Land of stone & water
Land of stone & water
Located in the south of A Terra Chá, on the border with the province of A Coruña, Guitiriz will surprise you with the diversity of its landscapes and the vitality of its people. Between mountain ranges and open plains, the municipality combines the rural calm of its villages with the urban life of its capital, where services, commerce, and cultural activity come together. Its origins date back to the 6th century, when the Suebi king Witerico founded the settlement that gave the town its name.
Today, you can wander through its villages and discover its rich natural and cultural heritage along the many hiking trails that cross its land. Known for its thermal waters and the historic Guitiriz spa a symbol of rest and well-being— this municipality invites you to enjoy a place where history, nature, and the energy of local life intertwine at every step.
To see
In Guitiriz, you’ll discover a land full of contrasts, where nature and stone come together. Its villages hide
In places like Parga —with its medieval bridge and traditional fair— or in the town of Guitiriz, home to its historic spa and thermal spring, you’ll feel the trace of the past in a carefully preserved rural setting. Among trails, mills, and manor houses, Guitiriz invites you to explore its heritage through water, stone, and history.
Iglesia & Puente de San Alberte
Right on the Northern Way, the Gothic chapel of San Alberte rises among trees and legends. The stone bridge over the Parga River, of medieval origin, leads to this 14th-century sanctuary, beside which flows the famous Fonte da Fala —a spring whose waters are said to be miraculous. A place steeped in history and natural beauty, it’s an essential stop on the route through Guitiriz.
Castle of Parga
At the top of A Pobra de Parga stand the remains of the Castle of Parga, a former medieval fortress built between the 14th and 15th centuries to control the river valley. Sections of its walls and a circular tower still survive, evoking its former grandeur. From the castle, the views over Parga and A Terra Chá offer one of the most evocative panoramas in the municipality.
Pena Xiboi
In the village of Tolda (Parga) lies Pena Xiboi, an impressive rock shelter that served as a refuge for the first inhabitants of A Terra Chá more than 10,000 years ago. Numerous stone tools were found here and are now preserved in the Provincial Museum of Lugo. From its base, where natural cavities can still be seen, to the summit crowned by a stone cross, the site offers a landscape steeped in history and views that are well worth the visit.
Bascuas Chapel Museum
The Bascuas Chapel Museum, of Romanesque origin, preserves an elegant 16thcentury doorway and a Baroque altarpiece adorned with geometric and naturalist details. Inside, images and liturgical objects tell the story of centuries of local devotion. Outside, the exhibition space created by the Xermolos stone-carving workshop displays sculptures and stone pieces that converse with the landscape, turning the surroundings of the sanctuary into a true open-air museum.
Discover more hidden treasures…
Lose yourself along its paths and you’ll come across beautiful churches and neo-Gothic cemeteries that will surprise you with their charm. Santa María de Labrada, founded in the 12th century by the monks of Monfero; San Pedro de Buriz, beside the group of stone crosses known as the Calvario da Graña and with a Roman altar in its churchyard; or San Xoán de Lagostelle, the original church of the town of Guitiriz —these are just some of the heritage gems you’ll find throughout the municipality.
Nature is the soul of Guitiriz. A land of water, forests, and gentle hills, it combines the open plains of A Terra Chá with mountain ranges such as A Cova da Serpe, where the landscape becomes more rugged. Its rivers —Parga, Ladra, and Trimaz— wind through oak groves, meadows, and old mills, creating places of great beauty. This environment, protected within the Terras do Miño Biosphere Reserve and the Natura 2000 Network, preserves a natural heritage of enormous value.
But if there is one element that defines Guitiriz, it is water: its thermal springs and medicinal fountains, used for centuries, such as those of Valdovín, San Xoán de Lagostelle, and Pardiñas. Throughout the municipality, you’ll also find recreational areas set in landscapes of great scenic value —perfect for relaxing, enjoying nature, and embracing the slow rhythm of life outdoors.
Muíño da Ruxida Recreational Area
On the outskirts of Parga, not far from Pena Xiboi, lies the Muíño da Ruxida —an old mill beside a waterfall nearly ten meters high, forming one of Guitiriz’s most photogenic spots. Restored and surrounded by trees, it features a recreational area with picnic tables and wooden walkways from which to admire the cascade. A perfect place to pause, enjoy the scenery, and let yourself be carried away by the sound of the river.
