Welcome to the region of Galicia

To truly appreciate Galicia, you have to integrate its past, because from the Celtic villages to the Way of St. James, through the Roman wall of Lugo, and the arsenal of Ferrol, the region of Galicia has a wide diversity of tourist attractions that span several millennia.

Galicia at your own pace and without moderation

In the Northwest of the Iberic peninsula, the province is bordered by Portugal in the South and to the North the Cape of Estaca de Bares delimits the area that separates the Atlantic Ocean from the Bay of Biscay. The region is also famous for the pilgrimage routes that leads to Santiago de Compostela. Galicia is a very green region with a coastline of more than 1.650 km, characterized by numerous capes and rias that penetrate deep into the land.

What to discover in Galicia ?

Between the spiritual world and a world of adventure

The Way of St. James is the oldest pilgrimage in Europe. It will lead you to new experiences, which only you can have and share with others. There are several routes, taken every year by thousands of pilgrims. Whatever your convictions, this is an unique experience that will take you closer to the nature, to yourself and to the others.

Occult heritage and world of mysteries

The best way to know the secret that this region guards so jealously is to discover the occult heritage of Galicia. Come back in time, visiting ancient kastros, sites with impressive dolmens, crossing through the magic sanctuaries, in a world where the water of the fountains had the power to do miracles in special rites and mixed with the pagan legends.

Cure of rejuvenation and thermal cure

The springs of Galicia are famous since antiquity, master in the art of using the virtues of water, the Romans used it to improve health, to relax and even to have fun. In recent decades, spas have regained the fame of the ancient times, by installing avant-garde equipment and offering a large variety of aesthetic, relaxation and health treatments.

Green tourism and discovering nature

 Venturing into Galicia's woods is the perfect way to escape the world and forget the daily hustle and bustle of life in a peaceful haven. Discover the pleasure of walking through the different parks of Galicia, the last Atlantic forest, the dunes of Corrubedo, and enjoy the panoramic view or the granite landscape. 


Exploring a coastline full of surprises

The sea, the rivers, the springs, the spas, the rain, the snow and the windmills all create the Galician landscape. In fact, the sea creates a single scenery all along the coast, together with the beautiful rias. The Galician coast is shaped at the rhythm of tides, giving place to wide beaches and unlimited sandy stretches, guarded by a number of lighthouses. 

Discover the unusual landscapes of Galicia

Enjoyable tours, to meet the patrimony, of 3 or 4 days, by car and a bit on foot. You will find what you are looking for in the 20 different itineraries. On 11 of them you will follow the coast in almost permanent contact with the ocean, and 14 of them will lead you from the peaks to the cities or villages in a magic landscape. 

Where to start ? not so easy...

The 4 provinces of Galicia

The province of Coruña (Provincia da Coruña) - The province of Lugo (Provincia de Lugo) - The province of Ourense (Provincia de Ourense) - The province of Pontevedra (Provincia de Pontevedra) - The province of Lugo -

7 important cities of the region

A Coruña (the land of good living) - Ferrol (urban and military elegance) - Santiago de Compostela - Lugo (Roman memory) - Ourense - Pontevedra (the culture of hospitality) - Vigo -

16 natural parks of great beauty

  • Atlantic Island National Park 
  • Park of the mountains of Enciña de Lastra 
  • Park of the Sacred River and Canyon of Sil 
  • Park of the Cathedrals 
  • Beach Park of Pena de Trevinca 
  • Ancares Park 
  • Courel Park 
  • Mount and Lagoon of Louro 
  • Mount Aloia Park 
  • Central Massif Park (Macizo Central) 
  • Park of Fragas do Eume Estraca de Bars
  • Park Costa da Vela 
  • Park Dune 
  • Park of Corrubedo 
  • Carnota Park - Mount PindoBaixa
  • Limia Natural Park - Xurés Mountain

11 must-see places

  • The Atlantic Islands National 
  • Park Petroglyphs, dolmens and kastros
  • Granaries, pazos and calvaries
  • Gaiás, city of Galician culture
  • The beach of the Cathedral
  • The canyon and the sacred river of Sil
  • The numerous rias (sea arms)
  • Cape Finisterre (Cape of the earth's end)
  • The lighthouse of the Tower of Hercules
  • The Roman Wall of Lugo
  • The Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela

16 rias of great interest

  • Ria of O Barqueiro
  • Ria of Viveiro
  • Ria of Vigo
  • Ria of Ribadeo
  • Ria of Pontevedra
  • Ria of Ortigueira
  • Ria of Muros and Noia
  • Ria de Foz
  • Ria de Ferrol
  • Ria of Corme and Laxe
  • Ria de Corcubión
  • Ria de Cedeira
  • Ria of Camariñas
  • Ria of Arousa
  • Ria of Ares and Betanzos
  • Ria da Coruña

The 4 provinces of the Galicia region

The province of Corunna 

The province of Corunna The Costa da Morte, which is home to important marine ecosystems, unfolds between the cliffs, dunes, beaches, maritime centers and historical lighthouses. The hinterland is characterized by mountains and green valleys. There you can find places like the Biosphere Reserve As Mariñas Coruñesas e Terras do Mandeo, the Natural Park of Las Fraguas de Eume and the Dunes of Corrubedo as well as the Carregal and Vixan lagoons. A further must-see is the capital of Galicia, the last stop on the Way of Saint James: Santiago de Compostela, of which the old town, as well as the Route, has been classified as World Patrimony by the UNESCO.

