Combarro is all about wandering, watching the tides roll in and soaking up centuries of coastal tradition. Located within the Galicia region of northwestern Spain, we think it is one of the most atmospheric spots in the Rias Baxias and still holds that local village life, here’s our top recommendations on free things to do in Combarro.
Wander the historic Old Town
We spent hours wandering the pedestrian-only narrow historic cobblestone streets (definitely wear sturdy shoes/sandals!) that are lined with traditional stone Galician houses, tiny gardens and countless stone crosses and granaries. We noticed carved stone balconies, weatheried fishing nets drying in the sun and tiny plazas tucked between houses.
Two of the main streets are Rua do Mar and A Rua. The busiest street of the village being Rua do Mar however when we visited in September, it certainly wasn’t overcrowded.
Horreos – Traditional Galacian Graneries
Combarro is famous for it’s horreos, the traditional Galacian graneries. There are around 30 of them still standing when we visited in 2025, standing tucked between the narrow streets perched along the waterfront. In fact, a local fisherman told us Combarro is believed to have the highest concentration of horreos in any single village in Galicia.
What made Combarro so unforgettable for us, is the way so many of these horreos sit right at thr edge of the sea. When the tide rose, it looked like they were almost floating! They were traditionally used to store grain, and most were built from stone to keep the harvest safe from animals and moisture.
Spot the Cruceiros – Stone Crosses
As you wander the narrow lanes, keep an eye out for the cruseiros, the graceful stone crosses that watch over crosspoints and viewpoints. The village has quite a few of them, each with their own personality and honestly, they make some pretty irresistible photo stops. There are seven stone crosses found in the historic quarter of Combarro but we only found six!
Stroll along Praia do Padron
Tucked just off Praza da Fonte, you’ll find the little beach of Padron. Its definitely not the postcard-perfect swimming spot you find elsewhere in Galicia but it has its own charm. Like most Galician beaches, everything shifts with the tide. When we arrived in Combarro, the tide was incredibly low and we enjoyed waling along the boardwalk watching the locals harvesting shellfish
Iglesia vella de San Roque
Tucked just off the main square, the Church of San Roque isn’t grandy or ‘showy’ and that’s exactly why we found it so charming. It’s not a ‘must see’ in the typical guidebooks but it’s one of those places that gives you a real feel for Combarro. It’s stone façade weathered by the sea air and centuries of village life has a gentle lived in feeling. Unfortunately when we visited, the church was not open so we missed the opportunity to admire the inside but we enjoyed the outside and surrounding area.
