Galicia
Northern Green Spain with Celtic tradition, an abundance of nature, rivers and fabulous seafood
Galicia, the autonomous region of the north west tip of Spain, is divided into 4 provinces, namely Pontevedra, La Coruna, Ourense and Lugo. All provinces are unique in their own right, either for their scenery, gastronomy, wines or other distinguishing features.
The mosaic of landscapes in Galicia has something to please everyone, and people who choose to settle in Galicia, whether it be long term or for holidays, they will have their own particular reasons why.
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Galicia - Beaches:
There are over a thousand kilometres of coastline bordering Galicia to the north and west, in the provinces of Pontevedra and A Coruna, with some spectacular cliffs, beaches and numerous estuaries, as well as a good number of rivers. The many beaches bordering the Rias Baixas are ideal places to visit all year round, and especially in summer.
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Galicia - Geography, nature and history:
The north-west corner of Spain, Galicia has a rugged landscape, lush green and heavily wooded with a landscape dominated by water and washed by the Atlantic Ocean. The Romans named it 'Finis Terrae' believing it to be the most westerly point in the world. Only a few centuries ago, O Grove was an island until sand built up and formed the beautiful beach of La Lanzada, and now just one road connects it to the mainland.
The farmland in Galicia, almost feudalistic in appearance, comprises tiny plots which are too small for modern machinery, therefore an ox-drawn cart is not an uncommon sightin Galicia. Ancient granite walls shelter the fields and granite horreos (small barns) are used for drying and storing the crops. Many of our holiday houses in Galicia, although near the sea, are in rural areas and some of them have these distinctive horreos in their gardens.
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Galicia lies in the north west corner of Spain, basking in the Cantabrian sea and the Atlantic Ocean. It borders with Asturias, Castile and Leon in the east and with Portugal in the south. The coastline of Galicia is indented by fjord-like rias (tidal estuaries) which are the source of some of the best seafood in Europe. Characterised by high cliffs and deep estuaries, Galicia's rias are split into two areas: the Rias Altas (Cedeira, Ortiguiera, O Barqueiro, Viveiro, Foz and Ribadeo amongst others) and the R�as Baixas (Muros, Noia, Arousa, Vigo and Pontevedra). Between the two areas are the estuaries of 'A Costa da Morte' (Corcubion, Camarinas, Corme and Laxe) as well as the estuaries of the Artabro Golf (Ferrol, Ares and Betanzos and A Coruna).
Along the Galician coast are numerous attractive small fishing villages and superb beaches washed by the Atlantic Ocean. Coastal Galicia and inland Galicia are separated by a mountain range known as Galicia's backbone. The mountains tend to be small and undulating, separated by two valleys, lying in the following three areas:
The first area borders Asturias and Leon, and has the highest mountains including, Pena Trevinca (2,095 m), Penarrubia (1,826 m) and Cabeza de Manzaneda (1,778 m). The second area lies in the middle of the region surrounded by lower mountains, and the third on the coast, with the estuaries as the renowned highlight.
Galicia's rivers have large volumes of water flowing through them and naturally head towards either the Atlantic or the Cantabrian sea. The rivers that flow into the Atlantic are larger and more abundant, including the Mino river (Galicia's most important) and its tributary the river Sil. Other notable Galician rivers include the Ulla, the Tambre or the Eume.
Galicia - Climate:
The temperatures in Galicia are cooler than the south of Spain and rainfall heavier. However, it is still warmer and drier than Britain in the summer, particularly in the Rias Bajas in the south west of Galicia. Pontevedra and A Coruna are by far the most popular areas of Galicia for beach and warm weather lovers. Along the coast known as the Rias Baixas (from Baiona in the province of Pontevedra, almost up to Fisterra in the province of A Coruna) one is privileged to enjoy a special micro-climate, where mild temperatures predominate for most of the year, with abundant though not excessive rainfall, giving rise to the rich, green Galician landscape.
The mountainous regions of Galicia reach 200m towards the east in the province of Lugo, and weather can vary dramatically from one province to another.
Galicia - Holiday properties:
The beautiful green region of Galicia offers you the chance to enjoy a relaxing holiday at any time of the year, amid a usually tranquil atmosphere of lush countryside, a stark contrast to the coastal resorts of the 'costas' in southern Spain.
