The north of the north

In the north of the Galician coast we find Cape Ortegal and the Aguillóns, which attract the attention of geologists and specialists from all over the world to admire the oldest rock formations in Europe, impressive masses of stone that emerge from the sea and leave us speechless.

One of the most charming fishing villages in the Rias Altas is Cedeira, protected by the Serra da Capelada mountain range, with the highest cliffs in continental Europe. At 640 metres above sea level is one of the magical sanctuaries of Galicia: Santo André de Teixido, a legendary place not to be missed, because according to popular tradition “you go there dead if you have avoided it alive”.

Ortigueira offers us some of the most spectacular and solitary beaches in Galicia and on the cliffs of Loiba we find what they say is “the most beautiful bench in the world” for its magnificent and unobstructed view.

The Cantabrian Sea begins in the Ria do Barqueiro and this place was already important for the ancient Phoenicians who left their mark on the northernmost point of Spain, the small port of Estaca de Bares, erected thousands of years ago with large stones that erosion has rounded off.

We will continue our journey to Viveiro, which has an interesting historical centre with remarkable monuments such as the Gate of Charles V, the church of Santa Maria and the church of San Francisco. And a few kilometres from Viveiro, we must not forget the Souto da Retorta forest with the eucalyptus “O Avó” (the grandfather), the largest in Europe at 70 metres and over 125 years old.