One of my most cherished memories from our trip to Galicia was the road trip through the Rias Baixas, including a stop in Combarro—my ancestral hometown. Along the way, we took in scenic views like the one from Miradoiro da Granxa (featured in the blog’s lead photo), enjoyed fresh seafood in Sanxenxo, and walked through the medieval streets of Cambados.
This travel guide will help you organize a perfect one-day road trip from Pontevedra, covering the best stops along the way.
Table of Contents
Rías Baixas Travel FAQ: What you need to know
When is the best time to visit Rías Baixas?
Summer is warm and mostly dry—ideal for beach hopping and coastal drives. But it’s also the busiest season. Expect big crowds, especially in popular seaside towns like Sanxenxo, with full beaches and packed parking lots, particularly on weekends in July and August.
Spring and fall offer a quieter experience. We visited in late spring and lucked out with great weather. It still felt relaxed, although by midday the Combarro parking lot was already full. You take a bit more of a gamble with rain, but the trade-off is fewer crowds and a more laid-back vibe.
Winter in Galicia is a different story. The weather is rainy and, by the coast, often cold and windy. Days are short. It can still be beautiful in a moody way, but it’s not the season for everyone—unless you’re after solitude and don’t mind the drizzle.
Where are the Rias Baixas located?
The Rias Baixas are in Galicia, in the northwest corner of Spain, along the Atlantic coast. The word Baixas means “lower” in Galician, referring to their position in the southern half of the region. There are four main rías: Muros e Noia, Arousa, Pontevedra, and Vigo.
On this trip, we focused on Ría de Pontevedra and Ría de Arousa, which are easy to explore in a day. Vigo and Pontevedra both make great bases, or you can stay right in one of the coastal towns—Sanxenxo for a beach-town vibe or Cambados if you prefer medieval charm (aside from the burning witches part)
What is Rias Baixas known for?
The Rias Baixas are known for picturesque coastal villages, many with traditional hórreos (stone granaries) right by the water. The region surprises first-timers with beaches that look almost tropical—turquoise shallows, white sand, and the kind of colors you don’t expect in the North Atlantic.
It’s also one of Spain’s top regions for seafood. You’ll find everything from mussels and clams to razor-shells and octopus, often served simply and perfectly fresh. And of course, there’s Albariño wine—a crisp, dry white that pairs exceptionally well with warm afternoons and long lunches.
Is it easy to drive in Rias Baixas?
For coastal European roads, this stretch of Galicia is easier to navigate than you’d expect. The main roads are wider than we anticipated, signage is clear, and Google Maps works reliably throughout the main roads.
If you want to follow our exact route, we’ve included a custom Google Map in this blog post to make planning even easier.
Map and Route: Exploring the Rias Baixas by Car
To follow our Rias Baixas travel guide, we recommend starting early—aiming to reach Combarro before the parking lot fills up. That gives you enough time to enjoy each stop along the coast and still arrive in Cambados before nightfall. The custom map below lays out the full coastal route.
Need a car for this road trip?
To follow this Rías Baixas travel guide, you will need a rental car. We recommend using Auto Europe, a platform that compares prices from top rental companies to help you get the best deal. If you book through our affiliate link, the price stays the same for you—and we earn a small commission that helps us keep the blog running with honest guides and reviews. Thanks for your support!
Walking Through Combarro: Stone, Sea, and Hórreos
Stone Street Alleys and Meigas
Our first stop, a short ride after Pontevedra, is Combarro. This village is all cobblestones, stone houses, and narrow alleys with small farm gardens and sea views. Rúa do Mar is the main drag, but the real charm is found off-route—quiet lanes where you might catch a local picking tomatoes or carrying groceries. Galicia at its best. Souvenir shops carry meiga figurines—witch-like characters from local folklore—and all kind of cute souvenirs.
Hórreos by the Water
One of the village’s most striking features is its lineup of hórreos—traditional granaries raised on stone pillars, with crosses perched on top. On Rúa do Mar, they stand just a few feet from the sea, sometimes with water lapping near their bases. These hórreos aren’t museum pieces—they date from the 18th to 20th centuries and still define the local aesthetic. You see hórreos all over Galicia but it’s rare to see so many in one place, so close to the coast. Colorful and unique, they make the perfect Galician postcard.
Stone and Symbolism in Praza da Fonte
In Praza da Fonte, you’ll find the iconic Cruceiro da Fonte, a granite cross from around 1771, depicting the Crucifixion on one side and St. Anne on the other. It shares the square with a stone fountain whose rounded finial hints at Celtic symbolism—possibly linked to ancient fertility rites. Galician Catholic and Celtic animist roots meet here, in one small plaza.
Combarro and Argentina
Combarro is also part of my family history. My great-grandfather emigrated from here to Argentina—a story locals say is all too common. “Everyone has family in Argentina,” one told me. While visiting, a man overheard my accent and struck up a conversation. He was a retired sailor who’d docked in Buenos Aires many times. Without hesitation, he invited me for a coffee. We sat outside, swapped stories, and laughed. Needless to say, a personal moment that made my visit to Combarro even more special, and one of my favorite moments of my trip to Portugal and Galicia.
You can check our short about why we love Combarro, right here.
Lodging options
We made Pontevedra our base for exploring this corner of Galicia — you can check out our full guide here. If you’re planning to stay in the area, there are plenty of great lodging options.
