I'm helping a casual friend move her pets to Valladolid, I get a cat. Since I have never been to Spain, I decided to stay for a few days, even though it's in the middle of December. What is the most important thing to see in Valladolid? Is there a Christmas market? I'd love a daytrip to Barcelona to see some Gaudi architecture. Is that possible? I don't speak Spanish, and am finding it hard to learn. Will I get by?
Anything I can learn about this city or Spain in general would be helpful.
Posted by
Washington DC
28082 posts
Barcelona is a great city, but it's 5 hours or more away from Valladolid by train, too far for a day trip. I'd recommend going that far only if you want to spend all your extra days there and can arrange to fly home from Barcelona (or are you a European resident who'll be returning home by train?).
I haven't been to Valladolid itself, but Wikipedia suggests it has some historic architecture, so you could probably spend a full day seeing that city and enjoying the atmosphere in the historic center.
Alternatively, Valladolid is ringed by other cities worth visiting: Leon (as close as 60 minutes away by train, but service isn't terribly frequent), Burgos (46-89 minutes, but again infrequent), Segovia (35 minutes--probably your best bet), Salamanca (as close as 66 minutes away; infrequent trains). I've been to all those cities--have actually spent multiple nights in them--and can vouch for their having sights of interest. Zamora looks relatively close but requires over 3 hours on the train each way, apparently because you are routed to Madrid and back out to Zamora; I'd choose another option.
You can explore rail schedules on the Renfe website. Spain also has a large network of buses, generally very comfortable. There may be some interesting destinations accessible via a quick bus ride from Valladolid. You might ask for suggestions once you get to Valladolid.
Posted by
Duluth 🛶
8007 posts
My daughter spent a year in Valladolid teaching English as a foreign language and loved it. I was there for a week and found plenty to do. You can get by without Spanish but it's easier if you know just a bit. Download the Google Translate app on your phone and that will help.
I was there for the end of Semana Santa and it was wonderful. I know there will be lots of Christmas festivities going on at the main square (Plaza Mayor). And their food is wonderful there - I think it's known as the tapas capital of Spain. I loved every single meal I had.
I'll ask my daughter for her thoughts as well.
Posted by
Mid-Atlantic area
7159 posts
Unlike many cities in Spain, Valladolid has no must see sights. In that area, however, are a number of towns worth visiting and if you enjoy castles you would be in heaven because there are a number of nice ones nearby. Zamora, León and Burgos are all fairly close, as is Tordesillas. There will be some people who speak English, but not as many as the main tourist-visited cities. It would be a relaxing visit.
Posted by
Australia
1072 posts
There's a Gaudi building in Astorga near Leon that it potentially a day trip from Valladolid.
Posted by
OP
St Paul, MN, USA
5 posts
I just got home from Valladolid, and I completely understand why my friend wanted to move there. I found very few English speakers, but a translation app helped a great deal. There was a small but charming Christmas market, My only problem was that all I heard was American Christmas music, mostly Mariah Carey. I happily spent a few days wandering. There is a bus tour that is quite reasonable and included earphones to translate to English. The sculpture museum was very interesting. Be sure to indulge in some Spanish hot chocolate!