Playa de las Catedrales (Beach of the Cathedrals) has become one of the favorite Spanish destinations for locals and visitors alike. It is a magnificent example of nature's power. The Atlantic tides are responsible for creating unique arches (some of them are 30m high) and caves.
The beach is located in Galicia, northwest of Spain. If you'd like to visit, bear in mind that you have to go when the tide is low. Otherwise it's all covered by turquoise water. However, if you are looking for a beach to sunbathe and go for a swim this is not the place to go. Nobody is lying on the beach and swimming is not allowed. This is a place to go for a walk and to explore every corner of it. Go under the arches to hear the waves hitting the rocks, stand on a cliff to enjoy breathtaking views. Be sure to explore the tidal pools at the mouth of the grottos, as they are usually knee-deep and the water is warm.
The area is protected and it has been declared a natural monument. You can check the tide forecast to plan your visit here (English) or here (Spanish). Because of the amount of visitors, local authorities recently decided to restrict the number of people who can access it in order to protect it. So from July 1st to September 30th you have to get a free ticket online from this oficial website before you go. You can also find further information and how to get there on that site.
Playa de las Catedrales is not the only place to see in the area. Let me suggest some other places to make the most of your visit. The Spanish beach is located in ten kilometers west from the town of Ribadeo. The Marquis of Sargadelos was the modern promoter of this city whose most outstanding building is the modernist Galician country house of the Moreno brothers (pictured below). From the port, there's is a pleasant walk to the lighthouse of Pancha island (the one you saw on the first photo of this post).
You can stay at Parador de Ribadeo Hotel. Its magnificent location near the border between Galicia and Asturias offers unparalleled views of the Galician countryside, the Ria of Ribadeo, and the Asturian villages on the opposite shore, including this one of Castropol.
San Damian fort is worth a visit too. This fort, one of the best examples of Ribadeo's military architecture, is sited at the mouth of the estuary. The fort was built in a difficult-to-access vantage point by Marquis de Cerralbo in 1624. The fort was meant to protect the mouth of the estuary from potential attacks by sea.Today it serves as an exhibition hall for the town.
The last photo is from the little village of San Martiño de Mondoñedo. It is home to a Romanesque church which is considered to be the oldest cathedral in Spain.
Would you like to visit Beach of the Cathedrals? Are there any other wonders of nature you can recommend?
Cristina xo
Wow, this beach is like paradise!
ReplyDeletehttp://violettedaily.com
This place looks GORGEOUS! :) Great post!
ReplyDeletex Kenzie // Kenzieblogslife.blogspot.com
Wow this looks amazing :D
ReplyDeletehttp://themidnightblonde.com
Absolutely magical place! Your photos are so breathtaking!
ReplyDeleteXoXo,
Tamara - LoveofMode.com
Wow,..this place looks sooo beautiful... gorgeous clicks... great post hun...xoxo, Neha
ReplyDeletehttp://www.theinstylejournal.com/
Such a beautiful place to go for a walk. I love it.
ReplyDeleteXo, Christianne
Http://simplychristianne.com
Marvellous place, really breathtaking!
ReplyDeletexo
http://www.carinavardie.com
Your photos are always so breathtaking! Seriously, my jaw tends to drop with most of your scenery photos <3
ReplyDeleteBlondieInTheCity.com
Such a fantastic place!
ReplyDeletexx from Bavaria/Germany, Rena
www.dressedwithsoul.com
These photos are heavenly! So glad you shared.
ReplyDeleteXO, Jessi
http://www.mywhitet.com
Looks lovely, I've always thought of Galicia as unappealing as it seems colder and more wild. But these pictures and your descriptions certainly make it seem like a joy to see!
ReplyDeleteSuch a fantastic place.
ReplyDeleteGood vibes, FOX
check out my latest VLOG and my blog
www.rochellefox.com.au
wOW...amazingly gorgeous clicks...xo, Neha
ReplyDeletehttp://www.theinstylejournal.com/
These photos are so beautiful!
ReplyDeletehttp://violettedaily.com
Lovely photos ♡ ◠‿◠
ReplyDelete♡ * Jewellery display * ♡
wow ... beautiful pictures!
ReplyDeletehttp://www.pperlenoirstyle.com
Absolutely loving the new blog layout!! And these photos are gorgeous. Makes me wish I was on vacation!
ReplyDelete-Lor /
www.acozyspace.org
Oh wow! It looks absolutely stunning there! And anywhere with a lighthouse wins me over straight away hah! We're in the middle of converting a van into a campervan, and I'm looking for places that we can go on some roadtrips when it's done. Definitely adding this to the list!
ReplyDeletexo April | April Everyday
Nice pics, looks fantastic !
ReplyDeletewww.oliviaponcelet.com
Wow,what the amazing place!!! All photos are so beautiful.
ReplyDelete♥www.clippingsolutions.com♥
Wonderful photography!!! All piks are amazing, everybody love them.
ReplyDelete♥ www.clippingsolutions.com ♥
All the snapped are excellent. What a photography!!! Thanks for excellent share.
ReplyDeleteclipping path service
clipping path service
Amazing photos you have shared. Thanks for the excellent post.
ReplyDeleteclipping path service
clipping path service