Things to do in Palencia Spain

Palencia is a city in Castilla y León, and the capital of the province of the same name. The province of Palencia is a great unknown and a different destination that will pleasantly surprise you. Discover all the things to do in Palencia Spain and discover its most charming villages and places. What’s more, this province has some of the most beautiful inland villages that are a must-see in Spain.

Organise your travel itinerary with Passporter, completely free to use, easy and practical. Get inspired by the experiences of other travellers and choose the places that interest you most by adding them to your route map.

Things to do in the city of Palencia

Palencia Cathedral

Construction on this imposing Gothic-style building began in 1321 on the remains of two other churches that can still be visited. One was Visigothic from the 7th century and the other Romanesque from the 11th century. Both are joined in the Crypt of San Antolin, creating a unique space.

Palencia Cathedral is the third largest cathedral in Spain after Seville and Toledo. This cathedral stands out both for its architecture and also its incredible collection of works of art, such as the main altar, the Sagrario Chapel, the ambulatory and the crypt.

Cristo del Otero

Climbing up to the Cristo del Otero is one of the essential things to do in Palencia Spain. From here can enjoy one of the best views of the city and the surrounding area.

Likewise, you cannot miss the statue itself, which is 20 metres high and is one of the tallest statues in the world. This art deco statue was made in 1930 by the Palencia-born sculptor Victorio Macho and is now one of the symbols of the city.

Plaza Mayor of Palencia Spain

This is without a doubt one of the most important places to see in the city of Palencia. Surrounded by porticos on three sides, this 17th century square has one of the most beautiful neoclassical buildings in Palencia, the Casa Consistorial.

The square is also home to the fantastic 4-metre-high Monument to Alonso Berruguete. This square is the ideal place to soak up the atmosphere of Palencia Spain and drink on any of its terraces.

Calle Mayor

Another of the best things to do in Palencia is to walk along Calle Mayor, the city’s main shopping street. On this route you will also see some of the city’s most historically important buildings, such as the Casino, the Church of Las Canónigas and the sculpture of “La Gorda”.

It is a 900-metre walk full of shops and boutiques that separates the Plaza de León from the Parque de Isabel II. It is impossible to miss the large number of arcades on one side that preserve the architecture of the 19th and 20th century Palencia bourgeoisie.

Walk along the banks of the Carrión

This is another of the essential things to do in Palencia Spain. Along the route you can enjoy the tranquillity and nature in the Huertas del Obispo, the Sotillo de los Canónigos Park and the Dos Aguas Island Park. As well as crossing the Puente Mayor bridge, you can’t miss the dock that gave access to the Canal de Castilla, one of the most important feats of engineering in the history of Spain.

Convent of San Pablo in Palencia Spain

The Convent of San Pablo is located in the square of the same name. This convent was built between the 14th and 16th centuries, and is one of the must-see places in Palencia. It is a Gothic-style church with a very simple exterior, but contrasts with its richly decorated interior.

Highlights of this convent include the Chapel of La Piedad and the Sepulchres of the Marquises of Poza. On leaving the church you will see a beautiful sculpture of two brothers who form part of the large collection of urban statues that decorate the city.

Travel Tip: To organize your trip we recommend using Passporter totally free. You can be inspired by the experiences of other travelers, choose the places that interest you most, create the travel route with a geolocated map, upload all important documents such as reservations and invite your friends so that everyone can participate in the organization of the trip.

Most beautiful villages to see in the province of Palencia Spain

Ampudia

Located in the south of the province, Ampudia is a beautiful medieval village. Stroll through its porticoed streets full of history, then discover its imposing old quarter, declared a Historic-Artistic Site.

In Ampudia you can admire important buildings such as the Castle and the rest of its walls, the Monastery of Nuestra Señora de Alconada, or the Convent of San Francisco. The latter is currently home to an interesting Sacred Museum.

Aguilar de Campoo

Aguilar de Campoo is a town famous for its biscuits, as well as being one of the most beautiful in the province of Palencia, Spain. It is located in the northeast of the province and has also been declared a Historic-Artistic Site.

Don’t miss the Castle, the Monastery of Santa María la Real and its Cloister, the Palace of the Marquises of Aguilar de Campoo, or the bridges under which the Pisuerga River flows. In the area surrounding the town you will also find very attractive spots, such as the Aguilar Reservoir.

Saldaña

Saldaña is one of the most beautiful villages in Palencia. This village was declared a Historic-Artistic Site in 1996. Its main attraction is the Museum of the Roman Villa La Olmeda, which is in the Church of San Pedro de Saldaña. It also has a selection of objects found in the excavations of the villa on display.

What to see in Palencia Spain in one day?

With a day in Palencia, you can visit the city’s most important sights and discover its food and traditions at your leisure. Here is a one-day itinerary of Palencia. Check it out so you can save your favourite spots in the Passporter app!

• Palencia Cathedral
• Cristo del Otero
• Plaza Mayor of Palencia Spain
• Calle Mayor
• Walk along the banks of the Carrión
• Convent of San Pablo

What to see in Palencia Spain in two days?

If you have two days in Palencia you can discover the city’s surroundings and also visit some of the most beautiful villages in the province. For your second day, we recommend visiting the villages of:

• Ampudia
• Aguilar de Campoo
• Saldaña

Frequently Asked Questions