Combarro is one of those towns that always appear on lists of the most beautiful places in Galicia, and even in Spain. This is because of its famous granaries on the seashore that form a unique mirror-like spectacle when the tide rises and reveal a beach with a nostalgic and almost medieval feel when the tide falls.
Nevertheless, those traditional structures of rural Galicia are not the only charm of this town: it also has squares, cobbled streets and one of the most beautiful series of stone crosses in Galicia.
With all these ingredients, it is not surprising that the entire town has been declared a Historic-Artistic Site and is one of the most visited in the Rías Baixas area.
- Rúa do Mar (Sea Street)
- Plaza da Fonte (Fountain Square
- Combarro’s stone crosses
- Combarro’s raised granaries
- Where to eat in Combarro
- Things to see near Combarro
Rúa do Mar (Sea Street)
This is one of the most magical streets in Combarro. The granaries overlooking the sea are arranged around it and, according to the elderly, boats used to go through the gaps of the raised granaries from one side to the other. Now, in addition to visiting those traditional Galician structures, you can also take advantage of the opportunity to enjoy the sea houses and have a drink in the bars and restaurants that have been set up in the area.
The best way to get the full Rúa do Mar experience is to order an Albariño wine and freshly caught seafood.
Plaza da Fonte (Fountain Square)
This cobbled square, located very close to the sea, is home to Combarro’s oldest stone cross, dating from 1721. It is one of the most typical areas in this town thanks also to the houses around it since they maintain the typical architectural structure.
It is so called because there is a fountain in the centre, which was precisely where the stone cross used to be until it was changed.
This ancient boundary marker is in very good condition and shows symbols of the Passion and the Descent from the Cross at the base of the column.
Combarro’s stone crosses
Although many people highlight Combarro’s raised granaries, the stone crosses are also a tourist attraction for those interested in these ancient religious markers that became a guide for many travellers and pilgrims.
There are nine in Combarro, seven in the town centre. Most of them date from the 18th and 19th centuries, although there is a modern one, inaugurated in 1997.
The meaning of these stone columns with the cross and a virgin, in this case the mother of God facing the sea and the cross facing the land, is quite varied. Many experts say that they were used to protect the neighbours, others say that they showed the way and some remember that these areas were magical points full of energy where many witches used to congregate around them.
The best way to complete the Combarro stone cross route is to lose yourself in the narrow streets until you find the squares and paths where they are located.
Combarro’s raised granaries
Combarro has managed to keep up to 68 granaries standing in good condition, including those next to the sea, in one of the most beautiful landscapes in the Rías Baixas area. These constructions adjoining the houses were once used to store grain, so they were built high up to avoid humidity and vermin. They have now become a tourist attraction in their own right and one of the symbols of Galicia.
In this specific case, the fishermen built them close to the sea in order to put the fish there to dry.
The best time to see these constructions is when the tide is low, so that you can walk along the shore and see them more calmly. It is also a time when the shellfish gatherers take the opportunity to collect shellfish from the wet sand.
However, it is also advisable to wait until the sea rises to see them reflected in the water in an almost idyllic scene.
Where to eat in Combarro
If you decide to eat in Combarro, you must be prepared to order a good wine and a good fish or seafood dish because it is impossible to find fresher fish or seafood.
Among the best options is the O Bocci restaurant, in the area of the granaries and overlooking the sea, where rice and scallops are some of its star dishes.
You can also choose a more varied menu at the Pedramar bar or stick to the traditional menu at Arroyo Mar y Tierra.
One thing they all have in common is that their food is delicious.
Things to see near Combarro
Combarro is located very close to two of Galicia’s most incredible islands: the Cíes and Ons, so you can take a boat trip to swim in their paradisiacal beaches and crystal clear waters.
You can also take a boat trip along the estuary and visit the mussel rafts, a very enjoyable trip as it always includes a tasting of this typical local delicacy.
If you choose to continue on land, you can go to Pontevedra or Cambados, the town where Albariño wine was born. It is worth a visit just to taste this incredible wine at its source, in one of the wineries in the area. It is also a historic village, full of sites and monuments of great importance such as San Sadurniño Tower. You cannot leave without visiting Fefiñanes Manor House.
