Ribeira Sacra tour from Santiago: Boat trip and monasteries

Drift past oak groves and ancient monasteries on a peaceful boat ride through Ribeira Sacra’s vineyards

A full-day tour from Santiago de Compostela to Ribeira Sacra in Ourense province, combining a catamaran ride along the Sil River, stops at two historic monasteries, and a guided walk through the village of Allariz. The boat trip reveals the steep vineyards of the region's famous wine denomination, while the route passes through oak groves and medieval religious sites. A live guide in English or Spanish leads the group. Pickup from Santiago, air-conditioned vehicle, boat tickets and trip insurance are included. The tour runs 10 hours and suits all fitness levels.

Step-by-step itinerary

Explore Ribeira Sacra and nearby villages

• Visit Ribeira Sacra by catamaran
• Enjoy viewpoint over Sil river and vineyards
• Visit monastery of San Vicente de Pino
• Guided visit of Allariz village

The experience

The day starts with a drive from Santiago into Ourense province, where the landscape shifts toward the river valleys and terraced vineyards that define Ribeira Sacra. The catamaran ride is the centerpiece: from the boat on the Sil River, you see what locals call "heroic viticulture". Vineyards clinging to near-vertical slopes that make mechanized farming impossible. The river itself cuts through a narrow gorge, and the scale of the landscape from water level is something no roadside stop can match.

After the boat, the tour climbs to one of the area's highest viewpoints, where the river, the vineyards and the surrounding oak groves spread out below. The stops that follow are the religious structures the region is known for: the monastery of Santo Estevo, built into the hillside, and San Pedro de Rocas, both from the medieval period. The village of Allariz comes last: a guided walk through its streets and squares, where the guide shares the local history and the stories tied to the place. The whole route is designed to move through time as much as geography, from the natural drama of the river gorge to the human-built monuments that have stood for centuries.

The tour includes an air-conditioned vehicle for the full day, so the drive itself is comfortable even in warm weather. A live guide travels with the group in either English or Spanish, and trip insurance is built in. Pickup from Santiago is part of the booking, which means no need to arrange your own transport to the starting point. The boat tickets are included, as is access to the monasteries and the village walk. Lunch and drinks are not covered, so you'll want to plan a stop or bring something along for the middle of the day.

What’s included

• Air-conditioned vehicle for the full day.
• live guide in English or Spanish.
• catamaran tickets on the Sil River (on the boat option).
• entry to the monasteries of Santo Estevo and San Pedro de Rocas.
• guided walk through Allariz village.
• pickup from Santiago de Compostela.
• trip insurance.

Options for this experience

2 options

Santiago to Ribeira Sacra tour, without boat tripGuide in English or Spanish · 08:00Pickup is included

Santiago to Ribeira Sacra tour, with boat tripGuide in English or Spanish · 08:00Pickup is included

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 timesSaturdayDeparts at 08:00

Book up to8h before

AgesAdult (12 and older) · Child (3 to 11 years) · Infant (under 3)

GroupUp to 55

Live guideEnglish and Spanish

Audio guideFrench, German, Italian and Portuguese

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup is optional; you can also go straight to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.You can choose from 5 pickup points.

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 today

Good to know

Easy physical levelPublic transport nearbyInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Galicia Travels

Is this one for you?Choose the version with the boat if the river views and the vineyard landscape matter most to you. The catamaran is the only way to see the steepness of the heroic viticulture and the gorge itself. Pick the no-boat option if you want to spend more time in the villages and monasteries without the water portion, or if you prefer a shorter or less structured day.

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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 11 years); Infant (under 3).

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 is "heroic viticulture" and why does it matter to this tour?

Heroic viticulture is the term for vineyards grown on steep hillsides where the terrain is too steep for machines, so all the work is done by hand. The Ribeira Sacra region is famous for this style of farming along the Sil River, and the catamaran ride is the best way to see the scale and difficulty of it: the vines cling to slopes that drop straight toward the water, and you can only really grasp how extreme the angle is from the river itself.

Are both monastery visits included, or do I choose one?

Both the monastery of Santo Estevo and San Pedro de Rocas are on the itinerary, so you visit both as part of the same tour. The route is designed to move through the region's main religious sites in sequence.

Can I book this tour without the boat trip?

Yes. The operator offers two versions: one with the catamaran ride on the Sil River, and one without. If you choose the no-boat option, you still visit the monasteries and Allariz, but you skip the river portion and the views of the heroic viticulture vineyards from the water.

Is lunch provided on this tour?

Lunch is not included in the tour price. You'll have time during the day to eat, but you need to either bring food with you or stop at a restaurant or café along the route. The guide can suggest options in the villages you visit.