Must sees and do's

[DeniseT]

Hi all,
Thanks for all the info over the months of prep, everything coming together with training and gear.
I am keen to find out people's top spots to stop and look at and even great accomodation for cultural experiences.
I leave 1 June SJPDP and plan to arrive 10 July Santiago walking alone mainly.
Also
If I have a few hours to spare at biarrritz should I check this town out have a swim or check out Bayonne before arriving in SJPDP evening 30 May ????( will have about 6hrs I guess then hoping to share transport to SJPDP)

 

[Rick of Rick and Peg]

In Leon there is the gothic cathedral of course but during the camino I found a great appreciation for the romanesque period. The camino in Leon passes the Basilica of San Isidoro and attached to that is a museum that contains books and other objects of that period but there were two things that absolutely fascinated me, the 11th century Royal Pantheon and the chalice of Dona Urraca, one of the Holy Grails that Europe is so full of. The Royal Pantheon is sometimes called the "Sistine Chapel of Romanesque art" and a recent book documented the chalice (and did such a job that it might be off display for awhile.)

 

[DeniseT]

Brilliant
Thamkyou

 

[Rick of Rick and Peg]

Do not miss the church in Navarette. It's a small town now but was much bigger and has a big church. Very high ceiling and the retablo takes up a whole wall and it is almost all gold. See the picture on this forum: https://www.caminodesantiago.me/com...-the-church-of-the-assumption-navarrete.1502/

 

[poogeyejr]

I wandered through Bayonne in under an hour. If you did 4 hours in Biarritz and 1.5 hours in Bayonne you could enjoy both.

 

[scruffy1]

Do not miss the church in Navarette. It's a small town now but was much bigger and has a big church. Very high ceiling and the retablo takes up a whole wall and it is almost all gold. See the picture on this forum: https://www.caminodesantiago.me/com...-the-church-of-the-assumption-navarrete.1502/

Find the coin box and pop in the coins or you won't see anything.

 

[scruffy1]

In Burgos, make time for the Abbey of Santa María la Real de Las Huelgas, on the left of the Camino as you leave town.The monastery of Cistercian nuns is a mind blowing combination of all things medieval Spanish, Moorish, art and architecture. Seen by guided tour only, it is amazing.

 

[Rick of Rick and Peg]

Here are a few other threads with sightseeing tips:
https://www.caminodesantiago.me/com...ces-deserving-exploration-on-c-frances.37972/
https://www.caminodesantiago.me/community/threads/good-historical-sites.38613/
https://www.caminodesantiago.me/community/threads/sites-to-not-miss.45459/