Imagine yourself on a stone bridge surrounded by fog and greenery.
Scotland? No, much closer.
On a pilgrimage in Ponte Maceira, on the Way of St. James to Finisterre.
Do you know how much it costs to travel back in time?
A 3.5-hour walk from Santiago or a 15-minute drive.
Coming along?
Ponte Maceira, on the list of Spain's most beautiful towns
The small village of Ponte Maceira is located in the municipalities of Ames and Negreira, which are separated by the Tambre River.
And a good friend of ours lives right in Negreira; she hosted us during our trip through Galicia in September 2019.
Having a local show you around their area is the best way to discover your destination when you travel.
The locals are the only ones who can introduce you to the destination's authentic culture and take you to places you'd have a hard time reaching on your own.
And if, on top of that, it's a good friend (and her family) who welcomes you into their home with open arms, what more could you ask for?
When we were there, it hadn't yet been listed among Spain's most beautiful towns, although it was already a cultural heritage site in Galicia. So I'm not at all surprised that very soon after (two months later) it was added to the list.
What to See in Ponte Maceira
Ponte Maceira is a place to explore the great outdoors. So bundle up (if it's cold or raining) and enjoy a trip back in time as you explore:
- Ponte Vella: the medieval bridge rebuilt over an ancient Roman bridge that connects the towns of Ames and Negreira, separated by the Tambre River. Under the bridge, you’ll find trails where you can stroll among the river rocks and enjoy an even more beautiful view of Ponte Vella.
- Water mills: I counted three old water mills on the left bank of the Tambre that you can tour inside. It’s a great way to get even closer to the riverbank and feel the power of the water beneath your feet.
- Pazo de Baladrón: The picturesque scene of the river, the stone bridge, and the well-preserved little houses on either side is topped off by the sight of this enormous, vegetation-covered palace. It’s private, but it’s well worth seeing from the outside.
Where to sleep
I spent the night at a friend's house in Negreira, so I can't give you any firsthand recommendations for places to stay in the area.
However, there are several rural cottages surrounded by greenery near Ponte Maceira that look really nice. 🙂
Useful links
- Accommodations in Negreira.
- Flight deals to Santiago: Trabber, eDreams,Momondo, andVueling.
- 5% discount when booking your travel insurance with IATI.
If you're traveling around Galicia, you might also like:
- Complete hiking route through the Cíes Islands.
- Route along the Costa da Vela and Cabo do Home.
- Why you should visit Combarro in low season.
Map
Have you been to Ponte Maceira on your way to Finisterre from Santiago? Tell me what you thought of it. 👇