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Mirador de A Granxa: Scenic Stop on Your Rías Baixas Road Trip
Our next stop on our road trip through Rías Baixas is the Mirador de A Granxa, a panoramic viewpoint overlooking the Ría de Pontevedra. From here, you can spot the floating mussel farms known as bateas, along with the harbor town of Raxó, Tambo Island, and even parts of Marín on the opposite shore. It’s a quick stop, but one of the best places to take in the geography of the region—where sea, seafood, and small towns all meet in one frame
You’ve already seen the view—it’s the lead photo on this post. One of the clearest ways to understand the geography of the Rías Baixas (there is even an explanatory display in the viewpoint)
Sanxenxo: Beaches, Seafood, and a Taste of the Rías Baixa
Sanxenxo may be Galicia’s most polished beach town. It’s got a boardwalk, boutiques, and urban beaches like Praia de Silgar. Even off-season, the promenade has its charm—quiet enough to hear the waves and look at the sand without beach towels and plastic.
We had lunch at Tritón, a spot near the harbor with outdoor tables and a menu full of Galician staples. We started with zamburiñas—small local scallops, grilled and finished with just a squeeze of lemon. Then came caldo gallego, a hearty soup made with turnip greens, potatoes, chorizo, and pork. It’s one of those dishes that tastes like someone’s grandmother made it. For dessert, we split a slice of Galician cheesecake—creamy, smooth, and lighter than it looks. My abuela would not have made it better.
Bascuas Beach: A Secluded Nudist Cove in Rías Baixas
Bascuas Beach (Playa de Bascuas) is a small, tucked-away cove facing the Atlantic, just a quick detour from the main road. It’s officially a nudist beach in summer—there’s even a sign saying so—but off-season, it’s quiet and scenic no matter what you’re (or not) wearing. Surrounded by low cliffs and wild vegetation, it feels far from the buzz of Sanxenxo. The white sand and clear water give it that untouched, end-of-the-road vibe we love.
Visiting Ermida da Lanzada: Galician History on the Atlantic Edge
The Ermida da Lanzada sits at the edge of the Atlantic, exposed to wind, salt, and centuries of conflict. Built in the 12th century, it was partially destroyed during power struggles between Queen Urraca and Archbishop Diego Gelmírez, and later hit again during the 15th-century Irmandiña Revolt. What remains is austere but beautiful: a single nave, a semicircular apse, and a trefoil rose window above the door. Inside, there is a Baroque altarpiece and statues of Santiago and the Virgin.
There’s also a local ritual meant to break spells and ward off the evil eye. It involves sweeping the chapel floor, leaving a floral offering, and saying “Meigas fóra”—Galician for “Witches be gone.” Naturally, as good tourists, we took part.
Visiting A Toxa Island: Bridge, Views, and a Peculiar Church
Scenic Bridge and Seafront Esplanade
To reach the island of A Toxa, you cross the Puente de La Toja, a narrow bridge with sweeping views of the Ría de Arousa on both sides. Once on the island, there’s a pleasant esplanade that runs along the coast—ideal for a short walk and stretch your legs from the drive.
The vibe is more polished resort than rustic Galicia. Crossing the bridge, it almost feels like you’ve left the Atlantic behind and driven into a Mediterranean riviera resort town by mistake. The scenery and the church make the detour worth it.
Ermida da Toxa: A Church Covered in Seashells
Built in 1909, this small chapel—also known as the Church of San Caralampio—is completely covered in scallop shells, inside and out. The design isn’t just decorative: the shells help protect the structure from moisture, an ongoing challenge on this ocean-facing island. Today, visitors leave messages on the shells and snap photos of the unusual facade. It’s an odd mix of sacred, kitsch, and unexpectedly charming.
Organized Tours in Viator
Not driving or just prefer a more structured visit? Viator offers plenty of guided options, like this day trip to the Rías Baixas from Santiago de Compostela.
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Exploring the Ruins of Santa Mariña Dozo in Cambados
Our Rias Baixas travel guide wouldn’t be complete without a stop at one of Galicia’s most iconic ruins: the open-air church of Santa Mariña Dozo in Cambados. Set on a small hill surrounded by a cemetery, windows open to the sky, vines creeping over stone, and tombs scattered around the nave like pews. It’s both haunting and peaceful.
The original church was built in the 15th century in honor of Santa Mariña, (a Christian martyr not the Virgin Mary) one of Galicia’s most venerated saints. Expanded a century later, it became a prime example of Gothic maritime style—simple and harmonious, with ribbed vaults and pointed arches still visible despite the roof’s collapse. Time and weather have only added to its beauty.
Visiting Cambados: Last Stop on our Rias Baixas Travel Guide
Cambados sits on the edge of the Ría de Arousa, the largest of the Rías Baixas. It’s our final stop on this coastal road trip—and a fitting one. With a mix of Galician stone architecture, vineyard-dotted countryside, and sweeping ocean views.
Albariño Capital: Tasting Galicia’s Signature White in Cambados
Cambados is ground zero for Albariño wine. The cool breeze from the Ría de Arousa and the gentle inland slopes create the perfect conditions for this crisp, aromatic white. Around the town center, especially near Plaza de Fefiñáns, you’ll find plenty of small wine bars and tasting rooms offering local vintages by the glass.
Fefiñáns and the Medieval Heart of Cambados
Fefiñáns Square is the historic centerpiece of Cambados, anchored by a noble manor, a church, an arched bridge, and an old keep. It was once the town’s main market square, and local pride runs deep: legend has it the very first Albariño vines were planted right here, and the first labeled bottle came from these palace grounds.
Conclusion
From Cambados, we made our way back to Pontevedra, winding through vineyards and quiet inland roads. This loop through the Rías Baixas packed in so many great places and experiences.
We also have a YouTube video that follows our road trip through Rias Baixas.
If you’ve got a favorite stop we missed, drop it in the comments — we’re always up for detours. Thanks for stopping by, and as always, happy travels.