Rías Baixas (Islands)

What is it about the Rías Baixas that attracts hundreds of thousands of tourists every year?

Find out for yourself on this route through Rías Baixas. We will pass through Padrón, Combarro, A Toxa, O Grove, Cambados, Illa de Arousa… You can even embark on a cruise along the estuary to taste delicious steamed mussels, while you learn about their cultivation in the rafts. Come and enjoy with all five senses!

Book now

from

42,00€

/ per person

Departure time

09:30

Return time

19:30

Meeting point

Oficina de Toxo Travel. Rúa dos Bautizados, 12 (Santiago de Compostela)

Included

Accredited official tour guide for the whole day, transport and compulsory insurance.

Not included

Tipping

What to bring

Comfortable footwear and clothing appropriate to the weather conditions.

Languages

English, Spanish (check availability of Portuguese, Italian and French)

Audio guides

Free of charge (ask for them at the time of booking)

Important information

Accessible tour for people with reduced mobility, ask about the possibility of transporting pushchairs, wheelchairs and suitcases.

  • 1
    Padrón

    Our first stop takes us to visit Padrón, a beautiful village on the banks of the river Sar. We will visit its spectacular Alameda, a botanical garden that houses more than 300 species and we will tell you the theory about the origin of the town's name.

  • 2
    Combarro

    This beautiful village in the middle of the Pontevedra estuary has been chosen as one of the most attractive in Europe. You will fall in love with its 18th century historic quarter, its hórreos (granaries) and cruceiros (stone crosses), and its intricate narrow streets.

  • 3
    Barco de los mejillones

    During this tour through Rías Baixas you have the option of embarking on the Mussel Boat, an irresistible proposal to learn about mussel farming while tasting delicious steamed mussels. Taste them and discover why it is said that the best mussels in the world come from Rías Baixas.

  • 4
    Isla A Toxa - O Grove

    From O Grove, and across a 19th century bridge, we reach the island of A Toxa. This island is famous all over the world for its mineral-medicinal waters, its spa, the old soap factory and the unique Ermita de las Conchas (Chapel of the Shells). The whole makes for an unforgettable visit.

  • 5
    Cambados

    This beautiful fishing village is the capital of the famous Albariño wine. In addition, its impressive historic centre has been declared a Galician Asset of Cultural Interest. In order to enjoy both, we will make a stop here with free time.

  • 6
    Isla de Arousa

    Our last stop on this tour of Rías Baixas is Arousa Island, a paradise. Declared a Nature Reserve, it has 11 km of fine white sandy beaches and calm waters. You can take a dip, stroll through the island's Natural Park or have a drink while you enjoy the views of the estuary.

In As Rías Baixas there is an irresistible combination of its immense natural and cultural heritage, the beauty of its landscapes and its fantastic gastronomy. This Rías Baixas Route includes visits to the most admired places in the area and to some not so well known but charming spots.

We leave Santiago de Compostela at 09:30 in the morning and make our first stop in Padrón, land of the literati and last stop for pilgrims on the Portuguese Way.

We will visit its botanical garden, one of the oldest in Spain. In its spectacular walks, we can see a series of statues such as the one representing the Nobel Literature Prize winner Camilo José Cela or the famous writer Rosalía de Castro.

Our excursion to Rías Baixas from Santiago will also take us to Combarro, a beautiful village with the smell of the sea, full of picturesque corners, fishermen’s houses, hórreos and cruceiros. Oh, and meigas (ask us). In Combarro we will have time for lunch and a walk to admire the beauty of the village.

In Combarro you will have the opportunity to take a trip on the Mussel Boat. As well as tasting mussels with Albariño wine or a soft drink, we will visit the mussel farms, which are the breeding grounds of the mussels, and we will sail along the beautiful Pontevedra estuary. We might even see a dolphin!

Surely you’ve heard of the island of A Toxa, right? It’s time to get to know it in situ. In addition to its medicinal waters and spa, A Toxa was home to the soap factory of the same name for many years. We will also see the unmistakable Chapel of the Shells, another of the island’s points of interest.

We continue on to Cambados to visit its noble historical heritage, very well preserved and protected as an Asset of Cultural Interest. Pazos, medieval churches, cobbled squares… It is an obligatory stop on any Rías Baixas tour. Cambados is also the capital of Albariño wine, one of the most highly valued Spanish whites in the world. If you can, be sure to try it!

Our last visit is to Illa de Arousa. Just crossing the almost 2 km long bridge that leads to it is a treat for the eyes, and the whole island is a true natural paradise. There you will have free time to enjoy it. One of the island’s treasures is the Carreirón Nature Reserve, a bird protection area. Another option is to enjoy its fine sandy beaches and calm waters, or have a drink by the sea. The only bad thing about this visit is having to leave…

This is the end of our route through Rías Baixas. We will arrive in Santiago de Compostela around 19.30.