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Learning Spanish in Pontevedra. The tourist guide to study your Spanish course.
General Information. 82,000 inhabitants. 580 kilometres northwest of Madrid. Pontevedra belongs to the Autonomous Community of Galicia, and is situated in the river valleys of Lérez and Tomeza in the centre of the Rías Baixas (or ‘Lower Estuaries') region. It is an attractive city with an integrated and well-preserved historic centre. Its economic development is based on tourism and services, and Pontevedra has a university campus which forms part of the University of Vigo, on the bank of the Lérez River. There are two official languages in Pontevedra and throughout the region: Spanish and Galician. Pontevedra is a very attractive place to study Spanish with some language schools offering a wide range of courses.
Surrounding Areas. Sanxenxo (18 kilometres) is a town with 36 kilometres of beaches of many different types, and whose population increases fourfold during the summer. Isla de la Toja (35 kilometres), a popular island among tourists, set in the middle of the Ría de Arosa. Vigo (30 kilometres), an important port city from which ferries run due west to the protected Islas Cíes. Santiago de Compostela (62 kilometres), the end of the road for the pilgrims who follow the Camino de Santiago.
Main Sights. St. Francis' Monastery (Convento de San Francisco). The Chapel of the Pilgrim Virgin (Capilla de la Peregrina), built in the Baroque style in the 18th century. The Gothic and Renaissance style Basilica of St. Mary Major (Basílica de Santa María la Mayor), built in the15th century. The Mercado de Abastos, a traditional food market by the river. La Alameda del Arquitecto Alejandro Sesmeros, a public park in which the seat of the Provincial Council (Diputación) is situated next to the Vicenti Gardens (Jardines de Vicenti). There are numerous squares in the old quarter of Pontevedra, such as Plaza del Teucro, with its array of small palaces dating from the 17th and 18th centuries, Plaza de la Ferrería, with the famous 16th century Ferrería as its centrepiece, Plaza de la Leña and Plaza de la Verdura. Monasterio de San Salvador de Lérez, a 10th century monastery situated 3 kilometres outside the city. The monuments are a major attraction for the many students who decide to study Spanish in Pontevedra.
Culture. A music festival called Vibrasons takes place every August. The most noteworthy museums are the Provincial Museum of Pontevedra, situated in the Sarmiento building, formerly the headquarters of the Jesuits, and the Museo del Monasterio de Poyo, a mosaic museum housed in a 17th century monastery. The most important theatre and live performance venue is the Teatro Principal.
Shopping. The main shopping area in Pontevedra comprises three streets: Calle Michelena, Calle Peregrina and Calle Olivia. The most important shopping centre is called Europa.
Gastronomy. There are numerous traditional restaurants, taverns and carveries throughout Pontevedra, although most of them are concentrated in the old quarter. The custom of eating specially prepared morsels (pinchos) and sharing portions (raciones) is a popular option. The typical dishes are made with fish and seafood, Galician veal, pork, kid and locally sourced vegetables. The Marin langoustines (cigalas), La Guardia lobsters (langostas), Carril clams and Arosa mussels are particularly famous. The most typical dishes in Pontevedra are caldeira de pescado (a fish stew), merluza a la gallega (a regional hake recipe, made with onion and potatoes seasoned with paprika), pulpo a feira (thin slices of boiled octopus served in a paprika-oil dressing) and empanada gallega, a savoury pie containing onion and peppers and a main ingredient which could be anything from scallops to cockles to pork. Being the capital of the Rías Baixas, Pontevedra also has excellent soused cockles, mussels and clams. Special mention should be made of the internationally recognised white wine called Albariño, which comes with the Rías Baixas designation of origin.
Sports. The surrounding countryside offers a range of adventure sport opportunities, such as canoeing, mountaineering and rafting. In Pontevedra you can play or learn almost any sport. The most important sporting venues include a football stadium (Estadio Municipal de Pasarón) and a sports hall (Pabellón Municipal de Deportes de Pontevedra). There are three golf courses in the area.
Fiestas. La Feria Franca (first weekend of September) is a medieval fair which commemorates Pontevedra's era of greatest prosperity, from the mid-15th century to the end of the 16th century. The Fiesta de San Benito de Lérez, including a pilgrimage in honour of St. Benedict, one of Galicia's most venerated saints, takes place on 11th July and has been declared an Event of National Tourist Interest. The Autumn Festival (Fiesta del Otoño), held in Plaza de Verdura over a weekend in mid-November, is a cultural and commercial event which celebrates typical local produce.
Transport. Pontevedra is situated between Santiago de Compostela and Vigo and linked to both via the ‘Atlantic Motorway' (Autopista del Atlántico), which runs parallel to the railway. The Vavi-tren is a special sightseeing train which takes tourists on a one-hour tour of the city. It is easy to get from Pontevedra to other Spanish cities by train or by using the various coach services.
