Famed for its Albariño white wine, Cambados is an enchanting town on the right bank of the Ria de Arousa. Its historic core is clustered with pazos dating back to the 17th century, with the traditional Galician houses combining elements of rural and monastic architecture.
Things to do in Cambados
In the heart of town is the Parroquia de Cambados, a 16th-century church overlooking Plaza Alfredo Brañas. Founded by the Franciscans, it served as a convent until 1835 and incorporates Renaissance elements in its Maritime Gothic architecture. Take note of the figures of Adam and Eve sculpted within shells on the facade. Nearby is the beautiful Pazo de Fajardo o Salgado, a noble residence dating back to the 17th century.
You can take a step back in time at the Casa Historica de Cambados, which recreates the home of an upper-class Galician family around a century ago. Wander through the kitchen, living room and sleeping quarters where period furnishings are on display, alongside everyday objects and eclectic artefacts that bring the past to life.
On the eastern outskirts of Cambados is the Museo Etnografico do Viño, which explores the wines that have been produced in Galicia for centuries. Occupying a former rectory, its exhibits detail the history of Albariño, the equipment used to grow the grapes and the culture surrounding the wine. Adjacent to the museum are the ruins of Santa Mariña Dozo, a Romanesque chapel that is said to house "the most melancholy graveyard in the world”.
Getting around Cambados
Cambados is around 30 minutes’ drive from Pontevedra and 45 minutes from Santiago de Compostela. Santiago-Rosalía de Castro Airport is just under an hour away and has flights to destinations across Europe. Regular buses connect to Cambados and the town is compact enough to explore on foot.