santa tecla celtic village

sylviaborendeschamps

Only one euro to drive up to the top of mountain…..Not only is this place amazing, and a must-see, but the views are magnificent! Well worth the visit is an understatement!

GrandeSanJuan

Whenever you are in the coast between Spain and Portugal, you should take a detour to A Guarda. You will find superb restaurants, like Os Remos and Casa Olga, and you have to go up to Santa Tecla, a mountain where you will see stunning views of the coast and the river inland. It cost you only 1 euro and it is very well worth it. Rarely do you find such a cheap attraction and get the views you will not forget. Plus it is only a few minutes from the center of A Guarda. I would recommend a visit near noon and then go down and pig out in A Guarda.

WayneM591

If you find yourself down on the coastal border between Spain and Portugal, head for the town of A Guarda and then look out for the signposts to Castro de Santa Tegra (you won't see Santa Tecla as Santa Tecla is NOT in the Gallego language). It will cost 1€ for you to drive up to the top of the mountain to view these amazing remains and to visit the church and the museum. The best is yet to come though!!! Keep going right to the top and you will see the most beautiful views across the river Miño into Portugal and way down the Portuguese coast. Turn around and take a look at A Guarda (from where you have come) and take some picture postcard photos. This is a great sight-seeing opportunity - don't miss it!!!!

488catherines

You must visit here on a clear day to benefit from the fantastic views across the river to Portugal. Be aware that the signposting is unhelpful as you have to look for Monte Santa Trega which is the Galician name and you won't see Santa Tecla anywhere. You pay 1 euro per person on the way up to the man in the kiosk so have your money ready. We started right at the top where there is a small car park but most people end up parking further down the road where it's less congested and walk up the last bit. There's a cafe and restaurant, souvenir shops and toilets (a bit grim). On the day we went a piper was playing a gaita (local bagpipes) which added to the ambiance. You can climb all over the rock to admire the fabulous views. If you walk down the hill a little way you'll come to a church. We then drove back down a couple of hairpin bends and parked again at the side of the road next to the ruins of a fortified Celtic village where you can see and read all about the dwellings the inhabitants built and lived in.This was an excellent trip and great value for money. We drove down to the port of A Guarda to have lunch afterwards.

LC617

Driving to the top of Monte de Santa Tecla is an experience! But the village half way is just lovely to walk around, very well done giving a real sense of history.At the top on the mountain you have stunning views of River Minho. Cafes and souvenirs... Can get busy and choose a clear day as it can get foggy!A Guarda itself is worth a stop, pretty pastel coloured houses, and a walk by the seafront. Lots of restaurants.

EATourSpecialist

I have been to the Castro Santa Tecla Celtic Hill-fort many times and I can tell you never get sick of visiting it. It is a great example of an ancient Celtic Hill-fort with re-constructed thatched-roofed huts, amazing panoramic views of the Miño River with Portugal on the other side and meeting the Atlantic Sea. If you are in the area I highly recommended making a stop here. There is a small museum at the top very well done with artifacts food on the hill-fort during digs and as well explaining about the history of the spectacular site.

catriona120

Perched on a mountain in the coastal town of A Guarda in southern Galicia, Santa Tecla reminds me of one of the villages you would have read about in a Leon Uris novel. Breathtaking views facing west and the Atlantic Ocean and an eagle's eye view of the Galician valley below, Santa Tecla is protected from the weather and intruders by a thick treeline on once side and steep cliffs all around. Santa Tecla brings a reality to the stories and folk tales of the ancient Celtic village. Field stone fences and huts map out each family's property in this tiny, self-sufficient village. Between the gusts of wind coming off the ocean, one can almost smell the smoke coming from fires in the stone huts, and hear the sounds of livestock in the stone pens and the chatty conversation amongst neighbors living metres from each other.

carla_amado

It's a great place to go with your family, friends,...It has places to eat (if you want to have a picnic). To go to the top of the mountain you pay 1€ for person. It has restaurants and souvenirs shops. It has an amazing view of the Minho river, Caminha, Moledo, La Guardia, ...

bacalao-spm

this place is not only amazing by its history, the landscapes around are stunning, you can even see Portugal from up there!Not to miss if you're in the area!(You've to pay 1euro per person to get up there, it is only free on mondays)

EricaK2

Travelling to see my parents in Spain when we found this amazing Celtic site. Located in a beautiful area and and very well conserved. Excellent place for a picnic too.

EllenC94

Views and history this spot has both. We took a drive down the coast from Vigo to A Garda and were not disappointed. Beautiful spots to picnic, and stop on the way and the actual village was very well put together. A nice museum is available as well. We loved it and our teens did too. There are other similar villages on the Portugal side which were interesting for comparison and to learn more about these peoples. Worth a trip for sure.

aschrimp

This ancient ruins was wonderful! The remains of the old settlement are very intriguing and the there is even a reconstruction. At the very top is a museum with some history of people who lived there. The views from the top of this mountain though are just incredible. You're surrounded by the Atlantic Ocean, Spain, Portugal and Rio Mino which divides the two countries. Absolutely breathtaking. But only go on a clear day so that you can take in the view!

NBzouk2010

If you like a bit of history when you travel, you are going to love this spot. The region nearby, both in NW Spain & North Portugal, is full of great places to visit, but this is one of my favourites. Now that the Celtic settlement has been digged and a couple of houses fully reconstructed you can wander around and imagine how the Celts lived, see the real size of their houses and animal pens. There is also a museum nearby. And it´s placed at the top of a mountain, with amazing views of the Minho river overlooking both the Spanish and Portuguese borders. There is a very small nominal fee to pay. The trip uphill by car is definitely worth it!!!!

silasrp

This is a fantastic place which I've lost count of how many times I've been up there. It has some breath taking views of the Minho River's mouth and its Portuguese and Spanish sides. From the top of the mountain you can look into the South for a bird-sight view of Caminha, the most northerly town of Portugal's western coast. Looking to the North you can see the first kilometers of Spanish famous coastal seafood region, the Galicia. Once up there, you don't want to leave anymore. In a good day you will want to spent hours looking into the vibrant horizon merging the extensive blue ocean and the marvelous blue sky. Try to take the ferry to a brief visit in Portugal's side which is also worthed.

Mcostapascual

You can visit a well preserve Celtic village and also fantastic view of the river Miño mouth in the limit of Spain and Portugal