Galicia

Situated in the lush Val Miñor valley, Gondomar is a town and municipality where you can enjoy both idyllic Galician countryside and easy access to the coast. On long walks through the hills and valleys you’ll find petroglyphs, dolmens and the remains of Celtic settlements; all clear reminders of the ancient history of this charming area. As well as country hikes and fabulous mountain views you will no doubt spend time on the fabulous sandy beaches in nearby Nigrán. Gondomar itself is a small working town with a traditional, historic centre filled with small shops, bars, cafes and restaurants where you get a real taste for life in a typical Galician town. Strategically, Gondomar is conveniently placed to explore this fascinating region with Baiona, Vigo and Tui all being just a short drive away.

The typically Galician cluster of pretty stone houses that make up the hamlet of Hio sit at the gateway to some of the most stunningly unspoilt beaches we have discovered in this southern corner of Galicia.

From the ancient stone cross that marks its centre, a country road winds its way past the local café and some excellent restaurants before heading out along the coast towards the headland at the tip of the Morrazo peninsula.  Here, amidst a picturesque patchwork of vineyards and meadows, narrow lanes lead off the road to the water’s edge where Caribbean-like white sands fringe sheltered bays and provide idyllic settings from which to watch the fishermen as they navigate their boats between the mussel beds.

Marín is situated on the south shore of the beautiful Ría de Pontevedra. Boasting sandy beaches with crystalline waters and lush green hillsides, the colours here will astound you. With the sea and hills all around you, the area is perfect for enjoying a wide range of outdoor activities such as hiking, cycling, horse riding, sailing and kayaking. The coastline around Marín is the ideal place to enjoy excellent fish and seafood fresh straight from the Ría and it is this quality and freshness that has made Galician seafood world renowned. In Marín itself you’ll find a wide range of shops, supermarkets, bars and restaurants. It is a buzzy town with an infectious atmosphere, the home of the Spanish naval academy and the birthplace of Davide Salvado, arguably the most important voice in modern Galician folk music.

Nestled in the peaceful River Tea Valley, the hospitable town of Mondariz Balneario has long been a desirable location for many due to its therapeutic waters, luxurious Spa Hotel and surrounding historical heritage. Following the construction of the original Grand Hotel in the early twentieth century, Mondariz Balneario has long been frequented by high class members of society, including members of royalty, and nowadays Mondariz Balneario remains one of the most important spa resorts in Galicia. Alongside the luxurious Spa Hotel, the town offers welcoming eateries where traditional Galician cuisine can be enjoyed and the river Tea, which winds is way lazily alongside the town, has a number of pretty walking routes through the countryside and a River Beach where visitors can enjoy the peaceful surroundings and dip their toes into the water.

Negreira is a charming town that sits in the valley of the Tambre River which connects the interior parishes of the region with the coast at Noia. Having long been a place of refuge for pilgrims on the Finisterre route of the Camino de Santiago, there are still two 'refugios' which welcome weary travellers to this day. You’ll find all amenities and a range of shops, supermarkets, bars and restaurants throughout the buzzy streets in what is very much a typical working town and somewhere to truly experience everyday Galician life. Rich in history and surrounded by some breathtakingly beautiful countryside, Negreira is ideally situated just a short distance from the spectacular city and UNESCO world heritage site of Santiago de Compostela and within easy reach of the stunning coastline that extends outwards from the Ría de Muros e Noia, providing a great base from which to explore this enchanting area of the Rías Baixas.  

Vilacoba is a rural hamlet situated in the heart of the Galician countryside. Perfect for long walks and exploring the hills and forests which are the settings for so many local myths and legends, you are still within easy reach of the fascinating city of Pontevedra, beautiful sandy beaches and the stunning O Grove peninsula. In the neighbouring village of A Chan, you’ll find a small bar, a small shop and the famous ‘Santuario de A Virxe dos Milagres de Amil’ church which plays host to one of the region’s most renowned and traditional fiestas in September each year. A range of shops and restaurants can be found in nearby Moraña however; you’ll find some of the best restaurants off the beaten track where you can enjoy some delicious home-cooked cuisine. 

Seen by many as the jewel in the Galician crown, Santiago de Compostela is a beautiful city steeped in history. Its ancient streets have welcomed weary pilgrims for centuries and devoted travellers on the famous Camino de Santiago are rewarded with what must be one of the most breath-taking views in the entire Iberian Peninsula; the stunning cathedral façade stood over the Praza do Obradoiro. Being a university centre, the streets and bars buzz with a youthful energy and the narrow streets are lined with boutique shops, bars and restaurants. The city is also home to many parks and the relatively small historic centre makes it easily navigable on foot.   

