{"id":73,"date":"2020-01-25T13:16:18","date_gmt":"2020-01-25T13:16:18","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.galiciatips.com\/en\/?page_id=73"},"modified":"2024-03-31T09:12:49","modified_gmt":"2024-03-31T09:12:49","slug":"las-rias-baixas","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.galiciatips.com\/en\/destinations\/las-rias-baixas\/","title":{"rendered":"Las R\u00edas Baixas"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Las R\u00edas Baixas, also known as ‘Tropical Galicia’, is a coastal area in the south of Galicia. I’m convinced many people first association with this area is wine. The area is the best known area of the five official wine regions in Galicia<\/a>. The wine region R\u00edas Baixas is named after the region it belongs to en that we talk about on this page. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Translated R\u00edas Baixas means ‘lower sea estuaries’. This region contains the most southern rias of Galicia which are characterized by their vastness. The r\u00edas<\/em> of the R\u00edas Baixas go deeper into the country then the estuaries of the northern part of Galicia, the R\u00edas Altas, and they are also more quiet. Where the R\u00edas Altas are famous because of their savagery, the R\u00edas Baixas are more quiet thanks to some inlands who are positioned like gatekeepers and slow down the Atlantic Ocean. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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What is a R\u00eda and what means the name R\u00edas Baixas?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

A r\u00eda is an estuary, or sea loch. It’s best to compare this with a fjord, but the difference is a r\u00eda is not surrounded by steep glaciers. The r\u00edas of Galicia are long coves of see coming inlands. With help of the r\u00edas Galicia has such a long coastline of more than 2.000 kilometres long. The r\u00edas are like the sea, the water is salted and have tides. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Las R\u00edas Baixas consist of the 4 most southern r\u00edas of Galicia, in other words the lower estuaries. And low in Galician is Baixo\/Baixa. Because r\u00eda is a feminine word, people say baixas, with an a<\/em>. In masculine words the letter o<\/em> is used, for example in the Galician word for the Netherlands, also known as “the low lands”. The translation of the Netherlands in Galego is therefore: “os pa\u00edses baixos”.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The 6 R\u00edas of the R\u00edas Baixas<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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The region of las R\u00edas Baixas contains a total of 6 r\u00edas. From north to south: <\/p>\n\n\n\n

R\u00eda de Corcubi\u00f3n<\/em>
The most Northern r\u00eda and less know than the four biggest r\u00edas that will follow. This R\u00eda is named after the village Corcubi\u00f3n<\/em>, the most inland place on this r\u00eda. Best known place however is not Corcubi\u00f3n<\/em>, but Fisterra, located at the other side of the r\u00eda, where the land ends and the oceans starts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

R\u00eda de Muros e Noia<\/em>
This r\u00eda stretches from the town of Muros at the ocean’s coast to the medieval town of Noia more inland. The R\u00eda de Muros e Noia is the only r\u00eda of the R\u00edas Baixas without islands before the r\u00eda. And it’s also the only r\u00eda that is named after two cities, in stead of the name of just one distinctive place.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

