Top Picks for Green Galicia:

Why should you visit Galicia Spain?

Originally published August 10th 2020, Updated February of 2024

All images are courtesy of the Spain Less Traveled team, unless otherwise stated.

Ourense, nestled in green Galicia, Spain.

There are so many reasons why travelers love Galicia Spain. This region of Spain is always a popular topic of discussion in our Travel Spain! community, as well as a favorite of travelers who take the time to truly explore it.

Far from the most of the highlights of Spain, that most first time visitors focus on, a world apart from Andalucía, Madrid, and Barcelona, Galicia is one of Spain’s most unique areas.

For starters, Galicia has its own language called Gallego. With its sing song accent, the poetic sounds of Gallego match the lush green landscape. Few imagine Spain to look like this, and Ireland comes more to mind. You will notice strong Celtic influences in Galicia.

Take some time to truly discover Galicia. It’s one of our favourite regions in Northern Spain. Go slow to savor everything this beloved region of Spain really has to offer.

Explore the cities of Galicia as well as the many small towns. And nature lovers rejoice. Galicia has endless opportunities for hiking and biking, as well as to just get away from it all.

Remote, in many ways, public transportation is very limited, so having a car the best way to get around. Ther recently opened high-speed train line has shortened the travel time from Madrid considerably. It’s two and a half hours to Ourense, gateway of the region.

Take it all in without rushing around, and you will continue to fall in love with Galicia.

Here just a few reasons to visit Galicia, a region that we at Spain Less Traveled love!

And remember, we can help you plan and customize your personalized Spain travel itinerary through our professional travel services.

Where is Galicia Spain?

Map of Spain. Galicia is the orange and yellow shaded areas just north of Portugal. Image: VectorStock

Galicia is Spain’s far northwestern corner. It’s is that little piece of Spain that sits just north of Portugal. As you can see, it is pretty remote and far from many other parts of Spain. Galicia is made up of four provinces: A Coruña, Pontevedra, Lugo, and Ourense.

What are the cities in Galicia Spain?

Galicia’s cities are small by international standards, but the region boasts some of our favorite cities in Spain.

The largest is Vigo, with a population of almost 300,000, and one of the most important ports in Spain.

The impressive cathedral of Santiago de Compostela, official end of the Camino.

Santiago de Compostela might not be the largest city in Galicia (less than 100,000 people here) but it’s the capital and the most popular city in Galicia with travelers. The Cathedral is a UNESCO World Heritage sites in Spain. Built in Romanesque, Baroque and Gothic style, it’s one of the most impressive cathedral in all of Spain.

Take some time to watch the pilgrims arrive at the cathedral. For many of them, this means the end of their journey. Some continue on to Finisterre (see below)

(For more information about the architecture in Spain, check out our guide about Spanish architecture for travelers)

Also make sure take some time to explore the entire old city. Thanks to a university, Santiago de Compostela has an open and fun vibe, with a lively student population. Monasterio de San Martin Pinario, Spain’s second largest monastery, its goergeous architecture and art pieces make it a must visit, as well as many of the historical buildings of the university.

And if you’re hungry, Santiago de Compostela’s Mercado de Abastos (local market) where you can sample local Galician food specialties from all over the region. We consider it to be one of the top markets in Spain!

Torre de Hércules, in A Coruña, is the oldest lighthouse structure in the world.

A Coruña, is Galicia’s second largest city and probably the most elegant. The old town is being recovered to its ancient charm. The houses full of balconies at the “marinha” district are a trademark of the city. For those wanting to go to the beach, A Coruña has a smattering of nice urban beaches. It’s also the commercial center for all of Galicia with good restaurants, shopping, and nightlife. The Galera, Olmo and Franja streets form one of the busiest tapas areas in all of Spain.

The Tower of Hercules, an ancient Roman lighthouse in the northern point of the city, is also classified as a UNESCO World Heritage site. And further out of the city you’ll find Arteixo, birthplace and headquarters of the Zara empire.

The Roman walls promenade in Lugo.

