorino cheese (pata de mulo) from Villalón de Campos is usually a fresh cheese but can also be aged. In any case, it is exceptional!
• Sopa de ajo: it is a type of soup consisting of water or broth, bread, paprika, bay leaf, garlic and olive oil, but we can find infinite variations of this with egg, sausage, bacon, ham…
• Polvorón: it is a small cake with a round shape but not perfect. It is composed of flour, lard, sugar and is baked in the oven andit is very soft (be careful it can be crumble apart). It is called in this way because of the flour that covers the sweet that makes it look dusty as if powdered sugar had been added to the surface.
• Hueso de santo: these are desserts based on almond paste (or marzipan, now you should known how famous it is in Spain) with a cylindrical shape and dedicated to the feast of All Saints. It is covered with sugar glaze on the outside and inside from the egg yolk, at least that is what tradition requires but today it is easy to findon the inside jam, chocolate. Easily available in bakery, they have a very particular taste and defined perfect for the greedy ones.
• The city of Valladolid is also a major producer of wines, those that come under the designation of origin (DOC) are the wines near Cigales or the white wines of Rueda and the red wines of Ribera del Duero, all known for their high quality.

Polvorón

 

WHERE TO EAT (RESTAURANTS/CAFE’…)

Let’s eat. Yes, but where?? Here are the different options for each one of you.

• Martin Quiroga: Mediterranean, European, Spanish, contemporary, vegetarian cuisine, gluten-free menu options.
• Jero: Mediterranean, European, Spanish, vegetarian cuisine, gluten-free menu options.
• Villa Paramesa Tapas: Spanish, Mediterranean, European cuisine, gluten-free menu options.
• El Cortijo: Spanish, vegetarian cuisine, gluten-free menu options.
• Restaurante El Gallo: Mediterranean, Spanish and vegetarian cuisine.
• El Cocinillas: Spanish, contemporary cuisine.
• La cotorra: Mediterranean, Spanish, contemporary, vegetarian cuisine, vegan options, gluten-free menu options.
• Maria: wine bar with Mediterranean, Spanish, healthy, vegetarian cuisine, vegan options, gluten-free menu options.
• La Cocina de Manuel: Mediterranean, Spanish, vegetarian cuisine, vegan options, gluten-free menu options.
• La Carcava: Spanish cuisine.
• Gastrobar Pasion: Spanish cuisine.
• Restaurante Lumbre:Mediterranean, European, Spanish and healthy cuisine.
• Vacceo Craft Beer: fast food/brewery/ pub American, Spanish cuisine.
• Maria Eugenia: Spanish cuisine.

 

It is over, dear traveller friends. Our trip to Valladolid is ended, but not only, as announced, our trip to Spain has ended. As always we have known a lot and we have enjoyed all this as well and as always every time is sad to leave the place where we were fine. Anyway our adventure around the world continues but we can not reveal anything yet or maybe just a little clue about our next nation; well it is very close to Spain… Ok, it is enough, you will find out only in the next post!

Let us know your opinions about this place. If you liked it or not, if you’ve been there or you’re going to go there? What  you liked the most or least? We’re curious to read your opinions.

A big kiss to everyone.

 

Below we will list the accommodations that you can find in Valladolid.

https://www.booking.com/searchresults.en.html?iata=VLL&aid=960457&no_rooms=1&group_adults=1 – accommodation near Valladolid airport.

https://www.booking.com/searchresults.en.html?city=-406201&aid=960457&no_rooms=1&group_adults=1 – accommodation in the city.

https://www.booking.com/searchresults.en.html?district=8565&aid=960457&no_rooms=1&group_adults=1 – accommodation in the city center.

https://www.booking.com/searchresults.en.html?landmark=2230&aid=960457&no_rooms=1&group_adults=1 – accommodation next to the central station.

 

Booking.com