Palencia is the perfect destination to get away from it all and recharge your batteries. It can be explored comfortably on foot and there are numerous tourist routes that take in the city's different cultural attractions.
We also recommend that you discover Palencia's surroundings. Discover the famous Canal de Castilla. Follow the Ruta de las Esclusas to visit the canal's basins and different locks to find out all about the canal. For nature lovers, a visit to Monte el Viejo is a must: this authentic forest is just 6 km from the city, a veritable luxury. It is the perfect spot for hiking and other sports, including mountain biking, as it is connected to the city by a bike lane. The Greenways are also a great option, as is the Tren Burra, a great way to enjoy the landscapes of Tierra de Campos.
What are you waiting for? Get your train ticket now and discover Palencia and its surroundings to enjoy a unique getaway.
Palencia is a peaceful place that you can walk around easily. This land, on the banks of the Carrión River, hides an unusual wealth of monuments and art.
Are you interested in exploring this Castilian wonder? Read on to find out what to see in Palencia to make sure you don't miss anything.
Start your walk along Calle Mayor, its main artery. You will recognise it by the magnificent 19th-century arcades that run along it, and by the Monumento a la Mujer Palentina (Monument to the Women of Palencia), the work of Indalecio López and affectionately nicknamed La Gorda (The Fat Woman) by the locals.
Visit no. 36 on this same street to discover the Colegio de Villandrando (school), a building whose façade, with its windows in the purest Venetian Gothic style, will leave you speechless. Once in the Plaza Mayor, take the opportunity to see the monument in honour of the great artist Berruguete from the terraces of the many bars.
It's time to discover the city's jewel: the cathedral of San Antolín de Palencia, also nicknamed the Bella Desconocida (Unknown Beauty). This Gothic temple was constructed in the fourteenth century and stands on the remains of a Visigothic crypt. Inside, visitors can observe different styles and elements from different eras, from the primitive foundations of the crypt of San Antolín, to the Renaissance grandeur of its main altarpiece.
Marvel at one of the largest cathedrals in Spain and the incredible cultural heritage left by artists such as El Greco or Berruguete housed inside it.
The church of San Miguel is another iconic spot if you are passionate about historical architecture. They say this was the place where El Cid and Doña Jimena were married.
Add the finishing touch to your monumental walk at the Cristo del Otero, a spectacular sculpture that seems to bless the city from the heights. You can walk up to it because it's just a few miles away and the reward is worth it: from here, you will enjoy privileged views of all Palencia.
If you go in summer, spend a day at the Parque del Sotillo (park), which is located on a natural island in the Carrión River. The perfect spot to cool off on the hottest days.
You can't leave Palencia without trying the cooking. The lechazo churro (spring lamb of the Churra breed) is definitely the dish par excellence, but don't forget to try the popular 'sopa castellana' (garlicky chicken broth), the 'menestra palentina' (vegetable stew) or the 'morcilla de Villada' (prestigious black pudding made with sautéed onion). In this city, there are lots of taverns where you can enjoy these and other delicacies from the area.
And what better than washing down this rich gastronomy with excellent local wine. The province of Palencia is home to two designations of origin: Arlanza, which it shares with Burgos, and Cigales which it shares with Valladolid.
And what better way to finish off than a delicious dessert! You simply cannot leave Palencia without trying its rosquillas, hojuelas con miel or cazuela de San Antolín, the star of the Fiestas de San Antolín.
No one doubts the beauty of the mountains of Palencia. What many do not know is that this is the perfect place to collect mushrooms, an exquisite delicacy added to many local dishes. If you go in autumn, sign up for a mycological event and enjoy something unique and different. Fancy giving it a go?
Holy Week in Palencia has been acknowledged an International Tourist Attraction and is an event worth seeing. From Palm Sunday, with the "La Borriquita" procession to Easter Sunday with the "Rompimiento del Velo", which fills the city with the noise of fireworks and bells ringing, the city comes alive during a week of authentic celebration.
During processions that date back several centuries, the streets are filled with a sobriety and silence that is only broken by the characteristic sound of the "tararú", which sets the pace of the processions and signals when to stop and the voices of the accompanying choirs. Worth particular mention during Holy Week in Palencia is the famous "Llamada a los hermanos", on Tuesday and Wednesday night, when bugles are sounded and people knock on residents' doors to invite them to participate in the processions. Intriguing, wouldn't you say?
Travel to Palencia by train this Easter and let yourself be surprised.
Convinced that Palencia is worth a visit? Then what are you waiting for? It's time to enjoy this city with Renfe. Travel with us in the fastest most comfortable and sustainable way. Take a look at our routes!
Discover and find out all about the Canal de Castilla. Located between Palencia and Valladolid, this was one of the biggest projects of the Enlightenment and the only navigable canal in Spain. It can be reached by train as a railway runs parallel to the canal between Valladolid/Palencia and Alar del Rey.
The old towpaths run along both sides of the Canal and are fully passable for hiking or cycling and the northern branch spans 75 kilometres. The perfect plan for nature and sports fanatics, wouldn't you say?
There are numerous towns on the banks of the canal worth a visit, including Alar del Rey, where the River Pisuerga flows into the canal, Herrera de Pisuerga, Osorno or Frómista, where it connects to the Camino de Santiago and which is also home to the Romanesque works of Palencia.
Media Distancia (mid-distance) trains connect Frómista and the other towns along the Canal to Valladolid, Palencia and Santander. You can also travel to the town from Madrid connecting through Valladolid.
Visit the Canal de Castilla with Renfe. What are you waiting for?