Coast and beaches

Ribadeo's beaches, along with its shoreline, are some of the main attractions of this town.

Each of the beaches has its own character: As Catedrais is the most well known, Esteiro and Illas are preferred by families, Os Castros is the largest and most surfer-friendly, and Rochas Brancas beach is the most sheltered. All of them have excellent facilities for visitors.

Along the coast, geomorphological formations of great beauty have developed over time.

Stretching from Illa Pancha in the East all the way up to the boundary with the municipality of Barreiros in the West, the shores of Ribadeo have countless headlands and bays.

Among the latter, the most common kind are enclosed beaches such as Rochas Brancas, Xuncos, As Illas, Os Castros, and Esteiro, or small, rocky inlets like A Insua, Arnela, Loureiro, Coedo, Areosa, Cegoñas, o Cabalar. These are sometimes covered in coidales (rolled pebbles) which are difficult to notice if one doesn't get close enough to the shore.

Headlands also have a commanding presence. Penedo da Insúa, Penedo do Corvo, Punta Corveira, and many others pierce the sea like stingers.

The real pearl of this coast is, however, the beach of Aguasantas, better known as As Catedrais.

The ecological characteristics of this coastal environment gave rise to a variety of flora and fauna that are subject to protection..

The edge of the coast is mostly comprised of wide flatlands -known as the “Rasa cantábrica”- that were once perhaps underwater. Over the centuries, the rasa concentrated most of the human population in the region. The main settlements of the municipality were built upon the rasa.

There is no need to use your own car to reach the beaches of Ribadeo. You can park your car in town using one of the available facilities, and get around on the circular bus, rental bikes, tourist taxis or the FEVE rail. Check "Park in Ribadeo" for more information.

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