As a city with an impressive historical and cultural heritage, there is no doubt that there are plenty of things to do in Valladolid Spain. You can spend a couple of days wandering around the old town while taking in its many monuments, as well as enjoying its unique atmosphere and sampling some of its best dishes in its traditional restaurants and bars.
Once you have finished visiting the city, we recommend visiting some of the small villages scattered around the province of Valladolid, where you will be fascinated by their medieval charm and natural surroundings.
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Things to do in Valladolid
Church of Santa María de la Antigua
The Church of Santa María de la Antigua is one of the greatest religious and architectural gems in Valladolid. This impressive building dates back to the 12th century, and is one of the most symbolic and recognisable features of the city.
You will be fascinated by the immensity of its façade and its architectural beauty, as well as being able to admire the beautiful gardens that surround it. Architecture lovers will appreciate the Romanesque style of its tower, which is the tallest in Spain. In addition, the area surrounding this church has several places to have a drink or enjoy a good meal.
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Plaza de San Pablo in Valladolid
The Plaza de San Pablo is one of the most majestic places you will find in the city. Here are some of Valladolid’s most important monuments, which we will mention below.
The first building you can’t miss when you arrive at the square is the impressive Church of San Pablo, a huge structure that will leave you completely amazed. With a façade of almost 36 metres, it is a place that you absolutely must photograph. Another place you can’t miss is the Palacio de Pimental, although it is currently the Provincial Council of Valladolid. Don’t forget to bring your camera!
Mercado de Val
The Mercado de Val is a beautiful building that houses a wonderful market with plenty of little stalls where you can buy food, as well as a number of bars where you can enjoy a cooked lunch or dinner.
This building dates back to 1892, and it is the oldest market in Valladolid. It is made of iron, making it an authentic architectural work. It has been recently restored, but it has kept its original style, which has allowed it to retain all its character.
Santa Cruz Palace
The Palace of Santa Cruz is of incalculable historical and architectural importance, not only for Valladolid but for the whole of Spain; and this is due to the fact that it was the first Renaissance building in the country. It was built in 1491 to serve as the Colegio Mayor.
This palace has a square floor plan made of limestone, with a really beautiful inner courtyard where you will find the famous guarded clock. You will also find the bookshop that belonged to the Cardinal’s College. Once you have finished your visit, don’t hesitate to take a stroll through the back garden. One of the best things to do in Valladolid.
Plaza Mayor in Valladolid
The Plaza Mayor is one of the most beautiful parts of Valladolid Spain. It is the most important point in the historic centre of the city, and is especially characterised by the reddish colour of all its buildings.
In addition to admiring its grandeur, it is one of the favourite places to stroll around amongst locals and travellers. You’ll find the city’s beautiful town hall, better known as the Casa Consistorial, which is open to visitors. Numerous events take place in the square throughout the year, from shows to concerts and outdoor activities for all ages.
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See the Church of San Benito in Valladolid
The Church of San Benito is one of the most historically significant religious buildings in Valladolid. This building was built on the remains of the city’s first fortress.
This church next to the famous Mercado de Val. Its imposing structure is characterised by its impressive limestone columns ending in two arches. In addition to admiring its exterior, you can go inside and see its beautiful altarpiece, as well as its striking decoration.
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Things to do in Valladolid with children?
The Valladolid Science Museum
The Science Museum of Valladolid will become one of the favourite places for both adults and children alike. Enjoy with your family a wonderful exhibition spread over many rooms with some of the greatest scientific discoveries. It is without a doubt one of the best things to do in Valladolid!
Find discoveries ranging from chemical elements and fossil fuels, to information on climate change and exhibitions on different marine animals. Last but not least, don’t miss the impressive Planetarium, where you can enjoy several projections to learn about outer space!
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Go to the Campo Grande Park in Valladolid
Campo Grande Park is the biggest park in Valladolid. In addition to having unbeatable access in the heart of the city, this park is the ideal place to visit with the little ones.
This park is a true symbol of the city, with an impressive 115,000 square metres of space. You can walk along kilometres of paths in the shade of some of the most beautiful and leafy trees in the area, as well as discover monuments, statues and buildings that are important to the city’s history.
Playa de las Moreras
Although it seems impossible, you can enjoy the beach in Valladolid. Playa de las Moreras is a wonderful artificial beach that has existed in the city since the 1950s, on the banks of the river Pisuerga. It is one of the best things to do in Valladolid.
