2 days in the Lucense Mariña

Two days in the Mariña Lucense allow you to combine coastal towns, landscapes, and cultural visits. This proposal organizes the stops by days to help you prepare a getaway in northern Galicia.

2 days in the Lucense Mariña

Map and how to get there

Day 1: Viveiro and Sargadelos

Visit Viveiro**, entering its pedestrian old town through the Puerta de Carlos V, you can stroll around the Plaza Mayor, the Church of Santa María del Campo, the Church of Santiago, the convent of the Conceptionists, the Lourdes grotto, the Puerta do Valado, and remnants of the wall.
On the other side of the Landrove River, climb to the viewpoint of Fuciño do Porco (Pork Snout) from the beach of Abrela, where you can leave your car. (More directions below: Practical data) The walk, 1.7 km long, is somewhat demanding, but it's well worth the effort. You will discover impressive views of the Cantabrian Sea from one of the most beautiful viewpoints in the Mariña Lucense.
Visit the Sargadelos Factory**, the factory of fine hand-decorated porcelain. The Historical Ensemble of Sargadelos also includes the must-see Lovers' Walk, the botanical path A Escarabelada, and the Pazo Ibáñez, among other attractions.
Head to San Cibrian. There you can visit the Provincial Museum of the Sea, about maritime life in the Mariña Lucense. They have such curious pieces as part of a whale's skeleton and preserved marine fauna. (Closed on Mondays) TE: 982 594 572

End the afternoon by the Punta Atalaia Lighthouse, built in 1864 and later renovated. Next to it, a modern viewpoint to observe Os Farallons, where according to legend, lives the Maruxaina, who caused many shipwrecks in this area.

Explore Ribadeo**: from the Plaza de España you can admire the city's most special modernist building: the Torre de los Moreno, by Julián García Núñez, a disciple of Gaudí. Its shimmering tiled roof can be seen from throughout the town. Next to it is the Pazo de Ibáñez, now the Town Hall, which was the residence of the founder of the Sargadelos Factory. From there, you can take an Indiana Route in the San Roque neighborhood, or visit the Chapel and viewpoint of A Atalaia, surrounded by cannons and gunports that protected this strategic lookout at the entrance to the river.
To recharge, you have some of the octopus bars on San Francisco street, or the café at the Parador de Ribadeo, with spectacular views.

Day 2: Ribadeo and surroundings

Visit the Basilica of San Martín de Mondoñedo. It is considered the oldest cathedral (it was the Cathedral of Mondoñedo) in Spain. The Romanesque frescoes you will see inside are the oldest in Galicia.
Very close to there is the Castro de Fazouro, a museumified castro, dated between the 1st and 3rd centuries A.D., located next to Arealonga beach.
Head to the Playa de las Catedrales**, which owes its nickname (it is actually called Augasantas) to the rock formations that remind us of the flying buttresses of Gothic cathedrals. The contrast of slate, sand, sky, and sea adds genuine landscape value to its geological and ecological importance (see practical information at the bottom).
The next stop is the Faro de Isla Pancha. In reality, there are 2, located on an islet connected to the mainland by a pedestrian bridge. The island can be visited, and even in the old lighthouse, it is possible to stay overnight.

What to eat

2 days in the Mariña Lucense are enough to sample products from the sea and land.

From the sea: we suggest hake from Celeiro, pincho-style; bonito from Burela, barnacles from Rinlo, and sea urchins. From the land: they include the best from their garden in their dishes, whose queen is the faba de Lourenzá, a bean of exceptional quality for its thin skin, great water absorption, and mild flavor. The quality and variety of the mushrooms are also noteworthy.

The most renowned dessert is the Mondoñedo Cake, a sweet mix of flavors: sponge cake, angel hair, almonds, candied fruit..

How to visit the Playa de las Catedrales:

the most important part of this trip is to plan your visit to the Playa de las Catedrales and adjust the itinerary accordingly, which will depend on the tides. There are only low tides 2 times each day, and it may coincide at night. It is recommended to arrive there an hour and a half before low tide. We provide you with the Tide Table" for you to check. Additionally, during peak season, it is necessary to have authorization, which you can obtain here "
This visit (Playa de las Catedrales) is suggested during low tide since that way you can access the beach. If you have to go during high tide, the scenery changes completely. The walk from the top of the cliff offers spectacular views. Moreover, if you have time, we recommend visiting the area during both low and high tide.
At Playa de las Catedrales, there are paid public restrooms, only during peak season. The rest of the time, you must go to the café, with prior purchase (the prices are somewhat high).

Practical information:
Mariña Lucense

How to get there:

The Ribadeo Bus Station is about a 10-minute walk from the center, and the Viveiro one is very close to the Carlos V Gate.
The train stations (or halts) of both Viveiro and Ribadeo are somewhat farther from the center.

How to visit Fuciño do Porco:

To get to Fuciño do Porco, you can input Route Fuciño do Porco directly into the GPS, which will send you straight to the parking area. In this parking lot, you must leave your car and start the access path of 1.3 km (a flat, shaded path that is easy to walk) until you reach the area of Fuciño do Porco, already on the coast and easily identifiable by its characteristic wooden walkways.
During the months of July and August, it is necessary to request a permit to access it. https://puntafucinodoporco.gal/es/inicio/