A great mass, with a double summit, juts out into the sea like a sentinel; behind it, a lagoon shelters migratory animals and a curious endemic flora; the postcard, one of the best in the beautiful Galician land, is completed with a beach, almost a narrow isthmus, of very fine sand. The variable sunlight does the rest: Monte Louro has been a refuge for man's imagination for millennia. The gigantic granite mass of Monte Louro is one of the most representative scenes of Magical Galicia. Closing the estuary of Muros Noia at the northern end, its original silhouette of two peaks (with a maximum height of 240 metres), enters the sea giving free rein to our imagination: in its history myths and legends are mixed with the memory of ancestral pagan rites. Its peculiar location provides not only fantastic views of the Muros-Noia estuary, but further south it allows us to enjoy the Barbanza peninsula, with the Baroña Hillfort in the distance, and to the north it shows us the Ancoradoiro beach, with the Lariño lighthouse, and even further in the background, the cape of the end of the world: Fisterra. Climbing to its summit is an exercise that requires a certain sacrifice, but we can also go round it, enjoying the softness of the landscape, in which the presence of a lighthouse at Queixal Point is another point of interest. The whole area is a privileged space from the landscape point of view, as it includes, in addition to the beautiful virgin beach of Areia Maior, the Xalfas lagoon, which has been declared an area of natural interest due to its great biological richness. About 200 m in diameter, the lagoon is separated from the sea by a dune barrier that prevents the Longarelo river from flowing into the sea. In this type of closed ecosystem, the presence of a peculiar flora and fauna is relatively frequent. The Xalfas lagoon is no exception, which contributes to the attraction of the area. Specifically, we find species capable of resisting the contradiction of the dryness of an almost dune-like setting mixed with very high air humidity. Among a selection of plants capable of fixing the sands, the presence of Lilaeopsis caroilnensis (known as aquatic grass) stands out, this being the only area in Galicia where there are specimens of this species. As far as fauna is concerned, we also find a curious contradiction: at the beginning of the summer, species such as the mallard, common seal, little grebe or the little grebe nest here; while, on the other hand, we also enjoy other species that choose the area to hibernate, such as the tufted duck, wigeon, mazarin or grey heron. In the stormy season we can see puffins and grey herons in search of shelter. A large number of amphibians, reptiles and even otters are also part of the family that this unique area offers us.  

In 1924, the prestigious architect Antonio Palacios, the greatest exponent of modernism in Galicia, designed a building to house the installation of a hydroelectric power station. This surprising construction thus became part of a magnificent group of buildings located on the banks of the Tambre river, in a setting of great scenic beauty. In the former Pesquería del Tambre, which used to be used as accommodation for the company's employees, we now find a nature hotel, while the building known as "La casa de los Frailes" (the house of the Friars) is used for different events. As a curiosity, another building houses a lamprey museum. A leafy forest of oak, laurel and willow trees encourages us to enjoy a magnificent area for picnics, as well as being a starting point for hiking routes. It has a striking suspension bridge from which we can contemplate old fisheries and a route over the Nimo meadow and the banks of the Tambre river also starts there. The Tambre, which later recovers its impetus, appears in this area as a lake, contributing to create a romantic atmosphere typical of the beginning of the last century. The recreation area, next to the water, reminds us of the times of the Belle Époque, while we enjoy the lush vegetation.  

To travel back in time, there is nothing better than wandering aimlessly through the squares and streets of the historic town of Noia. Everywhere we will find the harmony of well-preserved medieval buildings: churches, narrow streets or arcades will make us instantly understand why the Noia Medieval Fair is such a successful celebration in this land: we could not find a better setting. It is a must to stroll through it and enjoy it at leisure. Its historical and architectural richness, the structure of its streets, its bridges, squares and arcades will take us back to other times, to another era in which this fishing village was also the cradle of shoemakers. Porticoes, rose windows, arches, capitals... An incredible wealth of Gothic architecture that we will find in buildings such as the 15th century Church of San Martiño,  O Tapal square or the 14th century Church of Santa María A Nova, built over a primitive Romanesque church from the 12th century, and today converted into the museum that houses the guild tombstones. Next to the town hall it is the 16th century Convent of San Francisco, which blends Gothic and Renaissance styles. In the historic centre of what was described as the best Galician ogival town, we can enjoy its terraces, its squares and the tapas and good food of its inns, many of which are located under the arcades of noble houses that conserve details such as small windows or faces engraved in the stone. A beautiful place to enjoy its gastronomy, we cannot fail to try the corn pie with small sardines and cockles, for some the best in Galicia and which is the origin of the celebration of the Fiesta de la Empanada, one of the longest-running gastronomic festivals in Galicia. During holiday periods, thanks to the collaboration between the Noia Town Council and the Noia Histórica organisation, visitors can access some very interesting guided tours: Telephone. +34 981821 598. E-mail: turismoconcellodenoia@gmail.com.

There are human constructions that could compete in harmony with the best works of nature. Pontenafoso is an example which, as well as timeless beauty, has a great practical sense.  But nature can never be left aside, and in this case this great medieval bridge is located in a setting of great scenic value, which increases its attraction and encourages us to take a leisurely stroll along it. Pontenafonso, which appears as Ponte das Pías in medieval documents, joins the municipalities of Outes and Noia, overcoming the obstacle of the Tambre river, which serves as a boundary between the two municipalities. It is believed to have been built during the reign of Alfonso IX, to whom it owes its name. Before its construction it was necessary to cross the estuary by boat, which was a considerable problem for the transit of people or goods. Medieval alterations and rebuilding between 1842 and 1844 gave it its current appearance. This beautiful bridge is built of granite ashlars and is supported by 20 pointed arches. The bridge originally had 27 arches, but seven of them were lost in the floods. Despite this reduction, it is one of the longest medieval bridges in Galicia, as it is almost 270 metres long. Its width, 5 metres, also makes it one of the most outstanding in Galicia. Its length and appearance are similar to that of Pontesampaio, located at the end of the Vigo estuary, over the Verdugo river. In this area near the mouth of the river, the Tambre forms an area of great scenic value, with a leafy reed bed that shelters a variety of fauna. The mountains serve as a backdrop to round off a beautiful picture that we cannot fail to visit. The Tambre Estuary is part of the Natura 2000 Network. Once across the bridge, in Outes, the hermitage of Nosa Señora da Ponte awaits us, a small chapel from the 16th and 17th centuries that belonged to the monastery of San Xusto de Toxosoutos. Its name helps us to understand the great importance that this bridge had and still has for the inhabitants of this region.

