Municipalities
of Ribeira Sacra
As of today, there are 26 municipalities that make up the Ribeira Sacra. Twelve belong to the province of Lugo, and fourteen to the province of Ourense.
The capital of the region is Monforte de Lemos, the most populous town with approximately 18,000 inhabitants in the year 2022.
- The municipalities in the province of Lugo are: Bóveda, Carballedo, Chantada, Monforte de Lemos, Pantón, Paradela, A Pobra do Brollón, Portomarín, Quiroga, Ribas de Sil, O Saviñao, Sober, and Taboada.
- The municipalities in the province of Ourense are: A Peroxa, A Teixeira, Bóveda, Castro Caldelas, Esgos, Montederramo, Nogueira de Ramuin, Parada de Sil, O Pereiro de Aguiar, Xunqueira de Espadaña, and the four in the Terra de Trives region: A Pobra de Trives, Chandrexa, Manzaneda, and San Xoán de Río.
Why do these municipalities belong to Ribeira Sacra?
First, it’s important to clarify that the Ribeira Sacra geodestination is not a typical administrative entity with clearly defined and closed borders. The Xunta de Galicia has the authority to modify the geodestination maps, deciding whether or not to include any municipality that applies.
The Tourism Consortium of Ribeira Sacra was established in 2005, with its main purpose being to bring together the efforts of the member municipalities. From the beginning, the goal has been to work together to promote the Ribeira Sacra geodestination. Over time, it has become a thriving destination where tourism and the world of wine have achieved many successes, positioning Ribeira Sacra as a potential World Heritage Site.
A changing geodestination
In 2011, Bóveda, a municipality without direct access to the Miño or Sil rivers, applied to join the consortium, and its candidacy was accepted by the Xunta de Galicia because it belongs to the Monforte region.
Municipalities Covered by Arribeirados
Considering that we are talking about an area of over 700 km2, Ribeira Sacrais an immense region to cover.
From Arribeirados, based in Pantón, we aim to cover as much of Ribeira Sacra as possible.
However, due to the distance between various places to visit and time limitations, our area of operation is limited to the following municipalities, some of which are only used as a transit point to reach more attractive destinations:
From the province of Lugo:
- Carballedo: via the Winter Way, through its historic quarter with noble houses, its Romanesque architecture, its Sistine Chapel: Santa María de Nogueira de Miño, its Ribeirao carnival, its vineyards and wineries, its cuisine, and the Castro de Candaz when accessible.
- Chantada: via the Winter Way,through its historic quarter with noble houses, its Romanesque architecture, its Sistine Chapel: Santa María de Nogueira de Miño, its Ribeirao carnival, its vineyards and wineries, its cuisine, and the Castro de Candaz when accessible.
- Monforte de Lemos: the capital of Ribeira Sacra, via the Winter Way,through its historic quarter, the San Vicente del Pino complex, the Galician Escurial: the Colegio de los Escolapios, along the Cabe River, its museums, and its tapas.
- Pantón: via the Winter Way, through our Romanesque heritage, our hiking trails, our beaches, the Río Cabe carnival, the Birlos game, and as our place of origin.
- A Pobra do Brollón: via the Winter Way, through the Vilachá wineries, a historic-artistic ensemble, its wine fair, its viewpoint, and the Salcedo carnival.
- Portomarín: via the French Way of Santiago, known as a town of survivors.
- Quiroga: via the Winter Way, through the Montefurado tunnel, its geography, and its murals.
- Ribas de Sil:via the Winter Way, across the beautiful meander of A Cubela over the Sil River, and its river beach in San Clodio.
- O Saviñao: via the Winter Way, through San Paio de Diomondi, Santo Estevo de Ribas de Miño, its Ecomuseum, and our favorite spot.
- Sober:for its viewpoints, history, petroglyphs, and pottery.
- Taboada: for its Fachas de Castelo festival and its Templar-origin church, Santa María de Taboada dos Freire.
From the province of Ourense:
- Castro Caldelas: Castro Caldelas: for being arguably the most beautiful village in Spain, its castle, and its hiking trails.
- Esgos: San Pedro de Rocas, which needs no further explanation.
- Montederramo: for Santa María de Montederramo, where it all began.
- Nogueira de Ramuín: for Santo Estevo de Ribas de Sil, As Mámoas de Cabanas, and its viewpoints.
- Parada de Sil: for the stunning Santa Cristina de Ribas de Sil, the Mao River route, the chocolate museum, Balcones de Madrid, and the Mirada Máxica.
- A Teixeira: for the House of Wine Museum.
- Xunqueira de Espadanedo: for Santa María de Espadanedo, a Cistercian-style monastery.
