If you are planning a trip to the northwest of the country, where temperatures are ideal in summer, but you don’t know where to go, we present you some of the places to see in Galicia. On the coast or in the center of the community; beach, mountains, riversides and monuments and towns full of history. Galicia has it all!
The most beautiful places to see in Galicia
1. As Furnas, one of the wildest beaches
One of our favorite places to see in Galicia is the As Furnas beach, in Porto do Son. It is located at the entrance to the Noia estuary, in the Barbanza region. For us it is a work of art, a paradise to which we can escape on summer days and we tell you that it is one of the favorites of surfers. This beach has a virgin environment, with fine white sand; it is surrounded by small cliffs where the wild waves break.
If you go early in the morning, you will be able to see sand formations in the middle of the sea that disappear as the tide rises. As a curious fact, we tell you that this is where Ramón Sampedro had the accident that left him a quadriplegic; you can see his story in the movie Mar Adentro, by Alejandro Amenábar. Also on this beach is the famous bank from the Netflix series, Fariña.
2. The end of the world, an emblematic place to see in Galicia
On your trip through Galicia you cannot miss Fisterra, the official name of Finisterre. Fisterra belongs to La Coruña and its name comes from the Latin finis terrae (the end of the Earth). Fisterra is located 98 kilometers from Santiago de Compostela and plays a fundamental role on the Camino de Santiago. What you cannot miss on this site is the Monte del Cabo de Finisterre. According to tradition, Tenth June Brutus admired, with horror, how the sun was lost in the sea while a flame rose from the waters. For this terrifying spectacle, the Romans christened it the end of the Earth.
Tradition also says that the Romans found an altar to the sun on this same mountain. Here are archaeological remains of Vilar Vello and the hermitage of San Guillermo. The Finisterre Lighthouse is the most important on the Costa da Morte; Its construction dates from 1868 and it is the second most visited place to see in Galicia, after the Cathedral of Santiago.
3. Cíes Islands
The Cies They are an archipelago that belongs to Pontevedra and that is located in the Vigo estuary, but in the Rías Baixas area. The archipelago is made up of three islands: North or Monteagudo, Middle or Faro and South or San Martín. The first two are naturally linked by Rodas Beach, chosen by The Guardian in 2007 as the best beach in the world.
In 1980, the Cíes Islands complex was declared a natural park and, since 2002, they belong to the National Park of the Atlantic Islands of Galicia. Since 2017, the Cíes are expected to be recognized as a World Heritage Site by Unesco.
4. Las Catedrales Beach
In Galician, praia das Catedrais, is one of the places to see in Galicia that you cannot miss. This beautiful beach is located in Ribadeo, which belongs to Lugo and on the Cantabrian Sea. It is named for the appearance of its imposing cliffs reminiscent of Catholic temples. This beach is a Natural Monument recognized by the Galician Ministry of the Environment.
The beach is characterized by its arches and caves that can only be seen at low tide and on the beach. When the tide rises, the appearance of the beach changes considerably; That is why it is advisable to return before the tide begins to rise, since the sea level also rises and very quickly. Of course, to go to this beach you must book your pass directly at the Junta de Galicia through the Internet.
5. Obradoiro Square
The Plaza del Obradoiro or Praza do Obradoiro is another of the places to see in Galicia that you cannot miss. It is located in Santiago de Compostela and is, without a doubt, the most important square in the city. And also the busiest. In the square you will find the Palacio de Rajoy, the Colegio de San Jerónimo, the Hostal de los Reyes Católicos (ordered to be built by Isabel I herself); and, of course, crowning the square, the imposing Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela.
We can tell you little about this square, except that it is a very crowded place and that, if you have the opportunity to visit it, you will feel surrounded by a very peculiar sensation.
6. The Tower of Hercules
In La Coruña is the Torre de Hércules, a tower / lighthouse that stands imposingly on a hill. It stands 55 meters high (36 built by the Romans, 19 dating from an 18th century restoration), and its origins date back to the 1st century. In fact, it is the only Roman lighthouse and surprisingly the oldest in the world in functioning. Since 2009 it is part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site.
This lighthouse has been shrouded in numerous myths and legends. One of them says that Hercules came to these shores in a boat and that it was here that he buried the head of the giant Gerion. It is also said that the Tower of Hercules stands on the site where the mythological Tower of Breogán (related to Celtic mythology) may have been.
7. Combarro, one of the most beautiful towns to see in Galicia
Galicia has very beautiful towns to see, but without a doubt, Combarro is one of the most beautiful in Spain. It belongs to Poio, in Pontevedra. Although it does not have many inhabitants, it is very likely that you will meet many visitors.
Combarro is a town with a seafaring essence, very close to Pontevedra (7 kilometers away), where you can spend the day if you are on your way through the province. The town stands out for the large number of granaries and stone crosses, scattered throughout its geography. These are mainly found in the old town. The old town of Combarro is located on the Pontevedra estuary and one of the places that you cannot miss on your visit is the Plaza de Chousa and the historic center.
8. Sil Canyon
One of the most beautiful natural sites in Galicia is the Cañón del Sil or Canón do Sil in Galician. It is defined as a gorge that has been excavated by the Sil River, near the Miño River; both belong to the famous Galician Ribera Sacra. The Canyon serves as the border between the provinces of Lugo and Orense and has an area of almost 6,000 hectares.
For a unique experience through the Sil Canyon, a catamaran trip. On board this boat you can tour and enjoy the Canyon in all its splendor. By the way, as a curious fact, on the walls of some canyons you can see vineyards of the delicious Ribera Sara Denomination of Origin, many of which reach the water. If hiking is your thing, we tell you that the Sil Canyon has a 22-kilometer route that connects the monasteries of San Esteban with that of Santa Cristina.
9. Wall of Lugo
Undoubtedly the Roman wall of Lugo, which surrounds the historic center of the city, is something you cannot miss. This ancient city, Lucus Augusti, was founded by Paulo Fabio Máximo on behalf of the Emperor Augustus. The foundation dates back to 13 BC! Lugo’s wall has an extension of 2,266 meters and has 71 towers and 10 gates. Originally, it had 85 towers.
For almost 21 years, the wall of Lugo has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is twinned with the Great Wall of China. The imposing wall of Lugo is built in granite for the most part and 60 of the towers are circular, while 11 are quadrangular.