The province of Lugo 

The capital of the province is Lugo, where the Roman ramparts have been listed as a world heritage by UNESCO. It is characterized by a great contrast of landscapes, as it has both mountainous and coastal areas. The beaches are very impressive, like Las Catedrales. The hinterland is also the home of the Biosphere Reserve of Terra do Miño and a part of Río Eo, the Osco and Terra of Buron and the one of Los Ancares. The province is crossed by the James' Way, offering valuable roman monasteries and churches to travelers.

The province of Ourense

A land rich in thermal waters, where you can enjoy the therapeutic virtues of the springs while bathing in the open air. The exuberant nature can be appreciated by visiting the Área of Allariz, but also the Serra do Xurés, Invernadeiro and the Serra da Enciña da Lastra natural parks. Among the paths covering the cultural heritage of Orense we have to mention the Ribeira Sacra and the Silver Route, where you can explore the historical sites of the small municipalities. 

The province of Pontevedra 

Just a few km separates the mountain from the coast (the Rías Baixas), belvederes and sites of true beauty dot this area. The Atlantic Islands National Park, with its splendid beaches, is an absolute must-see. In this province, you can follow the road of the romanic art and find out the traditional mansions (pazos) or visit places like Marín, with megalithic monuments, Vilaboa and Poio, which house petroglyphs, or just relax on the superb beaches of Guardia, Sanxenxo, Cambados and the Illa de Arousa.

The 7 biggest cities in Galicia

La Coruña : Is a cultural city but also worth to spend a few days on the sunny Galician beaches of Colzan or of Riazor. The city hosts the most ancient active lighthouse in the world, called the Hercules Tower, dating back to the Roman era. The Paseo Marítimo walk is a lovely 13 km long route that begins in the port and runs alongside the beaches. In this town, don't miss the avenue of the marina, the collegial church of Santa Maria del Campo, the church of St. James, the garden of San Carlos, the fortress of San Anton and the museum, the old town in the district of Casco Antigo, the house of science in the park of St. Margaret and the Domus, an interactive museum about humans.

Ferrol :  At 52 km away from La Coruña, the activities of Ferrol were developed mainly in the maritime sector, with the fishing industry as the first activity, before it turned into a military enclave. The sea is omnipresent and the city conserves the marine charm of its past through the streets and the traditions. El Ferrol Viejo, the modernist quarter of Magdalena, the 18th century ramparts of Cortina or the castles of San Felipe and La Palma are just a few of the attractions that can be found here. However, the main interest of this city, which is declared as being of international tourist interest, is definitely the events that take place during Holy Week, which vary in date according to the religious calendar.

Saint James of Compostela : This emblematic city is the end of the long road for thousand of people who make the pilgrimage. In the Plaza del Obradoiro, you will find the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela, an imposing Roman-Gothic-Baroque Cathedral. The main monuments of the city are classified as world heritage by UNESCO. In addition to all the activities and attractions related to the pilgrimage, you can enjoy the old town, the Abastos covered market, the parks of Belvis, Alameda and San Domingos de Bonaval, the modern art center, the Galician people museum, the Casa de Tria, the Obradoiro, Cervantes, Quintana, Platerias and Fonseca squares, to mention a few.

Lugo : During the first two weeks of October, traditional desserts, octopus, and "ao caldeiro" meat are some of the essential ingredients to accompany the cultural evenings of San Froilán, a very popular event in Galicia. Lugo is especially a town with a splendid Roman past with its almost intact city walls, the thermal baths and the ancient bridge. It is impossible to visit the city centre and not take a walk in the Terras do Mino or Rosalia de Kastro parks, admire the cathedral, go along the city walls, the Santa Maria square, the Episcopal palace, the Campo square and the Soedade square, the Augustinian Mothers' convent and all the beautiful residences and buildings in the old town. 

Ourense : This is the spa town where 8 bridges cross the Miño River, a source of gold in Roman times. The gold of today is the virtue of its precious hot water, highly appreciated by the curists, that is free and omnipresent in the heart of the city. Orense has an original sloping main square, the Praza Maior, and an historic center with many chapels and churches. The Pórtico del Paraíso, the cathedral's portico of paradise, is still preserving its original polychromy. Like in many other cities, the religious buildings are in the must-see list, but in Ourense, besides the squares and the old quarters, it is the Miño River which is the star. 

Pontevedra : "Pontevedra gives water to those who pass by" is a Galician expression that expresses perfectly the hospitality of the Galician city on the portuguese way to Saint James of Compostela. The culture is reflected in the devotion of the residents to the Virgen Peregrina, who is honored in Pontevedra in a particular church, shaped like a scallop shell. There are a multitude of things to see in the city, such as the collection of gold jewelry in the Museum, which is unique in Europe, with jewels of more than 4,000 years, the Santa María Basilica, the Santo Domingo ruins, as well as the parks and tree-lined walkways along the river. 

Vigo : often forgotten, is a coastal city with a pedestrian cultural center, nearby the beautiful beaches of del Vao or Samil. It is also the departure point for excursions to the pretty islands of Cíes and Remontas. The heart of the old town, Casco Vello, is full of bars and restaurants. It is only 35 km from Portugal, so you can enjoy day tours in both regions. Must-sees are of course the Kastro overlooking the city and the harbor, the fisherman's street to taste the delicious seafood, and of course the Quiñones de León museum, in the gardens and the ponds of the Castrelos park. 

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