| Important Information about Galicia Trip | |
|---|---|
| Duration of Trip | 3-5 Days |
| Best Time to visit | May-Oct |
| Type of Trip | Solo, Backpacking Trip |
| What is Famous for | Lighthouses, Lakes, Beaches |
If you are looking to experience the real side of Spain, then plan a trip to Galicia. With a salty coastline, beautiful landscapes, beaches, lighthouses, and its delectable cuisine, Galicia is an ideal spot for a self-drive holiday. With a rental car, it’s easy to wiggle your way along the coast from La Coruña to Santiago de Compostela and enjoy Spain in its authentic form, far from crowds of tourists.
Without further ado, in this post we have clearly explained how to plan a Galicia road trip. We’ve also added in some recommendations on hotels and restaurants to save you time. So, get ready for a road trip across the best Northern Spain and Enjoy!
Things to do in Galicia
You can easily spend a week in Galicia, however, if you are on a strict schedule this guide includes Glacia’s main attractions so that you won’t miss anything. Start Your Journey From La Coruña- a moderate-sized city with a UNESCO World Heritage site. To begin with, though, just get your bearings, hire the car and enjoy some great food. The best way to do this itinerary is by car, so you can bring you or get a rental car.
01 Head to Pontedeume
Start in Pontedeume, a 30 min drive from La Coruna is a beautiful seaside town, which combines forts, old churches, side streets, and more and is a joy to walk around for an hour. You can wander the old quarter through strolling side streets and compact plaza. And, while meandering you can also notice the Galerias, Galician balconies that are enclosed in glass to protect you from rain. Isn’t it amazing?
Walk uphill to visit the Igrexa de Santiago cathedral, a 16th-century chapel built by Don Fernando de Andrade.
02 Take a boat ride at Porto de Redes
You can take a short boat ride across the calm waters of the estuary, under a couple of bridges to the small fishing village of Redes. In good weather, the short boat trip to Redes can give you the vibe of Galicia’s salty nature. You’ll also notice old wooden structures standing in the shallower water, earlier which was used to hang and dry out fishing nets. Redes is a small picturesque fishing village with many colorful houses that can best be seen from the water. As you arrive in the port, a short walk uphill to the west will take you up a quiet little street to a lookout point over the bay. Some of the buildings here are full of character, with colorful decaying old doors and windows right next to houses with boxes of beautiful flowers. You can also grab a coffee or small churros y chocolate, before heading back to your car.
03 Head to Praia da Doniños Surf Beach
If you’re looking for a chilled-out beach to surf then Praia da Doniños checks all the boxes. A short drive from Pontedeume leads you to the laid back surfer beach of Praia da Doniños. There’s a natural beauty to the beach, with houses and buildings set back way beyond the dunes that shelter the beach. While you’ll find sand, long grasses and dunes, it’s a wild place with a small beach bar and no blaring soundtracks. It’s not a built-up area, just a simple car park, long grasses, dunes, and a lovely little beach bar to make a beeline for after hitting the surf or sunbathing. If you have more time, relax for a couple of hours in here.
04 Visit Vixía de Herbeira Viewpoint
At 621 meters, Vixía de Herbeira overlooks one of the highest cliff faces in Europe. It’s a great lookout spot as the cliffs drop almost straight down into the sea. One can even see the Sisargas Islands in the south and Estaca de Bares Point on a clear day. Even on a cloudy day, it’s worth a drive.
05 Visit Porto do Barqueiro & Viveiro town
Porto do Barqueiro is a small picturesque fishing village with colorful houses dotted around the hillside. Around the port you’ll notice storage buildings housing fishing equipment, you can find the nets and stacks of fishing baskets here. Although there isn’t much to do here, it’s quiet and resembles a Norwegian fishing village.
Initially, Viveiro seems like a small town, but after meandering through the hamlets and fishing villages of northern Galicia, it starts to feel pretty huge. The region is good for walking, having mid-morning churros, and doing plenty of shopping. If you are a history buff, look for Iglesia Santa María do Campo, an oldest 12th-century church in Viveiro with stone brickwork. Also, consider the Capilla de San Roque church and enjoy the view of the Río Landro and the ocean just outside the Town.
06 Relax at Praia das Catedrais–Cathedral Beach
Praia das Catedrais is known to locals as the Beach of the Cathedrals because of the astonishing rock formations and caves that appear during tides of the Atlantic sea. Cathedral-like natural arches can appear up to 30 meters high and the sight is so popular that entrance tickets are now required. You can purchase your Praia das Catedrais ticket online in advance. You can also explore the deeply eroded caves and fissure or even just relax and sunbathe on the beach.
07 The Tower of Hercules Lighthouse
It is the oldest Roman lighthouse, which is still in use. It is unbelievable to think of people laying the stones for this concept over 2000 years ago and seeing the lovely view of the coastline, La Coruña harbor, and the city itself. The key element of the lighthouse is Roman while the outer is part of architect Eustaquio Giannini’s restoration from the 18th century. In 2009 it was recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site making it a fascinating structure. Inside you can read all about the history of the lighthouse and view the original contraption that held the tower’s light.
It costs only 3 euros to climb up the top, and it has an informative and immersive education center underground.
Where to Eat in Galicia, Spain
Galicia is known for its style of cooking comprising seafood, meat, and wine. Filled with delicacies such as fish and octopus, you will find Galician cuisine rich and authentic. Check out the following restaurants that represent the very best of Galician dining.
- Casa Marcelo:Spanish restaurant serves Vegetarian, Vegan, & Gluten-free
- Abastos 2.0: Bar & Restaurant serves Tapas & Spanish dishes
- Tira do Cordel: Serves Seafood and Gluten-free
- Pulpier O Fiuza: Serves great quality seafood
Where to Stay in Galicia, Spain
Many of the best places to stay in Galicia, we have listed a few in here. But keep in mind that Galicia is a popular destination during the summer months. So if you are planning a trip make your bookings in advance.
- O Portelo:traditional and rustic rooms
- Quinta de San Amaro: luxury rooms with outside pool
- Costa Vella: charming hotel right by the cathedral
- Hotel Lois: contemporary rooms, walking distance from the beach