Things to See in Palas de Rei: 10 Must-Visit Places

Palas de Rei: much more than a Camino stage

Palas de Rei is known as a stop on the Camino de Santiago, but this municipality in the province of Lugo hides corners that deserve an unhurried visit. Here are 10 places you shouldn't miss.

1. Castle of Pambre

The star attraction of Palas de Rei. This 14th-century fortress is one of the few that survived the Irmandiño Wars (a 15th-century peasant uprising in Galicia). Built by Gonzalo Ozores de Ulloa, it retains four towers, the keep and a Romanesque chapel dedicated to St. Peter.

Declared a Cultural Heritage Site, you can visit the interior and climb to the top of the tower for spectacular views of the Galician countryside.

• Distance from Palas de Rei: 5 km
• Opening hours: Check at the tourist office
• Price: Free entry

2. Church of Vilar de Donas

A gem of Galician Romanesque architecture, declared a National Monument. It served as the headquarters of the Order of Santiago and preserves unique 15th-century medieval frescoes. The paintings depict scenes of the Annunciation and portraits of knights of the order.

• Distance from Palas de Rei: 8 km
• Must-see: The medieval frescoes inside

3. Castro de Monterroso

An Iron Age archaeological site with remains of a fortified settlement. The views from the top of the hill fort span the entire valley.

• Distance from Palas de Rei: 15 km

4. Romanesque Bridge of Leboreiro

In the small hamlet of Leboreiro, 11 km from Palas along the Camino. The medieval bridge over the River Seco and the church of Santa María form one of the most photographed settings on the Camino Francés. The tympanum of the church with the image of the Virgin deserves attention.

5. Romanesque Bridge of Furelos

13 km from Palas, another beautiful medieval bridge. This one has three arches over the River Furelos and is an essential stop for photographers on the Camino.

6. [Melide and Pulpo á Feira](/en/blog/melide-octopus-capital-camino)

Although technically Melide belongs to a different municipality, it's only 15 km away and is the undisputed capital of Galician octopus. Ezequiel, A Garnacha, Antoxo and Carmen are the best-known pulperías (octopus restaurants). The octopus is served on a wooden board with olive oil, coarse salt and paprika, accompanied by cachelos (boiled potatoes) and Ribeiro wine.

7. River Ulla and Ponte Ferreira

The River Ulla marks the southern boundary of the municipality. The Ponte Ferreira area is perfect for a peaceful walk along the river, with a medieval bridge and natural swimming spots in summer.

8. Pazo Route

The municipality of Palas de Rei has one of the highest concentrations of pazos (traditional Galician manor houses) in all of Galicia. Many are in small villages and can be discovered while walking the country lanes.

9. Local gastronomy

• Queso de Arzúa-Ulloa: PDO-certified cheese, creamy and mild
• Pulpo á feira: In Melide, the octopus capital
• Empanada gallega: Galician pie filled with scallops, cod or meat
• Caldo gallego: Galician broth, perfect for rainy days
• Filloas: Galician crêpes, traditional at Carnival but available year-round
• Orujo: Galician grape spirit. Try the herbal or coffee version

10. Palas de Rei town centre

The town centre itself deserves a stroll. The church of San Tirso with its Romanesque portal, the fountain in the square and the cobbled streets of the old quarter retain the atmosphere of an authentic Galician town.

Getting around the area

Many of these places are not on the Camino and have no public transport. A taxi is the most practical way to visit them. From Palas de Rei we offer transfers to all these spots at a fixed price.

We can put together a custom route: Castle of Pambre + Vilar de Donas + lunch in Melide, for example. We also do the Palas de Rei – Lugo transfer to visit the Roman walls. Get in touch and we'll suggest options.

Where to stay in Palas de Rei

If you're looking for a comfortable base to explore the area, Casa Andaina is a rural guesthouse in the centre of town with a fully equipped kitchen, suitable for groups and families.

If you'd like to discover these places with a local guide and historical context, OurWay.Travel organises cultural tours of the region that include the Castle of Pambre, Vilar de Donas and other hidden gems not found in the usual guidebooks.

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If you're arriving in Palas de Rei from the airport, check out our guide to the transfer from Santiago Airport or the complete guide with all the options for getting to Palas de Rei. And if you're continuing on the Camino, don't miss the guide to the Palas de Rei – Arzúa stage.