City · Galicia · All places
A rainy Galician city that took cars out of its old centre and became one of the most walkable places in Spain.
Pontevedra is the capital of its province in Galicia, at the head of a ría on the Atlantic coast and on the river Lérez. It sits between Vigo and Santiago de Compostela, with the Rías Baixas beaches and the island resorts a short drive away. The old town is a tangle of granite squares and arcades, and it is known across Spain for what happened to its streets.
In the late nineties the city centre was closed to through traffic, parking was moved to the edge and schools began walking their children to class. The result is one of the quietest, safest and most walkable city cores in Spain.
The city has 83,316 residents (2025). It suits families, retirees and people who want a small, safe, well-run city with an Atlantic climate.
Data as of · the latest figures cover Jun 2026
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What the data says
Pontevedra stands out for safety, climate and healthcare; it is weaker on connectivity and digital. A typical 70 m² rental costs about €443 a month (2024).
Who it suits, 0 to 100
Practical conclusions we draw from Pontevedra’s figures. They are inferences, not official statistics: each says what it rests on.
Few residents come from English-speaking or northern European countries, so daily life runs in Spanish. Contracts, the town hall and most doctors work in Spanish or Galician.
Galician is an official language alongside Spanish. Expect it on signs, at the town hall and in state schools.
Octopus, empanada, scallops and shellfish from the rías, with Albariño poured at lunch.
Slow and unforced, with people on foot in the middle of streets that used to be roads.
Wine bars and tapas around Praza da Ferrería and Praza da Leña, with a lively student crowd on Thursdays.
A compact old town on the Lérez river, a grid of shopping streets and quiet residential blocks beyond.
Galician and Spanish both in daily use, with Galician strong in schools and local government.
The Peregrina fiestas in August, the Festa da Istoria in September and a solemn Holy Week.
Riverside paths, the ría and nearby beaches, and the Camino Portugués passing through.
Pontevedra is a city where you meet people by walking. The old town has granite squares, arcaded houses and the pilgrim chapel shaped like a scallop shell, and it is closed to cars, so tables spill into streets and children run between the benches. Praza da Ferrería and Praza da Leña are where people gather for a midday drink and an afternoon coffee.
The shopping streets of the new town, around Calle Michelena and the Alameda, are busy by day and empty at night. The riverside path along the Lérez, the Burgo bridge and the island of sculptures give the city green edges. Students from the university campus add noise on Thursday night and little else.
Food is Galician and good: octopus served on wooden plates, scallops with the Peregrina emblem, empanada, pimientos de Padrón and shellfish from the ría, all washed down with Albariño. Lunch runs late, and menus of the day are good value in the streets near the market.
Festivals include the Peregrina fiestas in August, the Festa da Istoria in September with a medieval market and costumes, and processions in Holy Week. Galician is used in local government and schools, and a few words go a long way.
Pontevedra grew as a port and market town in the Middle Ages. The silting of its estuary pushed the sea away and sent trade to Vigo, and the city settled into a role as a provincial capital with courts, a hospital, a university campus and a naval academy in neighbouring Marín. That left it with a stable public-sector base, a scale that suits walking and little pressure from mass tourism.
The traffic policy is the reason people talk about it. Over twenty years the council removed through traffic from the centre, limited speeds to walking pace on many streets and redesigned squares for people. The city comes out strong on safety, with recorded crime of 39.9 per 1,000 people (2024). Car use for commuting is still 59% of commuters of commuters (2021), because the suburbs and the surrounding parishes depend on cars.
The economy is steady rather than exciting. Jobs come out average and prosperity above average, with unemployment at 10.2% (2025). The share of adults with a degree is 53% (2024), which is high for a city of this size and reflects the civil service, teachers and health workers who live here. Median age is 49.3 years (2025), so the city is older than most.
Housing is cheaper than in Vigo or A Coruña. A seventy square metre flat rents for around €443 a month (2024), and buying costs €2,060 per square metre (Q2 2026). Housing comes out average. Healthcare comes out above average, with 8.5 per 1,000 people hospital beds (2025), and life expectancy is 83.9 years (2023).
Figures for Pontevedra itself, not its region. Each shows the period it covers.
Each card uses Pontevedra data only and compares it with similar cities. Open “Why this score?” to see the measures behind it.
Safety is strong: in the top 10% of Spanish cities above 50,000.
Robberies: 40.8 per 100k people — better than 90% of Spanish cities above 50,000
Strong: 80 out of 100, where 50 is typical for the comparison group. These are the measures behind it.
| Measure | Value | Compared with peers |
|---|---|---|
| HomicidesPontevedra · 2025 | 0.00 per 100k people | better than 78% of Spanish cities above 50,000 |
| Recorded crimePontevedra · 2024 | 39.9 per 1,000 people | better than 83% of Spanish cities above 50,000 |
| RobberiesPontevedra · 2025 | 40.8 per 100k people | better than 90% of Spanish cities above 50,000 |
| BurglariesPontevedra · 2025 | 62.4 per 100k people | better than 89% of Spanish cities above 50,000 |
| Sexual offencesPontevedra · 2024 | 0.35 per 1,000 people | better than 66% of Spanish cities above 50,000 |
| TheftsPontevedra · 2025 | 846 per 100k people | better than 77% of Spanish cities above 50,000 |
| Vehicle theftsPontevedra · 2025 | 21.6 per 100k people | better than 89% of Spanish cities above 50,000 |
Climate is strong: in the top 10% of major European cities.
