Galicia is rocking the corner of the Iberian Peninsula! Spanish hospitality and attitude differ a lot between Spanish regions. You’ve got the party-loving Andalusia, the cosmopolitan Madrid, the artsy Barcelona… and then there’s Galicia, the mysterious, authentic, shaped by nature — it’s like the Ireland of Spain but with tapas and a strong Celtic twist. I spent a couple of weeks discovering the unique things to do in Galicia, which is really Spain’s best-kept secret!
Everyone I met in Galicia was extremely kind and helpful. I traveled across Galicia, mostly by public transport; the railway network is excellent. People are soaked in local culture and traditions, which actually turned out lovely!
Unique things to do in Galicia.
You will not believe how many unique spots and natural wonders remain in the territory of Galicia. Over one million people walk the Camino de Santiago every year to reach the famous Santiago de Compostela, the most famous city in Galicia.
There’s also Playa de las Catedrales, which is probably one of the most magnificent beaches in the world, with its unique rock formations. Finally, the Cies Islands, named by National Geographic the Caribbean of Europe, are also worth visiting.
Galicia road trip.
I flew to Lisbon and from there I traveled by train northward to Vigo, to follow the route: Vigo – Santiago de Compostella – Cies Islands – A Coruna – Ribadeo – Playa de Las Catedrales – Bilbao, which is a very good itinerary for a Galicia road trip. Traveling by public transport gave me a good overview of the region and an idea of all the stunning things to do in Galicia.
The best way to book your train tickets is on Trainline – Europe’s leading train and coach app.
Also, one of the best ways to experience the diversity of Galicia is to rent a car – I’ve rented a car tens of times in Spain and across the Canary Islands, it’s cheap and straightforward – here is all you need to know about car hire in Spain.
Airports in Galicia.
There are three international airports in Galicia:
- Lavacolla Airport in Santiago de Compostela
- Alvedro Airport in A Coruña
- Peinador Airport in Vigo
Santiago is the largest and handles the most flights.
Galicia itinerary.
One month would not be enough to explore the beauty of Galicia, but here is Galicia one-week itinerary along the best highlights of the region.
7-day road trip will allow you to cover almost the entire western coastline of Galicia, from Vigo in the south up to A Coruña, stopping off at beaches and even islands.
- VIGO
- BAIONA – take a day trip south to explore Baiona town, one of the greatest places to visit in Galicia,
- The CIES ISLANDS – The God’s Islands – it’s another day-trip to the Caribbean of Europe – the last remaining paradise.
- PONTEVEDRA
- SANTIAGO DE COMPOSTELA
- A CORUNA – it’s located 160 kilometers and explore historical cities like Santiago de Compostela and Pontevedra.
- PLAYA DE LAS CATEDRALES – (near Ribadeo).
Discovering Galicia - Spain’s best-kept secret.
It felt really safe in Galicia; people are lovely, warm, and helpful. Almost nobody speaks English, but hey – sometimes it’s so much fun to communicate without words. Look for small cafeterias in Galicia, the cheaper looking the better the place is, they serve aromatic, strong coffee and taste delicious local tapas for breakfast. They usually have freshly fried tortilla con patatas, which is absolutely my favourite. Coffee and a tortilla were my breaky every day! 😉
10 Major cities in Galicia.
Here are 10 major cities in Galicia. Galicia stands out from the rest of Spain due to its strong Celtic roots; thus, all the cities are worth visiting as they represent different styles and characters.
- Vigo – Galicia’s largest and most modern city
- A Coruna – A dynamic city with a vibrant nightlife
- Lugo – famous for a World Heritage Roman Wall.
- Santiago de Compostela – a world-renowned pilgrimage site/Cathedral.
- Ourense – famous for its Roman bridges and hot springs.
- Ferrol
- Poneteverda
- Vilagarcia de Arousa
- Ribadeo – closest town to Playa de las Catedrales.
- Cambados – A charming coastal town known for delicious seafood.
Top attractions and things to do in Galicia I highly recommend for your trip | Tripadvisor:
- Excursion to Catedrais Beach, Pancha Island and Asturias – full-day, guided tour along the stunning Marina Lucense coast.
- Day Trip from Porto to Santiago de Compostela and Valença
- Guided tour of Bodegas Granbazan
- Excursion to Rias Baixas with a winery – optional mussel boat. – one of the most interesting routes in Galicia along the southern coast (Rías Bajas / Rías Baixas). The route runs via some of the most beautiful towns and landscapes in the Galician region while allowing you to taste one of the most famous wines in Spain!
Santiago de Compostela - he ultimate pilgrimage finish line.
If you’ve ever heard of the Camino de Santiago, you already know about this city. It’s the grand finale where thousands of pilgrims end their epic journey. But even if you’re not into walking 500 miles in hiking boots, Santiago de Compostela is worth a visit.
The city’s highlight is the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela — a stunning piece of architecture that’s been welcoming visitors since the 9th century.
FUN FACT: The cathedral is said to house the remains of Saint James the Apostle. Yes, the very same James who might have been the original travel influencer before it was cool.
Santiago de Compostella (with its Cathedral de Santiago, situated on the Plaza del Obradoiro) is a top attraction of the Galicia region. The town is filled with many pleasant restaurants and taverns with delicious local cuisine. Don’t miss Casa do Cabildo, a Baroque architecture house, and Hostal de los Reyes Católicos.
Roads to Santiago de Compostela.
El Camino de Santiago – one of the most popular trails undertaken by thousands of pilgrims from all over the world every year (Camino was an ancient pilgrimage route). There are a number of trekking routes leading to Santiago and majority of them start in Portugal.
