Parque da Canuda

Parque da Canuda is a riverside park in Salvaterra de Miño, in the province of Pontevedra, stretching along the bank of the Miño River, which forms the natural border with Portugal at this point. It is one of the largest green spaces in Galicia, open to visitors every day of the year, free of charge.

How do you get there?

The park sits right next to the centre of Salvaterra de Miño, so reaching it on foot from town takes only a few minutes. Visitors arriving by car from Vigo, Tui or Ponteareas will find parking near the entrance. The flat terrain and wide network of paths make the park easy to navigate by bike or wheelchair — the infrastructure has been adapted for visitors with disabilities.

What will you find inside?

Parque da Canuda opened in 1992 and has been steadily expanded ever since. Inside you'll find:

• a promenade running along the Miño riverbank, facing the Portuguese shore,
• playgrounds for children alongside recreation areas for adults,
• a traffic safety circuit where kids learn cycling rules in a controlled setting,
• gardens and ethnographic and agricultural areas that showcase the region's traditional landscape,
• a small mini zoo,
• outdoor swimming pools, tennis courts, and football and basketball courts,
• skate ramps and rinks for skating,
• a nature classroom and a small lake where visitors can take out recreational boats,
• a cycling lane with a free bike rental service,
• fountains, drinking water points, public restrooms and picnic spots.

The park also serves as the starting point for several walking and cycling routes that follow the Miño and Tea rivers — trails that stay open year-round, whether you're on foot or on two wheels.

When is the best time to visit?

The park is open all year, but most of its seasonal attractions — the swimming pools, boat rental and bike hire — run in summer, from June to September, when the weather is best suited to long riverside walks. Spring and autumn are better suited to quieter hikes along the Miño trails, when the vegetation changes colour and the park sees far fewer visitors than in July and August.

Who is it for?

Given its size and range of facilities, Parque da Canuda works best as a family day-out destination — the playgrounds, traffic circuit and mini zoo appeal to children, while cyclists and hikers will appreciate the access to the riverside trails. It's also a convenient stop for travellers crossing the Galicia-Portugal border, close to the crossings near Tui and Valença.

Frequently asked questions

Is entry to the park free? Yes, Parque da Canuda is open to the public free of charge, every day of the year.

Can you rent a bike at the park? Yes, a free bike rental service operates on site, letting visitors explore the park and the nearby riverside trails.

Is this a good place to visit with children? Yes, the park offers playgrounds, a traffic safety circuit, a mini zoo and a small lake with recreational boats, making it an appealing destination for families.

Can you start a longer hiking or cycling route from the park? Yes, Parque da Canuda is the starting point for routes that follow the Miño and Tea rivers, open year-round to both walkers and cyclists.