Mirador de San Felipe Fort
Perched on the southern headland where the Ría de Ferrol narrows to just 600 metres, the Castillo de San Felipe offers the most dramatic viewpoint in the entire estuary — a sweeping panorama of the ocean entrance, the opposing Castillo de La Palma, and the green Galician hills rolling behind. On a clear day, the view stretches far into the Atlantic.
A Fort Built for a Bottleneck
San Felipe was constructed in the 16th century and substantially reinforced in the 18th century specifically to control the narrow channel that is Ferrol's greatest geographical asset — and vulnerability. The twin forts of San Felipe and La Palma on the opposite bank could theoretically close the estuary entrance with overlapping cannon fire, making Ferrol's inner harbour almost impregnable.
Walking the ramparts today, you can still see the original cannon embrasures cut into the thick granite walls, now framing views of fishing boats and the occasional naval vessel rather than enemy frigates. The geometry of the fortification — curved walls following the headland's natural contour — is beautiful in its own right.
The Walk Down and the Estuary Below
The fort is reached via a pleasant 20-minute walk from the village of La Palma (on the opposite bank, accessed by a small ferry from Ferrol's waterfront) or by road from the Ferrol side through the village of Brión. Either approach rewards you with changing views of the estuary and the eucalyptus-scented coastal scrub typical of this corner of Galicia.
Arrive in the morning when the light comes from the east and illuminates the water between the two forts — the colour of the ría shifts from deep green to silver depending on the tide and the cloud cover, and the contrast with the dark granite ramparts is spectacular. Bring a jacket; the headland catches the Atlantic wind even on warm days.
Mirador de San Felipe Fort on video
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