The most beautiful towns in the province of Pontevedra- La Guia GO!

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There are a thousand ways of feeling and living it, but an important part of doing it is knowing its peoples, culture, traditions and architecture. Here we leave you a selection of the most beautiful towns in Pontevedra that are worth visiting:

1. Agolada
Agolada is located on the border between Pontevedra and Lugo. It has a great commercial tradition and its Os Pendellos Market is the main attraction of the city. This old market has preserved its authenticity for the last two centuries and visiting it is taking you to another era. Agolada also has several beautiful Romanesque churches such as the Church of Santo André de Órrea and archaeological sites in its surroundings.

2. The road
Traveling through the traditional towns of Galicia, it is curious to find A Estrada that lived its heyday in the 19th century and at the beginning of the 20th century. This town with its modernist buildings is one of the most unique towns to visit in the Province. Among the buildings you should take a look at the Casa do Escobeiro or the town hall. Once in town, we recommend that you visit the Pazo de Oca, the so-called Galician Versalles, a beautiful baroque-style palace.

3. A Look
We return to the coast where only the river Miño separates the picturesque town of A Guarda from Portugal. The environment of the municipality is simply spectacular with the Santa Tecla and Terroso Mountains, the Atlantic and the landscapes of the mouth of the River Miño. In the surroundings of the town is the site of Castro de Santa Trega, one of the most important Celtic settlements in the province. Beyond its fascinating surroundings, you will also find interesting monuments in the same town such as the Castle of Santa Cruz, the Clock Tower, the Baroque Convent of San Benito or the Church of Santa María Asunción in which different styles are mixed.

3. Bayonne
It is one of the towns in Pontevedra with the greatest medieval historical heritage, and located on the shores of a bay next to Cabo Silleiro. It is a pleasure to get lost in the picturesque streets of this seaside town and discover its monuments. The Monterreal Fortress is probably the most impressive building whose original structure dates from the 11th century and today houses a National Parador. Other emblematic places of the walled enclosure are the Romanesque Collegiate Church of Santa María or the Consistorial House, a beautiful Baroque pazo. Also a must-see is the statue of the Virgin of the Rock or the replica of the Caravel of the Pinta, I remember for being the first port to arrive Columbus after the discovery of America.

4. Barro
The main attraction of this town in the interior of the province is its natural environment, since it is located in the Parque de la Naturaleza del Río Barosa with its picturesque waterfalls and its beautiful mills. Barro is also one of the important stops on the Camino de Santiago, something that is reflected in its religious heritage. The most important construction of the town is the Parish Church of San Martiño-Agudelo of Romanesque style.

5. Cambados
In the heart of the Rías Baixas is the picturesque fishing village of Cambados. Its old town is one of the best preserved to visit in Pontevedra, with numerous churches and spectacular pazos. The most fascinating monument are the ruins of the church of Santa Mariña Dozo in a sailor Gothic style that preserves its vaulted arches, some of its walls and a curious cemetery. Other notable works of religious architecture are the Gothic Convent of San Francisco or the Church of San Benito. Of the civil architecture we highlight the beautiful stately houses such as the Pazo de Bazán or the Torre de San Saduriño, which served as a defensive tower against the Vikings.

6. Caldas de Reis
Another magical corner of the interior of the province is Caldas de Reis, located on the banks of the Umia River. The natural environment with the beautiful waterfalls and the beautiful riverside forest is a little paradise, also known for its hot springs. The most emblematic place of the town is the Botanical Garden and Robledal, a fascinating historical garden with trees from all continents. The municipality also has picturesque Roman bridges such as the Bermaña Bridge or the Segade Bridge.

7. Catoira
In the place where the Ulla River meets the Ría de Arousa is Catoira, one of the most charming towns in Pontevedra. Among the main monuments of the town you find the Torres del Oeste that served as a defense against pirates, the Church of San Xosé Obrero and a picturesque medieval bridge. However, the main attraction of Catoira is one of the most fascinating traditional festivals in Spain, which takes place in August: the reenactment about the invasion of the Vikings more than a millennium ago.

8. Combarro
One of the jewels of the Rías Baixas. It would be difficult to imagine a place that better preserves the Galician essence with the more than 40 granaries that look out to the sea and that represent one of the most beautiful postcards of these lands. If you don’t know them, the granaries are symbols of Galician architecture that were used to preserve food, but at the same time they had a function of showing your social status.

