Galicia It is considered one of the most precious natural jewels of Spanish geography. The region welcomes tourists from all over the world attracted by its impressive landscapes and its coast, famous for the beaches of the Rías Baixas and the cliffs of the Costa da Morte.
In addition to its natural attractions, Galicia has a great historical wealthwith the city of Santiago de Compostela as epicenter, but also with pretty towns Within its geography lie precious architectural treasures.
In this sense, the “Spain Tourism” application has just published a ranking of the most beautiful cities in Galicia. The list, prepared with votes from app users, is led by an impressive municipality located inside the region. It is, neither more nor less, that Palas de Rey (Palas de Rei, in Galician), in the province of Lugo. The top 3 is completed by Folgoso do Courel and Cambados.
What to see in Palas de Rey
Palas de Rey is located in the Lugo region Ulloa and its name refers, according to legend, to the former residence of a Gothic king of the region. This small town has a rich historical heritage and spectacular natural landscapes, making it a point of interest for both tourists and pilgrims.
And the municipality of Palas de Rey is known for being one of the flagship destinations of Way of Saint Jamessince it is part of the last stage of the French route, one of the most frequented by pilgrims heading towards Santiago de Compostela, located about 70 kilometers away.
Within the architectural heritage of Palas de Rey, the Château de Pambrea 14th century fortress considered one of the best preserved in Galicia. Built in 1375 by Gonzalo Ozores de Ulloa, it is declared an Asset of Cultural Interest and Historical Heritage of Spain and constitutes one of the greatest examples of medieval military architecture that can be found in the region.
Church of Vilar de Donas
In addition, the town has many examples of religious architecture, such as the Church of Vilar de DonasRomanesque in style and famous for its medieval frescoes and for being one of the main centers of operation of the knights of the Order of Santiago, many of whom are buried in this place.
Palas de Rey also attracts the attention of visitors for its impressive natural landscapes, with hiking routes that pass through valleys, hills and forests typical of Galicia. One of the main ones is the Sendero del Pambre, which leads to the Torrentes del Mácara, a succession of small waterfalls and pools full of magic.
How to get to Palas de Rey
Getting to Palas de Rey is easy, as the municipality is well connected to other main points in Galicia. By car, the most comfortable is to leave from Santiago de Compostela, a journey that can last around an hour and is done through the N-457.
As for public transportation, Palas de Rey does not have a train station, but there are bus lines from Santiago de Compostela. The journey time is approximately one hour and times may vary depending on the season. If you are traveling from cities like Madrid or Barcelona, the easiest way will be to go to the Galician capital.
