Things to See and Do in the Rias Altas - Galicia

The Playa de Los Catedrales or Praia das Catedrais in Gallego (Beach of the Cathedrals in English) must be one of the most interesting and magnifcent beaches in the whole of Spain. On the Costa Lucence, not far from Ribadeo it gets its name from its amazing rock formations, sculpted by the wind and the waves, which are like buttresses and arches in a Gothic cathedral. These hide a most spectacular rosary of sea “furnas” (caves). The Playa de Los Catedrales is a place not to be missed.

The medieval town of Viveiro, situated on the largest estuary in Galicia, is often referred to as the small “Coruña” because of its houses with glass fronted galleries. Its old quarter is still one of the most beautiful in Galicia and the three “gateways” into the old town are still preserved.

There is plenty to see including the outstanding 12th century church of Santa Maria do Campo and if you happen to come at Easter there is one of the best candlelit processions in Spain.

Nearby is the fishing port and marine harbour of Celeiro where you can take a boat trip round the bay and the long sandy beach at Covas will not disappoint.

An old fashioned sort of town, but very lively in the summer, with some very good little shops - great for shoe shopping! A colourful weekly market and plenty of bars to sample all sorts of tapas and restaurants to enjoy the delicious seafood. Just up the river in the forest of Chavin are the largest eucalyptus trees in Europe - a sight to be seen! and in nearby O Naseiro one of the most attractive processions in Spain is held at the end of August. Plenty to do and see for all ages!”

A Coruña, with its lovely glass-fronted houses looking out over the harbour and port is a city not to be missed. There is plenty to do for a great day out - excellent town beaches, superb seafood and fish, quaint little old bars, brilliant nightlife, very good shopping - all the latest fashions, Zara and Mango included, as well as some wonderful old fashioned shops selling all sorts of things you might not find anywhere else in this modern world and it is home to the football team Deportivo A Coruña.

A Coruña has the only working Roman lighthouse in the world which you can climb to the top - 242 steps! A fantastic maritime museum/aquarium, other very interesting museums, Romanesque churches, enchanting old squares and the beautiful square of Maria Pita where you can visit the impressive town hall and sit out at a café and watch the world go by and you can visit the tomb of Sir John Moore. If you are an early bird do not miss the fish auction held at La Marina to watch the spectacular unloading and auction of the night’s fishing catch. And why not hop on a tram - a fun way of getting to know the very Galician city of A Coruña.

Finisterre, so named by the Romans who really believed it to be so, although it is not the most westerly point of Spain at all. Pilgrims to Santiago have for centuries considered this to be their final destination after visiting the shrine of St James, and more recently they come here to burn their boots and clothes! The dangerous coastline, combined with proximity to the major shipping route between northern Europe and the Mediterranean, has led to a large number of shipwrecks earning it the name of Costa de la Muerte - literally ‘Coast of Death’!

Sargadelos, a tiny village on the Costa Lucense, had one of Spain's earliest ironworks and a famous Royal Ceramics Factory that closed in 1860, but has recently been reopened.

Here the Sargadelos pottery is typically formed and fired just as it was in Roman times, although the chinaware and jewellery made and sold here and for sale in the shops all over Galicia and some other parts of Spain is unexpectedly modern.

You can visit the pottery and be tempted into buying something very special to take home with you.

Lace-making is an age-old tradition throughout Galicia, particularly along its extensive coastline, but the true heart of the art is in Camariñas, a sleepy village on the “Costa da Morte”, where the sea also weaves its foamy lace amongst the rocks and cliffs. Here you will be entranced with the sound of the clicking of bobbins and reels and the sight of little old ladies in black beavering away at their task. A special time to go there is at Easter for the Camariñas Lace Fair, which attracts lace makers from all over the world and includes displays, sales and competitions.

On the 8th of September pilgrims from all over Galicia head to San Andrés de Teixido on the Costa Lucense, a pilgrimage centre dating back centuries, perched on the highest cliffs in Europe, because as the saying goes “if you don’t go while alive, you must go after death”. The church is full of wax icons, tombs and small boats hanging from the ceiling as symbols of local gratitude. Outside there are often stands selling different products including original figures made from bread and painted in vivid colours. Pilgrims build little mountains of stones en route to the church and collect a special herb.

South of El Ferrol, a charming medieval town though it has grown enormously over recent years. There are plenty of nice beaches just nearby - Playas de Mino, Perbes, Insua, Ber, Sada. Nearby natural park Fragas do Eume is well worth a visit.

Buño, in the Costa da Morte region of Galicia, is famed for its potteries. The whole village appears to dedicate themselves to this ancient craft, and it is certainly the place to go to find gifts to take home with you. From the 12th to the 20th of August a major exhibition is held where the “traditional firing” takes place in the ethnographical complex known as “Forno do Forte” and which includes “A Carroa”, a fish-based meal.

Also known as Estaca do Bares / O Porto do Bares - near Viveiro. The northernmost point of Spain and retains traces of walls from the days when it served as a Phoenician port - a lovely, wild spot.

O Barqueiro is a tiny village, very pretty, built in a natural scenic amphitheatre over the harbour.

Malpica, a former whaling port, with a wonderful atmosphere when the fishing boats come in at the quay. The Pedra de Arca dolmen there is also worth a look at.

Cabo Vilán and lighthouse, near Camelle, has haunting views of the coast. Particularly dramatic when the sea is lively but do take great care!

Known as "Los Moscoso Castle" stands on a small sheltered promontory that dominates the entire Vimianzo valley. It was built in the 13th Century and has been lovingly restored to house paintings, photos and crafts.

This coast is often a `surfy’ one, and there can be strong currents on certain beaches. There are plenty of places to enjoy a swim, but do take heed of any warning notices and also of the flag system if in use:

• green=safe
• yellow=caution
• red=prohibited/dangerous

Caution is always advisable on any beach, especially with young children. On smaller or more remote beaches where there is no lifeguard surveillance or flag system, we advise against swimming. In all situations, it is best to swim where others are swimming rather than alone.

Blue flag - On the right hand side of the estuary 4 kms from Viveiro, this is a beautiful bay – fine white sand and 1200 metres long. Clean, clear water. Lifeguards, hotels, restaurants and in the summer sailing and surfing courses are on offer. To the right of the main beach there are two smaller, quieter coves.

Viveiro’s town beach, 1500 metres of fine white sand. Beyond, there is the smaller beach of Seiramar. There are hotels, restaurants and lifeguards.

East of Playa de Area, a large sandy beach, ideal for surfing and other water sports.

In the lovely little Porto do Bares (a Phoenician port and said to be the northernmost point of Spain), this beautiful sheltered beach of fine white sand is at the mouth of the O Barqueiro estuary). There are a couple of easy going bar/restaurants for tapas and full meals and ice creams.

Rural beach. Magnifcent white sand, windy and wavy (be careful with the currents). Ideal for surfing. Celtic artefacts were found here. Ruins of a castle on the beach.

It has beach bars in the summer. Also little, sandy beach just around the corner from this.

Shell-shaped, open, town beach. White sand, windy with waves. Ideal for surfing and all kinds of beach sports. Bars and restaurants. Easy access.

About 4 kms north of Muxia – a beautiful long sandy beach, backed by pine woods. There is a kiosk in the summer.

Blue flag beach. Next to Riazor Beach. Appropriate for all kinds of beach sports. Windy and wavy. Good for surfing. Bars and restaurants.