Baiona or Pontevedra for a weekend?

[peregrina2000]

Sorry for the off-camino question, but I will have a weekend in Galicia in April, driving up from Lisbon. I am thinking about either Baiona or Pontevedra as our base. If you were going to take a day trip in a car around the coast and rias, which of those two cities would you take it from? Ancient sites would be a plus. Thanks, forum friends.

Buen camino, Laurie

 

[jsalt]

I will have a weekend in Galicia in April, driving up from Lisbon. I am thinking about either Baiona or Pontevedra as our base.

Wow, Laurie, that’s a helluva long way in Europe to go for a weekend if you are driving. Can’t you find somewhere nearer to Lisbon?! Personally, I would love to spend more time in the Peneda-Geres National Park. Ah, I know (I’m guessing), you will be in Vigo for a couple of weeks? Hmm, if so, stay in Vigo, and go to Pontevedra one day, and Baiona the other day.

 

[peregrina2000]

Thanks, Jill,
This will be my 17th year going to Lisbon for a two week stint and by now we have visited most of the nooks and crannies of Portugal, most multiple times. Peneda Geres is one of my favorites of northern Portugal as well, but I’ve hiked there twice and driven to the more remote parts of the park on another trip.

It’s less than five hours from Lisbon to either spot, and the highways are excellent. That doesn’t strike me as a lot for a weekend trip, but then I drive up and back to my son’s house, which is almost four hours away, at least once or twice a month! Good podcasts or books on tape make the driving a non-issue. But I know that is a very USA-like attitude.

Leaving Lisbon early Friday, coming home late Sunday, that gives us two half days and one full day to enjoy. I have visited both Pontevedra and Baiona, and was thinking of this trip more as an opportunity to explore some of the coastal areas nearby. I just thought some forum members might have ideas about which area of the coast has more to see.

 

[TatiLie]

Pontevedra has Cambarro nearby, furthermore, Pontevedra has a beautiful old town as well. Baiona is lovely if you like relaxing by the beach. In between the two there's Vigo which is a larger city close to the Cies Islands which are becoming a national park. I haven't been there but it's something that draw my attention and I'd like to have some time to explore in the future.

 

[ivar]

The Parador in Baiona is great... but if you stay in Pontevedra you are closer to places like O Grove and Isla de Arousa.

Or maybe stay on the isla de la toja? (A Toxa in gallego). This my favorite:

Eurostars Gran Hotel A Toxa
Rúa da Condesa 2, 2, 36991 A Toxa, Pontevedra, Spain
+34 986 73 00 25

Eurostars Isla da Toxa · Rúa Cortegada, s/n, 36991 La Toja Island, Pontevedra

★★★★☆ · Hotel

goo.gl

This is not close to any Camino, but...

 

[jsalt]

Have you walked the Variante Espirituel yet? The Ruta de la Piedra y del Agua is one of the most beautiful walks I have ever done on any camino. Stay Fri and Sat in Armenteira and include that lovely walk on the Saturday. The monastery in Armenteira is worth a vist as well.

 

[Camino Chrissy]

I loved the Espiritual Variant, and the stone village of Combarro was a definate highlight where we spent the night. Also the monestary in Armenteira is lovely.
We also spent time in the Penede-Geres national park. I recall seeing a few old women wearing all black herding their cattle along the roads near the park. Upon research I found they were left by their husbands long, long ago as many of the men went to South America looking for work in hard times, never to return...but I digress.

 

[mspath]

Laurie,
If you do go to the national park do spend sometime at the Pousada Caniçada-Gerês
which is very pleasant. For several post camino Christmases during happier times my husband and I enjoyed staying and eating there. See more info at
www.pousadas.pt/en/hotel/pousada-geres-canicada

Good luck and Bom caminho!

 

[peregrina2000]

Ivar sort of hit the nail on the head for me — the parador in Baiona is someplace I’ve always wanted to stay, and the rates for my days in April are very good. But Pontevedra is probably better positioned and also has more to see in the city itself.

Unfortunately I won’t be able to walk while I am there, but oh how I would love to!

Thanks, everyone.

 

[Mark Francis Auchincloss]

As your resident man from Baiona I can suggest you visit the following places near here as you mentioned ancient sites :
Monte Santa Tecla in A Guarda https://goo.gl/maps/8NqiAZEqtyZSCrcH9
Muíños do Folón e do Picón, O Rosal https://goo.gl/maps/U6KtSBRE9CnJL2Me7
Oia,its Monastery (outside only) https://goo.gl/maps/4PwPSK2dpb5WZm8w7 and petroglyphs like at A Pedreira easily reachable by parking car closeby https://goo.gl/maps/EaqKf1M3ySvgHsaGA or A Cabeciña https://goo.gl/maps/SEsuC1eeYjgJbNv69 (although you need to do some uphill walking with the last one)
Near Baiona Mirador do Cortelliño https://goo.gl/maps/Zkr2ftFd1H5cvqHo6 or Chan da Lagoa https://goo.gl/maps/ftLZLHwUSpw4x3eu8

Pontevedra is a great walking friendly city and always vibrant but I would escape from it all...why not head an hours drive inland and visit Ribadavia for a tour of its beautiful, compact Old Town with jewish quarter and a visit of a winery?

 

[MichelleO]

The Casa Aurita in Sanxenxo is exceptional as a base. Private beach, ocean views and lovely staff.

 

[peregrina2000]

Hooray! I was hoping you would check in @MyDestinationGalicia! I have been to Monte Santa Tecla, but not the other sites. I have done some googling, and this would be a very nice day of walking, petroglyphs, coastal views, and even a monastery thrown in.

I hope I am not abusing your generosity by asking a follow-up, but would you have similar ideas for a trip like that from Pontevedra? (Either on the little peninsulas to the north or south of its ria) I have spent time in Pontevedra (and frankly, enjoy it more than Baiona, but there is no disputing the gorgeous setting of Baiona), but my husband hasn’t. I know he would enjoy the historic core. It would easily be an enjoyable Friday afternoon. But the Baiona option is tempting now that you have revealed some of its secrets!

Thanks so much. Buen camino, Laurie