Best areas to stay in Galicia
Whether you are looking for a relaxing vacation or exploring the best places to visit in Galicia, there is a perfect area for you! Below you will find a number of villages spread across the Rias Baixas, the Costa da Morte and the Rias Altas.
At the end of this article you will find a map of Galicia in which I have pointed out the towns where I recommend staying, recommended hotels, places to see in the region and the best beaches in Galicia.
1. Rías Baixas, where to stay in Galicia if you want to be near the best beaches
The Rías Baixas is one of the most beautiful and visited areas of Galicia. It occupies all the land between the town of Muros and Tuy/A Guarda.
Here you can find places like the cities of Vigo and Pontevedra, the popular Cíes Islands, and some of the best beaches in the community.
This is a great option to stay in Galicia, as there are many places to visit, both charming villages and natural enclaves. Any of the following towns (Muros, Cambados, Combarro, Bueu, and Baiona) are an alternative as a base in Rias Baixas.
Staying in Muros (A Coruña)
Muros is a fishing village known as one of the most beautiful villages in Galicia. It is located in the northern part of Rías Baixas. In the summer, many tourists come to this town to enjoy its beaches and gastronomy. One of the best things to do is to stroll along its promenade and its historic center.
Do not forget to visit places like the town hall square, the port and the fish market or the Collegiate Church of San Pedro de Muros. As for the beaches, you can visit Area Mayor (Louro) beach or, a little further away, the incredible beach of Carnota.
If you choose to stay in Muros, take a look at these hotels.
Staying in Cambados (Pontevedra)
↠ Search for hotels in Cambados.
A good place to stay in Galicia is Cambados, the capital of Albariño. Everyone who visits it tends to fall in love with this small town, as it is full of charming places. Several of the must-see places in this town are the Fefiñáns square, the church of San Benito, the viewpoint of A Pastora and the tower of San Sadorniño.
Although the most spectacular place in this town are the ruins of Santa Mariña Dozo, a Gothic church abandoned in the nineteenth century. Near Combados, you can go to the beach of La Lanzada or the island of La Toja.
These hotels in Cambados can be a great option:
Staying in Combarro (Pontevedra)
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Combarro isn’t just one of the most beautiful spots in Galicia—it’s also one of the prettiest villages in all of Spain. This charming fishing village is just 7 kilometers from Pontevedra and feels like something straight out of a postcard.
What makes Combarro truly special are the hórreos, those traditional stone granaries perched on the estuary’s edge. They give the village its unique character and make it a photographer’s dream.
While you’re here, you’ll be close to some amazing places like Tambo Island, the peaceful Mosteiro de Santa María da Armenteira, or Silgar Beach in Sanxenxo.
If you’re thinking of staying the night, here are a few hotels to check out:
Staying in Bueu (Pontevedra)
Thanks to its fantastic location and its proximity to stunning beaches, Bueu is another excellent option for staying in the Rías Baixas, especially if you’re looking for peace and a strong connection to nature.
Some of the best beaches in the area include Menduiña, Nerga, Melide, and Lapamán. Don’t miss Bueu’s own beach, conveniently located right in town and perfect for a relaxing day by the sea.
If you’re planning to stay in Bueu, here are a few recommended hotels:
Staying in Baiona (Pontevedra)
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This town of Pontevedra is located south of the Rias Baixas. The old town of Baiona was declared as “Conjunto de Interés Histórico Artístico” by the Xunta de Galicia in 1993.
It is characterized by having a milder climate, an exquisite gastronomy, and having a total of almost 4 kilometers of beach in the municipality.
Walking along the promenade, visiting the Castle of Monterreal, seeing the Parish of Santa Maria de Baiona, and climbing up to the Virgin of the Rock are just some of the things you can do in Baiona.
If you choose Baiona, take a look at the following hotels:
2. Costa da Morte, an amazing area full of magic
Costa da Morte extends approximately from Carnota to Malpica. Cliffs, small villages and wild waters are just some of the components of this famous coastline.