A town that looks like a balcony stretched out to the sea, its real reason for being. Years and centuries go by, the relationship of Muros with the sea undergoes variations, but it remains just as firm. This is reflected in a peculiar architecture that takes us from the large constructions built in the periods of greatest economic prosperity to the unparalleled typicality of the seafaring dwellings. Muros is a magnificent example of a seaside town and, without doubt, one of the most beautiful villages in Galicia. Since its foundation in the 10th century, fishing and shellfishing have been its raison d'être, which received an enormous boost in the 19th century with the establishment of numerous salting factories. This splendour, which made it one of the most important ports in Galicia, is reflected in the large number of noble houses and monuments of interest to be found in its historic quarter. It is said that Muros is like a gigantic stone balcony open to the sea; and there is much truth in this, as the seafaring houses conserve a homogeneous and rounded architecture: ground floors with enormous and robust arcades where fish used to be salted and balconies with wrought iron railings. These Gothic or Baroque buildings are punctuated by the occasional Modernist element and also by the Galician glass galleries, giving the whole a typical character of great visual appeal. The first line of houses in the port is reached by a series of very narrow alleyways which, with their original names (street of suffering, of bitterness, of health, of solitude...), constitute one of the most characteristic images of the town. The public squares, statues or the impressive building of the Municipal Food Market are other elements that define the character of Muros, but the religious section also deserves a special mention. Santa María do Campo, the former collegiate church, displays its seafaring Gothic style from an emblematic location. Inside, the Cristo da Agonía (Christ of the Agony) is an example of expressiveness that is well worth a visit. The Santuario da Virxe do Camiño (Sanctuary of the Virgin of the Way), a Gothic construction on ancient Romanesque remains, also stands out, inside which we find an image of the virgin who, as it could not be otherwise, tradition says arrived by sea. Logically, like everything good that has happened to Muros, we add. If you want to immerse yourself in the seafaring tradition of Muros and discover the close relationship with religious life, which has given rise to so many temples and countless curiosities, the best thing is to sign up for the #GuidedVisits of www.murosaugaesal.com. Bookings: info@murosaugaesal.com +34607725073 +34 678 941 419  

Porto do Son is the favourite in the "Galician municipality with the largest number of beaches" competition. It is undoubtedly the most northerly of the Galician municipalities that can focus their summer tourism on sandy beaches. As you would expect, quality comes from quantity, and in Porto do Son you can find exactly the type of beach that meets your desires: 20 white sandy beaches on just over 25 kilometres of coastline, allowing you to choose between those located in an urban setting or those that remain in unspoilt surroundings; with calm waters and natural pools perfect for swimming, or with moderate waves and more windy conditions ideal for surfing or windsurfing; paradisiacal and warm beaches, with jetties to sit on, let the time pass and watch the sunset, with the shape of an inlet to enjoy long walks along the shore or with a rocky landscape to watch the waves break; for an afternoon, for a day or to stay because some of these sandy beaches of Porto do Son have camping sites, picnic areas or barbecues, boardwalks... Take note: Aguieira, Area Longa-Baroña, Areas Longas-Basoña, Arnela, As Seiras-Queiruga, As Vellas do Pozo, Caveiro, Coira, Fonforrón, Gafa, Herbas Pitas, O Son-O Cruceiro, Ornanda-Gaviotas, Pozo, Pozo pequeña, Recaveira, Río Maior-O Dique, Río Sieira, Seráns, Suigrexas, Telleira and Xuño. As we are also talking about a municipality that has shown a great love for hiking, in recent times new stretches of coastal path have been enabled so that walkers can explore the various sandy areas without compromising their integrity by walking along the vicinity of the AC-550. Wooden footbridges facilitate this task so that we can all enjoy an exceptional landscape, in which Monte Louro, the everlasting guardian of the estuary, stands out right in front of us.  

Its shore is often a hive of people who get up very early in the morning to extract the famous cockles of this estuary, although there is also room for excellent clams and even oysters. The cockle is the undisputed king of the Ría de Muros Noia, its quantity, quality and size make it an authentic gastronomic jewel, which brings with it a notable economic profitability. To get to know this activity in depth, the Council of Outes has organised "Vivir o marisqueo" (see experiences section), the perfect way to get closer to the extraction of molluscs... and end up enjoying their flavours. In addition to the fishing boats and the fish market, in the port of O Freixo you will find a good number of restaurants and inns where you can taste a product that has been obtained only a few hundred metres away, so that its initial quality is reaffirmed by its unquestionable freshness. On its jetty you will also be able to see some traditional boats, such as the Joaquín Vieta sloop, a classic image of the estuary; but it still has other attractions in store, such as the Francisco Rama "Fufú" Nautical Activities Centre (see experiences) and its neighbour: a traditional fishery that has fallen into disuse, but which still perfectly preserves its image.

