Day trips

There is plenty to see and do in Allariz itself but if you are here for a few days and you have a car there are some fantastic day trips you can make.

The Allariz Tourist office is the best place to visit for more in depth information on all there is to do and see both in Allariz and the immediate area. Drop in and tell Jose Manuel you heard about him through this blog and he will help with what ever you need.

Here are just a few places that we particularly like and recommend.

 

RIBEIRA SACRA (75 min from Allariz)

         

If you want to see some of the most stunning scenery available in Spain and at the same time have an opportunity to taste some of the best wine around then head for the Ribeira Sacra.

   The main town is Monforte de Lemos and here is a good place to start with a visit to the Ribeira Sacra wine centre. A guided tour of the centre is available in English if you ring and talk to Alex first. There is a wine shop with the biggest collection of Mencia wines in the world and a taparia for lunch or coffee and snacks.

 

      The steep sided river canyons on which the vineyards are situated are best appreciated by boat. Two journeys are available courtesy of the Lugo Diputacion catamarans, one along the River Sil leaving from Doade and the other along the River Miño leaving from Belesar.

LUGO CITY (2 hours from Allariz)

    Surrounded by completely intact Roman walls Lugo is an UNESCO World Heritage Site. You can walk around the city on top of the wall – a distance of just over 2kms – passing the ten gates and 71 watch towers.  There are more reminders of the Roman past plus other intriguing artefacts at the Lugo City Museum.  Arde Lucus, a festival celebrating the Roman history of the city with music, parades and events is held in the last weeks of June.  Lugo’s cathedral is well worth a visit as is Tapas Street which is close by. Here your wine or beer comes with your choice of snack from a large selection of free tapas – renowned throughout Galicia as being the best tapas to be had and, of course, for the best price.

SANTIAGO DE COMPOSTELA (90 minutes from Allariz)

    Galicia’s state capital is famous for its cathedral which has been the end point of the Way of St. James, a leading Catholic pilgrimage route, since its origins in the 9th century. In 1985 the city's Old Town was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site and it is a wonderful place to wander around. There is a great open air market in the mornings and some of Galicia’s best restaurants hidden away in the narrow cobblestoned streets.

RIBADAVIA, SAN CLODIO Y ENOTURISMO DE RIBEIRO (40 minutes from Allariz)

   The town of Ribadavia lies on the banks of the river Miño and is surrounded by the vineyards of the Ribeiro wine area which produces fantastic white wines from the Treixadura grape. There are ruins of a 15^th century castle, remains of the city walls and reminders of a time when this was a major Jewish town including a synagogue and a Jewish museum. Deep in the vineyards you can find the monastery of San Clodio which dates from the 6^th century. First a Benedictine and later a Cistercian monastery it is now a luxury hotel with a very good restaurant open to non residents.

ARBO and MELGACO IN PORTUGAL (80 minutes from Allariz)

   Situated either side of the river Miño which divides Spain and Portugal in this area these two small towns are centres for wine and lamprey eels. In Arbo the Wine and Lamprey Exhibition Centre is in the process of being upgraded but the ground floor tasting room and shop is now open and a great place to try some of the local albariños. There are beautiful walks along the river banks and an opportunity to taste lamprey in one of the several specialist restaurants before crossing the bridge into Portugal (turn your watches back one hour for local time) and Melgaco: a delightful small town with a beautiful historic centre, a ruined tower and the excellent Solar do Alvarinho tasting rooms showcasing all the best Alvarinhos of this side of the Miño.

VIGO ( 85 minutes from Allariz) and the Rias

  A major port and commercial centre Vigo lies in the area known as Rias Biaxas – low lying estuaries cutting into a rugged coastline and beautiful beaches. The drive from Vigo to Pontevedra is one of the most spectacular in Galicia and there are numerous small fishing villages you can stop and visit. The world famous Albariño wine is made in this area and needless to say the seafood is exceptional. Down by the harbour in Vigo is a street filled with seafood restaurants and also with women selling freshly shucked oysters for around 1€ each.

CHAVES, PORTUGAL (1 hour from Allariz) and the Douro Valley Portugal (2 hours from Allariz)

    Leave Allariz and head in the direction of Madrid along the A52. After 44ksm you arrive in Verrin with its castle and nearby Parador worth a detour for a coffee and the view. Take either the small back road or the highway and head for Chaves in Portugal. A pleasant city with a number of excellent restaurants. Nearby is Vidago a beautiful spa town  with day spa available  at the and Vidago Spa hotel and golf course. Heading further on into Portugal it is a fast ride along the motorway and through some great scenery down to the Douro Valley and the peaceful town of Peso da Regua; the official centre of the Port wine growing region. From here the barrels of port were shipped by wooden sailing ships down river to Porto. A road winds its way up the valley to Pinhao with its wine museum in the old railway station and along the way there are numerous wineries that you can visit.