In Portonovo, you can combine a coastal stay with insights into the town’s maritime history. Playa de Baltar lies at the entrance to the town, while Playa de Caneliñas is in the town center. Viewpoints, a chapel and the A Peixeira sculpture add to the different sides of Portonovo.

Beaches and Viewpoints

At Playa de Baltar, a wooden boardwalk runs parallel to the beach through the dune area. The Sendero azul Sanxenxo–Portonovo trail also passes along this beach. It has eight access points, as well as numerous parking spaces along the road and by the Baltar football field. As this infrastructure may change, check the latest information before your visit.

Playa de Caneliñas is in the center of Portonovo. Right next to it is the Mirador de Caneliñas, which offers views of the Ría de Pontevedra and the Portonovo harbor. Below the viewpoint, there is a short walking path with benches; the lower path is reached by stairs. This spot offers several ways to enjoy the area: the beach, views of the Ría and a short walk.

Maritime History and Local Cuisine

The “A Peixeira” sculpture is dedicated to the women who sell at the market the goods their husbands bring back from the sea. From here, there are panoramic views of the Ría de Pontevedra and the small Playa de Caneliñas. The sculpture reflects Portonovo’s long-standing maritime character, which is closely linked to fishing.

The Capilla de Santa Catalina is another of the town’s distinctive cultural landmarks. This small, simple, rectangular chapel with a single nave is located in the historic town center. It is dedicated to Saint Catherine, Portonovo’s patron saint, who is held in great reverence by sailors. Its architecture and dedication give the building a distinctive place in the town’s maritime history.

Local specialties in Portonovo include fish from the Ría and seafood. What individual restaurants offer may vary, but these products provide a culinary link to the town’s fishing tradition.

A Suggested Walking Tour

A proposed guided walking tour of Portonovo includes the fishing harbor. It also features a conversation with local women who mend nets about the craft, and the chance to watch a fish auction at the Lonxa de Portonovo. If you are planning to take this tour, check in advance whether it is currently offered and whether the planned stops are accessible.

The beach areas and cultural landmarks offer different highlights: Baltar connects the dune area with the route of the Sendero azul, while Caneliñas brings together a beach and a viewpoint in the town center. The chapel, sculpture and fishing harbor complement coastal views with insights into Portonovo’s maritime history.

Discover more destinations: Noalla, A Lanzada.

Go to the main travel overview: Sanxenxo.