Strolling through the arcaded streets you will also be able to contemplate the balconies of many fishing houses that look directly into the water. Combarro also preserves several crosses and picturesque churches, the Church of San Roque being the most outstanding.

9. Lalín
The kilometer zero of Galicia, considered the authentic geographical center of Galicia. This town surrounded by beautiful nature has many surprises. There is for example the beautiful Pazo de Liñares in the baroque style and its gardens, the beautiful medieval Bridges of Taboada and dos Cabalos, surrounded by exuberant vegetation. In addition to knowing these monuments, you should stroll among the centenary chestnut trees of Fraga de Catasós or the oak trees of Carballeira do Rodo. At the end of the walks you can relax in the Mouriscade Recreation Area, a beautiful resting place next to a meander of the Asneiro River.

10. Marin
Marín is another town located on the banks of the Pontevedra estuary. As the name of the town indicates, the sea – more specifically the fishermen and sailors – have always played a determining role in the daily life of the place. Something that you can enjoy in the morning in its fish market that is filled with fish and shellfish that come from the estuary and the open sea. Among its main places, the Finca de Briz stands out and its beautiful gardens from where you can contemplate magnificent views of the Pontevedra estuary. In the surroundings of Marín is the Labyrinth of Mogor, a site of petroglyphs.

11. Mondariz
Obligatory destination for lovers of spa tourism. In Mondariz-Balneario is the Grand Hotel that in its heyday hosted people like the famous American millionaire, John D. Rockefeller. It has been completely rebuilt and you can visit the wonderful Gándara fountain that recalls the best days of this spa center. You can bathe in the hot springs or even drink the water that comes out of the source. In addition to the spa you can visit the Castillo de Sobroso that is located on the outskirts of the town.

12. Oia
Oia, a coastal municipality surrounded by the mountains of the Sierra da Groba. The main monument of the town is the Monastery of Santa María, founded in the 12th century by the Cistercians and built in an idyllic place near the sea, the gastronomic environment around it, the Arrabal neighborhood that preserves buildings from the 18th century; Cabo Silleiro, with its lighthouse and its ruins of defensive war sites; and its Magic Hiking Route, with views over the vastness and bravery of the Atlantic. Also its petroglyphs, its fortified forts or its waterfalls where the Mougás pools and the northernmost area of ​​cork oaks in Europe stand out.

13. Sanxenxo
One of the most visited destinations on the Galician coast. The proximity of numerous beaches such as Playa de A Lanzada, the developed infrastructure, the good restaurants and hotels have made this place an ideal place for a vacation. Its historic center still preserves its marine essence, and has interesting historical heritage in its surroundings. You should not miss the Pazo de Quintáns, the Torre de la Lanzada, the statue of Madama del Silgar or even the Monastery of Santa María de Armenteira, which is still inhabited by a community of Cistercians.

14. Tui
Tui is located on the Portuguese border on the banks of the river Miño, one of the great jewels to see in the Province of Pontevedra. It is the place where the Portuguese Way enters Galician lands, therefore you will not be surprised by the abundance of important religious buildings in the city. You should start with the Cathedral of Santa María de la Asunción, a Romanesque church with many Gothic elements. A masterpiece of Galician religious architecture that was later transformed into a fortress with its walls.

Besides the famous Cathedral, other important religious buildings are the Church of San Francisco or the Baroque Convent of the Clarisas Nuns. Tui also has a beautiful Jewish quarter in which the Casa de Salomón, the only Jewish house in Galicia, is preserved. Other places of interest that we recommend are the stately homes of the Paseo de la Corredera, the Troncoso Gardens or the International Bridge that you can cross on foot to the neighboring country.

15. Vilanova de Arousa
The coastal town where Ramón María del Valle-Inclán was born, whose house-museum you should visit. Located in front of the Island of Arosa, this town has an important historical heritage such as the Romanesque Church of Santa María de Caleiro or the Pazos Baión and Vilareal. The Paseo Marítimo de Vilanova is a very pleasant place to enjoy the sea or you can relax on Terrón Beach.

+ Info: Beautiful towns Pontevedra

Tags: A Guarda, Agolada, Spa, cambados, Catoira, Combarro, spain, Galicia, Labyrinth of Mogor, Marín, Armenteira Monastery, Mondariz, Pazo de Oca, Pontevedra, villages, Sanxenxo, Torres del Oeste, Tui, tourism, Vilanova of Arousa

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