Although it is not very large, this place allows you to experience the beach despite being far from the sea. You can spend a morning or afternoon in the sun on the fine sand, with a beach bar service and warm waters to swim in. This beach is attached to the Parque de las Moreras itself, so you can take a walk with the kids once you have had enough of the beach.
Things to do around Valladolid?
Urueña
Urueña is one of the first villages we recommend visiting during your trip to Valladolid, Spain. With less than 200 inhabitants, this small town located 830 metres above sea level will leave you speechless.
It is a small medieval village, having been declared a Historic-Artistic Site. Visit some of its most important monuments, such as the Wall, the Church of Santa María or its imposing Castle. This is not to be missed!
Medina del Campo
Medina del Campo is located 60 kilometres south of Valladolid. Its population is larger than that of Urueña, reaching 20,000 inhabitants.
This beautiful town, located more than 720 metres above sea level, has an extensive historical and architectural heritage. The most significant monument is the Castillo de la Mota, considered one of the most beautiful castles in the country.
Tordesillas
Tordesillas is one of the most popular towns near Valladolid, mainly because of its convenient distance, just 35 minutes away by car. This municipality is located in the heart of the province, with a population of no more than 9,000 people.
Like most of the towns in the province, in Tordesillas you can embark on a route to discover its important heritage, such as the Church of San Antolin, the Monastery of Santa Clara or the Casas del Tratado. Tordesillas also has a unique natural setting where you can enjoy idyllic nature.
What to eat in Valladolid?
In Valladolid you can try some of the best of Spanish cuisine, suiting all kinds of tastes. Here are our recommendations:
- First of all, we suggest trying the famous tortilla de chorizo (chorizo omelette). It is very popular in different areas of the province of Valladolid, as well as in the capital.
- Another of Valladolid’s star dishes is the delicious garlic soup, which is very easy to prepare at home. It is usually eaten in winter, as it is a very hot dish.
- You will also love patatas a la importancia, a potato-based dish. The potatoes are coated in egg and flour and then fried. They are then bathed in garlic, onion and vegetable stock – amazing!
- Finally, you must try the roast suckling lamb, a lamb dish with exquisite white meat.
Tips for a trip to Valladolid
- If you are travelling to Valladolid Spain by car, make sure you check the parking available in the city.
- Check the accessibility and public transport links before you leave.
- Carry your identity card with you at all times.
- A tip of 5-10% is recommended in bars and restaurants.
- If you are travelling to Valladolid during the hot summer months, don’t forget to bring plenty of sunscreen.
- Choose the area of the city you want to stay in according to your interests.
Frequently asked questions about a trip to Valladolid
There are two ways to get to Urueña from Valladolid, depending on your preferences and means of transport.
– The most recommended option is to go by car, as you can move around freely. You will have to take the A-6 northbound following the signs to Urueña. The journey takes approximately 45 minutes.
– Another option is to take the bus, although this is more limited as there are only two buses a day: at 10.10am and 4.15pm. The advantage is that the fare is very cheap at €3.
The best time to travel to Valladolid is from April to October, with the driest and hottest months being July and August, while rainfall is highest in April and October. Even so, throughout this period you will be able to enjoy very good temperatures.
There are several public transport systems in Valladolid, so you can choose according to your budget and preference.
– The most comfortable and cheapest option is the bus. You can use up to 20 different bus lines to get around any part of the city, including night buses. The ticket costs €1.50 each way.
– Another very practical option is by bicycle, better known in Valladolid as Vallabici. There are 31 bike stops all over the city, so you can easily access any place by bike from 7:00 to 23:00.
– Finally, there are taxis, although they are always the most expensive option. You can get around the city centre for around €5, while getting to the outskirts of town can cost around €8.
How to plan your itinerary of the things to do in Valladolid?
Download the Passporter app and plan your trip in the most organised way, according to the days and places you want to see in Valladolid.
With the app you can:
- Be inspired by the experiences of other travellers.
- Save important information about the destinations you want to visit that you have found on the internet. Just install the Chrome extension and save everything useful for your trip.
- Save your tickets and reservations.
- Organise your route on Google maps with your accommodation as the starting point or any other that you indicate.
- Find out the best travel option for each place.
- Save and publish your own photos and experiences as you go along, so that when someone asks you “How was your trip in Valladolid?” you can reply “Visit my traveller profile on Passporter!”
If you want to learn more about how to get the most out of the Passporter app, you can read our post: How to create your travel itinerary with Passporter.
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