Nearby

Near Alvarella, there are hundreds of places to visit and unforgettable experiences to live. It would be impossible to show you everything that this little corner of Galicia has to offer, but in this section, you will find a selection of must-see places to visit during your stay.

The Fragas do Eume Natural Park was created in 1997, covering an area of 9,125 hectares and encompassing the municipalities of Cabanas, A Capela, Monfero, As Pontes, and Pontedeume. The forests of the Eume River are one of the last representative remnants of what was the native forest that once covered Galicia. They stand out for their biodiversity, with up to 23 different species of trees, 21 species of ferns (some relicts and European endemics), 250 species of lichens and mosses, 100 species of fungi, and 126 species of vertebrates (many of which are protected due to their rarity or scarcity).

The term “fraga” refers to a type of forest heavily influenced by the coastal Atlantic climate, characterized by dense vegetation that maintains a specific humidity and temperature inside. The vegetation along the riverbanks is dominated by gallery forests, ferns, and plant species adapted to low light. Tree species also grow according to their need for water, with willows (Salix sp.) and alders (Alnus glutinosa) found along the riverbanks.

Further away, other trees form the forest: oak, chestnut, ash, laurel, alder, sanguine, etc. Among the numerous species of ferns, the royal fern (Osmunda regalis) and the Woodwardia radicans (classified as an endangered species and protected by law) stand out.

As for the animals living in the river and inside the forest, notable species include the salmon-like fish “reo” (which is endangered), amphibians such as the rare Galician salamander (endemic to Galicia), numerous birds (including the extremely rare Eurasian eagle-owl), and some mammals like the otter, which inhabits its waters. You can find maps of various hiking and cycling routes in this area in the resources section.

A medieval historic town ​at the mouth of the Eume River, with numerous points of interest: the port and the modern waterfront; the porticoed Royal Street, which is part of the Camino de Santiago; the parish church of Pontedeume (16th century); the former Convent of San Agustín (16th century); the Romanesque church of San Miguel (at the top of Mount Breamo, overlooking the town); the Tower of Andrade, the last remnant of the destroyed palace; and the spectacular bridge that crosses the Eume River.

Further inland, we enter the Eume Valley, now the As Fragas do Eume Natural Park.

This city is located on the Ferrol estuary, although it also has a prominent coastline facing the Atlantic Ocean in the rural area. It is one of the most important industrial cities in Galicia, with a particular focus on the naval sector. The city also has significant military activity, primarily from the Navy, which has had one of its main naval bases and a notable Military Arsenal, declared a Cultural Heritage Site (BIC), since the 18th century.

The historical heritage of Ferrol is highly valued due to its territorial planning and urban layout. Notably, it reflects the idea of the utopian port city from the Enlightenment, with a contrast between the medieval-style Ferrol Vello port district and the A Magdalena district. Declared a Cultural Heritage Site (BIC), the A Magdalena area is distinguished by its rigorous rectangular grid layout and highly symmetrical squares. This urban ensemble could be considered the closest example to the ideal 18th-century city.

At the entrance of the Ferrol estuary, on the opposite banks, are the castles of San Felipe and A Palma, which were once connected by a chain and served as protection for the city.

The Ferrol region is notable for its extensive coastline, offering opportunities to enjoy nature and, above all, the sea. The landscape allows for enjoyment of the Rías Altas, where you can find small, peaceful beaches as well as large sandy expanses open to the Atlantic Ocean (Doniños, Sano Xurxo, and Covas). There are up to seven beaches that proudly display the Blue Flag distinctive.

Equally interesting is the Doniños Lagoon, located in a deep valley and connected to Doniños beach by a large dune system. The lagoon, which reaches up to 9 meters in depth in some places, is home to numerous bird species such as coots, little grebes, common pochard, and mallards.

In the municipality of Valdoviño, we find the A Frouxeira Lagoon, located on the coastal front of the Aviño River valley. It extends about 1,600 meters long and 500 meters wide, and is home to species like great herons, otters, teal, ducks, mallards, snipe, little grebes, great cormorants, and various types of seagulls.

In the Sierra de la Capelada, near San Andrés de Teixido, stands the highest cliff in Europe. It rises 613 meters above sea level at the Garita de Herbeira, with an 80% slope.

The Sierra de la Capelada descends directly from Garita de Herbeira to the waters of the Atlantic Ocean, with a succession of cliffs exposed to intense waves. It is common to see wild horses along the road that crosses the mountain range. Additionally, it is worth visiting San Andrés de Teixido, one of the most legend-filled and mythologically significant places in Galicia, as the saying goes, “those who do not go alive will go dead.” It is a village in the municipality of Cedeira, located in the Serra da Capelada. It has a church of the same name, which is a well-known pilgrimage site. From here comes the typical “Pan de San Andrés” (Saint Andrew’s bread): five small figurines made from breadcrumbs and coloured. There is also “Herba de Namorar” (Herb of Love), which grows in the surrounding area and is said to be good for love troubles.

Built in the 10th and 11th centuries, it is located on an elevation of land between the Eume River and its tributary, the Sesín. It is said to have been founded by Saint Rosendo and was originally a Benedictine monastery, later governed by canons of the Order of Saint Augustine. In the 16th century, it began its decline until it was finally abandoned at the beginning of the 19th century. At the end of this century, attempts were made to restore the monastery. On August 13, 1971, it was declared a Historic-Artistic Site and Picturesque Landscape, in 1975 it was declared a Historical-Artistic Monument, and in 1980, the land containing the monastery was expropriated for the creation of the Fragas do Eume Natural Park.