Betanzos in two days

A cultural and natural getaway to explore the city at a relaxed pace, combining historic heritage, museums and river landscapes

Mandeo River

Mandeo River

The Mandeo River stands out for its rich fish fauna and for hosting the Os Caneiros pilgrimage, the largest non-religious pilgrimage in Galicia.

The Mandeo River is a river noted for its rich fish stocks, with important fishing preserves for salmon and trout, and for the celebration along its banks of the Os Caneiros pilgrimage, the largest secular pilgrimage in Galicia. The presence of numerous hydroelectric power plants along its course has, in recent years, generated significant controversy due to the alleged danger posed by sudden changes in water flow resulting from their operation. The river rises at Marco das Pías, in the municipality of Sobrado, in the province of A Coruña, at an altitude of around 700 metres. It flows through the municipalities of Sobrado dos Monxes, Aranga, Curtis, Irixoa, Coirós, Paderne and Betanzos, covering a total length of approximately 64 km. It is the second most important river of the Rías Altas, after the Eume. It flows into the city of Betanzos, where it joins the Mendo River to form the Ría of Betanzos.

Neoclassical Town Hall designed by Ventura Rodríguez, with historic coats of arms and an outstanding art collection inside.

Municipal Clock Tower

16th-century municipal tower attached to the Church of Santiago, hexagonal in plan and featuring a clock decorated with wind reliefs.

Tower of great historical interest linked to the Irmandiño revolts, rebuilt between the 17th and 18th centuries, an example of a tower with a hat-shaped roof.

Medieval gate of Betanzos’ historic centre, also known as Porta da Ribeira or Porta de Paio Fermoso, built in the 15th century.

New Bridge Gate

15th-century medieval gate, the best preserved in the city, with remains of towers and a pointed double inner arcade.

Old Bridge Gate

15th-century medieval gate that preserves the portcullis guides and served as a control point for the weights of market goods.

Church of Santa María do Azogue

14th–15th century Gothic church with Flemish altarpieces, mural paintings and tombs of medieval Betanzos society.

Church and Convent of San Francisco

14th-century Gothic temple declared a BIC, with extraordinary tombs of the Andrade family and rich sculptural decoration.

Church of Santiago

15th-century church transitioning from Romanesque to Gothic, linked to Fernán Pérez de Andrade and the Way of Saint James.

Santa María Stone Cross

Stone cross located in the historic centre of Betanzos.

Gothic House or Vilousaz House

16th-century Gothic house built for Lope García de Vilousaz, with a conopial arch and noble coat of arms on the façade.

Couceiro Pharmacy

Couceiro Pharmacy, operating since the late 17th century, the oldest commercial establishment in Galicia.

1906 modernist building on Valdoncel Street, designed by Matías Witz, restored and characterised by balconies and an upper cornice.

Casa del Pueblo (People’s House)

Building promoted in 1917 thanks to the legacy of Jesús García Naveira for the Federation of Workers’ Societies of Betanzos.

García Naveira Brothers’ House

French-influenced building built in 1890 as the home and business of Juan García Naveira, notable for its use of marble and commemorative plaque.

Statue of Charity

Contemporary sculpture “Charity”, a reinterpretation of Roman Charity, symbolising solidarity and the philanthropic legacy of the García Naveira brothers.

Alfonsetti Cinema-Theatre

Alfonsetti Theatre-Cinema, inaugurated in 1882, one of the oldest cinemas in Spain, now the municipal theatre in the former convent of San Domingos.

Neoclassical 18th-century manor house, with an L-shaped floor plan and a large heraldic coat of arms, promoted by Archbishop Sánchez Baamonde.

Soportales del Campo Arcades

Popular street with gallery houses and arcades, now an area of bars and restaurants and a social meeting point in Betanzos.

Mariñán-style houses of Fonte de Unta, A Cañota and Rúa Quiroga

Traditional agricultural neighbourhood of Fonte de Unta, characterised by arcades and wooden balconies used as urban granaries.

García Naveira Brothers Statue

Diana the Huntress Fountain

Monumental fountain inaugurated in 1867, a replica of the Diana of the Louvre and one of Betanzos’ most recognisable urban symbols.

Four Seasons Fountain

Monumental fountain inspired by the Louvois fountain in Paris, decorated with female figures representing the four seasons.

Museo das Mariñas

Extensive ethnographic collection of traditional costumes, photography and history.

CIEC (International Centre for Contemporary Printmaking)

Printmaking workshop and museum, housed in the modernist building created by Rafael González Villar for the Núñez family.

Pasatiempo Park

Historic garden created by Juan García Naveira in the late 19th century, famous for its grottoes, sculptures and social and cultural symbolism.

The Mandeo River stands out for its rich fish fauna and for hosting the Os Caneiros pilgrimage, the largest non-religious pilgrimage in Galicia.

Parish Church of San Martín de Tiobre

12th-century Romanesque church with a single nave and rich sculptural decoration on the portal and bell gable.

Church of As Angustias

18th-century Baroque church with a Latin cross plan, notable for its imposing stone façade.

Parish Church of Santa María de Pontellas

13th-century Romanesque church with a single nave, pointed triumphal arch and simple bell gable, a sober example of rural Galician Romanesque.

Magdalena Chapel

Small 18th-century chapel, heir to a former medieval hospital for lepers under the dedication of Saint Lazarus.

Chapel of Our Lady of Amparo

Neoclassical chapel dedicated to Our Lady of Amparo, with a simple façade and granite niche housing the Virgin’s image.