Ribeira Sacra: in the heart of Galicia

In summer we tend to focus our plans on the coast. However, in the heart of interior Galicia you will find one of the most magical landscapes that you can also enjoy during the summer. At Simply Galicia we discover one of the best kept secrets of our land: the Ribeira Sacra, with a catamaran trip through the Sil canyons included. Read on to find out all about this excursion!

Ribeira Sacra: of wine and monasteries

The Ribeira Sacra covers the banks of the rivers Cabe, Sil and Miño, from the south of the province of Lugo to the north of the province of Ourense. And, undoubtedly, talking about this place, it is talking about wine. The Ribeira Sacra Designation of Origin covers 1,500 hectares, which in turn represents 5% of the total Galician land used for wine production. The D.O. is divided into five main growing areas: Chantada, Ribeira do Miño, Amandi, Ribeira do Sil and Quiroga Bibei.

Although the D.O. dates back to 1997, the winemaking tradition in the area is more than 2,000 years old. And, in addition to its ancient vineyards, it also boasts one of the largest concentrations of Romanesque architecture in Europe. Among its countless monasteries and temples, we could mention, for example, the Monastery of Santa Cristina or that of Santo Estevo, built on a hillside and immersed in stunning nature, in Ribas de Sil.

The Ribeira Sacra geodestination covers twenty-one municipalities distributed between Lugo and Ourense: A Peroxa, A Pobra do Brollón, A Teixeira, Bóveda, Carballedo, Castro Caldelas, Chantada, Esgos, Monforte de Lemos, Montederramo, Nogueira de Ramuín, O Saviñao, Pantón, Parada de Sil, Paradela, Portomarín, Quiroga, Ribas de Sil, Sober, Taboada and Xunqueira de Espadanero.

Our excursion: from Santiago de Compostela to the heart of Galicia

We will leave Santiago de Compostela at 08.20 a.m., heading towards the north of the province of Ourense, where we will start the guided route through the Ribeira Sacra. We will start the day with a catamaran trip in which we will cross the incredible canyons of the Sil River. In the hour and a half of the trip, and as it could not be otherwise, we will be able to enjoy a wine tasting.

At the end, we will head towards one of the many viewpoints that surround the Ribeira Sacra to enjoy the immensity of the landscape, the Cabezoás viewpoint. Immersed in nature is the next stop on the route: the Monastery of Santo Estevo de Ribas de Sil.

Currently, the building, which has become a Parador de Turismo, still retains the cloister and exterior ornamentation of the original building.

Historic centre of Ourense

The last stop of our getaway will be in the thermal city of Ourense. We will stroll through its cobbled streets, learn about the beautiful buildings headed by the Cathedral Basilica of Ourense and discover why it is known as the city of bridges.

The excursion to the Ribeira Sacra has departures every Monday and Friday, until September. You can book your place on 698 186 670, at info@simplygalicia.es or by clicking here.