What to See in Ferrol: A Shipbuilding City
Galicia has a great number of magical places you surely do not know, but which hold plenty of tourist attractions worth discovering. You may already have heard of Ferrol, but do you know what to see in Ferrol? Unexpected as it may be, this small city can truly surprise you, so here we show you the best this destination has for you.
With barely 70,000 inhabitants, Ferrol is a town with plenty of history in its streets. It was even the most populated Galician town during the 18th century, thanks to its famous gunners and military arsenal.
All the historical heritage to see in Ferrol survives today and, in addition, the city keeps its naval tradition, being one of the stops for the cruises that sail around Galicia. There are also ideal spots to enjoy delicious Galician food and to spend a while in its bars. In short, it is a city worth visiting, so here we leave you some of the most interesting places to see in Ferrol.
Unmissable places to see in Ferrol
As we mentioned earlier, Ferrol is a small city, so it is possible to cover its main attractions in a day. Still, if you can, we recommend you devote a little more time to delve into the roots of this destination. If you do not have more than a day, do not worry either; here we leave you a list of the essential places to see in Ferrol.
La Magdalena District
Along with the shipyards and the arsenal, Ferrol also saw the construction of this city's best-known district. The La Magdalena District is the nerve centre of the town, where the most important buildings are found.
Its layout brings together features very innovative for its time, because Ferrol was the only base of the Spanish navy and this district would house people of high social status. One of the most striking aspects, besides the large windows and balconies of its buildings, is the perfectly gridded layout of its streets.
Taking a guided tour of the La Magdalena District is a great idea to do in Ferrol. That way you will not miss any detail about this city's modernist buildings.
The Naval Museum of Ferrol and the Exponav
There are two incredible museums to see in Ferrol that gather the great military and seafaring past of this town. The good thing is that they sit next to each other in the shipyard area, so you will not have to miss either.
The Naval Museum of Ferrol combines the shipbuilding aspect with a more military side. You can find vessels built in this town dating from 1751 to 1984. There are also models, weapons, maps and historical navigation materials.
As for the Exponav, it focuses more on the seafaring tradition; it is housed in a 19th-century building and you can find various kinds of vessels. If this subject fascinates you, you cannot miss it, as it is considered the most important in Europe on shipbuilding. Entering it is to relive the days at sea.
The Meninas Route
Doing the Meninas Route in the Canido district is one of the best options of what to do and what to see in Ferrol. From 2008 to the present it has become an urban art hub that draws the attention of thousands of people from all over the world, especially for its festival on the first weekend of September.
On this walk you will see a great many façades with works of art by different artists. Great names of Street Art from Spain and around the world have left their work on the walls of the houses of the Canido district. Appreciating art from this point of view is incredible and you cannot miss it on your trip through this city.
Boat trip around Ferrol
The maritime charm of Ferrol cannot be enjoyed better than on a boat trip. Sailing along the estuary is one of the most exciting experiences to do in Ferrol. Depending on the time you have, you can choose the trip option that best suits you.
There is a shorter trip that goes to the town of Mugardos, opposite Ferrol, which is ideal if you do not have many hours. If, on the other hand, you would like to take the chance to sail around the whole estuary, you can choose the sightseeing trip, where you can get to know the castles of La Palma and San Felipe.
This trip is unmatched, so if you like the sea, do not fail to include this outing from Ferrol.
The Captaincy Palace
Thanks to the military importance it had in the past, there are several very important buildings to see in Ferrol. Besides the Arsenal, there is the Captaincy Palace. This place received personalities as distinguished as Isabella II, and, until 2003, when the post was abolished, it was the residence of the Admiral.
If you decide to visit it, you will find a palace full of motifs alluding to Ferrol's great seafaring history. Likewise, inside there are also imposing ballrooms and terraces. Visits to the Captaincy Palace take place on the first Saturday of the month, so if you want to visit it you will need to adjust your travel date to match.
