Information about Ribadeo
Ribadeo is a town on the border of the Principality of Asturias and belongs to the province of Lugo, a border between these two sister cultures. It is situated on the Cantabrian Sea, which provides beautiful landscapes, and boasts with pleasure of its ria of Ribadeo, its gastronomic culture and its particular charm.
It is a versatile place where many come to surf, others to taste the traditional Galician dishes and many others to enjoy the natural landscapes that the coastal town has to offer. A visit to this village provides endless possibilities for all tastes.
In ancient times the town was a great neuralgic centre thanks to its port, the main axis of the Cantabrian trade with the Baltic countries. The well-known brandy was then imported exclusively, so it was known as kúmel de Ribadeo. This declined with the competition from other ports such as Gijón in the 19th century. Today it is an excellent place for travellers, a delight for tourists and an ally of pilgrims thanks to its unique environment.
What to see and do in Ribadeo
The beach of the Cathedrals
The beach of Aguas Santas is colloquially known as the beach of the Cathedrals thanks to the impressive shapes generated by its cliffs. It has been declared a Natural Monument by the Cosellería of the Environment of the Xunta de Galicia and is one of the biggest tourist attractions in the area of Ribadeo.
The most characteristic of this beach is the shape of its gigantic rocks that create arches and caves similar to human-built temples. They are most clearly visible at low tide and create fantasy landscapes that are hard to find anywhere else in the world. You can observe large rocky walls of slate and shale eroded forming arches or caves of dozens of meters. The success of this unique place is such that in 2015 the Xunta de Galicia was forced to regulate visits to protect the conservation of the landscape. Therefore, you should now plan some time in advance to apply for an access pass.
The Ribadeo Estuary
This space of great biological diversity and unique appearance is another of the places of obligatory stop for anyone who passes through Ribadeo and wants to be carried away by the beauty of nature. This is an excellent place to spend the day, where you can see different species of birds, take beautiful walks or practice different water sports. There will be no room for boredom.
The estuary was declared a Wetland of International Importance and was later included in the Natura 2000 Network. Within the framework of the Ramsar Convention, the biological diversity of its aquatic birds is protected, which can also be identified through Ribadeo Birding. It is a web platform was created by the City Council to collect more complete information about the ornithology of the place and bring it to all tourists easily.
The culinary offer
The excellent quality of the fresh products of the sea and of the Ribadeo estuary offer the possibility of enjoying a high level gastronomy to all travellers. With a wide variety of dishes that can be tasted in the more than 50 establishments dedicated to the hospitality industry that are located in the area.
Among the most popular recipes are those made with and always accompanying the raw material with vegetables or vegetables fromthe estuary. vegetables from the market gardens of Ribadeo. Without having to go to a restaurant, you can also buy gourmet products with Denomination of Origin and Protected Geographical Indication. The food shops with these stamps are distributed throughout the town to cover all the gastronomic needs of travellers.
Surfing
Ribadeo has a strong link with surfing and water sports thanks to its interesting geography. Surfing is very common on the local and suburban beaches so it is an excellent destination for surfing enthusiasts.
Such is the impact that in the year 2019 a gigantic championship was organized near the lighthouse of Ribadense, they took advantage of the huge waves of more than 20 meters high. This event had a great international impact and was followed with great interest by professionals from all over the world.
Gastronomic festivals
The importance of the quality raw material in Ribadeo and the talent of its inhabitants to turn it into exquisite dishes goes beyond the common gastronomic offer, and is celebrated with different thematic festivals. Between the months of July and August the Fiesta del Percebe is celebrated in the town of Rinlo, an event to taste this and other seafood in the establishments of the area.
Livestock also has its role in the region and is celebrated in style with the Fiesta de la Carne al Caldero during the month of August. It is a tribute to a dish of Galician veal with paprika very popular in the area and is an event organized by the neighbors themselves. Finally, during the month of May, Ribadeo de Tapeo takes place , an event to enjoy gastronomy in small doses and which includes different competitions and culinary initiatives.