Speaking of Unesco World Heritage Sites in Spain, the Roman walls in Lugo are on the list too, making it a worthwhile city in Galicia to visit, especially for those interested in history and architecture. The walls, built in the 3rd century, are still very much in tact. Visitors can walk the entire length of the walls (2km) for great views of Lugo’s historic center. The inner city has a very particular architecture, with its slate roofs and grey stone façades, that remember Brittany’s cities. (Brittany and Galicia are both consiered Celt nations). And don’t miss the impressive cathedral, with a Romanesque interior and Renaissance façade.

Pontevedra’s charming Praza da Pedreira.

Pontevedra is the capital of the province of the same name, but it’s overlooked by it way larger neighbour Vigo. But make sure you visit it. It’s a small and well manageable city, full of charming small “prazas” (square in Gallego), such as Pedreira, Leña or Ferrería. The market (Mercado Municipal) is one of the most active in Northern Spain, with a lot of amazing seafood stalls, as well as a very lively food court.

Plaza Mayor in Ourense.

And don’t leave Ourense off your Galicia itinerary. Many travelers do, and that is a mistake!

Friendly, chill, and underrated, very few travelers come to this city in Galicia. But Ourense is worth spending some time in. The historic center is quaint and charming, with beautiful architecture, an interesting cathedral, and a great local market.

Foodies also know that Ourense has some of the regions best restaurants and tapas bars. Pick an outdoor terrace table at any of the bustling ones in the center, near the cathedral, and enjoy some of Galicia’s typical and delicious dishes!

Ourense’s main draws are it’s natural hot springs, which are therapeutic. You can even walk to some of the hot springs right from the city center. Those with a car can venture further out for more remote natural hot springs.

What are some of the best small towns in Galicia Spain?

It is no surprise that Galicia has some many lovely and quaint small towns. Here are just a few of them that we love.

Hórreos in Combarro, Galicia, Spain.

Combarro is a coastal small town in located in the Rías Baixas area known for its hórreos, old style granaries that you commonly see in Galicia and Asturias. Many of these are well preserved, close to one another, and painted in bright colors, making Combarro a photographer’s dream. Try to go on a weekday or in low season, as it can get very crowded in the weekends.

In Ourense province, making the list of the most beautiful villages in Spain (pueblos más bonitos de España), Castro Caldelas is rich in Medieval architecture. An old castle keeps a watchful eye above the town.

While some Camino pilgrims stop in Santiago de Compostela, some continue all the way to Finisterre literally the end of the world. If you are visiting, check out the area by the harbor. Then head to Cape Finisterre to, where the lighthouse is located, which many believed to be the end of the world, the end end to the Camino.

Ribadavia is an interesting town in Galicia, inland as it has some links to Sephardic Spain, Spain’s Jewish history. Is known Jews were her as far back as the tenth century, few documents about the life of their community remain. Not much remains of the old synagogue, but it can be seen on on Calle Merelles.

Walk the Camino

No matter which route they take, all pilgrims on their Camino de Santiago will do quite a bit of walking through Galicia. Each camino route ends in Galicia, some pilgrims end their camino at the cathedral in Santiago de Compostela while some will continue on to Finisterre, the true end of the world.

The most popular route to Santiago, the Camino Francés, itself is also classified as a UNESCO world heritage, another in Galicia!

While not every traveler can or wants to do an entire camino, it’s possible to take a few days to do the last 100km, starting in Sarria in Lugo province.

(For pilgrims looking for logistical help planning their camino, the Camino de Santiago Planning Facebook group is a great resource!)

Where are the best nature areas in Galicia Spain?

Sunset near Sanxenxo, Galicia, Spain.

And speaking of hiking and being outside, Galicia Spain has an abundance of natural areas.

Some of Galicia’s most beautiful scenery can be found in the Ribeira Sacra area. Inland and between the cities of Ourense and Lugo, this area is great for hikers.

There are plenty of stunning views including the canyon of the the Sil river. This part of Galicia is often overlooked by travelers, but it is truly one of the region’s most beautiful areas.

Ribeira Sacra miradores.

Surrounded by the sea, it’s easy to go to the beach in Galicia.

