Imagine standing on a stone bridge surrounded by mist and lush greenery.
Scotland? No, much closer.
On a pilgrimage in Ponte Maceira, on the Camino de Santiago to Finisterre.
Do you know how much it costs to travel back in time?
3.5 hours on foot from Santiago or 15 minutes by car.
Coming along?
Ponte Maceira, on the list of Spain's prettiest villages
The tiny village of Ponte Maceira belongs to the municipalities of Ames and Negreira, divided by the Tambre River.
And right in Negreira lives a good friend of ours who hosted us during our trip through Galicia in September 2019.
Having a local show you their homeland is the best way to discover your destination when you travel.
Locals are the only ones who can really connect you with the destination's authentic culture and take you to spots you'd struggle to reach on your own.
And if on top of that it's a good friend (and her family) welcoming you into their home with open arms, what more could you ask for?
When we were there, it wasn't yet listed among Spain's prettiest villages, although it was already part of Galicia's cultural heritage. So I'm not at all surprised that very soon after (2 months later) it made the list.
What to see in Ponte Maceira
Ponte Maceira is a place to experience outdoors. So zip up your coat (if it's cold or raining) and enjoy the trip back in time as you explore:
- A Ponte Vella: the medieval bridge rebuilt over an ancient Roman bridge that connects the municipalities of Ames and Negreira, separated by the Tambre River. Under the bridge you'll see paths to walk among the river rocks and get an even more stunning view of Ponte Vella.
- Water mills: I counted up to 3 old water mills on the left bank of the Tambre that you can visit inside. It's a great way to get even closer to the riverbank and feel the power of the water right beneath your feet.
- Pazo de Baladrón: the postcard-perfect view of the river, the stone bridge, and the well-preserved little houses on both sides gets its ultimate finishing touch with the sight of this massive manor house covered in greenery. It's private, but admiring it from the outside is already totally worth it.
Where to sleep
I spent the night at a friend's house in Negreira, so I can't recommend any local accommodation firsthand.
However, there are several country cottages surrounded by nature near Ponte Maceira that look really great. 🙂
Useful links
- Places to stay in Negreira.
- Flight deals to Santiago: Trabber, eDreams, Momondo and Vueling.
- 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? Let me know what you thought. 👇