Rías Altas

The quiet roads of northern Galicia wind among rugged cliffs, rocky mountains, coves and white sandy beaches providing its Rías Altas coastline with a unique and almost magical backdrop. The area is dotted with quaint villages and traditional fishing ports which are still in business today as well as small towns built into the side of hills; compared to elsewhere in Spain, this feels like a different world. This unique setting, stretching from the port of Ribadeo to Santa Cruz, is one of the main reasons why the Rías Altas should be high on your list of Spanish coasts to visit.

Not only are the fishing ports and villages such as Cedeira and San Andés de Teixido beautifully picturesque and traditional, but the coast is also home to a number of sensational beaches just waiting to be explored. Due to its location, the Rías Altas Coast borders both the Atlantic Ocean and the Cantabrian Sea, adding to its unique qualities and attractions. In addition, the coast is also home to 'O Cabo do Mundo' (translated as 'the End of the World'), which is the highest cliff in Atlantic Europe.

Beaches:

• Morouzos Beach (Ortigueira) - A clean, white sand beach located in beautiful green surroundings.
• Los Castros Beach (Ribadeo) - Easily accessible and well-equipped, this beautifully located blue-flag beach is great for a relaxing afternoon as well as a great spot for surfing.
• Area Beach (Viveiro) - Not overly crowded or built-up, this beach is located in beautiful green surroundings and is also perfect for watersports.
• De Illas (Ribadeo) - Backdropped by rugged cliffs and mountains, this beach is popular among tourists due to its crystal clear waters, white sand and decent facilities.

Rías Altas is yet to be designated on the tourist map and for now still retains its traditional quaintness and charm, with uncrowded beaches and no high-rise hotels. So if you want to escape the tourist crowds and explore a region yet to be discovered, the Rías Altas is the perfect place to begin.