Rías Baixas tour: Arousa Island, Combarro & mussel boat

Nine and a half hours across four islands and two historic towns, with the choice to taste mussels straight from the estuary.

A full-day guided tour of Rías Baixas covers Combarro, Arousa Island, A Toxa and Cambados with an official tourism guide in English or Spanish, plus an optional mussel boat crossing the Pontevedra estuary with tasting. The tour runs 9.5 hours in an air-conditioned vehicle. You can book the route with or without the boat excursion.

Step-by-step itinerary

Explore Rías Baixas and nearby towns

• Visit Santiago de Compostela church
• Walk through Alameda and have coffee
• Explore Combarro granite alleys
• Optional mussel boat tour and tasting
• Visit A Toxa island landmarks
• See Cambados main square and Pazo
• Free time to taste local products
• Walk or relax on Arousa Island

The experience

The day starts in Combarro, a town built entirely of granite: alleys between centuries-old granaries and stone crosses that have survived centuries without mortar. Your guide walks you through the layout and history before you have the option to sit down and try Combarro's mussels at a local restaurant. From there, the route crosses one of Europe's longest sea bridges to reach Arousa Island, where you choose your own pace: walk the natural park with the guide, sit by the water with a drink, or swim if the weather holds.

The optional mussel boat departs from Combarro's marina and crosses the Pontevedra estuary, passing the working mussel farms that line the water and giving you a view of Combarro and the town of Marín from the sea. On board, you taste local mussels and wine while the boat circles the island of Tambo. This leg is not included in every booking option, so confirm at checkout which version you've chosen.

A Toxa, the next stop, was Europe's first holiday resort in the late nineteenth century, built around the island's natural springs and the soap factory that made it famous. You'll see the grand Hotel LaToja, the old factory buildings, and the Capilla de las Conchas: a chapel covered entirely in scallop shells. The final stop is Cambados, where the main square centers on the Pazo de Fefiñáns, an imposing manor house. You have free time here to walk and eat at one of the town's restaurants, which specialize in local Albariño wine and seafood.

What’s included

• Official tourism guide in English or Spanish.
• air-conditioned vehicle for the full 9.5 hours.
• entry to the sites visited.
• optional mussel and wine tasting on the boat (if you choose that booking option).

Options for this experience

2 options

Route without boatGuide in English or Spanish · 09:30

Route including a mussel boat rideGuide in English or Spanish · 09:30Mussel boat option

You pick the guide language when booking.

You see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates & prices

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 09:30

Book up to1h before

AgesAdult (13 and older) · Child (3 to 12 years) · Infant (under 3): free

GroupUp to 55

Live guideEnglish and Spanish

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 2 days ago

Good to know

Easy physical levelStroller friendlyPets welcomePublic transport nearbyInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Toxo Travel

Is this one for you?Book the route with the mussel boat if you want to see the working farms from the water and taste the harvest fresh. Choose the route without it if you prefer more time walking the islands and towns without the extra stop.

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Top questions

What languages is the guide in?

Live guide in English and Spanish.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (3 to 12 years); Infant (under 3): free.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What exactly happens on the mussel boat, and is it included in every booking?

The mussel boat crosses the Pontevedra estuary from Combarro's marina, passing the working mussel farms and circling the island of Tambo while you taste local mussels and wine on board. It is an optional add-on. You choose at checkout whether to include it or take the route without the boat.

How much time do I get to explore each town on my own?

Combarro and Cambados both have free time built in for you to walk, eat or rest as you prefer. Arousa Island gives you the choice between a guided walk through the natural park or time to sit by the beach or swim. A Toxa is a shorter stop focused on the historic buildings and the chapel.

Is lunch included, or do I need to bring food?

Lunch is not included in the tour price. You have the option to try mussels in Combarro and free time in Cambados to eat at local restaurants, but you arrange and pay for meals separately.

What is the Capilla de las Conchas, and why is it covered in shells?

The Capilla de las Conchas is a small chapel on A Toxa island that is entirely decorated with scallop shells, a distinctive local landmark. It reflects the region's deep connection to the sea and shellfish harvesting.

Do I need to be fit or athletic to do this tour?

The tour is suitable for all physical fitness levels. Most of the day is spent in the vehicle or on the boat. Walking through Combarro's alleys and the optional walk on Arousa Island are at your own pace, and you can skip the walk and rest by the beach instead.