A beautiful two-day tour through the most spiritual nature of the Ribeira Sacra

Traveling through Galicia is always a good option for the beautiful natural destinations it offers. Between the Oribio and Courel mountains lies a region declared a Biosphere Reserve: the Ribeira Sacra, a natural enclave of enormous cultural value. The area boasts one of the largest concentrations of medieval churches and monasteries in Europe, spread between the interior and the riverbanks, which you can explore along the "Monastery Route."

Between mountains, canyons, and valleys, the tour is designed to be completed in two days , during which you'll admire the region's best-preserved temples up close. The itinerary can be followed year-round.

Day 1 (interior of the Ribeira)

The first day is designed to explore all the convents located in the interior of this Galician region. The tour begins at the temple of San Pedro de Rocas , The oldest monastery in Galicia, located in the town of Esgos , is a structure built on a rock. Inside, it houses the Ribeira Sacra Interpretation Center, an exhibition space where visitors can understand its customs and what life was like in medieval monasteries.

The second stop is the Monastery of Santa María de Xunqueira de Espadanedo, which requires advance reservations. The next stop is just 20 kilometers away, at the Monastery of Santa María de Montederramo.

After visiting these first three temples, you can stop at the As Penas de Matacás viewpoint. This space allows you to immerse yourself between the two banks of the Sil River , surrounded by its characteristic vineyards. To conclude this first day of the tour, you should head to the town of Monforte de Lemos, where the San Vicente do Pino Monastery is located, which is currently a Parador de Turismo .

Day 2 (banks of the Sil River)

The second day of the route focuses on the temples located on the banks of the Sil River. The Monastery of San Salvador de Ferrerira or de las Bernardas is the only one that still preserves monastic life. It maintains its tradition of making artisanal sweets such as butter "golosas" (sweet pastries) or coconut and almond "coñitos" (small pastries) with honey.

As a second stop, you'll reach the imposing Monastery of Santo Estevo de Ribas de Sil, also a Parador de Turismo . The visit includes a walk through its three cloisters, the church, and other important spaces.

Afterwards, you can rest at the Penedos do Castro viewpoint, a must-see stop where you can observe how Santo Estevo occupies the entire slope of the Sil River and the mouth of the Cabe River in the background.

The next stop is the Monastery of Santa Cristina de Ribas de Sil, a jewel of Romanesque art surrounded by chestnut trees on the slopes of the Sil Canyon. To conclude the route, the last stop is the Monastery of San Paio, a temple that is currently in ruins, but from its exterior you can see the remains of the church, the cemetery, and the former cloister courtyard.