HombreDHojalata · CC BY-SA 3.0Mountain village
Verín is a town and municipality in the southeast of the province of Ourense, in the autonomous community of Galicia, Spain. The population of the municipality is about 14,433. It is located 70 kilometers east of the provincial capital of Ourense and 15 kilometers north of the Portuguese city of Chaves. The Tâmega River flows through the town. In the Middle Ages it was known as Santa María de Verín.
The town is linked with Madrid and Ourense by the four-lane A-52 (Autovia das Rias Baixas) and by the N-525. The main railway line linking Ourense to Madrid passes through mountains north of the town, but the nearest station is at La Gudiña, 31 km to the east.
Verín is a town of services with declining agricultural activity. There is a denominated wine region—Monterrei—located in the surrounding area. There are also three mineral water bottling plants in the town: Cabreiroá, Fontenova and Sousas.
Carnival here is one of the most original in Spain with the Cigarrón, masked figures running through the streets brandishing whips and making an interesting sound caused by cow bells tied to their waists (See zanpantzar for a similar tradition in the Pyrenees). Everything has a medieval air, with little influence from the Brazilian-style carnival, which has become popular in other Spanish and Portuguese cities.
Verín major tourist site is actually in the neighboring Monterrei, which is the Castle of Monterrei, a huge complex looming over the rather non-descript urban area. To reach the castle you drive about two kilometers in the direction of Ourense on the old highway, turning off on the right to climb two kilometers, passing a winery on the left. There is a parador next to the castle.
Text from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA)
The essentials for getting around Verín without surprises: how to get there, municipal facts and when it's most worth coming.
Coordinates: 41.9404° N, 7.4391° O
By bus: check the regional bus timetables, they change by season. If you come without a car, confirm the last service back before you leave.
We only list verified numbers. The town hall itself will give you the number of the clinic or the pharmacy.
There are no events in Verín's calendar yet, so any month works. Ask us about the local festivals: almost every village has one.
Spring
Thaw and green fields. Some mountain access can stay tricky until May.
Summer
Long days and cool nights. The best time for hikes.
Autumn
Forests at their best and far fewer people.
Winter
Serious winter at this altitude: snow likely and chains in the car. Check the state of the roads before heading up.
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