Holiday villa rentals in Galicia can be found in many beautiful, rural locations in the region and are the ideal choice for a family holiday - apartment rentals in Galicia, on the other hand, are perfect for a quiet and intimate break for two in a peacefully secluded situation with just the right ambience for a romantic holiday. Farmhouses and cottages in Galicia are usually set amid rolling, green landscapes bursting with olive groves, vineyards and fruit orchards with stunning views over the distant mountains. Holiday cottages and farmhouses in Galicia are the ideal choice of accommodation in Spain for anyone looking for a charmingly rural and totally authentic holiday rental.
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Galicia - Gastronomy:
Galicia as a whole is a rich wine producing area, white wine having become more
renowned than red, although both are produced. The Rias Bajas in Southern Galicia,
is the main wine growing area in Green Spain producing the excellent, refreshing
white Albarino wines, whilst Ribeiro is produced further up the river Mino. Other
well known names include Godello, Betanzos, Barrantes amongst many more.
Another compelling attraction of Galicia is the abundance of locally produced
food. Cheese and ham are local delicacies, and a huge variety of flavours can
be discovered all over the region.
Gourmets claim Gallego seafood to be unequalled almost anywhere in the world and local specialities to look out for include vieiras (the scallops whose shells became the symbol of St. James), mejillones (the rich, orange mussels from the rias), cigalas (large prawns), angulas (little eels from the Mino river), chipirones (small squid) and pulpo (octopus) which is so much a part of life that there are special pulperias which serve it.
Galicia - Holy Year:
Holy Year in Santiago de Compostela occurs when the 25th of July (the day of Santiago Apostol) falls on a Sunday, when there are many cultural activities, concerts, folk dancing and art exhibitions in Galicia to celebrate.
Galicia - Fiestas:
Most towns all over Galicia celebrate the different types of produce on specific days, such as the cheese festival in O Cebreiro on the first Sunday in April, the seafood festival on and around the 12th October in O Grove, sardine festivals all around in the summer, especially in Sada, to the north in mid-August, and in Corme, a small village along the Rias Altas, whose people never fail to offer a good time for all at the Goose barnacle fair (festa do Percebe) at the beginning of July.
Galicia - Out & About:
Some of the most spectacular architecture can be appreciated in Galicia, including
castles and monasteries, many of which can be found along the different routes
that pilgrims took, and indeed still take, to reach the Cathedral of Santiago
de Compostela (the burial place of St James, one of the twelve disciples).
In and around the province of Ourense, we find a booming capital city of the same
name, full of life and culture. Again, famous for its wines, chorizos (smoked
sausage), and chestnut roasting festivals, Ourense is perhaps best known for its
exquisite mineral waters.
North of Ourense we enter the province of Lugo, where the city wall still stands. This is the hilliest part of Galicia, and also the province where tradition is the key word. Most of Lugo is unspoilt, and there are innumerable buildings to admire.
Lugo is also the place to find Galicia's true craftsmen and women, architecture from baroque crucifixes to century-old spurs, typical 'cruceiros' (stone crosses) placed at crossroads and near churches and, as in all four provinces of Galicia, a fine selection of typical dishes, good wines, cheeses, cured hams, the much sought after eau de vie 'aguardiente', a strong liquor well worth a try.
Galicia - Getting there:
There is a daily flight from Heathrow to Santiago de Compostela with Iberia and daily flights from Stansted Airport to Santiago de Compostela. Most of our properties are about an hour's drive from the airport. There are also regular flights from Manchester, Heathrow and Gatwick to Porto In Portugal which is approximately two and a half hours' drive from our holiday properties. Also international connections via Madrid, Bilbao and Barcelona to Santiago, Vigo and La Coruna will combine with most U.K. departures.
Alternatively you can go by ferry to Santander or Bilbao and drive to Galicia in your own car. Ferries to mainland Spain operate from Portsmouth to Bilbao and Plymouth to Santander. Road connections with these ports and throughout Galicia are improving all the time with an average driving time of nine hours from Bilbao and Santander.
| Direct Flights to Galicia from the UK: | |||
| UK Airport: | La Coruna: | Santiago de Compostela: | Vigo: |
| Stansted | - | Ryanair | - |
| Heathrow | Iberia/BA | - | - |
| Gatwick | - | - | Clickair |
Santiago Airport - Santiago de Compostela - Airport Code: SCR
This airport serves the City of Santiago de Compostela and is also used by people travelling to A Coruna which is 75km away.
Ryanair fly direct to Santiago de Compostela from Stansted in the UK and also from Frankfurt and Rome. If you cannot get a direct flight from the UK then it is better to head for Madrid and change flights there.
