Betanzos

A 14th-century Gothic church with one of the most impressive interiors on the Camino Ingles. Inside, look for the tomb of Fernan Perez de Andrade, the medieval nobleman, which is supported by the carved figures of a wild boar and a bear, his family's heraldic symbols. The cloister and carved stone details throughout the church are exceptional.

Betanzos is famous across Galicia for its tortilla. Unlike the firm, fully cooked version served elsewhere in Spain, the Betanzos tortilla is deliberately runny in the centre, almost creamy. The bars in the narrow streets behind the main square compete fiercely for the title of best tortilla in town. Order one with a glass of Ribeiro white wine.

The medieval old town climbs steeply above the river. The arcaded streets and plazas have a lived-in charm that feels authentically Galician rather than touristy. Walk through the Porta da Vila, one of the remaining medieval gates, and wander without a map. The town is small enough that you cannot get seriously lost.

A 14th-century Gothic church on the edge of the old town with a beautifully carved western facade. The name "Azougue" means "market" and the church was built next to the medieval marketplace. Inside, the stone carving is delicate and expressive. Between this church and San Francisco, Betanzos has two of the finest Gothic churches in all of Galicia.

An unusual public park on the edge of town, built in the early 1900s by the Garcia Naveira brothers. Originally it was an elaborate fantasy garden with grottoes, labyrinths, statues, and fountains. Much of it has fallen into ruin, but the surviving sections are atmospheric and strange. A curious piece of local history that most pilgrims never discover.