Situated on the northern shore of the estuary of Pontevedra, this small, historic fishing village is truly original, thanks to its perfect adaptation to the natural surroundings and the traditional way of life of its inhabitants, creating a unique symbiosis between the rural environment and fishing. Combarro is one of the most outstanding examples of traditional popular architecture, which combined with its excellent state of preservation has led it to appear in numerous publications about Galicia, and to be one of the most visited areas in all of Galicia, aided by its closeness to important tourist destinations such as Sanxenxo, O Grove and Cambados.

The typical atmosphere of the village is the result of its combination of old houses, granaries, roadside crosses and fishing boats, in the perfect surroundings of the beautiful bay of Campelo, with the Island of Tambo and an estuary full of bateas or shellfish platforms as a backdrop.

Its houses, situated next to the sea and built directly on top of the bare granite rock to take full advantage of the narrow strip of arable land available, are made of exquisitely carved stone and are reminiscent of the region’s manor houses or pazos, with verandas and balconies on their façades, on two floors, with the ground floors used as barns and storerooms to store different implements for farming and fishing. The houses are combined with roadside crosses dotted throughout the village and granaries, and it is usual to come across women repairing fishing nets, fishermen working in their boats, and a constant to and fro of small craft entering and leaving the port.

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The historic centre of Combarro stands out for its harmonious combination of popular Galician architecture, with traditional houses, granaries and roadside crosses. The present-day layout dates from the eighteenth century, and the houses are arranged in a neat series of lanes that branch out from the two main streets, the Rúa and street of San Roque, with their typical fishermen’s cottages from the Rías Baixas, with single-storey arcades and patios, the best example of which is the house known as A Xurunda, with a fine design and excellent craftsmanship in its banisters that give it a stately appearance. Other beautiful examples of other styles are also found here, such as houses with passageways and curved ornamental supports or modillions, and working houses, with doors wide enough to allow carts to enter the ground floor. The houses have their façades facing inwards, with small allotments and fenced areas for chickens and other animals. These also contain most of the thirty stone granaries found in the town, known here as palleiras, situated along the coast on low walls and lapped by waves at high tide. These granaries are still used to store corn, and are one of the most impressive groups of these structures in all Galicia. The village also includes a total of eight roadside crosses or cruceiros, some dating from the eighteenth century, such as the cross of San Roque, situated in the entrance of the Baroque parish church of the same name, and others located at crossroads or in the small squares found in the centre. Some include altars that are decorated for the traditional Corpus Christi procession.

A unique town

Strolling through Combarro at high tide as the evening falls, when the shadows lengthen over the stone that defines the architecture of the whole village and the sea seems to turn into a mantle of gold that fills the senses with its breeze and fragrance, or at low tide, enjoying the view over the village and women gathering shellfish along the beach, are some of the most memorable experiences that we can have in Galicia, taking us back to a time when life was lived at a different rhythm, imposed by fishing and tending the land.

Don't miss

Festa do Mar: the ‘Festival of the Sea’ is held during the third week of August. It pays homage to the sea, in a celebration of all of the different facets of its culture: there is a gastronomic display, offering all of the sea’s finest produce at attractive prices, together with the excellent wines of the Rías Baixas or Low Estuaries; the Feira de Mostras Mare, with stands offering products related to the sea, arts and crafts, fishing implements and tourism; as well as other events such as displays of typical vessels, interactive workshops, sports and games. 

​Fountain: turgalicia.es