CHARMING GALICIAN VILLAGES

Villages to visit in Galicia

Table of Contents

Charming Galician Villages : 20 VILLAGES TO VISIT IN GALICIA

Galicia, the autonomous community located in the north of Spain is known for its delicious seafood, Rías Baixas and Altas, the rugged cliffs and the proximity of the Atlantic Ocean that influences all areas of life of the Galician people: from the climate to their main occupation. In addition, all tourists have heard the name Santiago de Compostela, the goal of the famous pilgrimage route, or Finisterre the mythical end of the world.

However, Galicia is much more than this. We could say that the countless villages are what really reflect the character of their lands. That is why today we are going to introduce you to something essential to visit in Galicia: the charming Galician villages. The villages are of all types: from small parishes, through fishing villages to towns with a few thousand inhabitants. The important thing is that they share a common trait, they all have an irresistible charm.

We give you the list of the wonderful charming galician villages to visit in Galicia, divided according to their provinces. This way we help you to organise your holiday in Galicia more easily. It will not be possible to visit them all in one trip. Then we’re sorry, you’ll have to come back more often. But in all honesty, we don’t think you’ll mind.

OURENSE

  • Allariz– it is said to have been the residence of Alfonso X the Wise. The monastery of Santa Clara, founded for the king’s wife, is located there. The village has corners with the charm of the past, pre-Romanesque, Romanesque and Gothic temples, Vilanova and Frieira bridges.
  • Ribadavia– its beautiful alleys with medieval architecture are great to enjoy with a glass of local wine. Afterwards, don’t forget to take a walk through the old Jewish quarter.
  • Puxedo– a village in Ourense that thanks to its inhabitants has recovered its former charm. There you will find the hórreos or old and beautiful mills, but in reality Puxedo stands out for something else: its murals. Stunning murals featuring ordinary people have turned ugly concrete block walls into works of art.

Read also : HOW TO VISIT THE RÍAS GALLEGAS?

Charming Galician villages: Combarro

PONTEVEDRA

  • Combarro– located on the shore of the Pontevedra estuary, Rías Baixas, is a beautiful village with traditional Galician architecture. Hórreos – stone granaries supported on columns to store the harvest and cruceiros – religious monuments in the shape of a cross. In Combarro you will also eat delicious seafood and fish.
  • Cambados– known for its Albariño wine, whose history you will discover in the Ethnographic Wine Museum. We also recommend watching the sunset from the tower of San Sadurniño, visiting the ruins of the church of Santa Mariña and the beach of A Lanzada. The village is a Historic-Artistic Site with monuments such as the church of San Benito, the Alameda de la Calzada, the Rúa Real, the cemetery and the ruins of Santa María de Dozo.
  • Tui– a town with an enviable old town, situated on the banks of the river Miño. It has a Romanesque cathedral, churches of San Telmo and San Francisco, convent of Santo Domingo. The Monte Aloia Natural Park is also just a few kilometres away. Tui is also the beginning of the Portuguese Way of St. James.
  • Agolada– there you will find the pendellos. They are 18th century buildings, in a very good state of preservation, which were used to organise trade fairs (one of the most important fairs in Galicia used to take place in the village).
  • Baiona– medieval village with an impressive fortified enclosure – Fortress of Monterreal with long walls and three towers overlooking the sea. It is the first port where the caravel ‘Pinta’ entered after discovering America in 1493, therefore it is the first place where the discovery of the new continent was known.
  • Carril– parroquia of Vilagarcía de Arousa in Rías Baixas. The perfect place to disconnect, relax and try the clams.

Read also: 5 PLACES IN GALICIA FOR NATURE LOVERS

A coruÑA

  • Ponte Maceira – one of the stops on the Camino de Santiago. It has charming medieval buildings and is located 15 minutes by car from Santiago de Compostela.
  • Betanzos– medieval streets, tapas bars, once a year a competition for the best omelette is organised there.
  • Padrón– a wonderful little town to see in Coruña, located near the river Ulla. It stands out for being the birthplace of Camilo José Cela.
  • Muros– stone houses, beautiful beaches. An essential stop on the way to Cape Fisterra. Declared a historic-artistic site with a charming fishing port. It also has a beautiful natural environment of the Ría de Muros and Noia.
  • Muxía– Sanctuary of the Virgen de la Barca, according to legend, the gigantic stones with magical properties that surround it are the remains of the stone boat in which the Virgin came to Muxía to give encouragement to the Apostle Santiago. Regardless of the veracity of the legend, one thing must be admitted: the sunset contemplated from the sanctuary of Muxía is a marvel.
  • Fisterra– situated on the Costa da Morte. Place of the ‘zero’ kilometre of the Way of St. James. I know that a lot has already been said about this place, but apart from the famous cape and lighthouse, the village itself is worth a visit.

LUGO

  • A Fonsagrada – not very touristic village, wonderful for escaping the crowds and tasting seafood.
  • Mondoñedo– village with beautiful medieval architecture, has a beautiful cathedral known as the kneeling cathedral (due to its low height). It is a cathedral-basilica of the Assumption, a beautiful temple in which Romanesque, Baroque and Gothic styles come together. Near the village there is the beach of Las Catedrales.
  • O Cebreiro– the only village where the pallozas – typical pre-Roman Galician dwellings – have been preserved. In addition, the Camino de Santiago passes through here (in fact it is the entrance to Galicia for pilgrims).
  • Viveiro (another charming Galician village) – located next to Covas beach. In the historic quarter, don’t miss the Puerta de Carlos V, the convent of San Francisco, the Plaza Mayor, the church of Santa María del Campo and the Convent of Concepcionistas, among other monuments.
  • Monforte de Lemos – located in the centre of the Ribeira Sacra, it has monuments such as the monastery of Los Escolapios, the Torre del Homenaje, the school of Nuestra Señora de la Antigua, the Old Bridge and the monastery of San Vicente del Pino. What’s more, it is very close to the impressive Cañón del Sil Natural Park.