Next month we will be in Galicia for about 24 hours while on a Portugal trip. We're making our way by car to Santiago, where we'll spend several hours. Rather than staying in Santiago, I think we'll need to drop down closer to the border for the night. It would be nice to do a parador. Pontevedra or Baiona seem like the best candidates. I'm partial to what I've seen of Pontevedra and maybe we could side-trip to Combarro before heading back to Portugal. Baiona clearly has the coastal setting. Could those who have been help me break the tie here? Thank you!
Posted by
new york
1567 posts
I can tell you one that the Pontevedra Parador is very comfortable and it's a pleasant, fairly large town with a great food market and a few excellent restaurants. We also stopped but did not stay, in tiny Cambados, which also has a Parador.
If you go to Pontevedra, we had one of our favorite dinners in Galicia at O EIRADO DE LEÑA; you should book there if you plan to go. It faces a square that looks like the set for a film. It has one Michelin star and is very "acogedor," cozy-just lovely.
Parking for the Parador is in an underground garage nearby, not on site.
Posted by
Mid-Atlantic area
8575 posts
I have not stayed at the Pontevedra Parador. I have stayed at the Parador in Baiona and it is inside the old fortress. There’s plenty of free parking. The town isn’t very large so an afternoon and evening was sufficient. After walking along the fortress walls we just walked down the hill the short distance to town.
I’ve also stayed at the Parador in Santiago de Compostela and it was very nice. It can be pricey depending on the time of year. Right on the border is the Tui Parador. It too was nice with ample free parking. The town isn’t very large and was a nice easy walk from the Parador; just under a mile.
Posted by
Washington DC
30605 posts
Tui's an atmospheric little place that seems to get few foreign tourists--and maybe not that many domestic tourists.
Posted by
Paris
7907 posts
Tui's an atmospheric little place that seems to get few foreign tourists--and maybe not that many domestic tourists.
Funny Tui is mentioned! Twenty years ago or so, I had one of the best meals of my life in Tui, at Restaurante Silabario, which since moved to Vigo and obtained a Michelin star. Back then, the restaurant was very unassuming, within an otherwise mediocre hotel (Hotel Colón). I don't remember the details of the meal, except that it was a feast... and the chef was also in charge of breakfast!
Musings aside: the Parador in Tui would be a good place to stay, and both Tui and Valença do Minho across the river (the old bridge is interesting!) are cute small towns to explore.
This being said, Baiona is a great place - arguably more impressive than Tui - and the Parador is in a striking location. I'd take it over Pontevedra, personally - fine city, but will not add much after your visit of Santiago IMO.
If you stay in Baiona, take the coastal road south to Portugal, it is very scenic, and you could use the ferry to Caminha if it still exists.
Posted by
Mid-Atlantic area
8575 posts
Adding to Balso’s comment, if you do take the coastal road from Baiona, consider a short stop at the Castro Santa Trega Celtic ruins at A Guarda. The ruins are interesting and the views are great. There was a nominal (cash only in 2023) fee to go up the hill.
