Galicia Travel Guide

Introduction

Named by the Romans after the ancient Celtic tribe that resided north of the Douro river, Galicia has a long history as an independent nation within Iberia. The Kingdom of Galicia was founded in 410 by the Suebi, a Germanic tribe, and continued to exist formally until 1833 - longer than any of the four other kingdoms upon which Spain was founded in the 15th century.

Galician language, spoken by most of the Galician population, was the first Iberian language to be consolidated from Latin. It is considered to be the same language as Portuguese, both having their roots in Mediaeval Galician, before Galician knights (re)conquered the land that would become Portugal from the Moors.

Galicia looks and feel very different from the rest of Spain and cerrtainly doesn't fit any of the most common stereotypes about the country. With its Atlantic climate, rocky coastlines, rugged terrain, small towns of stone houses, and Celtic heritage, Galicia has been likened to Brittany and Ireland. The analogy runs in place names too, like the Cape Finisterre, Galicia's westernmost point, whose names mirrors the Finistère at the western tip of Brittany.

Galicia has a population of 2.8 million, comparable to that of Albania, Mongolia, or the U.S. state of Nevada. It has a land area of 29,574 km2 (11,419 sq mi), slightly smaller than Belgium, but a bit bigger than Albania or Hawaii.

Famous people from Galicia include (chronologically): general Francisco Franco (dictator of Spain from 1936 to 1975), the Nobel Prize novelist Camilo José Cela writer, and Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy. Also not that the parents of Fidel Castro, the former president of Cuba, were both born in Galicia.

The businessman Amancio Ortega Gaona, although born in Castile & León, founded the Inditex fashion group (Zara, Massimo Dutti, etc.) in the Galician town of Arteixo in 1985. In 2013, Mr Ortega was the world's 3rd richest person according to Forbes. He resides in A Coruña.

Cuisine

Galician cuisine is renowned for its seafood, especially octopus and shellfishes (oysters, scallops, mussels, clams, heart clams, razor shell clams), and for its sauces. Scallop shells are so emblematic of the region that they have been worn for centuries by pilgrims on the pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostela.

Attractions

West

Pontevedra

Pontevedra boasts a largely car-free historic centre that earned it European City of the Year in 2019. The city's name means 'old bridge' in Galician, referring to an 11-arch Roman bridge that still spans the Lérez River. Once a significant medieval port where Columbus's Santa Maria was likely built4, Pontevedra combines maritime heritage with modern urban living. The old town features interlocking lanes and squares named after ancient guilds, such as Praza da Leña (firewood square) and Praza da Ferrería (blacksmith square). The city is renowned for its fresh seafood and local Albariño white wines from the Rías Baixas region, with its bustling food market offering an array of local delicacies. The surrounding area encompasses pristine beaches and the Cíes Islands natural park, whilst the city itself is adorned with notable architecture including the distinctive rounded façade of the 18th-century Peregrina Chapel and the Gothic San Francisco Convent.

Soutomaior Castle

Soutomaior Castle is a remarkable blend of 12th-century medieval fortress and 19th-century neo-Gothic palace, situated 119 metres above sea level near the Ría de Vigo. The castle complex features two towers connected by a residential building, surrounded by double walls, and houses a modern museum with 3D recreations and video-mapping installations that tell its fascinating history. The 25-hectare grounds include Spain's first International Garden of Excellence, boasting over 400 camellia specimens, including a unique 18-trunked camellia that has the largest trunk circumference in Galicia. The castle grounds also feature monumental trees, including a Chilean monkey puzzle tree, a red sequoia, and a cryptomeria. An intriguing historical connection suggests that Pedro Madruga, a former castle resident and Count of Camiña, might have been Christopher Columbus, as they shared common friends and rivals, and about one hundred places discovered in the New World were named after locations in As Rías Baixas. Visitors can enjoy the castle's restaurant, which serves local specialities including tuna empanadas and pulpo (octopus), accompanied by Albariño wine from the castle's own vineyards.

Vigo

Vigo, the largest city in Galicia, boasts Europe's largest fishing port and a fascinating Celtic and Roman heritage. The city centre features the historic Casco Vello (Old Town) with its winding cobblestone streets, whilst Monte do Castro offers panoramic views and archaeological remains from ancient settlements. Notable cultural attractions include the MARCO contemporary art museum, housed in a former 1880s prison, and the Museum of the Sea which chronicles the region's maritime traditions. The Cíes Islands, accessible by ferry, feature pristine beaches including the renowned Rodas Beach. Vigo's culinary scene revolves around its seafood heritage, with specialities like pulpo a la gallega (Galician-style octopus) and fresh oysters served along the famous Rúas da Ostras (Oysters' Street). The city's connection to the sea is celebrated through various festivals, including the annual Seafood Festival5, whilst the historic A Pedra market continues to showcase the freshest catches daily.

Centre & East

Santiago de Compostela ※

Santiago de Compostela, the capital Galicia, is home to one of the world's most beautiful urban areas with its UNESCO-listed Old Town featuring Romanesque, Gothic and Baroque architecture. The city's population of 89,000 makes it smaller than both Vigo and A Coruña, yet it remains Galicia's most visited city by foreigners. The city houses what's claimed to be the world's oldest hotel, the Hostal dos Reis Católicos, situated on Obradoiro square. The Mercado de Abastos, established three centuries ago, is the second most visited attraction after the Cathedral and is co-owned by 70 food producers. The local cuisine is renowned for its seafood, with signature dishes including pulpo á feira (octopus), Padrón peppers (known for their unpredictable spiciness), and the traditional almond-based Tarta de Santiago cake. The city produced the world's first recognised guidebook, the 12th-century Codex Calixtinus, and its university, established in 1495, continues to infuse the historic centre with intellectual vibrancy.

Lugo ※

Lugo, a city in northwestern Spain's Galicia region, is the only city in the world completely encircled by intact Roman walls, which stretch 2,117 metres and feature 71 towers and 10 gates. These 3rd-century walls, built between 260 and 325 CE, are a UNESCO World Heritage Site and were originally constructed to defend against local tribal revolts. The city centre houses remarkable structures including a 12th-century cathedral, the Roman Bridge spanning the Miño River, and the 23-hectare Rosalía de Castro Park with its three sequoias. Lugo's gastronomic scene is particularly noteworthy, with the local saying 'Y para comer, Lugo' (And for eating, Lugo) reflecting its culinary reputation. Local specialities include Burela tuna, Butelo sausage from A Fonsagrada, and Queixo do Cebreiro, a protected designation of origin cheese. The city celebrates its Roman heritage annually with the Arde Lucus festival, and in 2007, its walls were symbolically twinned with the Great Wall of China.

A Coruña

A Coruña is home to the world's oldest working lighthouse - the Tower of Hercules, a UNESCO World Heritage site dating back to the Roman era. The city earned its nickname 'City of Glass' from its distinctive 19th-century glass-enclosed balconies (galerías) that line the marina, originally built to allow fishermen to observe the harbour. A 13-kilometre seaside promenade connects the port to numerous beaches, offering opportunities for walking, cycling, and water activities. The city's rich maritime heritage is reflected in its outstanding seafood cuisine, with specialities including pulpo a la gallega (octopus with paprika and olive oil) and empanada gallega (savoury pastry). Beyond gastronomy, A Coruña boasts several unique museums, including the DOMUS, the world's first interactive museum, and MEGA, Spain's only museum dedicated to beer. The local beer, Estrella Galicia, remains an important part of the city's culture.