Tui

Tui (or Tuy), is located in the south of Galicia, specifically in the Baixo Miño region. This beautiful town houses within its limits a historic old town of great value, declared a Historical-Artistic Complex. In it, you can find one of the most famous cathedrals in Galicia: the Cathedral of Santa María de Tui.

In addition to all its natural, heritage, and historical elements, Tui is also a prominent place for being the chosen point for thousands of pilgrims each year to start the route of the Portuguese Camino de Santiago. Tui is a border city, separated from Portugal by the Miño River. Since 2012, Tui and Valença do Minho have formed a Eurocity.

Tui is a place that has been inhabited since Prehistory. From the castrexa period, there are remains of hill forts preserved on top of Mount Aloia. Subsequently, since Romanization, numerous peoples and cultures such as the Romans, Suevi, Visigoths, Vikings, Muslims, or Jews have passed through Tui, leaving their mark and building the history of the city. It was even declared one of the 7 provinces of the ancient Kingdom of Galicia, around the year 1500. This is due to the importance of Tui during the medieval period, which has left us with one of the best historic centers in all of Galicia.

Where to eat in Tui

There are different options for eating in Tui for pilgrims, and we particularly like two specific areas, always near the Camino:

• Historic Center: in the vicinity of the Cathedral of Tui, you will find various restaurant options to eat or grab a bite;
• Cantón de Diomedes: bordering the historic center, you will also find special places to eat.

Cathedral of Santa Maria

Like many other buildings of the Middle Ages, the cathedral of Santa Maria de Tui began to be built in 1120 in Romanesque style and was later finished in Gothic style. Its solid and robust appearance shows the Romanesque style of the base, which contrasts with its pointed doorway, one of the first Gothic doorways in Galicia. The cloister of the cathedral, in Gothic style, is one of the best preserved in the whole region. In addition, the cathedral complex also preserves the largest Romanesque cathedral chapter house in Galicia.

The cathedral of Tui was declared an Asset of Cultural Interest in 1931 and is open to the public to visit, paying an entrance fee of 5€. The Diocesan Museum is located in the same square as the main entrance to the cathedral, the Plaza de San Fernando.

Chapel of San Telmo

This church is a unique example of Portuguese Baroque in Galicia, built on the house where the Dominican saint San Telmo died. This style is also known in the area as Minoan Baroque. It is one of the most visited religious monuments along with the Cathedral of Santa Maria. It contains frescoes dating from the early nineteenth century, which makes it a very complete monument and worthy of being visited.

Mount Aloia

If you are a nature lover and are fascinated by landscapes with great panoramic views, you are practically obliged to take a route through Monte Aloia. Monte Aloia was the first natural space declared Natural Park of Galicia. It has great heritage elements such as the Alto dos Cubos Hillfort, the cyclopean wall and beautiful routes and botanical trails of great ecological value. In addition from the Park you will enjoy countless routes and viewpoints with panoramic views of the Minho and its mouth privileged.

Tui International Bridge

An architectural marvel that joins the Portuguese and Galician banks of the river Minho. Although it is said to have been designed by the famous Gustave Eiffel, it is known that the engineer and member of parliament from La Rioja, Pelayo Mancebo y Ágreda, was in charge of carrying out this project. Take a break to immortalize the incredible views offered by this marvel of iron architecture. If you start your Portuguese Way in Portugal, you will cross this bridge to get to Tui.

Other places in the old town

Our recommendation is that you get lost walking through its streets, so you can discover all its corners. One of the most unique streets is Entrefornos Street, from which you can walk down to the iconic Plaza Frómista. Drop by the Plaza de la Estrella and contemplate the beautiful views of the Miño and then go up through the tunnel of the Clarisas to the cathedral again. To enter the new part of the city, along the Paseo de la Corredera, you will have to go through the Porta da Pía, one of the gates that closed the old walled city.
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