From Santiago: Ribeira Sacra, Sil Canyon and boat trip
4.430 reviews
Photo credits
- Fernando Losada Rodríguez, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons · source
- Gabriel Conde Arias-Camison, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons · source
- locuig, Pixabay License, via Pixabay · source
- Tanja Freibott, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons · source
- Jl FilpoC, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons · source
- eladinocabanelas, Pixabay License, via Pixabay · source
Day trip from Santiago to the Ribeira Sacra: a Sil Canyon viewpoint, the San Pedro de Rocas monastery, Allariz and a cruise on the Sil River between terraced vineyards. Rated 4.4/5 from 30 reviews.
- 9 hours
- Free cancellation up to 24h before
- Spanish, English
- Mobile ticket
Practical details
- Duration
- 9 hours
- Guide languages
- Spanish · English
- Mobile ticket
- No need to print
- Wheelchair accessible
- No
- Minimum age
- No restriction
- Pets
- Not allowed
- Cancellation
- Free up to 24h before
Highlights
- Viewpoint over the Sil Canyon
- 75-minute cruise on the Sil River
- San Pedro de Rocas monastery
- Lunch time in Allariz
- Guide in Spanish and English
Other versions of this activity
Same activity, different format or price.
You're here
From Santiago: Ribeira Sacra, Sil Canyon and boat trip
9 hours · 4.4 (30)
from €55
From Santiago: Ribeira Sacra with Sil Canyon cruise, monastery and Ourense
10 hours · 4.5 (169)
from €60
From Santiago: Rías Baixas with boat trip and winery
9.5 hours · 4.7 (486)
from €47
Our take
The Ribeira Sacra is hard to reach from Santiago without a car, and this trip packs a viewpoint, a monastery and a boat ride into one day. There is a lot of coach time, but the stretch on the river under the hanging vineyards makes up for it. At 4.4/5 it is a solid option rather than an outstanding one.
What's included
- Modern air-conditioned coach
- Pickup at several points in Santiago
- Local guide
- Boat ticket (on the cruise option)
- Travel insurance
Not included
- Restaurant meals
- Food and drinks at the coffee stop
Good to know
What to bring
- ID card or passport
- Comfortable shoes
- An extra layer for the boat
Things to keep in mind
- The boat booking requires each traveller's full name, ID number and date of birth
- Standard group of up to 35 people; a private option for up to 5 is available
- The itinerary is indicative and may change
Meeting point
Several pickup points in Santiago, including Capela do Pilar, the Galicia Travels office and Hotel Hesperia Peregrino (chosen when booking).
Be at your pickup point a few minutes early; the coach drops you back at the same points.
The experience
What you will see
- The Sil Canyon from one of its viewpoints.
- The terraced vineyards of heroic viticulture, from the boat.
- The San Pedro de Rocas monastery, carved into the rock.
- Allariz, one of the best-preserved medieval towns in Ourense.
How it works
You are picked up in Santiago and the coach heads south to the province of Ourense. You stop at a canyon viewpoint, visit San Pedro de Rocas, have lunch on your own in Allariz and take a cruise of about 75 minutes on the Sil River before returning to Santiago.
Who I recommend it for
- Travellers without a car who want to see the Ribeira Sacra in a day.
- Anyone who enjoys river scenery and wine country.
Who I don't recommend it for
- Anyone who dislikes long coach rides.
- Anyone after a small group on the standard option.
Accessibility
Not listed as wheelchair accessible; check with the provider.
Cancellation policy
Free cancellation up to 24 hours before, with a full refund.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Sil boat trip included?
Is lunch included?
What details are needed for the cruise?
How long is the drive?
Related reading on our guides
→ Santiago de Compostela in one day: cathedral, old town and the Camino
What to see in Santiago in one day: Cathedral, Obradoiro, old town and the Mercado de Abastos. An hour-by-hour walking route at the end of the Camino, where to eat and what to skip.
→ The Camino de Santiago: the last 100 km (how to do it and the Compostela)
The last 100 km of the Camino de Santiago: where to start (Sarria, Tui, Ferrol), stages, budget, the credential and the free Compostela, and what to bring.
→ Santiago Cathedral: how to visit it (Pórtico, rooftops and botafumeiro)
How to visit Santiago Cathedral: free entry hours, Pórtico de la Gloria and rooftop tickets, when the botafumeiro swings and where the Pilgrim's Mass is now.
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