Soutomaior: Castle, Camellias and Ría

Soutomaior offers travelers various themes to consider when planning their stay: a castle with historic gardens, older buildings and trails, and river and Ría landscapes. First, decide whether culture, a walk, the water or a festival should shape your visit. This can help you choose suitable priorities when looking for a hotel in Soutomaior.

Castle and Camellia Gardens

The original structure of Castelo de Soutomaior dates back to the 12th century. The castle stands at about 119 meters above sea level and overlooks the valley of the Río Verdugo as far as the Enseada de San Simón. The 35-hectare grounds include native woodland, vineyards, orchards and a botanical park. Visitors can also observe a diverse range of wildlife in the woodland, cultivated areas and gardens.

The botanical garden is part of Galicia’s Camellia Route and has held the status of an International Camellia Garden of Excellence since 2012. The garden O xardín de camelias con nome de muller was created in honor of important women in history, science, art and society. Its first planting was Camellia japonica ‘Maria Vinyals’. The variety is named after María Vinyals, a writer and pioneer of Spanish feminism who was born at Castelo de Soutomaior.

When planning a visit, you can choose between a self-guided visit and staged tours of the historic gardens. The staged tours portray María Vinyals, Emilia Pardo Bazán and Coco Chanel. The program may change, so check in advance whether these tours are being offered. Castle tickets are available online or at the ticket office on site. You should also check the ticket options before your visit.

Historic Sites and the Camino de Santiago

At A Peneda, sections of the defensive walls of the Castrizán fortress, which dates back to 1477, have been preserved. The Sanctuary of Our Lady of A Peneda, dating from the mid-17th century, is also located there. A Peneda offers wide-ranging views of the Ría and neighboring municipalities. The walls, sanctuary and viewpoint each give this place its own historical or scenic focus.

Another notable historic landmark is A ponte de Pontesampaio: it has ten arches, eleven piers and is 144 meters long. The main Camino de Santiago route from Portugal passes through Soutomaior from the south, crosses this bridge and continues toward Pontevedra. Those interested in buildings and trails can consider not only the bridge’s dimensions but also its connection to this route.

Rivers, Waterfalls and Trails

The Río Verdugo and the Río Oitavén meet near A Ponte Colgante. The stretch of the Río Verdugo by Soutomaior is fully navigable, and its calm water is suitable for canoeing and kayaking without any particular difficulties. So, as well as historic buildings, water activities are another possible focus.

Near the castle, the circular “O bosque” trail passes the Chapel of San Caetano and a small stream, and offers scenic views. A different route description concerns the Fervenzas de Aranza: a description from 2021 follows a narrow path down to a mill by the first waterfall. Below it are several cascades, each five meters high, and several pools. The same description notes slippery, unmarked sections. Check trail conditions locally before planning to take this route.

Ría de Vigo and Festa da Ostra

On the Ría de Vigo, Soutomaior has two fully equipped, accessible beaches. There is also a dedicated recreation area at Praia de Sameán. The tidal flats of the Enseada de San Simón are rich in shellfish, including oysters from Arcade, as well as waterbirds.

The Festa da Ostra takes place in Arcade on the first weekend in April. It is a gastronomic festival recognized as being of tourist interest. There, you can taste oysters farmed along the shores of the Ría de Vigo. If you want the festival to determine your travel dates, check the dates for the relevant year before planning your trip.

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For the broader travel overview: Pontevedra.