- The geo-destination, Mar de Santiago, which brings together the municipalities of Vilanova de Arousa, Catoira, Valga and Pontecesures, join forces to attract and connect visitors to this unique destination, embraced by the Ulla River, through authentic gastronomic experiences.
- The four local entities join forces to raise nearly 2 million euros with a Destination Sustainable tourism project as part of the Next Generation European funds.
- Excellent food, spectacular natural surroundings and unique eco experiences are just a few of the main attractions of these unique destinations lined to the Traslatio route towards Santiago de Compostela.
Vilanova de Arousa, 12 May 2022.
Mar de Santiago, which brings together the municipalities of Vilanova de Arousa, Catoira, Valga and Pontecesures, aim to consolidate their geo-destination brand in the region of Galicia. Embraced by the Ulla River, these municipalities provide a differential value to the unique fluvial-maritime route of the Camino de Santiago.
Mar de Santiago aims to be part of the beneficiaries of the public tender of 720 million euros from the Next Generation EU recovery funds dedicated to the Destination Tourism Sustainability Plans program.
A great future opportunity for this geo-destination to move towards a model that is more respectful with the environment, digital and accessible to all. They also aim to invest around 2 million euros as part of the Destination Xacobeo National Tourism Sustainability Plan for 2021-2022, to enhance the development and consolidation of the Camino de Santiago – Traslatio route.
Famed for its great gastronomy, natural landscape and culture, these municipalities, have the unique opportunity to reinforce their image to be a key tourism attraction, encouraging visitors all year-round.
Mar de Santiago, in the heart of the Traslatio route, starts in Vilanova de Arousa, and allows tourists and pilgrims to discover a sea-river route through the Ulla River, going past the historic towns of Catoira, Valga and Pontecesures, the gateway to the Portuguese Way of the Camino de Santiago.
Galicia is synonym of amazing sceneries, culinary delights, and traditions. A region that remains largely unexplored by visitors from outside Spain. The beauty of this land is in line with the quality provided by the entire tourism sector, from restaurants, hotels, and rural accommodations to wineries, food producers, tourism companies and many other public and private entities.
Sailing along Mar de Santiago
Mar de Santiago offers the visitor a variety of options to accommodate different types of tourism experiences. Vilanova de Arousa, the birthplace of Valle-Inclán, is the starting point to the spectacular fluvial – maritime path around the Ulla River. The route begins with splendid views of Europe’s largest producer of mussels, ands views to the island of Cortegada (belonging to the Atlantic Islands National Park).
Upriver we arrive at the lands of Catoira, which were defended in medieval times by the renowned Torres de Oeste (West Towers), nowadays home of the Viking Pilgrimage recognised as a Festival of International Tourist Interest.
Valga, on the left bank of the lower reaches of the Ulla River, offers the traveler a unique setting with outstanding examples of popular architecture. Hometown of La Bella Otero, a famous character of the Belle Epoque, Valga is popularly known for the eel Festival and for their local liquor.
The maritime-river route of Mar de Santiago finishes in Pontecesures, an emblematic place, full of history and tradition that symbolizes the arrival point by sea of Apostle Santiago and the final stage of the Camino before reaching the Obradoiro, in Santiago de Compostela.