The recreation of a mining town, with museum spaces and a great respect for personal stories make up a unique space that will allow you to travel back in time through the history of mining, discovering all its ups and downs, its contrasts, its feverish periods and with the common denominator of the effort of some people to obtain the valuable mineral from the depths of the earth. This is undoubtedly one of the most curious industrial tourism products in Galicia. The mining site of San Finx is present in the universal history of mining since the Bronze Age, with an essential role in the trade of the Phoenicians. In the late Middle Ages, the exploitation of tin continued to be recorded, probably destined for the workshops of tin and silver goldsmiths in Santiago de Compostela. However, it was at the end of the 19th century that San Finx acquired greater historical importance, with the creation of the British-owned company The San Finx Tin Minies Limited: the first tungsten mining operation in Spain and one of the first in Europe. The mine was equipped with the most advanced technical facilities and provided stable employment for 400 people. In 1940, the mine became the property of the Spanish capital company Industrias Gallegas S.A. In World War II, with the so-called tungsten fever, San Finx became an industrial focus of strategic interest. After the war, production normalised and continued until 1990, when mining was suspended and resumed in 2015. The San Finx deposit was declared a Point of Geological Interest by the Spanish Geological Mining Institute, and its surroundings represent a natural area of great beauty and biological interest. It is an area made up of quartz seams that extend for about two kilometres. Its composition indicates relatively low formation temperatures (200ºC to 300ºC) and it is rich in tin and tungsten, which are rare in European deposits. With respect to the industrial mining heritage, San Finx consists of a set of workings, equipment and installations that reflect the evolution of the mine over more than a century of activity. In addition to the surface workings from ancient times and the more recent shafts, the preserved constructive elements (warehouse, gravimetric wash house, compressor building and electrical hook-up, framework of the new shaft...) are also of note. In this industrial archaeology, it is also worth noting the existence of equipment, some of which is still in perfect use, such as cross-belt magnetic separators, a tin smelting furnace and a compressor, among others.

We will end up suspecting that our ancestors always had a remarkable attraction for landscapes, otherwise we would not understand why they chose such beautiful places to build their settlements. The Baroña hillfort is no exception, quite the contrary. The spectacular location of this castro, on a high peninsula next to a large sandy area, makes it a unique place full of beauty and magic. In addition to being one of the most spectacular and renowned sites in the Ría de Muros Noia, the extraordinary castro located in Porto do Son stands out for its uniqueness. This characteristic is due not only to the design of its construction but also to the fact that it is located on a small and abrupt peninsula joined to the land by a tiny sandy isthmus, which gradually turns into a beautiful half-moon beach. Inhabited from the second Iron Age until well into the Roman period, its current appearance dates from the change of era (1st century BC to the 1st century AD). Its construction is characterised by a structure based on a complex defensive system, which was favoured by its peninsular layout. Discovered in 1933 and declared a National Artistic Monument, it has a first line of moat and a wall followed by another wall that delimits the enclosures. There is a main entrance and three platforms, where more than thirty dwellings are grouped together, perfectly adapted to the irregularities of the terrain, with a simple ground plan and a circular or oval shape. Some of these spaces were used for craft work, storage... and as befits a coastal settlement, remains of shells, spines, molluscs and shellfish were found accumulated in the area known as the "concheiro". It is impossible to overlook the beach at the foot of the castro: Area Longa. A sandy area to enjoy the calm waters and which in times gone by was a means of livelihood for the inhabitants of the place. The Castro de Baroña is one of the most recognisable images in Galician tourism advertising campaigns. Beautiful at any time of day, at sunset it redoubles its charms, offering one of the best sunsets we will ever see. Entrance to the castro is free and free of charge, and information panels provide information, but the Baroña Hillfort Interpretation Centre has been created to help visitors get to know the site. It is located in a unique 19th century building (former town hall) in the historic centre of the fishing village of Porto do Son. Through panels, models and original objects found in the excavations we can learn more about the life of the inhabitants of one of the most representative coastal forts of Galicia.

We have often described ours as an eternal territory. By this we want to highlight its aspects of permanence and stability, a perfect breeding ground for oral transmission, for the maintenance of traditions and cultures. Let's take a look at some examples that certify this. A prominent place in the craftsmanship of the area corresponds to basketry and, especially, to the straw hats known as sancosmeiros, although they are traditionally made in the parish of Santo Ourente. This craft allowed that, in addition to hats, baskets, bags and many other objects that are nowadays in museums could be made. Sancosmeiros are made from clean, wet and well-dried wheat straw, which is carefully plaited to form circular hats of great strength and waterproofing. They are in great demand not only among the peasant women of the region but also among those from other Galician villages, as they are perfectly suited to agricultural work in both summer and winter, and are even bought by visitors as souvenirs. They are also the main attraction of the Outes Town Council's stalls at the various promotional events it attends. Ours is a product-based gastronomy, mainly dedicated to keeping the flavour of exceptional raw materials pure, but there is also room for some peculiar and surprising traditions, such as a curious Muradan dessert called "tortilla romana", or the corn pie with cockles, which in Noia you will have to chew carefully, because the cockles are put in the dough with a shell, so that they release all their juice inside the pie, can you imagine? Another striking example of tradition and culture can be found in Outes, in the pilgrimage of San Campio de Ourente, a saint who will take the devil out of your body (you can see an extensive entry on this subject in our blog: https://riademurosnoia.com/el-demonio-nunca-estuvo-tan-guapo-11/). Popular festivals, patron saints with a wide gastronomic content or museums dedicated to safeguarding the memory of the villages (you have them in the EXPERIENCES section), performances such as Muros mira ao mar, the carrilanas competition in Esteiro, celebrations such as the Semana santa de Muros or the Feria Medieval de Noia will give rise to a final result: you will never get bored in the #RíadeMurosNoia.

