Free walking tours in Nogueira de Ramuín and what to see

Must-sees

Nogueira de Ramuín is a municipality in Ourense province on the north bank of the Sil canyon, in the heart of the Ribeira Sacra. It has no monumental town centre: its appeal is spread among hamlets, chestnut woods and slopes falling towards the river. The main visit is the monastery of Santo Estevo de Ribas de Sil, a large Benedictine complex with three cloisters that now operates as a parador, though part of the building and the church can be seen.

From Santo Estevo a road runs down to the Sil jetty, where catamarans leave to cruise the canyon between rock walls and terraced vineyards. It is also worth stopping at the area's viewpoints, which reveal the scale of the canyon, and walking one of the paths linking monasteries, hermitages and stone hamlets. The municipal capital is Luintra, with basic services.

Free tours and guided visits

There are no regular free walking tours in Nogueira de Ramuín. The closest thing to a guided visit is the catamaran trip through the Sil canyon, which comes with commentary on board. Beyond that, the usual plan is to drive yourself between the monastery, the jetty and the viewpoints. Day trips through the Ribeira Sacra leave from Ourense and usually include Santo Estevo and the canyon.

How long to spend

Half a day lets you see the monastery and take the boat trip. If you want to add viewpoints and a short walk, allow a full day, because the roads in the area are narrow and winding. With two days you can also explore the Parada de Sil bank or visit other parts of the Ribeira Sacra and try its wines.

Where to stay

The most special option is to sleep at the monastery of Santo Estevo itself, surrounded by forest with the canyon close by. The municipality's hamlets have rural houses scattered across the countryside, ideal if you want peace, though you will need a car for everything. Luintra has a few more services. If you cannot find a room, Ourense is half an hour away and has much more accommodation.