Galicia

What to see and do in Viveiro in 1 day, capital of La Mariña Occidental

Among the innumerable places to visit in the Galician Rías Altas, one of the best that you cannot miss is Viveiro, the capital of the region of La Mariña Occidental, located on the banks of the Landro River with a medieval past that makes it a of the essential visits in the area.

There is much to see in Viveiro thanks to its streets and landscapes accompanied by excellent beaches and surroundings that will make you want to enjoy this place for a long time.

Here we tell you the best things to do in Viveiro in one day, one of the most beautiful towns in the province of Lugo.

What to see in Viveiro

Strolling through the streets of Viveiro will take you on a journey through its 900 years of history in which this city became one of the main ports in Europe.

The walk can start next to the Puente Mayor, also called Puente de la Misericordia, built in the 15th century and which leads directly to the medieval part of Viveiro, which is accessed through the Plateresque-style Gate of Carlos V and the century XVI. In it you can see the Emperor’s bus, who exempted the town from paying taxes and for that reason he was honored, and the image of San Roque, patron saint of the city.

A few meters away we arrive at the Plaza Mayor, one of the most beautiful corners to see in Viveiro in one day. There is the Town Hall and the statue of the poet and politician Nicomedes Pastor Díaz, the most famous of the Vivarians. You should not miss either the typical architecture of the buildings that surround the square before continuing to get lost in the surrounding streets.

The next point of interest that we must go to is the Convent of San Francisco, of which we must highlight its beautiful cloister and its church, from the 14th century and with a spectacular Renaissance altarpiece. The Chapel of San Ildefonso as well as the Chapel of the Third Order stand out.

Retracing our steps we will find the Church of Santa María del Campo, the most beautiful church to visit in Viveiro. This beautiful temple was built in the 12th century and from its façade we must highlight the two towers as well as its cover. Inside, the Processional Cross and the Relics of the Holy Martyrs.

Next to the church we find the Convento de las Concepcionistas, another essential place to see in Viveiro. It is Romanesque in style, it was built in the 17th century and inside we find a replica of the French Lourdes Grotto.

The walk through the medieval part of Viveiro knowing the Puerta de la Villa, the Puerta del Valado or the Calexa das Monxas, the street that takes you to this last door.

Covas Beach and viewpoints

Outside the medieval part of Viveiro we also find spectacular places that will make your visit to this city never forget.

The best of all is Playa de Covas, which can be reached by taking a pleasant walk of about 20 minutes from Puerta de Carlos V.

It is 1.5 km long and is one of the best bathing spots in Galicia with all the services and great views. In it there is a monument in memory of the 500 dead of the 1810 tragedy in which a Navy frigate and a merchant ship were shipwrecked.

In the surroundings of Viveiro we also have several viewpoints to which we can go, by car, to enjoy great views of the city and the coast of this area of ​​the Rías Altas. One of them is the Mirador de San Roque, located at a height of 353 meters and from which you can see the port and the city of Viveiro in an enviable way.

Nor should you miss the Mirador de Monte Castelo, about 11km away. From a height of 450 meters we can see Viveiro, the mouth of the Landro River and the Cantabrian Sea in an exceptional way. There is also a recreational area and the Chapel of San Martiño.

The Souto da Retorta would be the next great point of interest in the surroundings of Viveiro, an impressive natural area made up of 600 centennial eucalyptus trees. One of them, O Avó, is 80 meters high and is considered the tallest in Europe.

Finally, we must mention the Pozo da Ferida, an impressive 40-meter-high waterfall on the Xudreiro River (tributary of the Landro).

You can find more information on the official Viveiro tourism page.

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