Among the lovers of #IndustrialTourism, there is a section of true fans of the "archaeological" aspect of it. These are the people who especially enjoy visiting the ruins of old factories, discovering the remains of salted fish factories or visiting factories that have changed their raison d'être. We understand this interest perfectly: on the one hand the historical references make us feel part of a tradition, on the other hand we remember things from our childhood or things told by our elders; we can visit what is left of them and remember, half imagination, half memory. We are going to give you just a few hints, because fans of industrial archaeology are keen to discover things for themselves. We can suggest a visit to the San Fix Mining Museum, or to the Pozo Cachón Mill, or to the old Sel factory, but they will find that in the EXPERIENCES section, they want us to guide them in other ways. For example, they want us to take them to the bridge over the river Traba in Noia and let them find the remains of machinery from old factories. They want us to encourage them to follow the Vilacoba river hiking route in Lousame, to contemplate the old paper mills, today devoured by an exuberant nature; they want us to encourage them to discover the old salting factories, origin of the canning companies, of which we have samples all along our coast, some of them reconverted into restaurants or warehouses (remarkable examples in Portosín), others in a ruinous state, sometimes with a small rehabilitation impulse that allows us to identify their structure perfectly. Take a stroll along our coastal path and you will see plenty of examples. The old riverside carpentry workshops in Outes ("ruta dos carpinteiros cos pés mollados") would fit perfectly into this section, as would the sawmills. The Museo do Mar de Noia, currently renovating its facilities, will show us an example of old boat engines manufactured in Noia, of brands such as O Forte or Ayón (Noia in reverse), still in perfect working order. An example of the strength of other times. In short, there is much to discover.

A circuit that, between Ribadeo and A Guarda, runs through all the lighthouses, ports, fish markets, seafood tourism activities, charming hotels and, of course, the best restaurants to taste the fish and seafood of our sea. A project of the Local Action Groups of the Galician Fishing Sector and its tourist brand MarGalaica. In the Muros Noia estuary there are only two elements that deserve to be called lighthouses: Monte Louro and Rebordiño. This is due to the fact that navigation in the estuary has always been safe (unlike the neighbouring Costa da Morte) and its signalling is well defined in the north by the neighbouring Lariño lighthouse (Carnota) and in the south by the Corrubedo lighthouse (Ribeira). There are, however, a good number of other light signals: on the spit and breakwater of the port of Muros, on the Isla da Creba, on the outer breakwater and at both ends of the port of O Freixo, to the north and south of Noia and in Testal. Let's visit our two lighthouses, which we will talk about next, and take the opportunity to get to know everything that the route of the lighthouses offers us in this estuary, both unforgettable places and scenarios to take a selfie and, of course, restaurants where you can eat the products recommended by MarGalaica, many of them with the Km 0 label. For this, nothing like visiting their website: www.rutadosfaros.gal.  

In 1924, the prestigious architect Antonio Palacios, the greatest exponent of modernism in Galicia, designed a building to house the installation of a hydroelectric power station. This surprising construction thus became part of a magnificent group of buildings located on the banks of the Tambre river, in a setting of great scenic beauty. In the former Pesquería del Tambre, which used to be used as accommodation for the company's employees, we now find a nature hotel, while the building known as "La casa de los Frailes" (the house of the Friars) is used for different events. As a curiosity, another building houses a lamprey museum. A leafy forest of oak, laurel and willow trees encourages us to enjoy a magnificent area for picnics, as well as being a starting point for hiking routes. It has a striking suspension bridge from which we can contemplate old fisheries and a route over the Nimo meadow and the banks of the Tambre river also starts there. The Tambre, which later recovers its impetus, appears in this area as a lake, contributing to create a romantic atmosphere typical of the beginning of the last century. The recreation area, next to the water, reminds us of the times of the Belle Époque, while we enjoy the lush vegetation.  

Among the lovers of #IndustrialTourism, there is a section of true fans of the "archaeological" aspect of it. These are the people who especially enjoy visiting the ruins of old factories, discovering the remains of salted fish factories or visiting factories that have changed their raison d'être. We understand this interest perfectly: on the one hand the historical references make us feel part of a tradition, on the other hand we remember things from our childhood or things told by our elders; we can visit what is left of them and remember, half imagination, half memory. We are going to give you just a few hints, because fans of industrial archaeology are keen to discover things for themselves. We can suggest a visit to the San Fix Mining Museum, or to the Pozo Cachón Mill, or to the old Sel factory, but they will find that in the EXPERIENCES section, they want us to guide them in other ways. For example, they want us to take them to the bridge over the river Traba in Noia and let them find the remains of machinery from old factories. They want us to encourage them to follow the Vilacoba river hiking route in Lousame, to contemplate the old paper mills, today devoured by an exuberant nature; they want us to encourage them to discover the old salting factories, origin of the canning companies, of which we have samples all along our coast, some of them reconverted into restaurants or warehouses (remarkable examples in Portosín), others in a ruinous state, sometimes with a small rehabilitation impulse that allows us to identify their structure perfectly. Take a stroll along our coastal path and you will see plenty of examples. The old riverside carpentry workshops in Outes ("ruta dos carpinteiros cos pés mollados") would fit perfectly into this section, as would the sawmills. The Museo do Mar de Noia, currently renovating its facilities, will show us an example of old boat engines manufactured in Noia, of brands such as O Forte or Ayón (Noia in reverse), still in perfect working order. An example of the strength of other times. In short, there is much to discover.

