Where 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.
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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 in 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 region. It is a very good option to stay in Galicia as there are many places to visit, both charming villages and natural sites.
Any of the following towns (Muros, Cambados, Combarro, Bueu and Baiona) is a great alternative to base yourself in Rías Baixas:
1.1 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.
Recommended hotels in Muros:
1.2 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.
Recommended hotels in Cambados:
1.3 COMBARRO (PONTEVEDRA)
↠ Search for hotels in Combarro.
Combarro is not only one of the most beautiful places to visit in Galicia but also one of the most beautiful villages in Spain. This picturesque fishing village is located just 7 kilometers from Pontevedra. Something that stands out in Combarro is the amount of “hórreos” (constructions on columns to preserve food) that you can find on the banks of the estuary. Combarro is close to Tambo Island, the Mosteiro de Santa María da Armenteira or Silgar Beach (Sanxenxo).
Recommended hotels in Combarro:
1.4 BUEU (PONTEVEDRA)
Due to its location and its proximity to good beaches, Bueu is another great option where to stay in the Rias Baixas if you are looking for peace and nature. I recommend Menduiña beach, Nerga beach and Melide beach, Lapamán beach, apart from Bueu beach, which is located in the same town.
Recommended hotels in Bueu:
💡 Take a trip to Cíes Islands and visit the famous Rodas Beach. I remind you that you need to acquire a permit to visit this place, which you can get on this website. Or you can book the boat ride to Cíes Islands here, where the board permit is also included.
1.5 BAIONA (PONTEVEDRA)
↠ Search for hotels in Baiona.
This town in Pontevedra is located south of the Rias Baixas. The old town of Baiona was declared as “Historic and Artistic Interest” 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 hiking to the top of Virgin of the Rock are just some of the things you can do in Baiona.
Recommended hotels in Baiona:
💡 Don’t forget to visit Santiago de Compostela, the most beautiful city in Galicia. Apart from the Cathedral of Santiago, you can also visit the Monastery of San Martiño Pinario, stroll through the old town and enter the Mercado de Abastos. I also recommend you book this free tour of Santiago. If you decide to spend the night in the city, don’t miss my recommendations on where to stay in Santiago de Compostela.
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. Check out this article on what to see in Costa da Morte if you want to know more. If you want to stay in Costa da Morte, I recommend one of the following villages:
2.1 FINISTERRE (A CORUÑA)
↠ Search for hotels in Finisterre.
On my last trip to Galicia I stayed in Finisterre, which was considered by many as the end of the world. I only have good words for this small coastal town that managed to captivate me. I recommend you to walk around the port, get lost in the streets of the old town, take a walk to the Lighthouse of Finisterre and, of course, enjoy its gastronomy.
As for the beaches, for swimming and walking, I recommend Langosteira beach, the largest in Finisterre. However, my favorite beach, for its natural environment and wild air, was Mar de Fóra beach. You cannot swim but it is very nice to have a picnic on the beach, watch the sunset or just spend some time. Near Finisterre you can visit the waterfall of Ézaro and the beach of Gures.
Recommended hotels in Finisterre:
- Apartamentos VIDA Finisterre (my hotel).
- Hotel o Semaforo.
- Cabañas Fisterra.
2.2 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 Area Maior beach and Seaia beach. A little further away, you will find the beaches of San Miro, Razo and Barizo.
Recommended hotels in Malpica:
3. Rías Altas, great option in Galicia to get to know its wild side
Last but not least, I recommend two villages to stay in Rias Altas, one inland and one coastal town. In this area of Galicia you will find popular places such as Playa de las Catedrales or the Fragas del Eume Natural Park.
3.1 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 cave of Rei Cintolo and Las Catedrales beach, one of the most popular places in Galicia.
Recommended hotels in Mondoñedo:
3.2 CARIÑO (A CORUÑA)
↠ Search for hotels in Cariño.
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 part of Cariño is its incredible natural environment, full of beaches and cliffs. One of the most impressive are the cliffs of Vixía de Herbeira. Don’t forget to visit Cabo Ortegal Lighthouse either. Cariño has its own beach, but I also recommend Fornos beach.
Recommended hotels in Cariño:
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Map of best places to stay in Galicia
I’ve created a map to help you choose a place to stay:
You will see marked in red the main places to stay in Galicia (as well as places you should visit during your visit); marked in orange the different hotels I recommend (with their respective links to Booking); marked in blue, the places I recommend to see in Galicia; and, finally, marked in turquoise some of the best beaches in Galicia.
You can click on each of the boxes in the drop-down menu on the map to see the areas, hotels or places to visit. This will make it much easier for you to plan your trip and choose where you want to stay in Galicia.
Take a look at my Spain travel guide if you plan to visit other areas of this country.
I hope this article about where to stay in Galicia has helped you to plan your getaway to the Galician region. If you have any questions, I encourage you to leave a comment or contact me, see you next time, travelers!
