Galicia
 

GALICIA TRAVEL GUIDE

Recommended destinations to discover selected by highly-rated travel experts.

 
 
 

GALICIA

 

Why travel to Galicia?

The kingdom of Galicia is a magical land located on the north-west of Spain’s Atlantic coast. Formed by 1,300 kilometres of coastline, 772 beaches, five large rias (bays or long sea lakes that stretch inland) and over 1000 rivers. Local legends say the beautiful landscape has been blessed by God's right hand which he laid down creating the dramatically shaped coastline of the Rías Gallegas! This autonomous region of Spain is divided up into 4 provinces: A Coruña, Pontevedra, Ourense and Lugo. It has its own character and traditions, visitors from all over the world fall in love and wish to stay here forever enjoying the delicious food, best wine (Albariño wine, Ribeiro wine, Mencía wine, etc.). Galicia's unique culture and gastronomy combine so well together that it would be hard to find better anywhere else in the world!

Galician gastronomy

In Galicia you can taste the best food, with a huge emphasis on fresh and abundant seafood such as pulpo (octopus), percebes (gooseneck barnacles), mussels, oysters, etc… Without a doubt, this region is one of the richest in Spain’s gastronomy that will not disappoint food lovers. To really understand the gastronomy of this land you must do it the slow way! Immerse yourself into the local food culture by taking food tours, wine tours, foodie walking tours... And these are only some suggested activities that you can do when touring Galicia.

Different cultural influences

Galicia differs from the rest of Spain as it has an imprint of Celtic and Gaelic origins, bringing a characteristically musical instrument, the Galician bagpipe (Gaita). You will not get bored listening to the traditional bagpipe music at one of the Celtic music festivals like the Festival Internacional do Mundo Celta de Ortigueira. Not forgetting to mention the roman influence that you can admire in Galicia’s historical landmarks such as La Muralla Romana de Lugo (Roman Wall of Lugo).

Best places to discover in Galicia

In this Galicia travel guide you will find the best destinations to visit in the area. Starting with Vigo, the largest city of Galicia with approximately 300,000 inhabitants and the second biggest (behind Tokyo) fishing port in the world! Protecting the mouth of Vigo bay are the popular and breathtaking Cíes Islands, a must-see on a day boat trip from Vigo. The Rande Bridge is another icon image of the city crossing over the Ría de Vigo, considered one of the world’s most beautiful natural estuaries. 

Moreover, there is Santiago de Compostela, the historic capital of the region and the end of one of the most important pilgrimage routes in the world, the Camino de Santiago (St James Pilgrimage or Way of Saint James). Other cities worth visiting in Galicia are: A Coruña, Ourense, Pontevedra and Lugo. Outside of the main cities get lost along the Rías Baixas or Rías Altas coastline stopping in fishing villages like Cangas, Burela, A Guarda, O Grove, Baiona, Combarro, etc. These are only a few examples, there is so much more to explore in this beautiful region of Spain.

Our food experts have chosen the best tour operators offering tours with food, wine, and walking holidays in Galicia. You can check our full list of top food tours to Galicia and recommended boutique hotels in the sections of this Galicia travel guide.

Capital of Galicia: Santiago de Compostela
Population: 2,699,424 millones (2023) inhabitants

 
 
 
Galicia
Galicia
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Galicia
 

THE 10 BEST DESTINATIONS TRAVEL GUIDES

Discover our top destinations recommended by our highly-rated tour experts.

 
 
 

RECOMMENDED TOURS, EXPERIENCES & TASTINGS

Our top 10 best tours, experiences & tastings in the destination selected by our experts. Slow Way Food Tours, Green Walking Holiday and Exclusive Food & Wine Tours/Tastings.

 
 
 
  Half Day...
  109,00 euros 
 

Vigo Food Tour to Eat Your Way along the City...

 

On this Vigo food tour, our foodie guide will take you on a food walk through the streets of the new and old parts of the city centre. There is no better way to discover vigo than walking and eating as the local Vigueses do!

 

  20 User Reviews

 
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Full-Day...  
245,00 euros  
 

A Fraga River Valley Trail, Goat Cheese Farm &...

 

Come to Moaña, Galicia, Spain to discover one of the most beautiful walking nature trails in this region, A Fraga nature trail, paired with tastings of prize-winning Galician goat cheese and exquisite premium beef. A great way to learn about -and taste- the Galician locally sourced products and culture.

