Cuntis combines thermal history with archaeological remains, riverside routes and festival traditions. The historic centre, paths along the water and events throughout the year offer different focal points. If you are looking for accommodation, the purpose of your trip can help determine when to visit: local history and thermal heritage, countryside or a particular festival.

Thermal history and paths along the Gallo

The historic centre of Cuntis includes covered thermal washing houses, the washing houses along the Gallo and two public thermal springs. The town centre also has several walking areas along the Gallo, with wooden bridges and almost a dozen riverside washing houses. Water is therefore part of Cuntis both through its thermal history and through the paths and washing houses along the river.

Archaeological traces and churches

Castro Landín was inhabited from the 2nd century BC to the 1st century AD, after which it was permanently abandoned. In the upper area of Castrolandín, San Xoán is celebrated every year on the night of 23 June, coinciding with the summer solstice. The combination of archaeological history and an annual festival gives the town’s history a distinctive seasonal setting.

The churches also have their own distinctive features. Igrexa de San Félix de Estacas is a single-nave Baroque church with a rectangular floor plan; its Way of the Cross consists of 14 stone crosses. Igrexa Parroquial de Santa María de Cuntis is an 18th-century building, reconstructed using materials from the earlier Romanesque church. These two buildings illustrate different architectural influences: Baroque design and the Way of the Cross in one, and the reuse of older materials in the other.

Riverside routes, a waterfall and viewpoints

The PR-G 123 Senda Peonil da Ponte do Ramo starts at Ponte do Ramo. From Cuntis, the bridge can be reached via the PO-8402 towards Cequeril, after approximately 6.5 kilometres. The route follows the banks of the Umia through lush riverside woodland and leads to the Muíños Grande e Pequeno da Puntalta. It also follows an old Roman road to the archaeological site of the Cequeril petroglyphs. The river landscape, historic route and archaeological traces are thus all highlights of the same trail. As trail conditions can change, it is a good idea to check the latest route information before setting out.

The access path to Fervenza de Hérvedo follows the da Patela River to the foot of the waterfall. Monte Xesteiras offers a different vantage point: at 718 metres, it provides far-reaching views of the Arousa Sea, the Cuntis valley, Pico Sagrado, the area around Compostela and the territory near Pontevedra crossed by the Lérez. Las Tres Lagoíñas lies on a plateau on Monte Xesteiras; the traditional “rapa das bestas” of Couselo takes place there in July.

Shorter outings have their own appeal, too. Two circular walks start at the Balneario bridge in the centre of Cuntis. In Estacas, you can walk through an extensive oak grove, where there is a fountain and swings for children. The mill at Vilar de Mato still uses water power to grind flour—an example of how ongoing use, alongside archaeological and architectural traces, forms part of the local landscape.

Festivals and when to visit

The Festa do Lacón con Grelos combines traditional winter cuisine with the final days of Carnival and the tradition of the “Entierro del Chapante”. Since its beginnings in 1998, it has promoted Cuntis’s cultural and natural heritage. The Romaría do Cabalo features equestrian displays, a picnic, a fair and various performances.

For trip planning, San Xoán on the night of 23 June, the “rapa das bestas” in July and the Festa do Lacón con Grelos during the winter and Carnival season take place at different times of the year. If you plan your stay around a festival, check the exact event dates before booking a hotel. This lets you tailor your search for hotels in Cuntis to your travel dates without losing sight of the area’s natural and cultural attractions.

Discover more destinations: As Madorras, Curantes, Picoto, Fornelos, Cangas, Ribadumia, Souto, Valga.

For the broader travel overview: Pontevedra.