Poio: Monastery, Hórreos and Views

Poio offers several clearly distinct highlights to consider when planning a trip: monastic architecture, traditional village structures, archaeological finds and landscapes. If you are considering a hotel stay in Poio, the places named here can help you identify your interests. Tambo adds a visit with specific organizational requirements that you should take into account in advance.

Monastery and architectural history

The Monastery of San Xoán de Poio was declared a historic-artistic monument in 1971. One of its distinctive architectural features is the granary: at 123 metres long, it is one of the largest examples of its kind in Galicia. Its protected status and size provide specific points of reference for travellers interested in historic buildings.

Combarro: traditional architecture

Combarro is one of the Galician fishing villages with the best-preserved traditional architecture and was declared a historic-artistic ensemble in 1972. About 60 Hórreos remain there; half of them stand along the coast. There are also seven stone crosses, known as Cruceiros, built between the 18th and 20th centuries. Hórreos and Cruceiros offer different insights into the town’s traditional architecture.

Archaeology, museum and mills

The A Caeira Archaeological Area comprises eight granite rocks bearing Bronze Age engravings dating back about 4,000 years. Compared with Combarro’s traditional architecture, this site takes you into a much older period. The Casa Museo de Colón presents various hypotheses about Columbus’s Galician origins. It also displays a scale replica of the nautical chart drawn by Juan de La Cosa in 1500; it measures 93 × 183 centimetres. The “Entre ríos y molinos” walking route passes nine mills, seven of which have been restored.

Views and landscapes

The viewpoint on Monte Castrove is 613 metres above sea level. From there, the view stretches across Pontevedra, Marín, Tambo Island, the entire northern coast of the Ría de Pontevedra and Ons Island. Another landscape feature is the Bosque de Colón, a planting of 500 California coast redwoods (Sequoia sempervirens) established in 1992. This makes views of the coast and islands a distinct highlight alongside a plantation featuring a clearly identified tree species.

Tambo: a visit with specific requirements

Planning the visit is an essential part of a trip to Tambo. Visits take place in small groups with a guide; access is only possible via the pier. You also need an access permit and a ticket for an organized boat trip departing from the port of Combarro. Check the visiting requirements and the required ticket for your preferred date in advance. For planning purposes, consider the duration and distance separately: the visit takes about 2.5 to 3 hours, and the route is approximately 2 kilometres long. On Tambo, you can see the ruins of a lazaretto and the Church of San Miguel with its spring. Tambo is also a suitable natural site for observing seabirds, including cormorants, grey herons and kingfishers. A visit therefore combines visible traces of the past with the opportunity to observe seabirds.

Getting your bearings along the PO-308

The PO-308 coastal road provides a regional point of reference: it begins in Ponte da Barca (Pontevedra), passes through Poio and continues towards Sanxenxo, O Grove and A Toxa. The route adds a clearly identified reference point for trip planning to the local cultural and landscape highlights.

Discover more destinations: Combarro, Tarrio, Chancelas, Paxariñas, Figueiras, Oia, Lantañón, Barbudo.

For the broader travel overview: Pontevedra.