Monte Faro is a small mountain, 198 metres high. From the summit, you can see the islands of Coelleira, Gabeira and Insua. The route also offers views of Praia de Area and hamlets with granite houses. Coastal scenery and granite architecture are among the impressions of this exploration. The Faro viewpoint is in the parish of Faro (San Xiao), in the village of Faro in Viveiro.
Walking on Monte Faro
The Monte Faro route can be accessed from either Praia de Area or Praia de Esteiro, in opposite directions. The two options therefore differ in the direction of travel—a practical point to consider when choosing your starting point. From the access point, a footpath leads to the summit and continues to Punta Faro. Along the way, you can enjoy a view of the small Praia de Portonovo. At Punta Faro, a beacon marks the eastern entrance to the estuary. The exploration thus combines coastal views with a maritime navigational marker. The viewpoints are also easy to distinguish: the islands are visible from the summit, while Portonovo can be seen from the path to Punta Faro.
Praia de Area: beach, dunes and seabirds
Praia de Area is a 1,200-metre-long protected beach with fine sand in the parish of Faro (San Xiao). The beach is accompanied by a dune area of considerable scenic interest. Beside the beach lies Insua de Area, an important refuge for seabirds. Praia de Area thus features in two contexts: as a beach with specific characteristics and as part of the view from the Monte Faro route. The dunes and seabird refuge add further aspects of the landscape to this stretch of coast.
The recreational area on the Area-Faro promenade has a children's playground. If you plan to use it, check the condition of the facilities before your visit.
Churches and traces in the lagoon
The cultural points of interest have distinct profiles. Faro's parish church has a modern architectural style. On the Monte Faro route, by contrast, an old church with a bell tower is one of the sights. Beneath the waters of Carrucedo Lagoon lie the remains of walls and mills. Cultural points of interest therefore range from modern church architecture to a building on the route and underwater structural remains. The parish church and the old church offer different architectural points of interest; Carrucedo adds another perspective with its remains in the lagoon.
Find a holiday apartment in Faro to suit your interests
If you are looking for a holiday apartment in Faro, first consider what you want to focus on during your trip. For a day by the coast, Praia de Area, its dunes and the view of Insua de Area offer specific points of interest. For an exploration on foot, the Monte Faro route is the main attraction. Those interested in culture can consider the parish church, the old church with its bell tower and the traces in Carrucedo Lagoon as distinct points of interest.
Discover more destinations: Braña, Nespereira, Begonte, Rábade, Ourol, Vilar, A Veiga de Logares, Mera
For the full travel guide: Lugo.