We have often described ours as an eternal territory. By this we want to highlight its aspects of permanence and stability, a perfect breeding ground for oral transmission, for the maintenance of traditions and cultures. Let's take a look at some examples that certify this. A prominent place in the craftsmanship of the area corresponds to basketry and, especially, to the straw hats known as sancosmeiros, although they are traditionally made in the parish of Santo Ourente. This craft allowed that, in addition to hats, baskets, bags and many other objects that are nowadays in museums could be made. Sancosmeiros are made from clean, wet and well-dried wheat straw, which is carefully plaited to form circular hats of great strength and waterproofing. They are in great demand not only among the peasant women of the region but also among those from other Galician villages, as they are perfectly suited to agricultural work in both summer and winter, and are even bought by visitors as souvenirs. They are also the main attraction of the Outes Town Council's stalls at the various promotional events it attends. Ours is a product-based gastronomy, mainly dedicated to keeping the flavour of exceptional raw materials pure, but there is also room for some peculiar and surprising traditions, such as a curious Muradan dessert called "tortilla romana", or the corn pie with cockles, which in Noia you will have to chew carefully, because the cockles are put in the dough with a shell, so that they release all their juice inside the pie, can you imagine? Another striking example of tradition and culture can be found in Outes, in the pilgrimage of San Campio de Ourente, a saint who will take the devil out of your body (you can see an extensive entry on this subject in our blog: https://riademurosnoia.com/el-demonio-nunca-estuvo-tan-guapo-11/). Popular festivals, patron saints with a wide gastronomic content or museums dedicated to safeguarding the memory of the villages (you have them in the EXPERIENCES section), performances such as Muros mira ao mar, the carrilanas competition in Esteiro, celebrations such as the Semana santa de Muros or the Feria Medieval de Noia will give rise to a final result: you will never get bored in the #RíadeMurosNoia.

Among the lovers of #IndustrialTourism, there is a section of true fans of the "archaeological" aspect of it. These are the people who especially enjoy visiting the ruins of old factories, discovering the remains of salted fish factories or visiting factories that have changed their raison d'être. We understand this interest perfectly: on the one hand the historical references make us feel part of a tradition, on the other hand we remember things from our childhood or things told by our elders; we can visit what is left of them and remember, half imagination, half memory. We are going to give you just a few hints, because fans of industrial archaeology are keen to discover things for themselves. We can suggest a visit to the San Fix Mining Museum, or to the Pozo Cachón Mill, or to the old Sel factory, but they will find that in the EXPERIENCES section, they want us to guide them in other ways. For example, they want us to take them to the bridge over the river Traba in Noia and let them find the remains of machinery from old factories. They want us to encourage them to follow the Vilacoba river hiking route in Lousame, to contemplate the old paper mills, today devoured by an exuberant nature; they want us to encourage them to discover the old salting factories, origin of the canning companies, of which we have samples all along our coast, some of them reconverted into restaurants or warehouses (remarkable examples in Portosín), others in a ruinous state, sometimes with a small rehabilitation impulse that allows us to identify their structure perfectly. Take a stroll along our coastal path and you will see plenty of examples. The old riverside carpentry workshops in Outes ("ruta dos carpinteiros cos pés mollados") would fit perfectly into this section, as would the sawmills. The Museo do Mar de Noia, currently renovating its facilities, will show us an example of old boat engines manufactured in Noia, of brands such as O Forte or Ayón (Noia in reverse), still in perfect working order. An example of the strength of other times. In short, there is much to discover.

A circuit that, between Ribadeo and A Guarda, runs through all the lighthouses, ports, fish markets, seafood tourism activities, charming hotels and, of course, the best restaurants to taste the fish and seafood of our sea. A project of the Local Action Groups of the Galician Fishing Sector and its tourist brand MarGalaica. In the Muros Noia estuary there are only two elements that deserve to be called lighthouses: Monte Louro and Rebordiño. This is due to the fact that navigation in the estuary has always been safe (unlike the neighbouring Costa da Morte) and its signalling is well defined in the north by the neighbouring Lariño lighthouse (Carnota) and in the south by the Corrubedo lighthouse (Ribeira). There are, however, a good number of other light signals: on the spit and breakwater of the port of Muros, on the Isla da Creba, on the outer breakwater and at both ends of the port of O Freixo, to the north and south of Noia and in Testal. Let's visit our two lighthouses, which we will talk about next, and take the opportunity to get to know everything that the route of the lighthouses offers us in this estuary, both unforgettable places and scenarios to take a selfie and, of course, restaurants where you can eat the products recommended by MarGalaica, many of them with the Km 0 label. For this, nothing like visiting their website: www.rutadosfaros.gal.  

We have often described ours as an eternal territory. By this we want to highlight its aspects of permanence and stability, a perfect breeding ground for oral transmission, for the maintenance of traditions and cultures. Let's take a look at some examples that certify this. A prominent place in the craftsmanship of the area corresponds to basketry and, especially, to the straw hats known as sancosmeiros, although they are traditionally made in the parish of Santo Ourente. This craft allowed that, in addition to hats, baskets, bags and many other objects that are nowadays in museums could be made. Sancosmeiros are made from clean, wet and well-dried wheat straw, which is carefully plaited to form circular hats of great strength and waterproofing. They are in great demand not only among the peasant women of the region but also among those from other Galician villages, as they are perfectly suited to agricultural work in both summer and winter, and are even bought by visitors as souvenirs. They are also the main attraction of the Outes Town Council's stalls at the various promotional events it attends. Ours is a product-based gastronomy, mainly dedicated to keeping the flavour of exceptional raw materials pure, but there is also room for some peculiar and surprising traditions, such as a curious Muradan dessert called "tortilla romana", or the corn pie with cockles, which in Noia you will have to chew carefully, because the cockles are put in the dough with a shell, so that they release all their juice inside the pie, can you imagine? Another striking example of tradition and culture can be found in Outes, in the pilgrimage of San Campio de Ourente, a saint who will take the devil out of your body (you can see an extensive entry on this subject in our blog: https://riademurosnoia.com/el-demonio-nunca-estuvo-tan-guapo-11/). Popular festivals, patron saints with a wide gastronomic content or museums dedicated to safeguarding the memory of the villages (you have them in the EXPERIENCES section), performances such as Muros mira ao mar, the carrilanas competition in Esteiro, celebrations such as the Semana santa de Muros or the Feria Medieval de Noia will give rise to a final result: you will never get bored in the #RíadeMurosNoia.

