The parish of Combarro, located in the municipality of Poio, has been closely linked to the sea and it was declared Historic and Artistic Site in 1972. This perfectly preserved old town comprises an intricate network of cobbled streets dating from the 18th century that branch out from the streets of San Roque and A Rúa. You can also admire its small charming squares and humble seaside houses with delicate stonework, having balconies in a baroque style, modelled on the architecture of the pazos (Galician manor houses).

The most characteristic elements of the popular architecture are its more than twenty hórreos (Galician raised granary houses), one of the largest groups in Galicia, with the particularity that they are located by the sea. In this town, they are popularly known as palleiras, since in the past the granaries of this area used to have a thatched roof. The village also includes roadside crosses or cruceiros scattered all over the narrow streets.

Combarro can be discovered on foot, walking up and down stairs and wandering around its alleys, some of them leading to the sea. In addition, the town boasts a lot of restaurants and shops selling typical Galician products and souvenirs.

A route visits EUROPE with destination to Santiago de Compostela (Galicia – Spain – Europe)

The Way of Saint James has been, and keeps on being, definitely, the most ancient route, more busy and more celebrated of the old continent. Santiago also has shared the attraction of the hikers and walkers of all time but, besides, has created a route, has done a Way. To Santiago and to Galicia can arrive of a lot of ways. But the best form to come is by the Way of Saint James.

A mild climate and a summer that lasts until early October help to make it a destination to revisit, looking for those beaches that you missed in your last visit. The three rías (coastal inlets) in the province of Pontevedra make this coast a mirror from north to south, with neighbouring beaches, from where you can see the bateas, as well as fishing towns and villages.

Swimming in the Atlantic Ocean and seeing how the thickness of the sand or the type of dune plants vary depending on the coastal inlet. Here, you can choose between an urban environment full of services and a paradisiacal and unspoiled setting, where you can enjoy nature and the incomparable scenery of clear waters. And, finally, you can discover the benefits of the mild climate of As Rías Baixas, different than the cliché of “it always rains in Galicia”, and enjoy the beach for much more than sun and bath… You could list as many reasons as beaches when you come to visit As Rías Baixas.

The historic centre of the town of Pontevedra is one of the best preserved in Spain and it was declared Site of Cultural Interest in 1951. Its charming arcaded streets lead to countless squares which keep the name of their former function: A Ferrería, the forge; A Verdura, the vegetable market; and A Leña, the timber market. In the latter, we can visit three of the buildings of the Museum of Pontevedra, one of the most important museums in Galicia devoted to archaeology, art and history.

Nearby, you can admire traditional and noble houses, as well as some remarkable churches. The Basilica of Santa María A Maior, whose construction began in the 15th century at the initiative of the Guild of Fishermen, is particularly interesting for its outstanding Plateresque façade. The Sanctuary of A Peregrina, featuring a floor plan in the shape of a scallop shell, is one of the must-stops not only for pilgrims on their way to Santiago de Compostela via the Portuguese route, but also for all travellers.

One of the most visited monuments in the town is the Ruins of San Domingos Church, displaying some archaeological exhibits. If you want to visit the building, you can book a free guided tour by contacting the Museum of Pontevedra from Tuesday to Sunday.

The historic centre is also the perfect place to taste some tapas, as here it is common to pair your drinks with an appetizer.

The town of Tui is a singular example of medieval town rich in monuments, and it is located on a rock hill by the Miño River. The Romanesque and Ogival Cathedral-Fortress of Santa María, which houses the Museum of the Cathedral, stands out. You can wander around the narrow arcaded alleys surrounding the cathedral and admire interesting buildings, such as the Convent of As Encerradas, the San Telmo Chapel (the only example of the Portuguese Barroque style in Galicia), the San Domigos Church and the San Francisco Convent.

Other cultural and tourist attractions are the twelfth-century wall, built as a defensive structure, and other elements that are part of the significant heritage linked to the Jewish presence in the region, such as the Casa de Salomón , the courtyard of the synagogue and some historic garments, such as the sambenito (tunic wore by penitents during the Spanish Inquisition). The international bridge over the Miño River , which is crossed by pilgrims on the Portuguese Way to Santiago de Compostela, is also worth mentioning.

The Porta do Sol Square marks the zero mile of Vigo. Here, there is also a symbol of the city, the Sereo, a steel triton on a double column rising 13 metres high. This square is the best point to start a sightseeing tour of the city. From here, you can head to the old district or go to the ensanche, the urban expansion area, with examples of stately and eclectic architecture.

You can also enjoy a stroll down streets like Cesteiros, the Co-Cathedral of Santa María and the manor houses Pazo de Figueroa and Pazo Arines. From there, you can go to the neighbourhood of O Berbés, and admire its typical arcaded houses, evidence of a neighbourhood that was linked to the sea. Other must-visit is A Pedra Market, which is also a perfect place to taste some oysters.

In the ensanche, if you walk down the streets Príncipe, Urzáiz, Colón and Policarpo until reaching the gardens of the Areal Street, you can admire the architecture of the stately Vigo, such as the Bonín Building, designed by Jenaro de la Fuente, and the García Barbón Theatre.

The town of Agolada preserves the original premises of an eighteenth-century traditional market. The original stone buildings, known as pendellos, are a kind of sheds, which were used as market stalls displaying the products of the traders. Many people coming from different places of the province used to gather in this market to buy cattle and other local products.

About 70 pendellos are preserved in the town, used in the past as sales stands, inns, dining areas or stables. They were functional constructions without any ornament, with a roof made of tiles and wood, and built using simple techniques. The pendellos were about to disappear in the seventies but they were reconstructed and, in 1985, they were declared a Historic and Artistic Site.

The visit to the old market is free of charge and you can freely walk along its narrow alleys. However, if you want to see the inside of the buildings you should contact the town council first, since visits are made by appointment only.