Several Camiños de Ares routes lead from the town centre to the parishes of the municipality. The walking trails are signposted, and virtual tracks are also available. To help you choose, compare the routes by their different landscape and cultural features.
Walking routes with different highlights
Ruta 1: Castro de Sta. Mariña follows the coast, passing coves, islets, cliffs and coastal woodlands. Ruta 2: Punta Coitelada leads to Punta Coitelada, a natural viewpoint. The cultural landmarks highlighted along the route include Chanteiro Beach and Ermida da Mercé. Ruta 3: Punta Segaño passes through Cervás to Montefaro, where it leads to Mosteiro de Santa Catalina and the remains of former military installations. Comparing the routes’ highlights can help you choose: Ruta 1 features coastal scenery, Ruta 2 combines views and cultural heritage, and Ruta 3 takes in Montefaro, its monastery and former military installations.
Beach, riverside path and viewpoints
Praia de Ares stretches for 1.3 kilometres along the town’s promenade. Its waters are calm, and the beach is suitable for sailing. A Xunqueira is a centrally located riverside walking path, ideal for photography and birdwatching. It offers different activities from the beach: a riverside walk, photography and birdwatching rather than sailing.
BaterĂa de Sudova is an early 20th-century military fortification and also a viewpoint overlooking the RĂa de Ferrol. Mirador da Bailadora offers panoramic views over the estuary: Mugardos is in the foreground, while the Ciudad Departamental, the military arsenal and the shipyards of Fene are in the background. The panorama features specific landmarks alongside the historic fortification.
Architectural history and archaeological heritage
Mosteiro de Santa Catalina de Montefaro was founded in the late 14th century and displays an artistic style between Romanesque and Gothic. The monastery’s best-preserved cloister is behind the church and is designed in the Renaissance style. Ares also has five small Castro remains, reflecting the pre-Romanesque archaeological heritage of its various parishes. Together, these cultural landmarks span pre-Romanesque traces, the monastery’s foundation and the Renaissance design of its cloister.
Market and Galician cuisine
The municipal market is in the town centre and promotes local and regional products. It is a point of interest for travellers who want to explore the region’s produce as well as its landscapes and cultural heritage. Ares’s culinary offering focuses on seafood and fish. Dishes include “ameixas á mariñeira”, “polbo á feira”, cockles and fish dishes such as “xibia guisada”. The market and cuisine have different focuses: the market promotes local and regional products, while the cuisine highlights fish and seafood.
Discover more destinations: TarrĂo, Cesuras, Braño, Marcelle, Camariñas, Xalo, Mallas, Miño.
Return to the main travel overview: Coruña.