Among the lovers of #IndustrialTourism, there is a section of true fans of the "archaeological" aspect of it. These are the people who especially enjoy visiting the ruins of old factories, discovering the remains of salted fish factories or visiting factories that have changed their raison d'être. We understand this interest perfectly: on the one hand the historical references make us feel part of a tradition, on the other hand we remember things from our childhood or things told by our elders; we can visit what is left of them and remember, half imagination, half memory. We are going to give you just a few hints, because fans of industrial archaeology are keen to discover things for themselves. We can suggest a visit to the San Fix Mining Museum, or to the Pozo Cachón Mill, or to the old Sel factory, but they will find that in the EXPERIENCES section, they want us to guide them in other ways. For example, they want us to take them to the bridge over the river Traba in Noia and let them find the remains of machinery from old factories. They want us to encourage them to follow the Vilacoba river hiking route in Lousame, to contemplate the old paper mills, today devoured by an exuberant nature; they want us to encourage them to discover the old salting factories, origin of the canning companies, of which we have samples all along our coast, some of them reconverted into restaurants or warehouses (remarkable examples in Portosín), others in a ruinous state, sometimes with a small rehabilitation impulse that allows us to identify their structure perfectly. Take a stroll along our coastal path and you will see plenty of examples. The old riverside carpentry workshops in Outes ("ruta dos carpinteiros cos pés mollados") would fit perfectly into this section, as would the sawmills. The Museo do Mar de Noia, currently renovating its facilities, will show us an example of old boat engines manufactured in Noia, of brands such as O Forte or Ayón (Noia in reverse), still in perfect working order. An example of the strength of other times. In short, there is much to discover.

A great mass, with a double summit, juts out into the sea like a sentinel; behind it, a lagoon shelters migratory animals and a curious endemic flora; the postcard, one of the best in the beautiful Galician land, is completed with a beach, almost a narrow isthmus, of very fine sand. The variable sunlight does the rest: Monte Louro has been a refuge for man's imagination for millennia. The gigantic granite mass of Monte Louro is one of the most representative scenes of Magical Galicia. Closing the estuary of Muros Noia at the northern end, its original silhouette of two peaks (with a maximum height of 240 metres), enters the sea giving free rein to our imagination: in its history myths and legends are mixed with the memory of ancestral pagan rites. Its peculiar location provides not only fantastic views of the Muros-Noia estuary, but further south it allows us to enjoy the Barbanza peninsula, with the Baroña Hillfort in the distance, and to the north it shows us the Ancoradoiro beach, with the Lariño lighthouse, and even further in the background, the cape of the end of the world: Fisterra. Climbing to its summit is an exercise that requires a certain sacrifice, but we can also go round it, enjoying the softness of the landscape, in which the presence of a lighthouse at Queixal Point is another point of interest. The whole area is a privileged space from the landscape point of view, as it includes, in addition to the beautiful virgin beach of Areia Maior, the Xalfas lagoon, which has been declared an area of natural interest due to its great biological richness. About 200 m in diameter, the lagoon is separated from the sea by a dune barrier that prevents the Longarelo river from flowing into the sea. In this type of closed ecosystem, the presence of a peculiar flora and fauna is relatively frequent. The Xalfas lagoon is no exception, which contributes to the attraction of the area. Specifically, we find species capable of resisting the contradiction of the dryness of an almost dune-like setting mixed with very high air humidity. Among a selection of plants capable of fixing the sands, the presence of Lilaeopsis caroilnensis (known as aquatic grass) stands out, this being the only area in Galicia where there are specimens of this species. As far as fauna is concerned, we also find a curious contradiction: at the beginning of the summer, species such as the mallard, common seal, little grebe or the little grebe nest here; while, on the other hand, we also enjoy other species that choose the area to hibernate, such as the tufted duck, wigeon, mazarin or grey heron. In the stormy season we can see puffins and grey herons in search of shelter. A large number of amphibians, reptiles and even otters are also part of the family that this unique area offers us.  

To travel back in time, there is nothing better than wandering aimlessly through the squares and streets of the historic town of Noia. Everywhere we will find the harmony of well-preserved medieval buildings: churches, narrow streets or arcades will make us instantly understand why the Noia Medieval Fair is such a successful celebration in this land: we could not find a better setting. It is a must to stroll through it and enjoy it at leisure. Its historical and architectural richness, the structure of its streets, its bridges, squares and arcades will take us back to other times, to another era in which this fishing village was also the cradle of shoemakers. Porticoes, rose windows, arches, capitals... An incredible wealth of Gothic architecture that we will find in buildings such as the 15th century Church of San Martiño,  O Tapal square or the 14th century Church of Santa María A Nova, built over a primitive Romanesque church from the 12th century, and today converted into the museum that houses the guild tombstones. Next to the town hall it is the 16th century Convent of San Francisco, which blends Gothic and Renaissance styles. In the historic centre of what was described as the best Galician ogival town, we can enjoy its terraces, its squares and the tapas and good food of its inns, many of which are located under the arcades of noble houses that conserve details such as small windows or faces engraved in the stone. A beautiful place to enjoy its gastronomy, we cannot fail to try the corn pie with small sardines and cockles, for some the best in Galicia and which is the origin of the celebration of the Fiesta de la Empanada, one of the longest-running gastronomic festivals in Galicia. During holiday periods, thanks to the collaboration between the Noia Town Council and the Noia Histórica organisation, visitors can access some very interesting guided tours: Telephone. +34 981821 598. E-mail: turismoconcellodenoia@gmail.com.

