Plaza del Castillo , Pamplona
The heart of the Old Town of Pamplona , Plaza del Castillo is a lively central square surrounded by grand 18th-century houses with shutter windows and wrought-iron balconies . Ernest Hemingway frequented bars on the edge of the square in the 1920s and it appears as a location in his book The Sun Also Rises . Orchestral concerts , markets , dance shows and folk music are held throughout the year .
Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port
This beautiful red-roofed town , founded in the 12th century , is the starting point of the Camino Frances . The cobbled streets slope down to the river , with ornate wooden overhangs and balconies on the buildings carved with inscriptions , designs and religious symbols . The route begins on the Rue d ’ Espagne , through the Porte d ’ Espagne gate in the 19th-century walls . illustrations : LIs watkins
Santiago de Compostela
The final stop on the Camino Way , around 30,000 Camino pilgrims make it here every year . The capital of the Spanish autonomous region of Galicia , it has a strong local character with local music including bagpipes and restaurants specializing in Galician seafood and local wine . The famous cathedral is the jewel in the crown of a city full of impressive architecture .
Ponferrada
The capital of the region of El Bierzo , Ponferrada is one of the major staging posts on the Camino Way as it passes through the province of Leon . A citadel in Roman times , today the historic quarter of the town sits below an imposing castle built by the Knights Templar . Try some of the regional dishes including botillo , a smoked and marinated pork sausage served with potatoes , and a Bierzo wine .
Winter 2022 // 17