Nightlife. Students who decide to study Spanish in Pontevedra will discover a very active nightlife. Pontevedra's nightlife centres on the area between Plaza de las Cinco Rúas and Plaza de España. On summer evenings, the locals like to gather for a drink outside the bars and cafeterias situated in the city's numerous squares, especially Plaza de la Leña, Plaza de la Verdura and Plaza de Teucro. The area known as Campiño de Santa María attracts a predominantly young crowd.
Surrounding Areas. Sanxenxo (18 kilometres) is a town with 36 kilometres of beaches of many different types, and whose population increases fourfold during the summer. Isla de la Toja (35 kilometres), a popular island among tourists, set in the middle of the Ría de Arosa. Vigo (30 kilometres), an important port city from which ferries run due west to the protected Islas Cíes. Santiago de Compostela (62 kilometres), the end of the road for the pilgrims who follow the Camino de Santiago.
Main Sights. St. Francis' Monastery (Convento de San Francisco). The Chapel of the Pilgrim Virgin (Capilla de la Peregrina), built in the Baroque style in the 18th century. The Gothic and Renaissance style Basilica of St. Mary Major (Basílica de Santa María la Mayor), built in the15th century. The Mercado de Abastos, a traditional food market by the river. La Alameda del Arquitecto Alejandro Sesmeros, a public park in which the seat of the Provincial Council (Diputación) is situated next to the Vicenti Gardens (Jardines de Vicenti). There are numerous squares in the old quarter of Pontevedra, such as Plaza del Teucro, with its array of small palaces dating from the 17th and 18th centuries, Plaza de la Ferrería, with the famous 16th century Ferrería as its centrepiece, Plaza de la Leña and Plaza de la Verdura. Monasterio de San Salvador de Lérez, a 10th century monastery situated 3 kilometres outside the city. The monuments are a major attraction for the many students who decide to study Spanish in Pontevedra.
Culture. A music festival called Vibrasons takes place every August. The most noteworthy museums are the Provincial Museum of Pontevedra, situated in the Sarmiento building, formerly the headquarters of the Jesuits, and the Museo del Monasterio de Poyo, a mosaic museum housed in a 17th century monastery. The most important theatre and live performance venue is the Teatro Principal.
Shopping. The main shopping area in Pontevedra comprises three streets: Calle Michelena, Calle Peregrina and Calle Olivia. The most important shopping centre is called Europa.
Gastronomy. There are numerous traditional restaurants, taverns and carveries throughout Pontevedra, although most of them are concentrated in the old quarter. The custom of eating specially prepared morsels (pinchos) and sharing portions (raciones) is a popular option. The typical dishes are made with fish and seafood, Galician veal, pork, kid and locally sourced vegetables. The Marin langoustines (cigalas), La Guardia lobsters (langostas), Carril clams and Arosa mussels are particularly famous. The most typical dishes in Pontevedra are caldeira de pescado (a fish stew), merluza a la gallega (a regional hake recipe, made with onion and potatoes seasoned with paprika), pulpo a feira (thin slices of boiled octopus served in a paprika-oil dressing) and empanada gallega, a savoury pie containing onion and peppers and a main ingredient which could be anything from scallops to cockles to pork. Being the capital of the Rías Baixas, Pontevedra also has excellent soused cockles, mussels and clams. Special mention should be made of the internationally recognised white wine called Albariño, which comes with the Rías Baixas designation of origin.
Sports. The surrounding countryside offers a range of adventure sport opportunities, such as canoeing, mountaineering and rafting. In Pontevedra you can play or learn almost any sport. The most important sporting venues include a football stadium (Estadio Municipal de Pasarón) and a sports hall (Pabellón Municipal de Deportes de Pontevedra). There are three golf courses in the area.
Fiestas. La Feria Franca (first weekend of September) is a medieval fair which commemorates Pontevedra's era of greatest prosperity, from the mid-15th century to the end of the 16th century. The Fiesta de San Benito de Lérez, including a pilgrimage in honour of St. Benedict, one of Galicia's most venerated saints, takes place on 11th July and has been declared an Event of National Tourist Interest. The Autumn Festival (Fiesta del Otoño), held in Plaza de Verdura over a weekend in mid-November, is a cultural and commercial event which celebrates typical local produce.
Transport. Pontevedra is situated between Santiago de Compostela and Vigo and linked to both via the ‘Atlantic Motorway' (Autopista del Atlántico), which runs parallel to the railway. The Vavi-tren is a special sightseeing train which takes tourists on a one-hour tour of the city. It is easy to get from Pontevedra to other Spanish cities by train or by using the various coach services.
Nightlife. Students who decide to study Spanish in Pontevedra will discover a very active nightlife. Pontevedra's nightlife centres on the area between Plaza de las Cinco Rúas and Plaza de España. On summer evenings, the locals like to gather for a drink outside the bars and cafeterias situated in the city's numerous squares, especially Plaza de la Leña, Plaza de la Verdura and Plaza de Teucro. The area known as Campiño de Santa María attracts a predominantly young crowd.
© TEXT: SPANISH IN TOUR.
VIDEO: Turismo de Pontevedra
VIDEO: Turismo de Pontevedra