Área Recreativa dos Sete Muíños
On the outskirts of Guitiriz, the Sete Muíños Recreational Area offers one of the municipality’s most enchanting landscapes. Among oaks and ferns, the river forms a spectacular natural pool beside the old mills that give the place its name.
A thermal scape
Treat yourself to a moment of pure relaxation in Guitiriz
The thermal tradition of Guitiriz is one of the oldest and most renowned in Galicia. The Gran Balneario de Guitiriz, surrounded by forests and meadows, stands in a beautiful natural setting that will embrace you from the moment you arrive. Its waters, known since the 19th century for their mineral-medicinal properties, spring up among centuries-old oaks and pines that invite relaxation and well-being. Strolling through its gardens, immersing yourself in its healing waters, or simply enjoying the landscape is a way to connect with the purest and most soothing essence of A Terra Chá.
Nearby, the historic Balneario de Pardiñas —now out of use— recalls the origins of this thermal tradition that helped shape the municipality’s identity.
Golf Course
The Gran Balneario de Guitiriz expands its offer of health, nature, and leisure with a golf course perfectly integrated into its spectacular natural surroundings. It is currently undergoing renovation to enhance its facilities and services, with reopening planned for spring 2026. A unique experience where nature, wellness, and recreation come together to fully enjoy the thermal spirit of Guitiriz.
A thermal scape
Treat yourself to a moment of pure relaxation in Guitiriz
The thermal tradition of Guitiriz is one of the oldest and most renowned in Galicia. The Gran Balneario de Guitiriz, surrounded by forests and meadows, stands in a beautiful natural setting that will embrace you from the moment you arrive. Its waters, known since the 19th century for their mineral-medicinal properties, spring up among centuries-old oaks and pines that invite relaxation and well-being. Strolling through its gardens, immersing yourself in its healing waters, or simply enjoying the landscape is a way to connect with the purest and most soothing essence of A Terra Chá.
Nearby, the historic Balneario de Pardiñas —now out of use— recalls the origins of this thermal tradition that helped shape the municipality’s identity.
Golf Course
The Gran Balneario de Guitiriz expands its offer of health, nature, and leisure with a golf course perfectly integrated into its spectacular natural surroundings. It is currently undergoing renovation to enhance its facilities and services, with reopening planned for spring 2026. A unique experience where nature, wellness, and recreation come together to fully enjoy the thermal spirit of Guitiriz.
Culture, taste & celebration
Guitiriz is not only a land of water and nature — it’s also a place with a festive soul, where popular culture and music are lived with passion. In every parish, pilgrimages and patron saint festivities keep Galician traditions alive, while fairs such as the historic Feira de Parga remain vibrant meeting points for local life. Events like the
Corn Cake and Much More…
The gastronomy of Guitiriz is ruled by the flavour of tradition — with excellent local meats and vegetables, homemade stews, and the unmistakable Torta de Maíz, a symbol of the municipality known for its unique texture and aroma. Alongside this cuisine rooted in heritage, you’ll also find restaurants that reinterpret the flavours from A Terra Chá with more personal, creative proposals, where quality ingredients and innovation come together to offer a different kind of experience without losing the authentic essence of the past.
Culture, taste & celebration
Guitiriz is not only a land of water and nature — it’s also a place with a festive soul, where popular culture and music are lived with passion. In every parish, pilgrimages and patron saint festivities keep Galician traditions alive, while fairs such as the
Corn Cake and Much More…
The gastronomy of Guitiriz is ruled by the flavour of tradition — with excellent local meats and vegetables, homemade stews, and the unmistakable Torta de Maíz, a symbol of the municipality known for its unique texture and aroma. Alongside this cuisine rooted in heritage, you’ll also find restaurants that reinterpret the flavours from A Terra Chá with more personal, creative proposals, where quality ingredients and innovation come together to offer a different kind of experience without losing the authentic essence of the past.
On the Northern Route of the Camino de Santiago
As it passes through Guitiriz, the Camino de Santiago offers two routes, allowing pilgrims to choose their way:
The traditional variant crosses the municipality from Baamonde to Miraz (Friol), passing through places such as San Alberte, with its Gothic bridge over the Parga River, a medieval chapel, and a spring tied to local legends.
The primitive variant, on the other hand, also starts at San Alberte but branches off toward A Pobra de Parga, winding through villages, crossroads, forests, and quieter landscapes — offering a more intimate experience of the municipality’s natural and historical surroundings.
Come and discover Guitiriz
Come and discover Guitiriz
