13 OF THE BEST PLACES TO VISIT IN GALICIA.
After walking the Camino through Galicia several times, we’ve spent a fair amount of time getting to know this quiet, green corner of Spain.
Each visit, we’ve found somewhere new to love.
If you’re planning a trip to Galicia, or maybe you’re finishing your Camino and want to see more, these are thirteen of our favourite places to visit.
1/ Santiago de Compostela
It’s impossible to talk about Galicia without starting here. Santiago de Compostela is the final stop for pilgrims walking the Camino. It is also a lively, chic and layered city in its own right.
There’s something distinctive about Galician architecture, and you see it as soon as you walk into Santiago de Compostela. The small alleyways, the arches and squares with fountains – all give it the familiar look.
In Santiago de Compostela, the main event is the stunning cathedral square. But there’s loads more to see. As a university town, even the student buildings – like the library – are stunning. We love nothing more than wandering down new alleyways to discover a new bar or tapas restaurant.
It’s worth adding that Santiago de Compostela is well known for it’s restaurant scene. Our favourite spots are the indoor market (Mercado de Abastos), seafood specialists Abastos 2.0, cosy Bar La Tita and A Taberna do Bispo (always a great vibe.)
Find our detailed guide to visiting Santiago de Compostela here.
2/ Ourense
Inland Galicia doesn’t get nearly enough attention, and Ourense is the best reason to change that.
Known for its natural hot springs, the city has a relaxed pace and a beautiful old town. You can bathe in the thermal pools or explore the Roman bridge that still links both sides of the city. It’s a good stop if you’re travelling through southern Galicia or want to escape the coastal crowds. And of course, like much of Galicia – the food is excellent!
The caramelised onion tortilla in O Frade, is a must try. Ourense sits within the Ribiero wine region – be sure to try a few glasses.
3/ Pontevedra
Pontevedra is one of the most charming small cities in Spain, and it’s surprisingly walkable, the old town is almost entirely pedestrianised.
The plazas here are leafy and social, filled with locals having long lunches under the shade. There’s an easy, friendly vibe, and it’s a perfect base if you’re exploring the Rías Baixas wine region or the nearby beaches.
Once again, the food scene is top notch. You can find everything from casual tapas places through to Michelin Guide restaurants like Eirado.
4/ A Coruña
A working port city that still feels distinctly Galician.
Whilst some of the architecture isn’t perhaps as obviously pretty as you might expect, it doesn’t really matter – A Coruña is all about the sea. From the Atlantic promenade to the old lighthouse, the Torre de Hércules.
There’s a good mix of history, seafood, and local culture here, with plenty of places to eat pulpo and watch the waves roll in. It’s also one of Galicia’s best places for an urban weekend: compact, coastal, and full of character.
Find our detailed guided to visiting A Coruña here.
5/ Lugo
As I said in the introduction to this blog post, every time we visit Galicia we find a new place that we love. This year, that place was Lugo. I love visiting cities that are compact, walkable and utterly charming – Lugo is just that.
It is seeped in history. The entire old city is encircled by Roman walls that you can walk around – an easy 2.5 km loop with great views. Inside the walls, Lugo feels calm and authentic, with small cafés and quiet plazas. The Lugo Museum is a stand out – and free to enter.
The food scene is excellent too, especially if you like going on a bit of a tapas crawl. Lugo is one of the only cities in Galicia, where you get a small bite of tapas served with your drink in the evening.
Find our full guide to visiting Lugo, including the best things to do and where to stay.
6/ Ribadeo
On the very edge of Galicia, Ribadeo is a relaxed and elegant port town.
Ribadeo is a great base for exploring the northern coast, including the famous As Catedrais beach, but it’s worth enjoying the town itself too. Wander through the old quarter, visit the harbour stop by the modernistTorre de los Moreno, or simply bar-hop your way through town.
It’s not a big place, but it has an atmosphere we loved – the typical Galician chic.
7/ Finisterre
For many Camino walkers, us included, Finisterre feels like a natural extension of the pilgrimage.
Once considered the “end of the world,” it’s where the land ceases and gives way to the Atlantic. It’s dramatic yet peaceful at the same time.
Walker or not, watching the sunset here is something really special. The town itself is simple and small, but that’s part of its appeal.
8/ Baiona
Down on the southern coast, Baiona is a magical little town.
The old town is full of cobbled streets, whitewashed houses, and seafood restaurants with outdoor terraces. The harbour is lovely for evening walks.
If you want a laid-back coastal stop that still has some buzz, Baiona is a great pick.
9/ Padron
For many pilgrims walking the Camino Portugués, Padrón is the last stop before Santiago.
It’s also an excellent place to try Galicia’s most famous peppers – pimientos de Padrón, which originate in this town.
Occasionally there are festivals in town too, when I last visited, there was a pulpo festival happening.
The town has strong religious connections too: in Iglesia de Santiago Apóstol de Padrón you can find a famous stone related to Saint James.
The reason I always love to visit Padron, is that it’s a town with layers. On the outskirts, it doesn’t look like much. But once you get into the centre, it’s a charming town – a place that is very much lived in, yet quaint.
10/ Tui
Tui sits right on the border with Portugal, divided by the River Miño. It’s a small town with a big cathedral and an interesting mix of cultures – you can walk across the bridge to Valença in Portugal in just a few minutes.
Tui is a classic Camino town, full of history and quiet streets, and it’s worth more than just an overnight stop.
11/ Cies Islands
Part of the Atlantic Islands National Park, the Cíes Islands are about as close as Spain gets to the white sands of the Caribbean.
You’ll need to book a ferry from Vigo or Baiona (and a visitor permit in high season), but the reward is white sand, turquoise water, and peaceful hiking trails. There are no hotels there – just a campsite -which helps keep them pristine and quiet.
12/ As Catedrais Beach
On the northern coast near Ribadeo, As Catedrais is one of Galicia’s most photographed beaches. At low tide, huge arches and caves appear along the sand, shaped by centuries of Atlantic wind and waves.
13/ Rural villages
Some of Galicia’s most memorable places are its small, rural villages.
A few that have stayed with us: Cea, famous for its bread; A Alberguería a hamlet with an incredible restaurant (Mesón O Peixeiro), O Cebreiro, famous for goats cheese and stone pallozas and Triacastela a classic Galician village with some charming hotels. But there are so many more wonderful villages to discover and make memories in Galicia.
If you have a car and a bit of time, exploring rural Galicia is one of the most rewarding parts of travelling here.
Exploring further?
You might be interested to read about our favourite places to visit in neighbouring Asturias.
Written by Emma
Wine Lover. Yogi. Hiker. Writer.
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