The most famous beach in Galicia is Playa de Las Catedrales, where, even pre-COVID, travelers during peak season needed a reservation. During low tide, you can see why this beach got its name. The natural arches and caves make it almost look like a Romanesque cathedral, typical of Galicia and northern Spain.

But don’t worry. Galicia has a lot of hidden beaches that don’t get nearly as crowded. For surfers, some of the best beaches are on the Costa da Morte, accurately named the coast of death.

The coast around Sanxenxo has several beautiful beaches in particular.

True beach lovers will want to head to the Cíes Islands. This requires advance planning as the ferry system is complex and the island can only accommodate a small number of travelers per day. But what awaits are crustal clear beaches that look like they should be in the Caribbean, not the north of Spain.

Galicia also offers an abundance of other outdoor activities. From biking to kayaking, Galicia is perfect for adventurous travelers.

What to eat and drink in Galicia Spain?

Pimientos de Padrón.

Given that Galicia Spain has coastline on both the Atlantic Ocean as well as the Cantabrian Sea (Bay of Biscay), it is no wonder that Galician food is rich with seafood.

Perhaps Galicia’s most famous dish is pulpo, tender octopus prepared with just olive oil, salt, and Spanish paprika (sweet or spicy at your choice).

Tetilla cheese.

Steamed muscles or, Mejillón de Galicia, are another staple of Galicia’s famous foods.

And for cheese lovers, Galicia produces some of the best cheese. The tetilla cheeses, shaped like a women’s breast (hence the name) are mild and made from cow’s milk. The San Simón variety has a nice smokey taste.

Another popular cow’s milk cheese is, Arzùa-Ulloa, produced with raw or pasteurized milk. This cheese is mild and creamy.

And vegans, don’t fret. One of Spain’s most popular tapa and menu staple is grown in Galicia Pimientos de Padrón are small mild peppers lightly seared with sea salt and olive oil. They are in season from May to November, and for the best of the best, head to Padrón.

Travelers can also drink their way through Galicia. One of Spain’s most popular beers Estrella Galicia comes from here. But beyond beer, Galicia has a wine industry too. The wines of the Rías Baixas area, near the coast, are some of Spain’s best, producing Albraiño. Some of Galicia’s wine regions also include Ribeiro and the Ribeira Sacra. There is even a yearly Albariño festival to celebrate the region’s famous crisp, white wine!

True foodies know that Galicia has some of the best food in Spain!

What are some unique experiences in Galicia Spain?

Get off the beaten path in Galicia Spain!

Nestled in the greenery of the Ribeira Sacra area, travelers can find a few monasteries from the middle ages, mostly in the Romanesque style, and untouched.  The monastery of Santa Cristina, in Ribeira Sacra is a favorite given its remote location and stunning architecture.

One of these monasteries is one of Spain’s paradores, luxury hotels housed in historical buildings. The Parador of Parador Santo Estevo makes for memorable stay in the middle of one of Galicia’s most beautiful areas.

And speaking of paradores, Galicia has 11 of them. We love the paradores in Santiago de Compostela, Baiona, Pontevedra, and Tui, near the border with Portugal.

(Obsessed with paradores? Check out some of our favorite paradores of Spain!)

Even if you don’t want to bust your budget on a parador, you can still stay at unique and authentic lodgings all over Galicia. There are many casa rurales (rural guesthouses) all over the region. And Casa Cabaza, a small B&B converted into a farmhouse about halfway between Lugo and Ourense, for those who want to stay in remote Galicia.

How to visit Galicia Spain?

Galicia has so much to offer travelers willing to go a little out of the way to get somewhere truly magical. Are you inspired to visit Galicia, Spain? Want to see Spain’s unique gem for yourself?

Visiting Galicia Spain requires some extra planning, but it’s worth it (and we can help with that).

Let us help you handcraft your dream trip to Spain!

Galicia is one of the regions in what we like to call Spain’s off the beaten path north. It can be combined with a trip to Asturias, Cantabria, or Basque Country or can be a stand-alone trip.

We can even add it on to a Highlights of Spain itinerary, depending on how much time you have in Spain. The possibilities are endless!

If you loved this, you might like our other in depth guides by region.

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