 

  

 
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  4 Days / 3...
  960,00 euros 
 

A Gastronomic & Nature Short Break in Baiona,...

 

Experience the Rias Baixas region in Galicia with this wonderful short break in Baiona, enjoy excellent food and wine while immersing yourself in nature and local culture. Taste delicious seafood paired with local wines and have fun on a safari of Serra da Groba admiring wild horses. Discover plenty of things to do in Baiona!

 

  0 User Reviews

 
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4 Days / 3...  
On Request Best Rate euros 
 

Vigo: Rías Baixas Atlantic Coastal City Foodie...

 

Our short break food, wine and walking journey starts in the urban coastal city of Vigo. The first few days we explore the Rias Baixas, taking a boat ride to a fishing village for a walk around the market. Then a hands-on Galician Coastal Cooking class with a chef.

 

  

 
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  Half Day...
  170,00 euros 
 

Albarino Wine Region and Baiona Coastal Village...

 

Wine tour from Vigo or Baiona to the O Rosal valley sub-zone of the D.O. Rias Baixas, the Albarino wine region and then continue along the coast to Baiona.

 

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5hrs30mins...  
159,00 euros  
 

Sustainable Mussel Boat Cruise and Tapas Food...

 

Dive into the delicious gastronomy of Galicia with a relaxed cruise on the Bay of Vigo and a gourmet food tour through the city streets of the Old Quarter stopping by the best-selected tapas places. Learn about the fishing tradition and the sustainable way of mussel cultivation and enjoy an onboard tasting of mussels...

 

  

 
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  Full Day...
  140,00 euros 
 

Galician Seafood Cooking Class and Ferry Boat...

 

Visit Galicia starting from the wonderful city of Vigo on this Cooking like a Galician Tour combined with a ferry boat trip across Vigo Bay where you will enjoy the beautiful landscape and dramatic coastline. Get to know the Galician gastronomy and culture in a cooking class led by a local chef with fresh products from the area.

 

  0 User Reviews

 
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4hrs approx.  
119,00 euros  
 

Santiago de Compostela Gourmet Food Tour &...

 

A Gourmet Food Tour exploring the old town of Santiago de Compostela. Visit the food market and enjoy seeing all the locally sourced products, the fresh fish and seafood caught in the bay, red meats, cheeses, honey and veggies. Walk along the streets of the old town of Santiago de Compostela, and discover the best tapas stops tasting the best food and wine and immersing yourself in the flavours of the Galician gastronomy.

 

  

 
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  50 mins.
On Request Best Rate euros 
 

A Groba Hill: Wild Horses Roam Free & Spectacular...

 

On this live-streaming virtual tour, we will take you to two different lookout vantage points at the top of A Groba Hill in Baiona, Galicia, Spain. The first lookout point will be O Cortelliño Mirador with amazing views of the bay of Baiona, the harbor, and even as far out as the Cies Islands. During our live stream, we should get a good glimpse of a few Garrano wild horses wandering around and grazing...

 

  5 User Reviews

 
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05hrs. approx.  
125,00 euros  
 

The Origins of Vigo: Celtic, Roman, Historic...

 

Discover the origins of Vigo! Starting with the Celts, then the Romans took over, after that numerous sea-faring battles on the bay of Vigo over the centuries with the largest sunken treasure of its time. A city famed for the best seafood in Spain, which we will savour on this gastronomic city tour!

 

  

 
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TOP RESTAURANTS

The best places to eat selected by our foodie experts in the food destinations we cover.

 
 
 
  5hrs30mins...
  159,00 euros 
 

Sustainable Mussel Boat Cruise and Tapas Food...

 

Dive into the delicious gastronomy of Galicia with a relaxed cruise on the Bay of Vigo and a gourmet food tour through the city streets of the Old Quarter stopping by the best-selected tapas places. Learn about the fishing tradition and the sustainable way of mussel cultivation and enjoy an onboard tasting of mussels...

 

  0 User Reviews

 
See details
 
Full Day...  
140,00 euros  
 

Galician Seafood Cooking Class and Ferry Boat...