Pleasant days (18–28 °C, dry): 116 days a year — better than 89% of major European cities
Strong: 76 out of 100, where 50 is typical for the comparison group. These are the measures behind it.
| Measure | Value | Compared with peers |
|---|---|---|
| Pleasant days (18–28 °C, dry)Pontevedra · 2015-01-01..2024-12-31 | 116 days a year | better than 89% of major European cities |
| Days above 35 °CPontevedra · 2015-01-01..2024-12-31 | 1.30 days a year | better than 49% of major European cities |
| Nights above 20 °CPontevedra · 2015-01-01..2024-12-31 | 1.00 nights a year | better than 76% of major European cities |
Healthcare is above average: better than most Spanish cities above 50,000.
Life expectancy: 83.9 years — better than 70% of Spanish cities above 50,000
Above average: 70 out of 100, where 50 is typical for the comparison group. These are the measures behind it.
| Measure | Value | Compared with peers |
|---|---|---|
| Life expectancyPontevedra · 2023 | 83.9 years | better than 70% of Spanish cities above 50,000 |
Prosperity is above average: better than most Spanish cities above 50,000.
Household income per person: 16,472 € a year per person — better than 66% of Spanish cities above 50,000
Above average: 66 out of 100, where 50 is typical for the comparison group. These are the measures behind it.
| Measure | Value | Compared with peers |
|---|---|---|
| Household income per personPontevedra · 2024 | 16,472 € a year per person | better than 66% of Spanish cities above 50,000 |
Housing is around the middle: better than most Spanish cities above 50,000.
Rent per m²: 6.32 €/m² a month — better than 75% of Spanish cities above 50,000
Average: 56 out of 100, where 50 is typical for the comparison group. These are the measures behind it.
| Measure | Value | Compared with peers |
|---|---|---|
| Rent per m²Pontevedra · 2024 | 6.32 €/m² a month | better than 75% of Spanish cities above 50,000 |
| Rents, change in a yearPontevedra · 2024 | 3.30% | better than 49% of Spanish cities above 50,000 |
| Buying price per m²Pontevedra · 2026-Q2 | 2,060 €/m² | better than 61% of Spanish cities above 50,000 |
| Rent growth a year, over 3 yearsPontevedra · 2024 | 4.62% | better than 54% of Spanish cities above 50,000 |
| House prices, change in a yearPontevedra · 2026-Q2 | 15.8% | better than 37% of Spanish cities above 50,000 |
Jobs is around the middle: around the middle of Spanish cities above 50,000.
Unemployment: 10.2% — better than 55% of Spanish cities above 50,000
Average: 55 out of 100, where 50 is typical for the comparison group. These are the measures behind it.
| Measure | Value | Compared with peers |
|---|---|---|
| UnemploymentPontevedra · 2025 | 10.2% | better than 55% of Spanish cities above 50,000 |
| Unemployment, change in a yearPontevedra · 2025 | -1.18 points | better than 55% of Spanish cities above 50,000 |
Transport is around the middle: around the middle of Spanish cities above 50,000.
Commute by public transport: 8.60% — worse than 72% of Spanish cities above 50,000
Average: 48 out of 100, where 50 is typical for the comparison group. These are the measures behind it.
| Measure | Value | Compared with peers |
|---|---|---|
| Average commute (one way)Pontevedra · 2021 | 37.4 minutes | better than 59% of Spanish cities above 50,000 |
| Commute by carPontevedra · 2021 | 58.7% | better than 54% of Spanish cities above 50,000 |
| Commute by public transportPontevedra · 2021 | 8.60% | better than 28% of Spanish cities above 50,000 |
Digital is below average: in the bottom quarter of Spanish cities above 50,000.
Homes that can get gigabit internet: 93.6% — worse than 93% of Spanish cities above 50,000
Below average: 29 out of 100, where 50 is typical for the comparison group. These are the measures behind it.
| Measure | Value | Compared with peers |
|---|---|---|
| Homes that can get gigabit internetPontevedra · 2025 | 93.6% | better than 7% of Spanish cities above 50,000 |
| Homes with fibre to the doorPontevedra · 2025 | 94.8% | better than 7% of Spanish cities above 50,000 |
| 5G coveragePontevedra · 2025 | 100% | better than 85% of Spanish cities above 50,000 |
Connectivity is weak: in the bottom 10% of major European cities.
