Ferrol, Spain

San Felipe Castle

Castillo de San Felipe is just 15 minutes by car from Ferrol and is located in a beautiful setting. From the castle’s viewpoint, you can enjoy an excellent view over the bay and the surrounding area of the city. San Felipe was built in 1598 to protect the harbor and was one of the most impregnable and well-fortified castles in this part of the coast. In the 18th century, the fortress was significantly rebuilt, and it is precisely in this form that it has survived to this day. Today, the castle is an imposing architectural structure with a labyrinth of corridors and numerous exterior and interior rooms. If you look at the castle from above, you can see its exceptionally complex geometry-far ahead of its time when it was built. Directly opposite Castillo de San Felipe today, you can also see the ruins of another former castle from the system of fortifications erected along the then-existing coastline-Castillo de La Palma.

Beaches

Ferroal can offer tourists several beaches stretching to Cabo Prior Cape along the rocky Atlantic coastline, where you can relax wonderfully. Among them, the Doninhos and San-Jurho beaches stand out, both awarded the Blue Flag. This part of the coast is exposed to the winds and the sea here is rough, so windsurfers and surfers love to spend their time here. Beyond Cabo Prior Cape, near the city of Valdovinho, lie the Fruheira and Pantin beaches, where an international surfing championship is held every September. The beaches have a well-developed infrastructure with restaurants, cafés, a campsite, a parking area, shower cabins, and a lifeguard service.

Excursion to Santiago de Compostela

The ancient part of this magnificent city is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Tourists visit the city’s main square, Plaza de Obradoiro, where the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela (12th century) is located. The next stop is the College of Saint Jerome (13th century). The city is home to many ancient monasteries, including the Monasteries of San Martín and San Pelayo (16th century) and Saint Francis (17th century), which guests can visit. Next, tourists will see the Palace of Gelmirez (12th century), built in the Romanesque style, the University of Santiago de Compostela (1495), and will stroll through the city’s old streets-Rúa do Nova, Rúa do Franco, and Rúa do Vilar.

Excursion to La Coruña

A walk through the historic part of the city will allow you to admire unique architectural monuments: the Romanesque Church of Saint James of the 12th century (the oldest church in A Coruña), the Santa María de Campo cathedral, and the San Carlos garden. On the Calle de los Barros, you will learn about the gastronomic traditions of La Coruña. After exploring the historic part of the city, you will visit the Tower of Hercules - the oldest working lighthouse in the world, listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is believed that the lighthouse was built in the second half of the 1st century AD - this lighthouse is almost two thousand years old! Finally, you will enjoy a stroll through the sculpture park on the coastline: unusual installations reminiscent of Celtic dolmens, figures of heroes from local legends, and giant sea shells-surreal sculptures captivate your attention no less than the sea and the rocks.

For a more detailed list of excursions and their prices, you can view it after booking your cruise in your “Customer Personal Account”.