If you want to stay in Costa da Morte, I recommend one of the following towns:
Staying in Finisterre (A Coruña)
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On one of my recent trips to Galicia, I stayed in Finisterre, a place once thought to be the end of the world. This small coastal town completely stole my heart—I honestly can’t say enough good things about it.
While you’re there, take some time to wander around the port, explore the charming streets of the old town, walk up to the famous Finisterre Lighthouse, and treat yourself to the delicious local food.
If you’re into beaches, Langosteira is great for a swim or a peaceful walk—it’s also the biggest beach in town. But my personal favorite was Mar de Fóra beach. It’s wild, unspoiled, and surrounded by nature. You can’t swim there, but it’s the perfect spot for a picnic, a sunset, or just relaxing and taking it all in.
Not far from Finisterre, you’ll find the Ézaro waterfall and the beautiful Gures beach—both are well worth a visit.
If you’re planning to stay overnight, here are some great places to consider:
- Apartamentos VIDA Finisterre (my hotel).
- Hotel o Semaforo.
- Cabañas Fisterra.
Staying in Malpica (A Coruña)
↠ Search for hotels in Malpica.
At the northern end of Costa da Morte and 50 km from A Coruña is the coastal town of Malpica. Apart from getting lost in its streets, I recommend visiting Torres de Mens, the Church of Santiago de Mens, and the Hermitage of San Adrián.
As for beaches, in Malpica you will find the beach of Area Maior and the beach of Seaia. A little further away, you will find the beaches of San Miro, Razo, and Barizo.
In this town, there are good options like:
3. Rías Altas, great option in Galicia to get to know its wild side
The Rías Altas are located on the north coast of Galicia. This stretch is characterized by its wild nature, with surprising cliffs. Its virgin beaches and fishing villages also stand out. It is an ideal area if you like active tourism and want to make good hiking trails.
In this area of Galicia you will find popular places such as Playa de las Catedrales or the Natural Park of Fragas del Eume. Although there is much more. Other places like Betanzos, Doniños Beach, the Hermitage of Santa Comba, San Andrés de Teixido, or Vixía de Herbeira will drive you crazy.
I recommend several towns where you can stay in Rías Altas, one inland and two on the coast.
Staying in Cariño (A Coruña)
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Cariño is a small coastal town with a lot of charm located in the region of Ortegal. Although the town itself is very nice, the best of Cariño is its incredible natural environment, full of beaches and cliffs. One of the most impressive is the cliffs of Vixía de Herbeira.
Don’t miss the Cabo Ortegal Lighthouse either. Cariño has its own beach, but I also recommend the beach of Fornos.
Consider these hotels if you decide to make Cariño your base:
Staying in Mondoñedo (Lugo)
↠ Search for hotels in Mondoñedo.
If you feel like staying in a small inland town, Mondoñedo is a very good option. This municipality in Lugo stands out for its cathedral, built in the thirteenth century and in Romanesque style. Apart from strolling through the small center, do not miss the neighborhood of Os Muiños.
Near Mondoñedo, you can visit the Rei Cintolo cave and the beach of Las Catedrales, one of the most popular places in Galicia.
These are good hotels to consider:
💡 If you prefer staying in a city that’s relatively close to various areas in Galicia, consider Santiago de Compostela. If you’re interested, check out the best areas and hotels to stay in Santiago de Compostela.
Map of best places to stay in Galicia
I’ve created a map to help you choose a place to stay:
On the map, you’ll find the main places to stay in Galicia highlighted in red (along with must-see spots during your trip). Hotels I recommend are marked in orange, complete with links to Booking.com. The best places to visit in Galicia are marked in blue, while some of the region’s most beautiful beaches are highlighted in turquoise.
To make planning easier, you can click on any of the boxes in the map’s drop-down menu to explore areas, hotels, or attractions. This way, organizing your trip and deciding where to stay becomes a breeze.
I hope this guide to the best places to stay in Galicia helps you plan your trip. If you have any questions, feel free to leave a comment or reach out to me. Happy travels, and see you next time!
