The Ribeira Sacra: What to see and do, where to eat and sleep

‘Off the Map’ It has taught us that it is not necessary to leave the peninsula to see unique places. This time, Alberto Chicote visits, together with Ana Guerra, the Ribeira Sacra de Galicia, one of the best kept secrets of inland Galicia.

It is located in the southern part of the province of Lugo and the north of the province of Ourense, in Galicia. In addition, it follows the waters of the river Miño and the Sil. This destination is full of monasteries and canyons with viewpoints that will leave you with your mouth open.

Pay attention and take note so as not to miss anything of one of the most amazing enclaves of our geography, the Ribeira Sacra.

What to see in the Ribeira Sacra

The Ribeira Sacra is the ideal destination for sightseeing surrounded by nature. Its green landscape and its cliffs make the area a unique place. Next, we propose three places that you cannot miss.

Sil Canyon

This is one of the most interesting landscapes of the Galician geography to visit; This is how they define it on the official tourism page of the area. It stands at A Barca (Lugo), and so much the course of the river Like the viewpoints that we can find high in the mountains will make your trip a unique experience.

The contrast that the rocks make with the vegetation creates an incredible landscape that you can enjoy on a catamaran. This option is the ideal one to be able to fully enjoy its beauty, according to the official tourism portal.

In addition, you can also reach the viewpoint of the balconies of Madrid. Is found in Santa Marina, at the Parada de Sil at an altitude of 500 meters. This is one of the best places for photographing the gorges of the Sil River and for bird watching.

Santo Estevo de Ribas de Sil Monastery

This Monastery is one of the most important Romanesque monasteries of the Ribeira Sacra, according to the same portal. In addition, it is possibly the most visited touristically, since it has a great historical and artistic value.

Its origin is placed around the 6th century and they mention that later, after the Muslim invasion, it was abandoned. According to tradition it was founded by San Martín de Dumio, the founder -also- of the monastery of Dumio (Braga, Portugal) and of San Pedro de Rocas (Esgos, Ourense).

Monastery of San Pedro de Rocas

In this monastery you will not find light Gothic structures or harmonious Renaissance proportions, since it is a very ancient, rough, almost primitive enclosure, witness to the first hermit settlements in these lands. This is how they define it on the official website.

Its founders were seven men who chose this place to retire to a life of prayer, according to the inscriptions on the founding tombstone that is preserved in the archaeological museum of the province. It will be later, in the 9th century, when the knight Gemodus finds the place while hunting and decides to settle there.

Admission is free And you can visit it every day from 10:30 a.m. to 1:45 p.m. and from 4:30 p.m. to 7:45 p.m., except in December, January and February when the closing is early at 6:30 p.m.

Where to eat and sleep

The wealth of these lands makes the gastronomic offer from this place be very varied. You can find from basic products such as oil, wine and meat, to more elaborate products such as sweets or brandy.

It is true that the cuisine of the Galician coast is known for its seafood, but in the interior they are the octopus, the empanadas, the stew and the shoulder with turnip greens those who rule. You can test your palate in any of the restaurants offered by the Xunta de Galicia tourism page.

Regarding the stay, the area has all kinds of accommodation, from rural houses, through hostels to hotels. On the Xunta’s tourism website you can find a list of different lodgings where to stay and recharge batteries.