What you can see on the Viveiro webcam
MeteoGalicia's camera stands at the Penedo do Galo viewpoint, about 545 m (1,790 ft) up in the hills east of the town, and looks west across the whole ría: the town and its beaches at the head of the inlet, a harbour on the far shore and the open sea on the right. It is a still image, ideal for the weather along this whole coast.
The whole ría of Viveiro from Penedo do Galo
Penedo do Galo is a rocky viewpoint about 545 m (1,790 ft) up in the hills east of Viveiro, and MeteoGalicia's camera there looks west across the entire ría. On the left, the town and its beaches sit at the head of the inlet; in the middle, the water widens past a harbour breakwater on the far shore; on the right, the ría opens into the Cantabrian Sea. Forested hills line the far side.
With the sun behind the camera, mornings give the best colour; by late afternoon it is looking into the light. It is a fine camera for the weather along the whole of this northern coast: low cloud on the hills, showers crossing the sea or a clear, sharp horizon. Still image, not video.
Holy Week and the Carlos V gate
Viveiro's Holy Week processions are among the most important in Galicia and have been declared of International Tourist Interest since 2013, with brotherhoods carrying carved images through the narrow streets at night. Its carnival is said to be the oldest in Galicia. Of the medieval walls, three gates survive; the finest, the Porta de Carlos V, carries the arms of the emperor and has become the symbol of the town. A medieval bridge crosses the river Landro beside the old centre.
When to watch Viveiro
Viveiro is one hour ahead of the UK and Ireland. The camera looks west, so mornings bring the best light; in the late afternoon it faces the sun. The north coast catches weather blowing in off the sea: look for low cloud on the hills, showers crossing the water and, after a front has passed, a sharp, clear horizon. Summer sea fog can fill the ría while the hills above are in sunshine.
Around Viveiro
The fishing port of Celeiro lies just north of the town, and the coast road west leads to Estaca de Bares, the northernmost point of Spain. Eastwards along the Mariña, Ribadeo is the gateway to the beach of As Catedrais, with its sea arches at low tide.
Getting to Viveiro
Santiago de Compostela airport is about 90 miles (145 km) away. Viveiro has a station on the narrow-gauge railway along the north coast, and the drive along the coast road from Ferrol is one of the most scenic in Galicia.