There are human constructions that could compete in harmony with the best works of nature. Pontenafoso is an example which, as well as timeless beauty, has a great practical sense.  But nature can never be left aside, and in this case this great medieval bridge is located in a setting of great scenic value, which increases its attraction and encourages us to take a leisurely stroll along it. Pontenafonso, which appears as Ponte das Pías in medieval documents, joins the municipalities of Outes and Noia, overcoming the obstacle of the Tambre river, which serves as a boundary between the two municipalities. It is believed to have been built during the reign of Alfonso IX, to whom it owes its name. Before its construction it was necessary to cross the estuary by boat, which was a considerable problem for the transit of people or goods. Medieval alterations and rebuilding between 1842 and 1844 gave it its current appearance. This beautiful bridge is built of granite ashlars and is supported by 20 pointed arches. The bridge originally had 27 arches, but seven of them were lost in the floods. Despite this reduction, it is one of the longest medieval bridges in Galicia, as it is almost 270 metres long. Its width, 5 metres, also makes it one of the most outstanding in Galicia. Its length and appearance are similar to that of Pontesampaio, located at the end of the Vigo estuary, over the Verdugo river. In this area near the mouth of the river, the Tambre forms an area of great scenic value, with a leafy reed bed that shelters a variety of fauna. The mountains serve as a backdrop to round off a beautiful picture that we cannot fail to visit. The Tambre Estuary is part of the Natura 2000 Network. Once across the bridge, in Outes, the hermitage of Nosa Señora da Ponte awaits us, a small chapel from the 16th and 17th centuries that belonged to the monastery of San Xusto de Toxosoutos. Its name helps us to understand the great importance that this bridge had and still has for the inhabitants of this region.

A town that looks like a balcony stretched out to the sea, its real reason for being. Years and centuries go by, the relationship of Muros with the sea undergoes variations, but it remains just as firm. This is reflected in a peculiar architecture that takes us from the large constructions built in the periods of greatest economic prosperity to the unparalleled typicality of the seafaring dwellings. Muros is a magnificent example of a seaside town and, without doubt, one of the most beautiful villages in Galicia. Since its foundation in the 10th century, fishing and shellfishing have been its raison d'être, which received an enormous boost in the 19th century with the establishment of numerous salting factories. This splendour, which made it one of the most important ports in Galicia, is reflected in the large number of noble houses and monuments of interest to be found in its historic quarter. It is said that Muros is like a gigantic stone balcony open to the sea; and there is much truth in this, as the seafaring houses conserve a homogeneous and rounded architecture: ground floors with enormous and robust arcades where fish used to be salted and balconies with wrought iron railings. These Gothic or Baroque buildings are punctuated by the occasional Modernist element and also by the Galician glass galleries, giving the whole a typical character of great visual appeal. The first line of houses in the port is reached by a series of very narrow alleyways which, with their original names (street of suffering, of bitterness, of health, of solitude...), constitute one of the most characteristic images of the town. The public squares, statues or the impressive building of the Municipal Food Market are other elements that define the character of Muros, but the religious section also deserves a special mention. Santa María do Campo, the former collegiate church, displays its seafaring Gothic style from an emblematic location. Inside, the Cristo da Agonía (Christ of the Agony) is an example of expressiveness that is well worth a visit. The Santuario da Virxe do Camiño (Sanctuary of the Virgin of the Way), a Gothic construction on ancient Romanesque remains, also stands out, inside which we find an image of the virgin who, as it could not be otherwise, tradition says arrived by sea. Logically, like everything good that has happened to Muros, we add. If you want to immerse yourself in the seafaring tradition of Muros and discover the close relationship with religious life, which has given rise to so many temples and countless curiosities, the best thing is to sign up for the #GuidedVisits of www.murosaugaesal.com. Bookings: info@murosaugaesal.com +34607725073 +34 678 941 419  

Porto do Son is the favourite in the "Galician municipality with the largest number of beaches" competition. It is undoubtedly the most northerly of the Galician municipalities that can focus their summer tourism on sandy beaches. As you would expect, quality comes from quantity, and in Porto do Son you can find exactly the type of beach that meets your desires: 20 white sandy beaches on just over 25 kilometres of coastline, allowing you to choose between those located in an urban setting or those that remain in unspoilt surroundings; with calm waters and natural pools perfect for swimming, or with moderate waves and more windy conditions ideal for surfing or windsurfing; paradisiacal and warm beaches, with jetties to sit on, let the time pass and watch the sunset, with the shape of an inlet to enjoy long walks along the shore or with a rocky landscape to watch the waves break; for an afternoon, for a day or to stay because some of these sandy beaches of Porto do Son have camping sites, picnic areas or barbecues, boardwalks... Take note: Aguieira, Area Longa-Baroña, Areas Longas-Basoña, Arnela, As Seiras-Queiruga, As Vellas do Pozo, Caveiro, Coira, Fonforrón, Gafa, Herbas Pitas, O Son-O Cruceiro, Ornanda-Gaviotas, Pozo, Pozo pequeña, Recaveira, Río Maior-O Dique, Río Sieira, Seráns, Suigrexas, Telleira and Xuño. As we are also talking about a municipality that has shown a great love for hiking, in recent times new stretches of coastal path have been enabled so that walkers can explore the various sandy areas without compromising their integrity by walking along the vicinity of the AC-550. Wooden footbridges facilitate this task so that we can all enjoy an exceptional landscape, in which Monte Louro, the everlasting guardian of the estuary, stands out right in front of us.  

Its shore is often a hive of people who get up very early in the morning to extract the famous cockles of this estuary, although there is also room for excellent clams and even oysters. The cockle is the undisputed king of the Ría de Muros Noia, its quantity, quality and size make it an authentic gastronomic jewel, which brings with it a notable economic profitability. To get to know this activity in depth, the Council of Outes has organised "Vivir o marisqueo" (see experiences section), the perfect way to get closer to the extraction of molluscs... and end up enjoying their flavours. In addition to the fishing boats and the fish market, in the port of O Freixo you will find a good number of restaurants and inns where you can taste a product that has been obtained only a few hundred metres away, so that its initial quality is reaffirmed by its unquestionable freshness. On its jetty you will also be able to see some traditional boats, such as the Joaquín Vieta sloop, a classic image of the estuary; but it still has other attractions in store, such as the Francisco Rama "Fufú" Nautical Activities Centre (see experiences) and its neighbour: a traditional fishery that has fallen into disuse, but which still perfectly preserves its image.

