With its spectacular rugged coastline, green hills, and towering mountains, it is no wonder that the Galicia region is home to some beautiful cities and towns. In Lugarnia we wanted to make a list of the most beautiful towns in Galicia. Discover them!
Most beautiful towns in Galicia that you must visit
Combarro
Known by many as the most beautiful town in Galicia, Combarro is located in the estuaries of the Rías Baixas, near the city of Pontevedra. It is particularly known for its hórreos (raised granaries) , as well as the traditional sea houses. Approach the granaries and you will find small house-like structures just outside the main house, which were built in the 18th and 19th centuries to store food. The colorful seaside houses have well-preserved wooden or stone balconies that offer great ocean views.
A Guarda
A Guarda is also located in the province of Pontevedra, facing the Atlantic Ocean and next to the Miño River, right on the border with Portugal. A multi-colored hilltop town that is backed by verdant green hills and rugged rocks. A Guarda is famous for two things: its lobsters and the ruins of the ancient hill fortress of Monte de Santa Tecla, which dates back to Celtic times.
This marvel of archeology is an ancient Celtic settlement, testimony to the Celtic roots of Galicia. The ancient settlers of Galicia inhabited the area more than 2,000 years ago and lived in Castros, or small circular fortifications made of stone. Usually they lived high up in the hills and communicated with other peoples through bonfires and smoke signals. The ruins at the Santa Tecla settlement give visitors a deeper understanding of the lives of these simple but industrious people.
Or Cebreiro
Perched high in the mountains, on the border of Galicia and Castilla y León, O Cebreiro is a small town with cobbled streets and old thatched-roof roundhouses called pallozas . RVs date back to Celtic times and many are still in use today. O Cebreiro is also found along the Camino de Santiago on the route to Santiago de Compostela. Without a doubt, it is one of the most beautiful towns in Galicia that you can visit.
Networking
Redes is one of the most beautiful towns in Galicia, it is located in the province of A Coruña, near the city of Ferrol, and is known for its quality fishing. The houses here seem to come out of the ocean, and local fishermen bring their boats right to their doorstep. With only a handful of small streets and no hotels or lodging options, this is the most local you can find. On both sides of Redes you will find the beautiful golden sand beaches of Praia Sabadelle and Praia Area Morta.
Baiona
Located in the Rías Baixas in the province of Pontevedra, Baiona is not only picturesque for its wide bay and impressive Monterreal castle, but it is also of historical importance. It was here that Christopher Columbus’s ship, La Pinta, first docked in 1493 upon his return from the Americas and the New World.
The city has a picturesque coastline and an impressive fortress located at the top of the Monterreal peninsula, the Parador de Baiona. This remarkable 10th century medieval fortress was meant to deter invaders. Baiona is the oldest port in Galicia and it turns out to be a strategic location due to its proximity to the Cíes Islands and its coastal position in northern Spain. The Parador de Baiona has a luxury hotel within the castle walls, but non-guests are always welcome to visit the castle. Walking along the perimeter will thrill you, as you get a panoramic view of Baiona and the open ocean that surrounds it. Seagulls, pine trees and the sea breeze add to the atmosphere. It is a must in Galicia!
Monforte de Lemos
Located in the province of Lugo, in eastern Galicia, is another of the most beautiful towns in Galicia, Monforte de Lemos. It is one of the most important inland cities in the region. It is known for its well-preserved urban center, which houses many monuments from the 18th century. Two of the main places to visit in this town are the Monastery of San Vicente do Pino and the Ponte Vella Bridge , which dates back to the 16th century.
Camariñas
Camariñas, which is located in the province of La Coruña, along the Costa da Morte, is one of the most beautiful towns in Galicia. The town is part of the Camino de Faros (near Faro Vilán) and is one of the most spectacular lighthouses in the country. With its pretty marina full of fishing boats and pretty narrow streets, Camariñas is an ideal starting point for exploring the coast. The area is particularly famous for its intricate lace work, which is still done in a traditional way.
Pontevedra
The origins of Pontevedra date back more than 2,000 years to the time when Galicia (at the time known as Gallaecia) was being integrated into the Roman Empire. The name Pontevedra alludes to two of the distinctive characteristics of the city: its bridge (ponte) and its exuberant landscape (vedra). The Ponte de Burgo is still standing on the Lerez river.
Pontevedra continued to prosper throughout the Middle Ages as a commercial center and has been a popular stop on the Camino de Santiago ever since. Now it is a bustling city filled with college students, great restaurants, and captivating architecture . The old area of Pontevedra is a delight to explore on foot, as is the walk along the marina. Pontevedra is located near the heart of the Rías Baixas wine region, famous for its delicate variety of Albariño. Wine tourism in the area is booming; Other stops along the Rías Baixas route include Sanxenxo, Cambados and O Grove.
Walls
This charming seaside town is known for its distinctive promenade and attractive gallery-style facade on the main street. This is the most attractive and commercial part of the city. Visitors visiting Muros for the first time will find hundreds of fishing boats and boats docked in the harbor.
Doade
The quiet village of Doade is 14 kilometers south of Monforte de Lemos. The town is home to two of the best wineries within the Ribeira Sacra wine appellation. Commanding an enviable position overlooking the canyon of the River Sil, and built in the style of an enormous Roman villa, is Bodegas Regina Viarum. The other winery, Adegas Algueira, has been built in a traditional Romanesque style with reclaimed stone. There is a restaurant on the premises and they also organize pleasure trips: a boat cruise on the River Sil.
Doade, in addition to being one of the most beautiful towns in Galicia, is also home to one of the most impressive viewpoints in the Province of Lugo: Pena de Castelo. Visiting Galicia and missing this view would be like traveling to Arizona and not seeing the Grand Canyon. The walk to the viewpoint is done through a path full of shady pine groves and natural forests. The small chapel of San Mauro marks its end. The view of the canyon is breathtaking: terraced vineyards rise more than 1000 meters from the banks of the River Sil, which silently winds through the gorge like a giant anaconda.
