Rias altas de galicia
galicia tourism
There are many things I like about Galicia. But I have a special weakness for the Rías Altas, the wildest, most unpopulated and open horizons of the Galician coast. Lighthouses, cliffs, marshes and charming villages await the traveler who ventures into this far corner of the peninsula. I tell you the 16 essential places to see in the Rías Altas. At the end of the post you will also find information on how to do the Rias Altas by bicycle, a great cycling adventure.
Galician sanctuary, founded around the 12th century and whose white walls with stone freckles enclose a baroque altarpiece where the supposed relics of St. Andrew, one of the twelve Apostles, are venerated.
Morouzos beach, one of the best of all the high estuaries. Together with the adjacent Cabalar beach, it has a total of 4 kilometers of fine white sand, bordered by a dune front behind which grows a large pine forest. In reality
It is the extreme north of the Iberian Peninsula. An open space, infinite and almost unfathomable, in which the absence of trees speaks of the strong winds that sweep this sword of stone that goes into the sea and that
galician rías
We had been in Galicia on other occasions and visited several areas of the region. However, the Rías Altas had been resisting us and we had yet to discover them. Finally, in August 2020, we were able to spend 9 days in this area of Galicia. We took the opportunity to explore its coastline, getting to know its towns and cities, discovering its culture and enjoying its gastronomy.
Our “base of operations” to visit the Rías Altas was the city of Ferrol. We chose Ferrol because there we were able to organize a home exchange with a lovely family. We stayed in the center of the city and, from there, we organized our stay visiting nearby places with our own car.
Viveiro: this town is usually the gateway to Galicia from the Cantabrian Sea. Very close, to the east, there are other remarkable coastal towns such as Burela, Foz or Ribadeo that we could not visit. In addition to the famous Playa de las Catedrales. The old town of Viveiro allows you to stroll through its granite cobblestone streets. The estuary is the nerve center of the town and, next to the port, there is a campsite with good facilities.
geography of galicia
We had been in Galicia on other occasions and visited several areas of the region. However, the Rías Altas had been resisting us and we had yet to discover them. Finally, in August 2020, we were able to spend 9 days in this area of Galicia. We took the opportunity to explore its coastline, getting to know its towns and cities, discovering its culture and enjoying its gastronomy.
Our “base of operations” to visit the Rías Altas was the city of Ferrol. We chose Ferrol because there we were able to organize a home exchange with a lovely family. We stayed in the center of the city and, from there, we organized our stay visiting nearby places with our own car.
Viveiro: this town is usually the gateway to Galicia from the Cantabrian Sea. Very close, to the east, there are other remarkable coastal towns such as Burela, Foz or Ribadeo that we could not visit. In addition to the famous Playa de las Catedrales. The old town of Viveiro allows you to stroll through its granite cobblestone streets. The estuary is the nerve center of the town and, next to the port, there is a campsite with good facilities.
map of galicia spain
What about the Rias Bajas? Well, they have places that are also impressive, I won’t deny that. The Ría de Arousa and the Ría de Muros e Noia are among the most authentic (in my opinion). But the truth is that I am less and less a fan of the Rías de Vigo and Pontevedra. They have beautiful corners, but they are so overcrowded and there has been so much urban sprawl and uncontrolled that I find them a bit overwhelming.
In that area there is almost no green left. Mountains are cut down and more houses are built. The fishing villages have practically lost their essence. And it is true that tourism is very good, but the truth is that I am not at all pro Sanxenxo, a town without personality that is the Galician Ibiza, where many vacationers go there as they could go to Gandía.
But… I’m beating around the bush. Let’s go back to the Galician Rías Altas and its goodness, of which there are many. There is a lot to see in Rías Altas, emblematic, wild, mysterious places, full of legends. And a much worse climate, of course, which is the one we have to thank for the least urban speculation.