The oldest is the Norther Way which begins in Porto Cathedral and leads through amazing historic spots – Barcelos, Ponte de Lima, and Valencia. The Central Portuguese Way starts in Lisbon Cathedral and follows via Alverca, e.g. Vila Franca de Xira, Santarem, Golega, Tomar, Coimbra (visit Monastery of Santa Clara), Rabacal, Mealhade, Albergaie a Vella, Grijo, Porto and Santiago de Compostela.
If you are short of time, Santiago de Compostela is easily accessible from Vigo by train. No matter how you reach this destination, it is very rewarding to reach this place and a highly spiritual experience.
A Coruña: Galicia’s coastal gem.
If you’re craving a city with a beach, culture, and a bit of a hip vibe, A Coruña is your spot. The city is located right on the Atlantic coast and it’s known for its beautiful promenade and that iconic lighthouse — the Tower of Hercules.
FACT: This baby is the oldest Roman lighthouse still in use in the world. Yep, you read that right!
Imagine the lighthouse is still standing strong after nearly 2,000 years.
If you really want to experience the most spectacular things to do in Galicia, here is a recommended tour: Excursion to Finisterre + Muxia + Costa da Morte (7 stops)
Experience local bar in A Coruna.
After Santiago de Compostella, I took a train to A Coruna to spend a night and leave in the morning to reach Ribadeo to discover one of the top attractions in Galicia (or even the whole of Spain) – Playa de Cathedrales. It was lashing in A Coruna, luckily I stayed in the old town area and had no choice but to hit one of the local bars. You will never feel alone in a Spanish bar; the atmosphere was brilliant, and so was the whisky. 🙂
In the morning, I went straight to Coruna Estacion (bus station) to find a bus to Ribadeo. It’s straightforward, and I don’t feel you need to buy tickets in advance. My bus was leaving in an hour. Although the bus was displayed on a platform screen, it all began to change over the next hour, and I really wasn’t sure if the bus would be there.
The best beaches in Galicia.
Cies Islands – Europe’s paradise!
The Cies Islands are one of the most amazing and unspoilt pieces of nature remaining in Europe. The islands are one of the top attractions in Galicia. With its incredible biodiversity, wildlife, and stunning white sandy beaches, it should be your must destination.
Galicia did a great job protecting the area and developing eco-tourism. The Atlantic Islands of Galicia National Park is a highly protected area.
WHAT TO KNOW:
- There is a limited number of visitors daily of 2000.
- You need to obtain permission to travel to the island, which will be required when booking a ferry ticket.
- The Archipelago is made up of 3 main islands: Monteagudo, O Faro and San Martino.
Boats to Cies Islands.
Very important: The boats will not operate in bad weather conditions! If you want to change your ferry time for earlier or later one – it is not possible to change the ticket on the island. All you can do is ask the captain whether there are any spaces left. In high season ferries would be full, due to a very high number of visitors.
I was traveling in June and there was no problem with getting a ferry, neither changing the time. I arrived to the islands in the morning to take the last ferry back. But it is possible to stay overnight on the island. I’m sure it’s spectacular. There are number of camping fields but no hotels infrastructure exist on the island.
How to travel to Cies Islands?
Now, you need to obtain an authorisation to travel to the Cies islands from: BOOK HERE. You will need an authorisation code to travel to the Cies Islands. Camping (the only available accommodation on the island) might require an authorisation from you as well.
Accommodation in the Cies Islands.
The only place where you can stay overnight in the Cies Islands is Camping, which requires booking in advance.
The camping is very well maintained and offers all the facilities you need: laundry service, showers, and a cafeteria. There is also a nice bar near Playa de Rodas. You will also need to bring all your trash back to the mainland.
Public transport in Galicia.
The trains are much more reliable than buses. Arriva was the name of the transportation company.
For all* Solo DOMINGO (Sunday). Local mini buses operate on the route: Viveiro – Foz – Berreiros – Ribadeo. ALSA and AVIVA are two big companies that operate on long distances: A Coruna – Lugo – Santander – Bilbao. Be aware bus times differ from Mon-Friday & on weekends/holidays.
My Casa Brais was located in Barreiros – 5 km from Playa de las Catedrales. The house, the owners were amazing! This place will be always reccomended by me to anyone. Nice and quiet surrounding eith a lovely back garden.
Playa de las Catedrales – the Beach of Holy Waters.
Check the tide before you go to Playa de Cathedrales, and be aware that it might change during the day. The beach disappears completely when the tide is high. There’s a tourist information center near the beach where you can get local maps. Very useful to have. There are going to be hundreds of people on the beach, especially on weekends. Experiencing Playa de las Catedrales is of the most spectacular things to do in Galicia.
But have good news too – walk further along the shore toward the caves and you’ll see almost nobody. The coastline with natural arches, sea caves, and most unusual geological rock formations is breathtaking.
It is officially called Praia de Augas Santas – Beach of Holy Waters. I walked 5 km to reach the beach, I stopped at the small café to try some tapas and eat with local people. The place is packed from early morning. I ordered coffee and got a tortilla for free. Left a good tip, as the whole bill was… 1 Euro!
Ribadeo town and Galicia cuisine!
Ribadeo is a lovely town, located in the Spanish province of Lugo in Galicia, with a population of only 10k people. As usual, there are plenty of lovely local restaurants and bars, ask for plato del día (dish of the day). It’s a fresh chef’s speciality of the day. Things you absolutely need to try from a local cuisine e.g. Pimientos del Padrón – fried salted green peppers – delicious! Analogous to empanada Casera – homemade patty. And pulpo – octopus, it’s a highly popular dish in Galicia.
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