R\u00eda de Arousa<\/em>
The biggest r\u00eda of the R\u00edas Baixas. This r\u00eda is well known for it’s fishing. The r\u00eda is full of mussel beds. Wherever you are in Arousa area, you will always see the characteristic flat and rectangular beds in the r\u00eda. The mussels grow at the bottom of these beds.
The r\u00eda is also a popular turistic destination and has many beaches and leisure hotels. In particular the peninsula of O Grove and Sanxenxo is very turistic. Don’t let is scares you, it’s a very nice place to visit! What is also worth a visit is the island of Arousa, that can be reached via a small bridge, and will offer you beautiful views. Well, almost everywhere around the R\u00eda de Arouse you will have very pleasant views.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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A Illa de Arousa (source: https:\/\/www.campingcachadelos.com\/<\/a>)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Ria de Pontevedra<\/em>
Named after the city of Pontevedra<\/a>, where this r\u00eda ends. You can find tourism at this r\u00eda as well, but mainly at the beginning of the R\u00eda. Especially around the village of Sanxenxo that borders the R\u00eda de Arouse.
One of the main attractions of this r\u00eda are the Islands of Ons. They are located in front of the r\u00eda, protecting the r\u00eda and inland from the Atlantic Ocean. The islands of Ons are a protected area that can be visited with a boat trip from Sanxenxo.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ria de Ald\u00e1n<\/em>
This small r\u00eda is often forgotten when naming the R\u00edas Baixas. It’s by far the smalles r\u00eda and a quiet spot, located between the r\u00edas of the big cities Vigo and Pontevedra. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ria de Vigo<\/em>
The most southern r\u00eda of Galicia. The southern side of this r\u00eda consist almost entirely of the industrial city Vigo and her suburbs.
In front of the r\u00eda you will find the C\u00edes Islands<\/a>. On sunny days those islands look like tropical islands with their beautiful, white beaches. Besides their beauty the islands have also an important function for the region. They protect the inland. Thanks to the C\u00edes Islands the R\u00eda de Vigo has quiet waters and that helped Vigo in establishing itself as the biggest fishing harbour in Europe.
What I personally like about this r\u00eda are the views. Especially the view you have coming from the north and travelling to Vigo. Where the highway A9 crosses the r\u00eda you get your first, impressive impression of the city of Vigo<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tourism and fishing<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Besides wine the biggest industries in the R\u00edas Baixas are tourism and fishing. Traditionally the Galician coast is off course a fishing area. Plenty of fish was and is still being caught in the r\u00edas and also in the Atlantic Ocean. Fishing is still an active occupation, but it’s less activated in the r\u00edas themselves. Fishermen have to go further into the ocean. They sail into the ocean from Vigo and Pontevedra.
Fishing in the r\u00edas has changed. Nowadays plenty of shellfish is growing in the r\u00edas. It’s impossible not to see the mussel beds. As a tourist you can make many excursions in the r\u00edas along the fisheries. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tourism is another very important activity in the R\u00edas Baixas. Thanks to the r\u00edas the area has a very stretched coast line and also a lot of beaches. Many Spanish people visit the R\u00edas Baixas in summer for the beaches and to catch some air. Some of the most popular destinations you will find at the R\u00eda de Arouse, like O’Grove and the peninsula of La Toxa, Sanxenxo and Cambados. At this r\u00eda you also find the beautiful Island of Ons. Definitely worth a visit!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

My suggestion when visiting the R\u00edas Baixas: if you have a car available I would suggest you to take a trip around the r\u00edas. At your trip you will find many beautiful views and a lot of variation. You will see white beaches, wineries, fishing and tradition. Visit a bodega and pause at one of the lovely villages. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Drug transports<\/strong> in Galicia<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

I have to mention this in the article. It’s part of the (history of) R\u00edas Baixas. Besides turism and fishery the R\u00edas Baixas have another sector that brings in money, however it’s something to be pride off. From the 80’s R\u00edas Baixas is considered als the main entry for drugs from South America to Europe. Especially at the Ria de Arouse there where many big drug lords at the end of the last century. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Main activity of the drug lords was just the traffic. They were no producer or dealer off the drugs, but just took care of the transport from the ocean to the land. Due to the closed culture of Galicia and the enormous coastline the drugs traffic was very successful in this area.
The coastal line is so enormous that police cannot control it entirely. And the closed culture also helps. Galician people are considered as closed and do not talk a lot about each other. For you as a tourist this has a positive effect, when visiting the r\u00edas baixas you will not sense anything of this dirty business.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Do you want to know more about this dark history? Netflix has created a spectaculair series about it, with one of the capo’s as a main character. The series is called Fari\u00f1a, or Cocaine Coast in English.
This serie is based on a book that’s also worth reading: Nacho Carretero – Fari\u00f1a<\/p>\n\n\n\n

R\u00edas Baixas<\/strong> Wine<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Last but not least, the excellent wines from Las R\u00edas Baixas. I’m fond of them! When talking about wine from the R\u00edas Baixas we often think about just one variety: Albari\u00f1o. About 90% of the wines from the region are made from this grape. R\u00edas Baixas is one of the five official wine regions of Galicia<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Albari\u00f1o wine is a very characteristic white wine and is an excellent combination with seafood, from Galicia of course. It’s a classical advice when looking for a wine to combine with your food: drink wine from the region where the food comes from.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How to describe the taste of the Albari\u00f1o wine from las R\u00edas Baixas? It’s a dry and fresh wine, but has also a bit sour, what makes it even more fresh. Difficult to describe, my best advice is to try it for yourself. If possible in combination with some lovely seafood. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Conclusion: las R\u00edas Baixas are a must see in Galicia!<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

I recommend every visitor in Galicia to visit las R\u00edas Baixas. As mentioned, a car tour can bring you everywhere. It’s even possible to catch some highlights in just one day. For example if you travel from Vigo to Sanxenxo and continuing to the Ria de Arousa and ending your trip in Fisterra. You will pass a hilly landscape, that will present you some excellent views. Have a break when you see a lovely restaurant, beautiful beach or just an impressive via to one of the r\u00edas, the ocean or the beautiful landscap. Boa viaxe!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This is my recommended road trip in las R\u00edas Baixas<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tips in las R\u00edas Baixas<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In the conclusion above I already gave you some tips when visiting Las R\u00edas Baixas. To some up some extra highlights.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ria de Arousa:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n