The recreation of a mining town, with museum spaces and a great respect for personal stories make up a unique space that will allow you to travel back in time through the history of mining, discovering all its ups and downs, its contrasts, its feverish periods and with the common denominator of the effort of some people to obtain the valuable mineral from the depths of the earth. This is undoubtedly one of the most curious industrial tourism products in Galicia. The mining site of San Finx is present in the universal history of mining since the Bronze Age, with an essential role in the trade of the Phoenicians. In the late Middle Ages, the exploitation of tin continued to be recorded, probably destined for the workshops of tin and silver goldsmiths in Santiago de Compostela. However, it was at the end of the 19th century that San Finx acquired greater historical importance, with the creation of the British-owned company The San Finx Tin Minies Limited: the first tungsten mining operation in Spain and one of the first in Europe. The mine was equipped with the most advanced technical facilities and provided stable employment for 400 people. In 1940, the mine became the property of the Spanish capital company Industrias Gallegas S.A. In World War II, with the so-called tungsten fever, San Finx became an industrial focus of strategic interest. After the war, production normalised and continued until 1990, when mining was suspended and resumed in 2015. The San Finx deposit was declared a Point of Geological Interest by the Spanish Geological Mining Institute, and its surroundings represent a natural area of great beauty and biological interest. It is an area made up of quartz seams that extend for about two kilometres. Its composition indicates relatively low formation temperatures (200ºC to 300ºC) and it is rich in tin and tungsten, which are rare in European deposits. With respect to the industrial mining heritage, San Finx consists of a set of workings, equipment and installations that reflect the evolution of the mine over more than a century of activity. In addition to the surface workings from ancient times and the more recent shafts, the preserved constructive elements (warehouse, gravimetric wash house, compressor building and electrical hook-up, framework of the new shaft...) are also of note. In this industrial archaeology, it is also worth noting the existence of equipment, some of which is still in perfect use, such as cross-belt magnetic separators, a tin smelting furnace and a compressor, among others.

We will end up suspecting that our ancestors always had a remarkable attraction for landscapes, otherwise we would not understand why they chose such beautiful places to build their settlements. The Baroña hillfort is no exception, quite the contrary. The spectacular location of this castro, on a high peninsula next to a large sandy area, makes it a unique place full of beauty and magic. In addition to being one of the most spectacular and renowned sites in the Ría de Muros Noia, the extraordinary castro located in Porto do Son stands out for its uniqueness. This characteristic is due not only to the design of its construction but also to the fact that it is located on a small and abrupt peninsula joined to the land by a tiny sandy isthmus, which gradually turns into a beautiful half-moon beach. Inhabited from the second Iron Age until well into the Roman period, its current appearance dates from the change of era (1st century BC to the 1st century AD). Its construction is characterised by a structure based on a complex defensive system, which was favoured by its peninsular layout. Discovered in 1933 and declared a National Artistic Monument, it has a first line of moat and a wall followed by another wall that delimits the enclosures. There is a main entrance and three platforms, where more than thirty dwellings are grouped together, perfectly adapted to the irregularities of the terrain, with a simple ground plan and a circular or oval shape. Some of these spaces were used for craft work, storage... and as befits a coastal settlement, remains of shells, spines, molluscs and shellfish were found accumulated in the area known as the "concheiro". It is impossible to overlook the beach at the foot of the castro: Area Longa. A sandy area to enjoy the calm waters and which in times gone by was a means of livelihood for the inhabitants of the place. The Castro de Baroña is one of the most recognisable images in Galician tourism advertising campaigns. Beautiful at any time of day, at sunset it redoubles its charms, offering one of the best sunsets we will ever see. Entrance to the castro is free and free of charge, and information panels provide information, but the Baroña Hillfort Interpretation Centre has been created to help visitors get to know the site. It is located in a unique 19th century building (former town hall) in the historic centre of the fishing village of Porto do Son. Through panels, models and original objects found in the excavations we can learn more about the life of the inhabitants of one of the most representative coastal forts of Galicia.

Among the lovers of #IndustrialTourism, there is a section of true fans of the "archaeological" aspect of it. These are the people who especially enjoy visiting the ruins of old factories, discovering the remains of salted fish factories or visiting factories that have changed their raison d'être. We understand this interest perfectly: on the one hand the historical references make us feel part of a tradition, on the other hand we remember things from our childhood or things told by our elders; we can visit what is left of them and remember, half imagination, half memory. We are going to give you just a few hints, because fans of industrial archaeology are keen to discover things for themselves. We can suggest a visit to the San Fix Mining Museum, or to the Pozo Cachón Mill, or to the old Sel factory, but they will find that in the EXPERIENCES section, they want us to guide them in other ways. For example, they want us to take them to the bridge over the river Traba in Noia and let them find the remains of machinery from old factories. They want us to encourage them to follow the Vilacoba river hiking route in Lousame, to contemplate the old paper mills, today devoured by an exuberant nature; they want us to encourage them to discover the old salting factories, origin of the canning companies, of which we have samples all along our coast, some of them reconverted into restaurants or warehouses (remarkable examples in Portosín), others in a ruinous state, sometimes with a small rehabilitation impulse that allows us to identify their structure perfectly. Take a stroll along our coastal path and you will see plenty of examples. The old riverside carpentry workshops in Outes ("ruta dos carpinteiros cos pés mollados") would fit perfectly into this section, as would the sawmills. The Museo do Mar de Noia, currently renovating its facilities, will show us an example of old boat engines manufactured in Noia, of brands such as O Forte or Ayón (Noia in reverse), still in perfect working order. An example of the strength of other times. In short, there is much to discover.