Betanzos
Betanzos is a medieval town with a population of about 13,000. It regularly appears in lists of top places to visit in Galicia. Its cobbled streets, medieval walls and churches make it a lovely place for a short visit. The town originally dates back to Roman times.
The original old town was built where the Mandeo river is joined by the smaller Mendo river. This would have provided some defence on two sides in the past.
The Mandeo continues on to the sea, which made Betanzos an important trading port in the past. This connection with the sea can be explored in the Marine Museum (Museo das Mariñas). The museum is located in a 16th-century Convent of Santo Domingo de Betanzos. The museum has an amazing collection on display.
Just around the corner, the building also houses the Alfonsetti Cinema, which is said to be one of the oldest in Spain.
Betanzos is also a town on one of the paths on the Camino Inglés (The English Way) pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostela. This is a shorter version of the much longer traditional Camino de Santiago. This version originally saw people sail to either A Coruña or Ferrol and from there walk south towards Santiago De Compostela.
Events in Betanzos
The biggest event of the year is the Festival of San Roque (Saint Roque) the towns patron saint. The festival takes place between 14th and 25th of August each year. There are heaps of activities during this period to suit everyone. These include kid friendly day events and parties that go long into the night.
One highlight is the release of a hot air balloon at midnight on the 16th.
Another is a parade of boats on the Mendeo river on 25th. This event sees pilgrims ferried up the river in decorated boats followed by a massive party.
Another big event during the year is the Tortilla festival, which is usually held from the end of September to about the 9th of October.
If you aren’t familiar with Spanish tortillas, they are one of the most popular and widely enjoyed dishes in Spain. It’s a simple dish made with potatoes, eggs and onion. For purists, there is no onion in tortilla and with or without onion is an ongoing national debate. Whatever way you have it, it’s so good. The local Betanzos version tends to be without onion and is runnier than many people (me included) prefer. Of course, everyone in Spain thinks that their mum makes the best tortilla so any town that reckons they do it best, must have something to boast about.
Pincho week is another great week for foodies to visit the town. This is held in the first week of December and provides an opportunity for the city’s restaurants to strut their stuff.
For a more detailed look at food, read Where to Eat in Betanzos for recommendations on traditional, fine-dining and budget-friendly options.
A Medieval Festival is held on the second Sunday of July. It features food, events, medieval costumes and displays featuring skills and items from the period.
Getting to Bentazos
The nearest major airport is Santiago de Compostela, which has plenty of flights arriving from across Europe. Book flights.
Once in Santiago, Betanzos is a 40-minute drive by car or about 1 hour 20 minutes by bus. Hire a Car. Buy Tickets.
From Santiago, you can also catch a high-speed rail to A Coruña, taking about 30 minutes, and then a local train to Betanzos, taking between 25 and 35 minutes. Buy Tickets.
The drive from A Coruña will take about 20 minutes. Hire a Car.