Ribadeo is a town in Galicia in northwest Spain. It's on the coast at the east edge of the region, separated by the broad river from the region of Asturias. In 2024 the population was 10,000.

The coast of Galicia is riddled by rias, river valleys inundated 8000 years ago by rising sea levels. Each ria outlet had one or more ports, which tended to specialise as the years went on. Ribadeo particularly traded with the Baltic, especially in liquor, until vessels outgrew its harbours and trade shifted to Gijón. It's now just a leisure port.

Leopoldo Calvo-Sotelo (1926-2008), Prime Minister of Spain in 1981/82, spent his last years here and is buried in Ribadeo cemetery.

Ribadeo Turismo the visitor information centre is at Rúa de Dionisio Gamallo Fierros 7, just south of Praza de España, open Tu-Sa 10:00-12:00, 14:00-19:00.

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Map of Ribadeo

Santiago de Compostela (SCQ ^IATA) is the best-served airport in the region, as tourists and pilgrims converge from all over west Europe. Take the bus into city centre for onward transport.

A Coruña (LCG ^IATA) is slightly closer, with flights from Madrid and Barcelona but not much internationally.

By road from Madrid follow A-6 (toll) to Lugo, then branch north to the coast on N640.

There's no direct bus from Madrid, change at Oviedo. Two Alsa buses a day from Oviedo are direct, taking two hours via Gijon and Aviles, and continuing to Lugo, Vilaba, A Coruña and Santiago de Compostela. More frequent local buses run from Aviles.

43.5405-7.04061 Ribadeo bus station is a dismal place 1 km north of town centre.

43.5362-7.05572 Ribadeo railway station is on the FEVE metre-gauge railway that rattles and grinds along the Spanish coast all the way to the French border. Four trains a day trundle from Ferrol, taking 3 hours with 50 stops, and continue to Oviedo, another 3 hr 15 min and 30 stops. FEVE is now part of Renfe the Spanish mainline railway operator, so look there for timetables and tickets.

The town's limited sights are all within walking distance.

A dozen taxi firms ply around town.

• 43.5365-7.03951 Torre dos Moreno is the striking modernista building that dominates Praza España the main city square. It was built in 1915 as a private residence; the interior has been closed for restoration for years.
• Ayuntamiento the Town Hall is next to El Torre.
• Santa María do Campo is west side of Praza España, 100 m from El Torre at Rúa San Francisco 4. Parts of the church are 14th century: it was within a Franciscan monastery dissolved in 1835. It's still in use but hours are erratic.
• 43.5379-7.03732 Capela da Santísima Trindade ("Holy Trinity") is a chapel near the marina. When built in the 12th century it was adjoined to the city walls.
• 43.5566-7.04193 Faro de Ribadeo is a lighthouse on an islet linked by bridge. No interior access, you come for the breeze and view.

• Teatro de Ribadeo is at Rúa de San Roque 2.
• Cine Ribadeo is at Rúa de Carlos III 21.
• Pavillón de Ribadeo is a sports complex at Rúa Alfredo Deaño 7.
• Golf: the nearest course is 11 km east at Hotel Casa Cachón.
• El Camino is the set of pilgrimage trails converging on Santiago de Compostela. El Camino del Norte is one of these, starting in Ribadeo and taking 192 km.

Most big stores are west edge of town. More central are Eroski Center, Mercado de Abastos and Alimerka, all strung along Av de Galicia.

• Central on Rúa Amando Pérez are El Oviedo, Pulperia A Menchina, Kalpa Amodiño and La Solana.
• That street continues south as Rúa San Francisco, with Casa Villaronta and Mar de Rinlo.
• A few blocks west are O Indiano, La Flor de José, La Quinta and O Tumbin Ponte dos Santos.

• Over a dozen downtown pubs.
• Galician wine is white and crisp like Portuguese.

• Albergue Río Eo is a basic hostel at Rúa Buenos Aires 1, southeast corner of Praza de España.
• A Cortiña, Rúa Paco Lanza 3 (100 m east of railway station), ☏ +34 98 213 0187. Charming 19th century mansion with gardens. B&B double €90. (updated Apr 2025)
• 43.5334-7.03991 Parador de Ribadeo, Estrada Amador Fernández 7, ☏ +34 98 212 8825. Reasonable comfort and service, but in much need of refurbishment. B&B double €170. (updated Apr 2025)
• Hotel EO is a budget place just north of the Parador.

As of April 2025, Ribadeo and its approach highways have 4G from Vodafone, and 5G from MasMovil, Movistar and Orange.

• Lugo has intact Roman walls.
• A Coruña is mostly modern but with a historic quarter.
• Santiago de Compostela is must-see for its cathedral and medieval centre.