O Carballiño (three-day visit plan)
DAY 1
Morning
In the morning, we recommend taking a tour of the town by visiting the Veracruz Temple and walking along the main street full of shops and life to reach the Praza Maior and the Parish Church of Saint Cibrán or “Igrexa Vella”. After this tour, it may be a good time to have an aperitif on one of the terraces in this area. Afterwards, we can visit the Praza de Abastos to make some purchases or simply to see the products offered by the market vendors. Very close to the square is the Great Spa of O Carballiño where we can walk through its gardens and contemplate the building, ending with a walk along the bank of the Arenteiro which may be a few hundred meters in the area of the Spa, up to several kilometers by the path that goes on both sides of the River Arenteiro.
Lunch
To end the morning, nothing better than a good meal at one of the restaurants in O Carballiño tasting the signature dish of O Carballiño, the octopus, or any of the multiple options we have.
Afternoon
For the afternoon, we recommend a walk through the Municipal Park of O Carballiño to Lovers’ Rock or Pena dos Namorados (within the complex of the Ethnographic Park). Round trip from the center of the town is about 6 kilometers by spectacular trails always very close to the river Arenteiro.
Dinner
Our recommendation for dinner and tapas in the town, where we have many and varied options. You can also taste the wines, mainly those of O Ribeiro.
DAY 2
Morning
O Carballiño is a town known for its thermal waters, that’s why we recommend enjoying a time of rest and relaxation in one of its thermal centers: Gran Balneario or Great Spa of O Carballiño, or Caldas de Partovia. The Great Spa houses the main facilities of the spa, renovated and expanded, with baths, showers, inhalations and hydromassage. Modern facilities in a historic building. Caldas de Partovia stands out for its waters indicated for rheumatic processes and respiratory conditions. Either option is ideal to enjoy your treatments.
Lunch
To end the morning, nothing better than a good meal in one of the restaurants we have in the center of O Carballiño or go directly to the Ethnographic Park, where visitors will spend the afternoon. There are two restaurants in a unique enclave on the banks of the river Arenteiro.
Afternoon
After enjoying the thermal experience and a good lunch, we recommend visiting the Ethnographic Park of O Arenteiro. After a meal, you can enjoy all the resources offered by this space: Pena dos Namorados (Lovers’ Rock), Muíño do Anxo Museum, Paper Factory Museum, Fish Farm or simply go for a stroll in this area on the banks of the River Arenteiro. It is located on the outskirts of the town center of O Carballiño (only a 5-minute drive away from the town center), in an enclave of tranquility and surrounded by nature, being a space of great tourist interest. Routes, paths and wooden bridges make up this place, on the banks of the river Arenteiro. Another option is to arrive by taking a walk from the center of the town, being 6 kilometers away that separates the park from the town.
Dinner
Our recommendation for dinner is to go out again for tapas around the town, as the options are varied.
DAY 3
Morning
On the morning of the third day our proposal is to make an interesting hiking route from the Local Park to Pazos de Arenteiro (PR G-79, Arenteiro Trail). The total route is about 11 kilometers, with the tourists being able to decide to make the entire route or just one section of it. It starts in the Municipal Park of O Carballiño, in front of the Fish Farm. It passes by the popular Pena dos Namorados and by the Ethnographic Park of O Arenteiro, where you can find the interesting Muíño do Anxo Ecomuseum, or municipal campsite and the Fábrica de Papel Museum. The path crosses the river Arenteiro up to five times through several bridges. Among them are those of Ponterriza and Castro Cavadoso. After passing through Ponterriza, you will reach the village of Moldes, close to the old fairgrounds. It is advisable to go up to the Romanesque church of San Mamede, a national monument immersed in a romantic setting marked by large chestnut trees and an old cemetery where illustrious Galician intellectuals rest. Descending towards the river, in an almost magical setting under the rocks that support the remains of the fortress of Castro Cavadoso, a magnificent stone bridge overlooks the Arenteiro river creating a beautiful postcard. Then, the road slowly climbs up to the neighborhood of Cima de Vila and descends to Cabanelas with its church, pazos (galician country mansion) and blasoned houses. The itinerary continues towards Pazos de Arenteiro. Before entering this village of great historical and architectural interest, it is worth visiting Pozo dos Fumes (“mist well”) where the river seems to disappear among the rocks.
Lunch
To end the morning, nothing better than a good meal. We can eat in the village of Pazos de Arenteiro.
Afternoon
The proposal for the afternoon is to visit two outstanding resources of this territory: the castro of San Cibrao de Las, also known as “A Cidade”, one of the hill fort of the celtic culture; and the Monastery of Oseira (San Cristovo de Cea), Trappist monastery founded by the King, that throughout its history had a great economic and social importance in the region and more distant lands. In addition, in the same municipality where the monastery is located, you can visit some of its bakeries and ovens and buy the famous bread from Cea, with protected geographical indication. After these two visits, you can also enjoy some wine tourism experience in one of the wineries of the Wine Rout of O Ribeiro.
Dinner
Our recommendation for dinner is to return to the town of O Carballiño and continue enjoying the tapas and restaurants of this town.