Samieira is a small parish situated on the north coast of the picturesque Ría de Pontevedra. The area is popular for walking with one particularly well known route being ‘A Ruta dos Muiños’, a beautiful walk which takes in 23 historic water mills and 3 look-out points offering stunning views of the surrounding countryside. There are a couple of restaurants, bars and small convenience shops in Samieira whilst a wider range of amenities can be found in nearby Sanxenxo.

In this area you’ll enjoy easy access to the historic city of Pontevedra, the stunning peninsula of O Grove and the wealth of fantastic beaches which stretch all the way around the Atlantic headland and then along the banks of the Ría. In neighbouring Combarro you’ll find one of Galicia’s most famous picture-postcard views, the line of old hórreos (grain stores) perched along the water’s edge and in the wealth of restaurants and cafés situated behind them you’ll be able to try the maiz empanada for which the village is also known.

Portonovo is a fishing village with an attractive port area backed by a wide range of bars and restaurants. In the port area you’ll also find Baltar beach, one of three sandy blue flag beaches that belong to the village. It is well worth a leisurely walk around the port area to see all the boats and the fisherman landing their daily catch and depending on the time of day, why not stop off in the Lonxa and enjoy a coffee or a beer with them. Neighbouring the popular seaside resort of Sanxenxo and equidistant between the historic city of Pontevedra and the area of outstanding natural beauty which is O Grove, Portonovo is ideally situated to make the most of this stunning area of the Rías Baixas.

At almost 2km long, this is one of Galicia’s most emblematic and popular beaches. Awarded Blue Flag status every year, the beach has fantastic facilities and is backed by an array of bars and restaurants which all serve up fabulous fish and seafood fresh from the waters all around the coast. The beach is situated in Nigrán which enjoys a privileged coastal location between Vigo and Baiona. The area is home to an array of fine sandy beaches, traditional fishing villages and a number of beautiful old ‘Pazos’ (noble houses), reminders of a prosperous period of economic growth which took place in the Middle Ages due to the rise of a number of important commercial centres in the region thanks to their enviable Atlantic-facing positions on the Ría de Vigo.     

Panxón is a charming traditional fishing village situated in the municipality of Nigrán. It has a small, buzzy port which is backed by a variety of restaurants all serving delicious, freshly-caught fish and seafood. The port sits at one end of a fine sandy beach, which is an extension of the area’s most famous beach, Playa América. Panxón’s bay with its soft sand and tranquil clear waters is protected from northerly winds by Monteferro, a forested peninsula which is home to a great variety of flora and fauna and offers stunning coastal views. Panxón is situated in the municipality of Nigrán which is most famous for its fabulous beaches, historic fishing villages and fine noble houses (Pazos), which are testament to a golden age of economic expansion that took place in the region owed to the success of many of its Atlantic-facing ports which became important commercial centres in the Middle Ages.

Whilst most famous for its stunning 12th century monastery which sits perched above the waves looking out to sea, Oia boasts some quite spectacular scenery. Nature lovers are in paradise here with the nearby Serra dá Groba being home to a rich variety of flora and fauna as well as mountain streams, small lakes and waterfalls. The area is fantastic for walking and as well as offering stunning views of the surrounding countryside and the Atlantic Ocean, explorers are rewarded with opportunities to discover Bronze Age petroglyphs, Iron Age remains and former Celtic settlements, all reminders of Oia’s rich and fascinating history.

In Oia itself you’ll find two good quality restaurants and you’ll also find a good number of excellent eateries dotted along the dramatic coastline which is part of the coastal route of the world-famous Camino de Santiago. Situated on a beautiful and dramatic stretch of coastline, you’ll find the attractive and historic town of Baiona to the north and the traditional fishing town of A Guarda to the south.

Situated between the Minho River and the Atlantic Ocean, O Rosal is best known for its lush green countryside dotted with vineyards from which the delicious local Albariño wine is produced. The region is perfect for nature lovers with numerous opportunities for long walks to discover hidden waterfalls and natural swimming pools and bird watchers will be in paradise with the area being home to a great variety of species which are attracted to diverse habitats, from forest-covered hills to the tidal freshwater wetlands of the River Minho.

No visit to the region would be complete without visiting ‘Os Muiños do Folón and Picón’, a series of 60 historic mills that wind their way uphill through beautiful countryside, offering a number of enticing walking routes. Life in the town of O Rosal itself centres around the picturesque plaza which is lined with bars, restaurants and small shops. You’ll find all amenities here and a well-stocked supermarket will ensure you have everything you need. As well as being ideally situated to explore this beautiful, most southerly part of Galicia, Northern Portugal lies just across the water and gives you the chance to experience two fascinating cultures in one trip.       

