Allariz for Free

The crisis is squeezing us all, but we all deserve a break even if it’s only a short one. To help you plan your summer we have prepared a list of things you can do in Allariz for free and some things that cost very little.

Free Activities

  Hiking: Allariz has over 100 km of trails suitable for hiking or biking activities. They are of differing levels of difficulty and range from an hour to a full day so all levels of fitness will find something suitable. The walks are along the rivers and through the forests following old drover paths that have existed for centuries. The views are spectacular.

Sunbathing, swimming in the river and picnic areas: Along the banks of the river Arnoi and without leaving Allariz, there are 10 places where you can relax, read and take a dip in the clean river waters surrounded by nature. Why not organize a picnic and spend the day. Some of the areas even have barbecues.

  Visit the Old Town: A walk through the medieval past of Galicia with churches, monasteries, traditional houses with typical Galician galleries and all on cobblestone streets.

Allariz markets: The 1st and 15th of each month sees the arrival of the traditional country fair in the area in front of the monastery at the top of the village. Here you can buy everything from bread and cheese to fresh fruit and vegetables to clothes to farm equipment. There are large tents set up for lunch so you can enjoy meat from the bbq and the wonderful pulpo (octopus). Every Saturday morning there is a small market for products     from the biosphere. Here you can find cheese, fruit and vegetables, chorizos and honey.

In September there is the arts and crafts fair and also a festival dedicated to the traditional cakes and sweets of the area.

Internet: In the municipal library and in many of the bars and cafes you have access to free WIFI. Unfortunately no one sells English books or newspapers in Allariz. For these you will need to visit Ourense some 20kms away.

Unusual visits: In Penama, one of the mountains of Allariz you can see a rare breed of cow - the Limiá cow. With distinctive horns they roam in enormous paddocks in a wild and wonderful landscape just ten minutes from the centre of Allariz.. If you continue along this road you arrive in San Cibrao where there are prehistoric stone dolmens, an ancient stone church and some amazing views back down to Allariz.

  In the Rexo area close to the village of Requiexo there is a sheep farm you can visit. Here the sheep are used for their milk which produces an excellent cheese. The amazing thing is that these sheep graze in areas by the river that have been painted by the artist Agustin Ibarrola, who created a bewildering landscape of huge painted stones and decorated trees. Guided tours are available and you can buy the cheese from a small shop on site.

Santa Marina is a small village just 8kms from Allariz. It is a an area full of legends and is still reputed to have witches even today. One of the stories dates back to Roman times when a local woman was tortured then sacrificed for her Christian beliefs. The ruins of the church built above the spot she was killed is still there as are remains of an old celtic village.

Sports: There are parks where you can play but there is also an official sports centre with football fields, tennis courts and padel ( a cross between tennis and squash) courts which can be hired. There is the public swimming pool but you can always swim in the river for free

Festivals: from 13 to 15 July the festival of San Benito and 18 to August 19 it is the Empanada (Galician savoury pies) festival

Activities for less than 3€

  Museums: Allariz has several museums: the leather museum which also has a workshop where you can see Ernesto and his team working and buy souvenirs, there are two sacred art museums, a fascinating toy museum and a working flour mill. Entry costs 1€ each but you can buy a pass to visit them all for just 3.50€

International Garden Festival: A spectacle of colour and imagination applied to gardening. Several international designers compete in this festival with lots landscaped with amazing ideas. This year the theme is water. Entry is 2 €

Public swimming pools: There are two pools down in the park by the river. One is indoors with heated water and the other is outside without heating. The complex also has a Turkish bath and a small gymnasium. Entry is 2.50€ for adults and 1€ for children.

Boating: Down on the river you can rent rowing boats for 2.50€

Though renting a tourist apartment is not free it is certainly the most cost effective form of accommodation for your stay in Allariz. Special weekly rates are available and each apartment comes with a fully equipped kitchen and laundry facilities allowing further savings. See above for the link to the apartments page.