The region of Rias Baixas located in Galicia, the northwesternmost region of Spain.
Regions
The Rías are sunken river valleys that have become fjord-like inlets. The Rías Baixas (the lower rias) are on the west coast of Galicia between the Cabo Fisterra and the Portuguese border and are a popular holiday destination in Galicia.
The Rías Altas lie on the north coast of Galicia, the inlets are less cut here.
A distinction is made between the four rias from north to south:
places
at the 1 Cape Fisterra
in the Ría de Muros e Noia
- the city 4 Noia
- the localities 5 Muros (Galicia) and Esteiro on the north side
in the Ría de Arousa
- the localities 6 Ribeira and 7 Boiro on the north side
- 8 Vilagarcía de Arousa , 9 Vilanova de Arousa and 10 O Grove on the south side
- with the one connected to the mainland by a road Illa de Arousa, the southern part of which is under nature protection
in the Ría de Pontevedra
- 11 Sanxenxo(Sangenjo) on the north side
- the town 12 Pontevedra at the end of the estuary
in the Ría de Vigo
- the city 13 Vigo and 14 Redondela on the south side
- the offshore islands which are under nature protection 2 Islas Cíes.
background
The sunken river valleys, which have become inlets, make the southern part of the west coast of Galicia a popular holiday region; mussels are also farmed in the inlets.
language
Local becomes Galician ("Galego") spoke with Spanish As a high-level language one is understood everywhere, even if recognized as a "foreigner", only in the more touristically developed towns English is spoken by younger residents. Meeting someone who speaks German is a matter of luck - if you come across a vehicle with a license plate from Switzerland or Germany, there is a good chance that it is a Spaniard abroad who is bilingual.
Numerous tourists and corresponding foreign language skills at the hosts can only be found in Santiago de Compostela and along the destinations of the Way of St. James.
getting there
Is fast Galicia and the Rías Baixas region by plane from the nearest airports of Santiago de Compostela or Vigo continue by rental car or by bus.
You can take the train Villagarcia, Pontevedra and Vigo with the trains of RENFE can be achieved. Buses run to the smaller towns in the Rías. A private vehicle is extremely helpful to reach more remote beaches and places of interest, and in view of the not infrequent rainfalls, even in summer, a trip in a motorhome is a good idea.
mobility
Only the larger cities can take the train Villagarcia, Pontevedra and Vigo can be achieved, these are not exactly what makes the region so attractive. Buses run to the smaller towns in the Rías. To get to more remote beaches and attractions, a private vehicle is extremely helpful.
Tourist Attractions
In addition to numerous inviting beaches (in the inlets, the Atlantic is less rough and the water temperature is not quite as cold as on the more exposed (northwest) coast) are the nature reserves of the Illa Arousa and the The giant dune of Olveira worth seeing.
activities
Swimming and water sports, sailors and windsurfers get their money's worth thanks to the wind conditions. Hikes are possible in the hilly area.
kitchen
Galician cuisine is down to earth and quite different from the usual Spanish coast.
Fishes, seafood like scallops (vieiras), oysters (ostras) and clams as well as the Pulpo galego, a ragout made from squid with paprika, salt and oil are often on the plate near the coast.
The ones popular all over Spain Empanadas or Empanadillas (dumplings filled with vegetables, meat or fish) originally come from Galicia.
Another typical dish is the Galician stew with ham, beef, chicken, paprika sausage (chorizo), turnips or cabbage, potatoes and chickpeas. A typical winter food is that lacón con grelos (Cured shoulder ham with young turnip leaves).
In the wine region DO. Rías Baixas in the province of Pontevedra is the white grape variety Albariño cultivated. The Albariño is usually drunk young, has a fine acidity and goes very well with fish and seafood.
nightlife
security
The security situation is harmless, in tourist destinations the usual recommendations should be followed.
climate
Since the Atlantic coast lies in the foothills of mountain ranges that run through the whole of Galicia, rain clouds often empty on it in westerly winds, so the climate is very familiar to the residents on the northern edge of the Alps.
Even in summer there can be cloudy and foggy rainy days between sunny days with pleasant bathing temperatures, the frequency of precipitation is higher in spring and autumn and most pronounced in winter. In the Rías Baixas, with 50 - 100 rainy days, less rainfall is measured than on the Galician north coast.
The Atlantic climate, which is mild even in winter, is reminiscent of Brittany or the south of England, it is not for nothing that people in Spain say that the Galicians are born with an umbrella in hand.
In any case, a number of Madrilenians take the trip for a long weekend, to breathe fresh and cool air in a green environment and to escape the stifling and hot capital.
literature
Web links
- Website with tourist information on Galicia