Bordered on almost all sides by sea and golden beaches, the district of O Grove is famed for its seafood, its idyllic and beautifully unspoilt coastline and its rich maritime history.  Situated on the western tip of the peninsula that weaves between the waters of the ‘rías’ of Pontevedra and Arousa and linked to the mainland by a strip of land fringed by the impressively long sweep of sands of La Lanzada, it has become one of the most highly sought after destinations of Galicia’s Rías Baixas. A short drive from O Grove will reveal some of the many beauty spots to be found along this picturesque peninsula:  the golden sands of Playa de Pipas, the majestic dune backed bay of La Lanzada and the pretty island of La Toja being just a few.

Home to some of the most emblematic beaches of the Rías Baixas, Nigrán enjoys a privileged coastal location between Vigo and Baiona. Due to its enviable position, it is not surprising to learn that the area has been inhabited for thousands of years, with the economy of the local people having always been intrinsically linked to the sea. It is this connection to the sea that arguably makes Nigrán so appealing with numerous sandy beaches, many with stunning views across the water to the world famous Cies Islands, an abundance of fresh fish and seafood served up in friendly and welcoming restaurants and a wide range of water based activities on offer such as kayaking, sailing and surfing.

Praia de Patos is renowned as one of the region’s best surf beaches for all levels of ability and there is an excellent surf school based on the beach itself. Heading slightly inland will give you chance to discover several ‘Pazos’ (noble houses) which are reminders of the economic rewards that a prosperous period of expansion in the Middle Ages brought to the area through the growth of important commercial centres such as that at A Ramallosa.   

On the eastern shore of the Ría de Vigo, between Redondela and Arcade, the pretty waterfront village of Cesantes looks out from its sandy beach and typical summer ‘chiringuitos’ (beach bars) onto an enticing panorama of shimmering, sheltered waters.  It is here, in the fjord-like inlet that winds its way inland from the sea, that some of the world’s finest seafood is produced and just a short drive north of Cesantes, daily catches, mainly of oyster and mussel, are hauled onto the shores of the ‘seafood capital’ of Arcade.

A Guarda is a traditional Galician fishing town with a rich history. Its most famous attraction must be the majestic Mount Santa Tecla which, with an elevation of 341 metres, rewards visitors with spectacular views of the River Minho, Spain, Portugal and the Atlantic Ocean. The summit is also home to a fascinating former Celtic settlement with restored houses, a museum and petroglyphs dating to 2000 years before the Celtic occupation of the site.

Back down in the town itself, the atmospheric port is backed by an array of excellent restaurants serving the day’s catch, surely the perfect place to try the lobster for which the town is famous. Furthermore, A Guarda boasts some quite magnificent beaches which sit on the mouth of the River Minho with soft white sands, calm shallow waters and lovely views across the water to Portugal and out to sea. If those views should catch your eye, you can make use of the handy ferry service which connects A Guarda to the historic Portuguese town of Caminha across the river.

In Cangas there are supermarkets and a wider variety of shops and amenities as well as a port from which you can get a boat across to the fascinating city of Vigo or out to the world famous Cies Islands, home to Praia de Rodas which was once named the world’s best beach by the Guardian newspaper.

Medieval Baiona overlooks the open sea across to the Cies Islands. Its old town, declared of historical interest in 1993, is made up of stone and granite buildings, narrow streets and quaint squares. It is overflowing with tapas bars and restaurants serving freshly caught seafood such as clams, octopus and mussels, succulent locally sourced beef, cheeses and homemade empanada, all washed down with local wine and liqueurs. The medieval Castillo de Monterreal, now the Parador, stands at one end of the promenade which stretches over 4 kilometres, past the marina, yacht club and beyond to the open stretches of sandy beach. In Baiona Port visitors can see a replica of La Pinta, one of Columbus’ ships that made the journey to the New World.

In the southern area of Galicia, just a short drive from the border with Portugal, the local town of O Porriño is surrounded by the meandering lanes and picturesque countryside that make this such an attractive region for a holiday.  Amidst a patchwork of fields and gently rolling hillside, clusters of pretty stone homes occupy rural villages, locals gather for meals and chatter in the nearest local bar and just 25 minutes away by car are the sheltered sandy beaches and atmospheric fishing ports that line Galicia’s southern coastline.

Goián is a historic fort town on the banks of the River Minho. For centuries it played an important role in the Spanish defence system against their nearest neighbours and rivals across the river, the Portuguese. The old fort has been recently transformed into an attractive space for visitors and together with a sandy river beach and small beach café, Goián’s riverside makes an idyllic leisure spot for the whole family. The town centre houses a variety of small shops and café/bars as well as a popular restaurant which is known throughout the area for serving excellent quality traditional Galician cuisine.