Casa da Navegación

Casa da Navegación is a municipal museum in the historic center of Baiona (Pontevedra, Galicia), housed in the heritage building known as Casa Carvajal at Rúa Ventura Misa 17. In 2017 the Xunta de Galicia officially recognized it as a museum center, and its exhibits trace the historical, urban and social evolution of the town — which carries the honorary title "Real Vila" — along with the outsized role its port played in the history of Atlantic navigation.

What can you see inside?

The permanent collection focuses on the trade relations Baiona maintained with Europe and the Americas, and on the town's place on the map of the great age of discovery. Baiona holds a unique claim to fame: it was the first place in Europe to receive news that the New World had been discovered. On 1 March 1493, the caravel Pinta sailed into Baiona's harbor, arriving before Columbus himself had even made it back to Palos. The museum explains this episode through an accessible, didactic display that walks visitors through the town's development stage by stage, alongside the growth of its harbor.

One of the newer highlights is a virtual reality experience that lets visitors step aboard a recreation of the famous 1492 caravel Pinta and get a feel for daily life during the transatlantic crossing. The Pinta was a three-masted caravel nearly 23 meters long and 6.60 meters wide, capable of carrying up to 26 crew members. Commanded by Martín Alonso Pinzón, she was the second-largest vessel in Columbus's fleet, and it was from her deck that land in the New World was first sighted.

How does it connect with the Pinta replica?

A combined ticket lets you pair the museum visit with a tour of the full-size replica of the caravel Pinta, moored in Baiona's harbor — a natural extension of the exhibition that gives a tangible sense of the scale and conditions aboard a 15th-century ship.

When should you visit?

The museum is open Tuesday through Saturday, from 10:00 to 13:00 and again from 16:00 to 19:00. It's worth timing a visit around these windows, since the museum is closed on Sundays and Mondays.

How much does it cost?

Standard admission to Casa da Navegación costs €2. A combined ticket that also includes the Pinta caravel replica costs €3. Entry is free for children under 6, people with disabilities, official tourist guides, and on International Museum Day (18 May) and Tourist Day.

Frequently asked questions

What is Casa da Navegación? It's a municipal museum in Baiona dedicated to the history of Atlantic navigation and the town's trade ties with Europe and the Americas, set inside the historic Casa Carvajal building.

Why is Baiona linked to the discovery of America? Because it was the port of Baiona where the caravel Pinta arrived in March 1493, delivering the first news in Europe of the discovery of the New World before Columbus had even returned to Spain.

Is it worth combining the visit with the Pinta caravel? Yes — the €3 combined ticket covers both the museum and the docked replica caravel, letting you experience the history from the inside as well.

What are the opening hours? The museum operates Tuesday to Saturday, from 10:00–13:00 and 16:00–19:00; it is closed the rest of the week.

For bookings, contact the museum at +34 986 356 688 or casa.navegacion@baiona.gal.