RIBADEO

MUST SEE SPOTS

Here you are some must-see spots in Ribadeo that you should not miss during your visit to our town.

Town Hall and Tower of the Morenos

Undoubtedly, it is the center of the town. The Pazo de Ibáñez, also known as Pazo del Marqués de Sargadelos, because he was the person who ordered its construction. This is the building where the Town Hall is currently located.

Right next to it, stands out one of the most impressive Indiano buildings in Ribadeo, The Moreno Brother’s Tower, promoted by the Moreno Ulloa brothers, once emigrated and made a fortune in Argentina.

Surrounding them are the main commercial and gastronomic streets of the town.

Old Town

At the back of the Town Hall, there is a set of residential streets with well-preserved old buildings, transporting the essence of the old Ribadeo to the present. We recommend visiting Cabanela neighborhood, where the town of Ribadeo was born, the Casa do Patín, which is the oldest medieval civil building in Ribadeo and still preserves its facade, as well as the Atalaia Chapel, one of the oldest buildings in the town. From here, you can enjoy beautiful panoramic views of the port, the estuary, and the villages of neighboring Asturias.

Indian Ribadeo

We recommend to visit both the sportive port (Porcillán) and the fishing port located next to t. Porcillán has always been the main port and the pilgrims that crossed the estuary on boat arrived there. Here, you will find leisure boats, as well as some bars and restaurants.

Port

It’s worth visiting both the marina (Porcillán) and the fishing port located next to it, next to the Fish Market. The Porcillán port is the old port of Ribadeo, which served as access for pilgrims crossing the estuary by boat. In the marina, there are multiple recreational boats, as well as some cafes and restaurants.

Loading dock and San Damián Fort

In 1901, the construction of this loading dock began. It was a key piece for shipping iron transported from A Pontenova by rail. It was in operation until 1964. Currently, the remains of this loading dock are preserved, and a wooden bridge has also been built that extends into the estuary, from where you can enjoy beautiful views.

Right next to it, the San Damián Fortress is placed. This is an 18th-century building located in a strategic point on the coast, with difficult accessibility; it has thick walls that protect the garrison and the interior buildings, and a moat excavated in the rock that makes a land assault difficult. It was rehabilitated and currently serves as a municipal temporary exhibition hall.

Illa Pancha and Lighthouse

The main function of the “small tower” of Pancha Island – located on solid ground- was to help and lead the ships that were coming into Ribadeo estuary and it existed at least from the 16th century. Its progressive deterioration and the creation of a state system of maritime sgnalling in the 19th century brought about its replacement by a lighthouse, which would be built on the island. This started to work in 1859, even though at the beginning the lighthouse keepers had to cross on a boat or hanging from a cable, since the bridge hadn’t been finished yet. Its technical capacity and reach was improved little by little until finally, in 1984, it stopped working when a new tower was built next to it.

Rinlo

This traditional sailing village was born in a narrow shelter of the coast, and its dedication to the sea is already documented in medieval times. It keeps its typical charm, with its narrow streets and the sailors’ houses. Beside the houses we can see orchards and fields with hórreos on them.

This urban center is known for its seafoods, specially for the lobster rice. Additionally, it is recommended to walk along the coastal route that connects Rinlo with Ribadeo. You will discover unique and natural corners where you can enjoy the charms of the Cantabrian coast.

As Catedrais Beach (Augasantas Beach)

When water subsides at low tide, nature shows an outstanding view: a spot of great beauty which appears as a consequence of the work of the sea against the coast rocks. The cliffs reach stunning dimensions, with shapes of arches and pórticos that make the visitors walking among them insignificant. Moreover, we find different species of algae, molluscs, sea birds and vegetal variety, a fact the led to its declaration as Site of Community Importance (SCI) of the European Natura 2000 Network.

Surroundings of Ribadeo

Another virtue of Ribadeo is its amazing location, as it is the gateway to Galicia from Asturias, and the perfect place to stay and to discover all the charms offered by both A Mariña Lucense and Western Asturias.

Do not miss the following places:

Mondoñedo

This municipality has been classified as one of the most beautiful villages in Spain since 2018. It is a city that has always been strongly influenced by religion and the Church, given its important Seminary. It offers a well-preserved old town, as well as a beautiful cathedral, declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2015. During your visit to this municipality, you cannot miss the Old Cemetery, where the important Galician writer Álvaro Cunqueiro is buried, as well as the neighborhood of the mills. If you want to venture a few meters underground, Mondoñedo offers its visitors the opportunity to visit the Cova do Rei Cintolo.

Santo Estevo do Ermo Waterfall

This waterfall is one of the most impressive ones you can find in the surroundings of Ribadeo, specifically in the municipality of San Cosme de Barreiros.

This area boasts a good expanse of native forest and a great variety of ferns and mosses. The starting point to see the waterfall is the church of San Estevo de Ermo or Aguas Santas, as it was believed that the waters that come out of a fountain located near the hermitage were ferruginous waters with beneficial properties for the health. From here, there is a small, easily accessible route that leads to the top of the waterfall.

Castropol

Small Asturian town that has been awarded the recognition of Exemplary Village of Asturias. Its well-kept steep streets, the church of Santiago Apóstol, right next to the town hall, and the Palacio de las Cuatro Torres de Donlebún, are just some of the attractions that this municipality offers.

Taramundi

Taramundi is one of the most beautiful villages in Asturias. It is located in a small valley in the middle of the mountains. Taramundi is well known for its deep tradition in cutlery, which is why it enjoys the title of Crafts Interest Zone.

The well-known Water Route is really interesting, due to its 10 km along the river, and it is essential to visit the ethnographic ensembles: Os Teixois, Esquíos Museum, and the Mazonovo Mills Museum.

Viveiro

A town located in the western Mariña, undoubtedly one of the most beautiful towns in Mariña Lucense. In addition to enjoying its coast and the natural landscape that surrounds it, Viveiro offers a well-preserved old town with beautiful buildings of traditional Galician architecture. It is also worth visiting Mount San Roque, a viewpoint over the Cantabrian coast.

Cudillero

In this picturesque fishing village, declared a Historic-Artistic Ensemble, the houses hang from the mountain displaying cheerful colors. It is worth arriving from its lowest part and venturing through its cobbled streets, enjoying the colorful facades of its buildings as you ascend to its highest part. Additionally, there are different viewpoints from where you can contemplate different perspectives of the village and the surrounding nature.

Luarca

Luarca is a town in Asturias with a beautiful harbor, as well as a representation of Indiana architecture. Equally important to highlight are its watchtower and cemetery, which offer wonderful views of the town and the harbor, as well as its lighthouse.

Very close to this municipality is a coastal route that borders the Cantabrian Sea and offers impressive cliffs and postcard landscapes. This walk extends along the well-known Cape Busto.

Sargadelos Factory and Paseo dos Enamorados

In the municipality of Cervo, you will find the ‘Paseo dos Enamorados’ (Lovers’ Walk) and the Sargadelos ceramic factory.

It is a magical place surrounded by trees and remnants of what was once one of the most important industrial complexes of the 18th and 19th centuries, the Sargadelos ceramic and porcelain factory.

In the surroundings, there is a dam that supplied water to the factory. Alongside this footpath, known as the ‘Paseo de los Enamorados’ (Lovers’ Walk). According to legend, if a couple walks the path without being in love, the place will work its ‘miracle,’ and by the end of the walk, they will be in love. During the walk, there is a very beautiful waterfall.