 

Visit Galicia starting from the wonderful city of Vigo on this Cooking like a Galician Tour combined with a ferry boat trip across Vigo Bay where you will enjoy the beautiful landscape and dramatic coastline. Get to know the Galician gastronomy and culture in a cooking class led by a local chef with fresh products from the area.

 

  

 
See details
 
  4hrs approx.
  119,00 euros 
 

Santiago de Compostela Gourmet Food Tour &...

 

A Gourmet Food Tour exploring the old town of Santiago de Compostela. Visit the food market and enjoy seeing all the locally sourced products, the fresh fish and seafood caught in the bay, red meats, cheeses, honey and veggies. Walk along the streets of the old town of Santiago de Compostela, and discover the best tapas stops tasting the best food and wine and immersing yourself in the flavours of the Galician gastronomy.

 

  0 User Reviews

 
See details
 
Half-Day...  
On Request Best Rate euros 
 

Baiona Gourmet Food Tour

 

On this gourmet food tour, you will discover tasty tapas in Baiona while visiting the best bars and restaurants in the Old Town. Your Food & Wine Guide will meet you outside the new Tourist Office. An excellent option for those who would like a lunch or dinner tasting various Galician fine wines paired with delicious, freshly made tapas.

 

  

 
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  1hr.30mins....
On Request Best Rate euros 
 

Spa & Gourmet Flavors Experience at Hotel...

 

Unwind and taste the excellent Galician Gastronomy with a Spa & Gourmet Flavors Experience at Hotel Bienestar Moaña!

 

  0 User Reviews

 
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RECOMMENDED HOTELS

Our travel experts have researched the best hotels in the destinations we cover. Stay in unique accommodations from modern city centre hotels to wine country manor house with amazing food & wine. If you can not find a suitable option just let our experts know and we will suggest something different for you.

 
 
 
  4 Star
On Request Best Rate euros 
 

Hotel Bienestar Moaña

 

Enjoy a memorable stay in the beautiful fishing village of Moaña, Galicia, Spain at the best hotel on the O Morrazo Peninsula, Hotel Bienestar Moaña! This 4* hotel is in the town centre, a great location for exploring the wonderful beaches, nature trails scattered around the hills, and popular places to taste the excellent local Galician gastronomy.

 

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4 Star  
On Request Best Rate euros 
 

Parador de Baiona

 

Within the walled enclosure of Monte Real protected by the sea and flanked by a pine wood, the Parador de Baiona rises up in a privileged location. Regal drawing rooms with decorative features from other ages form a distinguished interior in which the spectacular stone staircase of the entrance hall stands out.

 

  

 
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On Request Best Rate euros 
 

Parador de Santiago de Compostela - Reis Catolicos

 

Mixture of history, art and tradition, the dream of pilgrims and an emblem of Santiago.

 

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On Request Best Rate euros 
 

Gran Hotel Nagari Boutique & Spa

 

Inspiring, Avant-garde, Sophisticated. Grand Boutique and Spa Nagari Hotel 5* has been designed combining style and comfort with all the services that every five star hotel requires. Opened in 2010, Gran Nagari Hotel devotes much of its facilities to use and enjoy the Spa and other amenities designed to the welfare and revitalization of all guests.

 

  

 
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  4 Star
On Request Best Rate euros 
 

Eco Hotel Señorío de Nande

 

If you are looking for the perfect accommodation in a relaxing natural environment, Nande Hotel is what you have been looking for. Rest, unwind from the bustle of the city, enjoy outdoor activities in contact with nature, or explore through flavors the gastronomy that As Neves and the area has to offer.

 

  0 User Reviews

 
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4 Star  
On Request Best Rate euros 
 

Hotel Monumento San Francisco

 

One of the best spots to stay in Santiago just a short walk to the Cathedral and easily accessible. The hotel is housed in the Convent of San Francisco, which dates back to the year 1214, and located in Santiago de Compostela’s historic city centre, only 150 metres from the Cathedral.

 

  

 
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TRAVEL JOURNAL

In our Travel Journal read posts and articles about upcoming tours, expert reviews of hotels, wineries, destinations, etc...

 
 
eatanwalkabout Home: Blog
25 September 2023
 

 
By Sean P. O´Rourke
 

Best places to visit in Galicia.  Imagine a place where the Atlantic breeze caresses your skin, where...

 
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