A medieval Spanish border town with a 12th-century cathedral and stone bridges crossing the Miño River into Portugal. The ancient thermal baths remain a local gathering spot.
Tui sits on a hilltop above the Miño River that separates Spain and Portugal. In the old town, granite buildings line cobblestone streets that wind up to a 12th-century cathedral. You can climb the cathedral towers for river views, hike through pine forests in Monte Aloia nature reserve, or sample local specialties like blood-cooked lamprey and almond pastries made daily by Clarisa nuns.
Exploring Tui's Medieval Center
The granite cathedral dominates Tui's skyline, with its twin towers rising above the town. At the main entrance, you'll see stone carvings depicting biblical scenes and saints. Inside, Romanesque columns support Gothic arches, and sunlight filters through medieval stained glass. The cathedral's towers give you panoramic views of the Miño valley. The surrounding complex includes a garden courtyard with roses and camellias, while the thick defensive walls remind visitors of the town's former role guarding the Portuguese border.
Religious Architecture Beyond the Cathedral
The Church of San Telmo stands out with its 18th-century Portuguese-style dome and colorful painted altarpiece. At Santo Domingo Church, you can see the transition from Gothic to Baroque styles in its architecture, particularly in the side entrance and chapel areas. The Clarisa nuns still live and work in their convent, where they maintain a golden Baroque altarpiece and continue their centuries-old tradition of baking sweets.
Museums and Cultural Sites
The Archaeological Museum displays artifacts from the region's past, including a rare Celtic bronze helmet discovered in Caldelas de Tui. In the Diocesan Museum, housed in an old pilgrim hospital, you'll find religious art and metalwork displayed around an 18th-century courtyard. The collection includes silver pieces crafted by artisans from Spain and the Americas.
Monte Aloia Nature Reserve
A 10-minute drive takes you to Monte Aloia, where five viewpoints overlook the Miño estuary. The walking trails wind through pine and oak forests, passing by stone remains of Celtic settlements. Information panels along the paths explain the local flora and ancient history.
Border Town Connections
Two bridges connect Tui to Portugal: the iron International Bridge from 1878 and a modern bridge from the 1990s. You can walk across the historic bridge to reach Valença, Portugal, with no border controls thanks to the Schengen agreement.
Local Food and Wine
Restaurants in Tui specialize in river fish dishes. Try lamprey prepared in its own blood with rice, or grilled eel with garlic. The Clarisa nuns sell their peixiños de amendoa (almond fish-shaped pastries) through a turnstile window at their convent. Many restaurants serve these traditional dishes with white Albariño wine from local Rías Baixas vineyards.
Starting Point for the Camino
The Portuguese Way to Santiago de Compostela starts in Tui. The 116-kilometer route to Santiago takes you through small Galician villages and pine forests. Walking this distance qualifies you for the Compostela certificate at Santiago Cathedral.
