Arcade: Oyster Festival and Waterfront Paths

On the first weekend of April, the Festa da Ostra takes place in Arcade in the park by the quay. At the festival, visitors can taste oysters farmed along the shores of the Ría de Vigo. The Arcade oyster belongs to the species Ostrea edulis; at the Festa da Ostra, oysters are served raw and with lemon. Their flavour is associated with the waters at the mouth of the Río Verdugo. The first Festa da Ostra was held in 1987.

Nature

The Paseo Marítimo de Arcade lies in a fluvial-coastal landscape at the head of the Ría de Vigo. There, the waters of the Río Verdugo and the Enseada de San Simón mix with the rhythm of the tides. The Río Verdugo is 41 kilometres long and flows into the head of the Ría de Vigo between Arcade and Ponte Sampaio.

The Enseada de San Simón is included in the Natura 2000 network as a Special Area of Conservation. Within Galicia’s protected-area network, it belongs to the Zone of Special Protection of its natural values. The facilities of the Clube Náutico de Arcade are located beside O Peirao beach and have direct access to the fishing and sports quay.

Paths and beaches

The Arcade-Xunqueiras route runs along the sea and the Río Verdugo. It passes beaches within the Enseada de San Simón Special Area of Conservation in the Natura 2000 network. As a circular route, it runs through Arcade.

Xunqueira de Arcade has a riverside beach with showers, stone tables, a beach-volleyball court and a children’s playground. This area also includes shade-providing trees, a seasonal summer beach bar and parking spaces.

Praia de Matilde is an official recreational area in the parish of Arcade. The Peirao de Arcade lies on the Camino Portugués de la Costa, while Praia de Matilde lies on the Camino Portugués.

In the Xunqueira area, shade-providing trees and parking spaces are available alongside the riverside beach; the summer beach bar is seasonal. O Peirao beach forms part of the surroundings of the Clube Náutico facilities, while the Área de Arcade comprises a beach area, play area, park and promenade. The Arcade-Xunqueiras route is designed as a circular route, while the named paths at the Peirao and Praia de Matilde are assigned to different routes of the Camino Portugués.

Culture

The parish church of Santiago de Arcade is part of Soutomaior’s significant cultural heritage. Fonte A Lavandeira is a traditional Galician architectural ensemble consisting of a spring and a washhouse.

The A Mariscadora monument stands along the route through Arcade. It is a work by Carlos Tesouro and is connected with the tradition of female shellfish gatherers.

Getting there

The Área de Arcade is a municipal site with a beach area, play area, park and promenade. From the N-550, the Área de Arcade can be reached via the exit towards the port of Arcade.

Castelo de Soutomaior can be reached from Arcade via the N-550 and then the provincial road EP-2908, following the signs to the castle.

To the higher-level travel overview: Soutomaior.