Carril

Carril is a Galician town that we often pass when we are travelling down the coast on route to somewhere like Cambados, however it is not somewhere where we usually choose to stop off at. This time though, we broke with routine and had a look around. Carril is in the province of Pontevedra.

Carril runs along the side of the ria and the river that feeds it, and the most striking feature for me is the impressive and highly ornate white painted stone wall that prevents you from falling off the promenade and into the water.

This wall sweeps around bends and frames the estuarial river perfectly. It has quite a grand appearance and makes me think of somewhere like Brighton in England.

Right, the small port with the town beyond.

A summary of Carril

The town has a promenade, a beach (although definitely not as nice as many others), a small port and a managed shellfish farm which is only recognisable if you realise that all of the sticks projecting from the water create attachment points for the crustaceans. These farms are common place in the rias.

Left, a view from an area to the side of the beach with a large cafe. Unfortunately, the dull day does nothing to enhance the beach and view, but on a bright sunny day everything looks a lot better.

Inside Carril you have the usual mix of businesses, bars, cafes and homes, but this is not a major holiday town – or it has never appeared to be so to me. That said, on a nice sunny day you can take a walk down by the water’s edge, or call in at a bar and take a break if you are on route to another destination.

The other thing that I noticed about Carril was a number of very attractive and stately looking small manor houses as you leave the town. Many were very colourful and they always catch my eye when I drive through this district.

I have included a picture of one these mini mansions to the right.

Right, a photo looking back at the town from the port area.