Prazer da Natureza Resort & Spa

Should you choose to venture out from your place of zen, further activities await beyond the park gates. Perhaps start with a walk – there are lots of routes to choose from nearby, but a popular one is the 45-minute stroll to the Vilar de Mouros waterfalls, passing the village’s Roman bridge along the way. Near here there’s a little river beach where you can paddle or join canoe and kayak tours to explore the River Coura. More beach fun is at Praia do Moledo, around a 20-minute drive from the park. Strong wind and waves here make it a popular spot for windsurfing and surfing; if you’re a bit nervous about taking to the water, sign up for a surfing or paddleboarding lesson at a surf school in Vila Praia de Âncora, a little further down the coast and about half an hour from the site. From the beach in Praia do Moledo you can also hop on a boat tour to Ínsua Fortress, a 15th-century convent (and later defensive fort) on a rocky outcrop a short ride from the coast. Cross the river Minho and the border into Spain to visit more ace historical sites: the Santa Tecla Celtic Village and the Iron Age Castro de Santa Trega village are both around a half-hour drive from the park. Continue further north and around an hour from the park you’ll reach the town of Vigo, where you can wander round the Castro Fortress and its fab gardens, visit the fish market and relax on some of the gorgeous beaches. It’s also the jumping-off point for boat trips to the Islas Cíes to explore the archipelago’s beaut beaches, lakes and hiking trails.