Many of the flights that arrive at Santiago Airport are from internal Spanish flights. Iberia and Spanair offer the best selection of flights and you can fly to Santiago De Compostela in Galicia from: Alicante, Barcelona, Bilbao, Fuerteventura, Gran Canaria, Lanzarote, Madrid, Malaga, Palma, Seville, Tenerife and Valencia.
Departures at Santiago de Compostela are dealt with on the ground floor and there are a total of 18 check in desks. Ryanair has 2 desks.
There are a couple of cafes at the airport that are open throughout the day and you will find 7 different shops at Santiago selling a variety of things including cigarettes, perfumes etc.
You will find four different buses at Santiago de Compostela Airport:
Airport to Lugo: Runs throughout the day from 07.00 � 19.30
Airport to Santaigo Centre: Runs every 30 - 40 mins
Airport to Santiago (Doctor Teixeiro line): Runs every 30 - 60 mins
Airport to A Coruna: Just one bus per day which leaves at 11.30.
Taxis are available outside the main terminal building and you should expect to pay �15 for a trip into Santiago de Compostela and around �80 for a taxi to A Coruna.
Vigo Airport - Vigo - Airport Code: VGO
Vigo is in Galicia on Spain's north eastern coast. The airport is just 9km from Vigo city centre and 28km from the city of Pontevedra.
Unlike many other Spanish Airports most of the passengers passing through this airport came from internal Spanish flights with Iberia and Spanair being the main providers of flights. From June 2008 there are direct flights from the Gatwick in the UK to Vigo in Galicia.
There are plenty of internal flights on offer through Iberia and Spanair and you can fly direct to Vigo from Alicante, Barcelona, Bilbao, Gran Canaria, Madrid, Malaga, Palma, Seville, Tenerife and Valencia.
Once at the airport it is easy to get around the Vigo arrivals and departures areas. There are a couple of cafes that provide hot and cold snacks and drinks and a small selection of shops.
The buses from Vigo Airport, route L9, run every 30 minutes from 0600 - 2300. The journey is pretty quick, around 15 minutes and costs just �0.87.
Taxis can also be found just outside the terminal building and as a guide you should expect to pay around �12-16 for a journey into the City center and for further journeys the fares work out at just under �1 per km.
La Coruna Airport - La Coruna - Airport Code: LCG
Located just 8km outside of the city of Coruna, this airport deals mostly with internal Spanish flights, however Iberia/BA fly here from Heathrow.
There are no low cost airlines flying here from the UK or Germany. The nearest airport which is served by Ryanair is Santaigo de Compostela Airport which is about 65km away.
When you arrive at Galicia's La Coruna Airport there are just three baggage carousels to collect your bags from. After you have collected your bags head into the main hall where you will find signs for the taxis and buses and the offices for the car hire companies. Iberia and Spanair also have ticket offices here.
The departures area at La Coruna Airport consists of 10 check in desks and once you have checked in you will be called to one of four boarding gates. Within this area you will also find a cafe serving hot and cold drinks and a Multishop selling cigarettes etc.
The buses at Galicia's Coruna Airport arrive and depart from just outside the terminal building. The buses leave every 30-60 minutes and the 25 minute journey into the City centre costs just �0.95.
The taxis at Coruna Airport can be found outside the arrivals hall and as a rough guide a taxi into Coruna should cost �12-�15 and to Santiago de Compostela �50-�60.
Flights to La Coruna Airport:
Iberia and www.spanair.com offer a selection of internal and international flights from La Coruna. You can fly from here direct to: Barcelona, Bilbao, Gran Canaria, Madrid, Tenerife, Paris and Lisbon.
Galicia - Our holiday accommodation and service:
Travel with secretdestinations.com holidays and enjoy privileged, sophisticated holiday destinations in Galicia. Privately owned houses, cottages, villas, apartments, villas with pools and hotels, in beautiful coastal and rural locations, hand-picked for an authentic taste of unspoiled secret Northern Green Spain.
So, if you're looking for an activity holiday walking, cycling and trekking or climbing in Northern Green Spain's mountains and countryside; exploring Galicia's fascinating villages, rural towns and historic cities; enjoy bird watching, nature, fancy a spot of surfing, swimming, sunbathing or relaxing on great beaches; sampling fabulous Galician seafood or you just want to simply escape the tourism masses with a privately owned apartment, cottage or villa with a pool, call our holiday team today. We can also assist you with flights to Galicia, ferry travel and holiday car hire.
