Villafranca del Bierzo, on the Camino de Santiago, is a wonderfully peaceful little town in the hills in the East of Léon in Northern Spain. If you only have two days in the town then do see these sights.
Romanesque Church of Santiago
The Church of Santiago is where the Camino enters the town on the way to Santiago. And it is here that Pilgrims could be pardoned if they were too ill to continue to Santiago.

Castle in Villafranca
Just down the road is the Castle of the Counts of Villafranca and you can easily access both from the Parador. Just walk up the old, walled road from the Parador. The building is not open to the public.


Calle de Agua
Wander down the Calle del Agua, which is probably the original route of the Camino de Santiago. The street is lined with grand houses which have huge crests over the big entry doors.

In the Calle del Agua Coat of Arms Calle del Agua
Plaza Mayor in Villafranca

Plaza Mayor in Villafranca Cooking and serving octopus Street Market A corner of the Plaza Mayor in Villafranca Flowers on the Town Hall Balcony
Parks and gardens
The Alameda Gardens are just a few minutes’ walk away and lovely to wander through. On a hot day there are plenty of plane trees which shade the walkways around the gardens.


Japanese Anemone ‘Honorine Jobert’ in the Alameda Gardens The last roses Gorgeous dahlias, still in full bloom in the Alameda Gardens Cockscomb flowers Pampas Grass
Roman Gold Mine
And on your second day you need to visit Las Médulas, an extraordinary World Heritage Site of devastation created by Roman gold mining.


This was all I managed but there is so much more to see and do if you stay for longer! We should have visited the Monastery of Carrecedos, it would have been good to get inside more of the churches in the town. I would have liked to visit the Convent of La Anunciada, and it would be fascinating to visit the Natural Park of the Sierra da Enciña da Lastra. Next time!
The Camino de Santiago from Villafranca to Monforte | London Traveller
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