What to see and where to eat in Melide

What to see and where to eat in Melide

Melide, a municipality in the Terra de Melide region of A Coruña, is known for being an important stopping place on the Pilgrims' Route to Santiago de Compostela. The French Way, the most popular and busiest, and the Primitive Way, the oldest of the Way of Saint James, converge here.

The old quarter of Melide retains a traditional charm, with cobbled streets and stone houses. Strolling through its streets, you will find several monuments of historical interest, such as the Church of Santa María, a Gothic church from the 14th century that stands out for its tower and altarpiece.

One of Melide's most outstanding attractions is its famous gastronomy. The town is known for its delicious octopus a la gallega, a typical Galician dish consisting of boiled octopus served with olive oil, paprika and coarse salt. 

Later in this post, we will give you some recommendations on where you can eat this delicious dish. In addition, you can also enjoy other traditional Galician dishes such as empanada, Galician broth or melindres as sweets.

In terms of events and festivities, Melide celebrates several activities throughout the year, such as the Corpus Christi Festival known as "O Corpus", which is held in June and in which the streets are decorated with carpets of flowers. 

The Festa do Melindre is also held in May and is the most important gastronomic event in the region of Melide. Melindres, which are well known in Melide's confectionery, are small doughnuts that are given a shine with a sugar bath.

In this article we will see, firstly, what to do in Melide and, secondly, where to eat well in this town.

What to see in Melide

The Camino de Santiago is one of the most famous and oldest routes through Europe. In particular, the Camino de Santiago French is the most popular and busiest of them all. It starts in the town of Saint Jean Pied de Port, on the French side of the Pyrenees, and crosses the whole of northern Spain until it reaches Santiago de Compostela.

In Melide, this route intersects with the Camino Primitivo, offering pilgrims a unique insight into the rich history and culture of this region. Along the way, you can enjoy breathtaking landscapes, historic monuments and the hospitality of the local people. Indeed, walking the French Way of St. James is an unforgettable experience that combines spirituality, adventure and personal discovery.

Church of Santa Maria

This parish church is one of the main landmarks in Melide. It was built in the 12th century and has been listed as a National Monument. It is a Romanesque style church with a single nave and its interior contains capitals of figures with great symbolism, as well as Renaissance paintings from the 16th century. 

It has a Romanesque altar which is one of the few remaining in Galicia today. It is a great attraction in the area, becoming one of the most important in Galicia.

Medieval bridge

On the route of the Way of St. James to Furelos we find the medieval bridge that crosses the Seco river. It is one of the jewels of the Camino's civil architecture and preserves its medieval essence.

In Furelos you can visit the church of San Xoán and the Ethnographic Museum of Furelos, which is located next to the bridge and allows you to learn more about the popular culture of the village. Nearby is the recreational area with a river beach, bathing area and picnic area that will allow you to cool off and relax after your route.

Terra de Melide Museum

This ethnographic museum was founded in 1978 and offers a fascinating insight into the history and culture of the area. It exhibits objects and tools related to the rural and traditional life of Melide and the surrounding area.

It is a museum with several sections, including archaeology, with remains of the castrexa culture, ethnography, especially highlighting the traditional trades, the typical clothing of Melide and traditional music. They also contemplate the Ways of St. James with photographs of monuments found on the Primitive Way and the French Way as it passes through Melide.

Strolling through the streets of the historic centre of Melide

The streets of Melide are always busy, both with pilgrims and locals. If you walk through these narrow streets you will see that they are always alive. Sometimes there is a market where people from the villages go to sell the products they harvest. A stroll through Melide will immerse you in a lively atmosphere and you will also be able to enjoy its most important heritage.

Where to eat in Melide

In addition to the culinary delights of Melide, Galicia has much more to offer in terms of gastronomy. If you're on the Camino de Santiago, a must-visit place to enjoy Galician food is Santiago de Compostela. Here, you can sample everything from traditional Galician octopus to empanadas, cheeses and excellent local wines.

To discover the best places where to eat in Santiago de Compostelawe recommend you follow this link. Here you will find a wide variety of recommendations ranging from fine dining restaurants to more casual local taverns, all offering an authentic Galician culinary experience.

Pulpería A Garnacha

This famous pulpería is a must on your visit to Melide. You will enjoy a delicious octopus as well as other dishes such as padrón peppers, cachelos or cheese with quince jelly. They have an extensive tapas menu. They offer an excellent service, something that their diners highlight together with the quality of the products.

Pulpería Ezequie

This restaurant has gained an excellent reputation for the quality of its octopus and its traditional atmosphere. They offer homemade food with local products. It has daily set menus, takeaway menus and raciones, among which is the delicious octopus. It is also a highly recommended stop if you want to know more. here we leave you their website.

Parrillada Ramos

This raxería-parrillada specialises in raxo and churrasco. They also have a menu offering meat and fish, and during the week they have a daily set menu with various dishes to choose from. Its diners highlight the treatment of the staff and the value for money of the food.

Mesón O Toxo

This mesón is a traditional family-run place that offers homemade and plentiful food. They have a set menu with dishes such as Galician stew at a good price. The staff is very attentive, you will feel at home and you won't leave this restaurant hungry.

A Bodeguilla

It is a reference point in the wine area of Melide. If you are in the area walking around you will see that there is always an atmosphere in the streets and this place has a lot of customers. They are specialists in wines, with an extensive wine list, and they also offer tapas for tapas. The staff is excellent and they are always passing by with free pinchos to accompany your drink.

Summary

Melide is a charming village that combines historical importance as a stop on the Camino de Santiago with a rich gastronomic tradition and an attractive natural environment.