Parque Arqueolóxico da Arte Rupestre

Parque Arqueolóxico da Arte Rupestre is an archaeological park in the municipality of Campo Lameiro, in the province of Pontevedra, Galicia. Spread across nearly 22 hectares, it protects more than a hundred carved rock panels dating back 2,000 to 4,000 years, making it one of the largest open-air concentrations of rock art in Europe.

What will you see?

The engravings belong to the Atlantic rock art tradition, produced by Bronze Age communities along the western coast of the Iberian Peninsula. Carved into granite outcrops, the motifs include spirals, concentric circles, labyrinth-like patterns, and animal figures — deer and wild boar appear especially often. The carvings can't really be separated from the landscape around them: the rocks sit among heathland and woods, and their placement and orientation are closely tied to the shape of the terrain itself.

The park has a modern interpretation centre that explains how the petroglyphs are dated, the carving techniques used, and the anthropological background of Galicia's prehistoric communities. The centre also includes a reconstructed Bronze Age settlement, giving a sense of how the people who made these carvings might have lived.

How do you get there?

Campo Lameiro lies inland in the province of Pontevedra, away from the Galician coast. The easiest way to reach it is by car; the nearest larger cities are Pontevedra and Vigo, with local roads connecting into the municipality. The park has its own visitor car park.

How do you visit the park?

The walking route covers more than 3 kilometres, is clearly signposted, and crosses varied natural terrain, so comfortable closed-toe shoes are a good idea. You can explore on your own or join a guided tour led by an archaeologist, who explains the meaning behind the different motifs and their historical context. During the summer season, the park also runs night visits, when the petroglyphs are lit at a raking angle — the resulting shadows bring out details in the carvings that are far harder to see in daylight.

When should you visit?

Opening hours change with the season. In winter (January, February, November, and December) the park is open Tuesday to Sunday, 10:00 to 15:00. In the low season (March–May and September–October) hours extend to 10:00–18:00. In June it's open Tuesday to Sunday, 10:00 to 21:00, with guided visits at 12:30 and 18:00. In July and August, the peak season, hours run 11:00 to 21:00, with an additional guided visit at 19:30. The park is closed on Mondays, except when a national or regional holiday falls on that day.

Booking ahead is recommended, especially for the educational workshops and guided tours, which fill up quickly during peak season.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does a visit to the park take? The full route runs over 3 km, and allowing time for the interpretation centre, a relaxed visit takes around two to three hours.

Is the route suitable for children? Yes, the path is clearly marked and crosses moderately varied terrain. The park also runs dedicated family workshops and dramatised guided visits.

Can you visit without a guide? Yes, self-guided visits are available, though joining a guided tour with an archaeologist gives a much richer understanding of the carvings' symbolism and historical context.

What are the night visits, and how do they work? These are special evening tours where the petroglyphs are lit with artificial raking light. The angled light casts shadows that make the carved lines far easier to read than in daylight. They run seasonally, usually in summer.