Beach of the Cathedrals, a natural monument in Ribadeo, Spain

Beach of the Cathedrals is located in the Cantabrian Sea, in the parish of A Devesa, belonging to the City Council of Ribadeo, Lugo and is classified as a Natural Monument by the Xunta de Galicia.

In addition, it has been a protected area since February 2005 and a Site of Community Interest (L.I.C) in the Natura 2000 Network, due to its abundance of animals and plants. This makes it considered the best beach in Spain and the eighteenth in the world.

Beach of the Cathedrals

Although its real name is Playa de Aguas Santas due to the existence of a medicinal spring, it is currently known as Playa de las Catedrales because of the shape of the cliffs that line the beach.

This is so due to the erosive action of salt water, wind and time, which have carved arches, caves, lakes and passageways, which gives this beach its name, since its arches are reminiscent of the flying buttresses of a cathedral.

Trails and viewpoints

The trails are signposted and allow you to explore their terrain from the top of the rasa, so you can go with children, to appreciate this landscape as a family. At low tide you can also access the beach through a staircase, and walk among the rocks of Playa de las Catedrales.

Here you can explore and discover, in a didactic way, the different caves in this group. Since you can see the vegetation of the area, with bushes, plants on the ground and meadows on the cliffs.

And the birds, being close to the Foz estuary, such as seagulls, herons, or curlews, among others.

Limited visits

During Holy Week and the months of July and August, since 2015, the Xunta de Galicia has limited the number of capacity for visitors as it is the most visited natural monument in this community.

The restriction of people is only for the sandy area, so you can freely walk along the trails or viewpoints to see the natural monument.

Nearby areas

In the immediate vicinity there is a restaurant, two parking areas and benches and tables for eating. There are also several campsites near the area.

When to visit Las Catedrales Beach?

Any time is good to visit this natural gem. If we want to go down to the sandy area we have to take into account the tides, since we can only access at low tide.

Also, if we make the low tide coincide with the sunset, we will have an unforgettable experience.

More in Ribadeo

In the municipality to which this natural monument belongs, you can visit different places of tourist interest. Highlighting two alternatives, continue around the beach or enter the Historic Center declared a Site of Cultural Interest.

The first alternative is Isla Pancha, with a length of 1.1 hectares and steep terrain, from where the Old Ribadeo Lighthouse predominates, built in 1857 and currently tourist accommodation.

Or visit the Historic Center of Ribadeo, where the Plaza de España, the nerve center of the town, stands out, from where you can see the buildings that allow you to delve into the history of Ribadeo.