Given that many of Spain's great names lived here at some point - Fernando & Isabella, Columbus, Cervantes, Felipe II - it is surprising that the city has only recently made real efforts to promote its treasures, after years of woeful neglect. Having said that, the main sight of interest, unless you're fresh on your discovery of Gothic architecture, is probably the museum of sculpture. Without doubt this houses the finest collection of its kind in Spain and is a must, if you are in the city.
Around the impressive Plaza Mayor you will discover some buzzing bars where the quality of house wines are as good as any in Spain. The reason? Alongside Valladolid are some of the best vineyards in the country. The wines of Ribera del Duero are considered by many, and not just by the locals, to be the best in Spain.
Travelling around the province of Valladolid, you will see a number of signs for wineries or bodegas. Unfortunately few accept visitors on an impromptu basis. However, the town of Peñafiel is about to open a wine museum where these prestigious local wines can be tasted and, with a few coins, purchased for more extensive research. Even if you're not a wine enthusiast, Peñafiel is most certainly worth a detour just to visit the extraordinarily impressive castle there.
