What to See in Combarro, the Smallest Town Centre in Galicia
In the Galician province of Pontevedra lies a small village with great tourist appeal you cannot miss. Although its population barely reaches 1,700 inhabitants, there is plenty to do and see in Combarro. So you cannot waste the chance to get to know this picturesque spot.
Galician traditions are kept alive in this destination, which lets you discover the hórreos and typical cruceiros of Galicia. If you are planning to travel to discover Galicia or the Rías Baixas, you should not miss the chance to get to know Combarro.
Below you will find the best sites to see in Combarro so you can enjoy your time in this small town.
The Hórreos
One of the most traditional buildings of the Autonomous Community of Galicia can be found in Combarro. The hórreos were used to store food and keep it from being exposed to damp and animals.
In the old days they were made of wood or straw and were later built in stone; these could be preserved and you can visit them. In Combarro stands the second-largest in all of Galicia, along with another 60 of smaller size. If you fancy getting to know them, you can take a walk along the shore of the estuary, where at least 30 are lined up.
Historic centre of Combarro
The historic centre is, without doubt, a good option to see in Combarro. It is made up of small streets packed with very rural Galician-style structures that survive today. Most of them are fishermen's houses dating from the 17th century.
The village is very small, so getting to know and walking through its urban centre will not take you more than a few hours. You will also find squares, cruceiros and terraces. You can spend the afternoon visiting its little streets and sit down for a drink or a meal in one of its restaurants, where seafood will be the star.
Another attraction to see in Combarro is the Church of San Roque da Rúa, located on the main street of the centre. Despite not being large, it is a very beautiful building made of granite, the material most used in the town's constructions.
Cruceiros in Combarro
If you decide to go out to see the hórreos in Combarro, it is very likely that along the way you will come across some of the seven cruceiros in this picturesque spot. These structures are based on a column, usually of stone, with a cross at the very top, and some with pedestals that were used as places of prayer.
Almost all the cruceiros of Combarro have the peculiarity that, on the crosses, the image of the Virgin faces the sea and Christ faces the land. Only one in the whole village faces the other way.
The "meigas"
The cruceiros of Galicia have a lot to do with the myths of the meigas (witches). In most coastal villages, like Combarro, these structures were built to ward off witches.
In this town you will surely hear many stories of this kind, and you can even buy souvenirs with the figure of "meiga" dolls to take home a memento of your time in this curious destination.
Mirador da Granxa
Visiting the Mirador da Granxa, or Granja Viewpoint, is a great option on your way through Combarro. You can reach it very easily because it is located next to the road and has space to park. From this point you can take in a lovely panorama of the whole place.
What is more, you will have a view of the whole Pontevedra estuary, Tambo Island, the centre and the beach of Combarro. You can also see some structures in the sea called bateas, used to farm mussels.
Stroll along the estuary
If you set out to find what to see in Combarro and walk through the historic centre, the best way to round off this tour is at the estuary. If the tide allows it, you will be able to see this town in a new way that, otherwise, you could only see from a boat.
From here you will see the hórreos lined up along the shore, the village and the cruceiros. Without doubt an excellent way to end your time in this small but pleasant destination that you will only come across on your visit to the estuaries of the Autonomous Community of Galicia.
