Valladolid City Guide

• Places of Interest
• Maps
• Getting to
• Getting around the city

The capital of Castilla y León, and once even the capital of Spain, Valladolid is not a city to be passed over. Reformations in recent years such as a modern international airport and an AVE connection have converted the city into a hub of modernity and progress, as well as putting the city on the map by making it more accessible to tourists. Valladolid has also recently become a favourite spot for wine tourists, due to the extensive range of wines to be found in the region.

Valladolid was captured from the Moors in the tenth century, when it was only a small village. The city's prestige was established when King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella were married there in 1469, and by the 15th century, Valladolid had become the residence of the Kings of Castile, and later, the capital of Spain for a period of five years. Today the city is heaving with museums and cultural activities, such as the house where Christopher Colombus died in 1506, which has now been converted into a museum dedicated to him. If museums aren't your thing, then why not simply enjoy a stroll in the picturesque Plaza Mayor or the Campo Grande park, or even relax on the man-made beach by the river; in Valladolid there is something for everyone.

Famed for its fiestas and ferias, especially during Semana Santa, Valladolid is a city full of life and pace. Come to Valladolid and discover it for yourself, and touch a real piece of Spanish heritage.

Places of Interest

Plaza Mayor

One of the biggest and oldest Plaza Mayors in Spain, this magnificent space is the centre of vallisoletano life. Every week the town council organizes some kind of activity or event in the Plaza. Recently these have included concerts, sporting events, a sand sculpture competition and a display of Ferraris.

Campo Grande

This park is the biggest in the city, and a firm favourite with children and adults alike. A highlight is the big pond in the centre, where you can take a boat trip while the boat driver tells stories to the children.

San Pablo

The Church of San Pablo is one of the most beautiful examples of Gothic architecture in the world. The area it is situated in is peaceful and tranquil, and perfect for taking a walk.

Catedral de Valladolid

The most famous thing about Valladolid cathedral is the fact it is unfinished! In this cathedral you can find the Museo Diocesano y Catedralicio, as well as the burial place of Conde Ansúrez, who is said to have been the founder of Valladolid.

Museums

Museo Nacional de Escultura Policromada
This National Sculpture museum is said to be the best in Spain and is housed in one of the city's most important buildings, the San Gregorio College. Highlights include a beautiful nativity scene carved to perfection by the brothers Emilio and Carmelo García de Castro and Pedro de Mena's "Magdalena".

Museo de Valladolid
This museum is made up of 18 rooms and is split into two parts: archeology and fine arts. Everything displayed in the museum comes from Valladolid. Since 1967, the museum has been housed in the Palace of Fabio Nelli, a rich and influential Italian banker in his time. It is worth visiting the museum purely to see the splendor of the Palace itself.

Museo de la Ciencia de Valladolid
One of the newest museums in Valladolid, and one of the most striking, due to its situation in a 16th century flour factory, this museum is great fun for all the family. Learn whilst taking part in real experiments or playing with machines. The museum also boasts one of the most modern planetariums in the world.

Casa Museo Colón
This museum commemorates the life of Christopher Colombus and the discovery of the Americas. The building is a reconstruction of the Gothic style building that was home to Colombus' son, Diego, in Santo Domingo, and in the interior patio you can see a plaque in the place where Colombus died. There is also a monument to the Santa María, the boat on which Colombus embarked on his first voyage. La Casa Colón offers the visitor an interactive experience, taking you back five centuries, with documents, testimonies, sculptures and audiovisual material to enhance your visit.

Maps

Getting to Valladolid

By Air
Ryanair now runs direct flights between Valladolid and London Stanstead, Milan, Brussels and Düsseldorf, as well as to Alicante and Málaga. From the airport, you can get a taxi for 20€ into town or the company Line Car also runs a bus service into the centre.

By Train
There is now an AVE service that runs between Madrid and Valladolid, stopping in Segovia, making it very convenient to reach. There are also a number of long distance and regional trains going to a variety of destinations around Spain.

By Bus
Avanzabus runs a variety of services to and from places in Castilla y León, such as Salamanca, Cañizal and Villanubla. It is also possible to travel by bus to places all over Spain from Valladolid, such as Santander, A Coruña, Barcelona, Sevilla, Alicante and many more.

Getting around the city

By Bus
Valladolid boasts one of the best bus services in Spain, and with more than 20 lines available, you can reach almost anywhere in Valladolid by bus. For more information see the Auvasa website.

By Taxi
Most places in the centre will cost about 5€ to get to in a taxi. If you want to go to one of the nearby suburbs, the price should be about 7 or 8€.

Tips

Valladolid's Holy Week celebrations are some of the best in Spain, so make sure you don't miss out on seeing the processions and festivities that take place in the street in this most important of celebrations for the Christian Church.