Distance to the main airport: 53.7 km — worse than 100% of major European cities
Weak: 0 out of 100, where 50 is typical for the comparison group. These are the measures behind it.
| Measure | Value | Compared with peers |
|---|---|---|
| Distance to the main airportPontevedra · 2026-10-21 | 53.7 km | better than 0% of major European cities |
What we cannot score for Pontevedra yet
Highs around 27° in August, lows around 6° in January. 116 pleasant days a year (dry, 18–28 °C).
| Month | High | Low | Rain |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 12.4°C | 6.2°C | 169 mm |
| February | 13.5°C | 6.6°C | 136 mm |
| March | 14.7°C | 7.1°C | 139 mm |
| April | 17.2°C | 8.8°C | 117 mm |
| May | 19.9°C | 10.9°C | 85 mm |
| June | 22.3°C | 13.1°C | 61 mm |
| July | 26.4°C | 15.0°C | 17 mm |
| August | 26.9°C | 15.4°C | 33 mm |
| September | 24.2°C | 14.1°C | 69 mm |
| October | 20.4°C | 12.5°C | 181 mm |
| November | 15.7°C | 9.5°C | 179 mm |
| December | 13.6°C | 7.9°C | 207 mm |
Pontevedra is among the wettest cities in Spain and its climate is Atlantic: soft, green and grey. Summers are mild, sometimes cloudy, and heat waves are rare. Winters are wet and rarely cold, and fog and low cloud can hang for days. Wet weeks are normal, so waterproofs and a dry flat with ventilation matter more than a pair of sunglasses.
Rainfall is 1,392 mm a year a year (2015–2024, the highest of any Spanish city of its size, spread over 144 a year rain days (2015–2024). Very hot days are almost unknown at 1 a year (2015–2024), and tropical nights number 1 a year (2015–2024). Frost is rare at 0 a year (2015–2024). The climate comes out strong.
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61/100 · above average · 48th of 106 Spanish cities above 50,000
10.2% in 2025
15.8% in Q2 2026
€6.3 per m² a month in 2024
€2,060 per m² in Q2 2026
83.9 years in 2023
Facts about the people who live in Pontevedra. Shown as context only: none of this changes a score.
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Fit from the data, 0 to 100, against other Spanish cities. Open a group to see the figures behind it.
One of the best-suited cities in Spain: safe, mild, walkable, with a big hospital.
Not measured yet: Cost of Living, Doctors, Environment, Nitrogen dioxide (NO₂).
A very good city for children, with school routes on foot and safe streets.
Not measured yet: 15-year-olds' maths (PISA), Average dwelling size, Childcare availability, Education, Environment, Nitrogen dioxide (NO₂), Pre-primary participation.
A quiet, safe city with good housing for the price, and the Rías Baixas coast at hand.
Not measured yet: Average dwelling size, Education, Environment, Income tax and social security, average earner, Total tax on labour, average earner.
Low rents and a high standard of public services.
Not measured yet: Cost of Living, Households spending >40% of income on housing, Price level vs EU average.
The ría, the beaches, the islands of the Atlantic coast and the green hills are all close.
Not measured yet: Environment, Fine-particle pollution (PM2.5), Lifestyle, Nitrogen dioxide (NO₂), Strong-wind days.
A university campus with fine arts, education and communication degrees, plus a calm city.
Better nearby for students: Ourense (63), A Coruña (62)
Not measured yet: Cost of Living, Cycle most, Education, Lifestyle, Price level vs EU average, Walk most, Youth unemployment (15–24).
A pleasant place to live, but a thin job market.
Better nearby for young professionals: A Coruña (66), Lugo (62), Ourense (62)
Not measured yet: Jobs in high-tech sectors, Lifestyle, Median gross salary, Youth unemployment (15–24).
Good for local services, retail and hospitality, less so for scaling a start-up.
Nothing stands out.
Better nearby for founders and self-employed: Santiago de Compostela (62), A Coruña (59)
Not measured yet: Jobs in high-tech sectors, Regulatory quality.
Livable, but not set up for it, and the airport is not close.
Better nearby for remote workers: A Coruña (55), Santiago de Compostela (50), Vigo (50)
Not measured yet: Cost of Living, Fixed broadband penetration, Lifestyle.
Strong on museums, history and food, quieter on big events.
Better nearby for culture, food and nightlife: A Coruña (72), Vigo (59), Santiago de Compostela (54)
Not measured yet: Lifestyle, Walk most.
Taxes, residency and the wider economy are set nationally, so they are the same in Pontevedra as anywhere in Spain.
Compared with Pontevedra; each card says where it is better or worse for someone living there.
70 m²: €497 a month
Compare with Pontevedra70 m²: €505 a month
Compare with Pontevedra70 m²: €341 a month
Compare with Pontevedra70 m²: €355 a month
Compare with Pontevedra70 m²: €533 a month
Compare with Pontevedra70 m²: €333 a month
Compare with PontevedraGuide written 2026-10-22. Figures are refreshed as new official data is published; the period beside each number says what it covers. “Our read” cards are our inferences from those figures. How we score
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