Galicia, tucked into the northwest corner of Spain, truly is the country’s hidden gem. It has delicious food, beautiful scenery and great weather (in the summer!*) - and the best part is that it has fewer tourists than other parts of Spain.
*As Galicia is located on the northwest Atlantic coast, it does not get as warm as other parts of Spain, and is known for heavy rainfall! If you’re looking for a sun holiday, other areas of Spain are much more suitable.
That caveat aside, here are four reasons why you simply have to visit Galicia:
The Cities:
Galicia has some amazing cities!
Santiago de Compostela is where the famous Camino de Santiago pilgrimage ends at the breathtaking cathedral. It’s a beautiful city, steeped in history and culture. But, because of its university, it also has a young, modern vibe.
Vigo, the largest city in the province, can seem a bit grey and chaotic at first - but take a wander through the windy streets and you’ll soon be having fun like a local in the lovely restaurants and bars. Be sure to take a day trip to the Islas Ciés just off the coast!
A Coruña, the birthplace of Inditex (the parent company of fashion retailers Zara, Pull&Bear, Bershka, Stradivarius, and more), is a lovely seaside city that buzzes with life at all hours of the day.
Then there’s Lugo, Ourense, Pontevedra - just to name a few more. There’s so much choice when it comes to city life in Galicia!
The Landscape:
Galicia has some of the most beautiful scenery in all of Spain. Rugged coastline, rolling hills, winding rivers, and stunning beaches make this a nature lovers paradise. There is no wonder the Camino de Santiago - which takes you right through the beautiful landscape of Galicia - is one of the most famous pilgrimages in the world.
The Culture:
Galicia’s culture is not stereotypically ‘Spanish’; it has roots from the Celts, as opposed to the Moorish influence which is present in a lot of Spain. For this reason, it’s rare to find Flamenco dancers or Castanets in the local tabernas. Instead, you might find a Gaita (think Scottish bagpipes) player dressed in a traditional Galician style. Galicia also has its own language - Galego, which is not dissimilar to Portuguese - so it might be worth picking up a few words of that before you head off! Either way, Galicians are a welcoming bunch who love to share their culture with visitors.
The Food:
Spain is known throughout the world for having great food - and Galicia is known throughout Spain for having great food! The Galician gastronomy is one of its strong points, and there is sure to be something for everyone to enjoy. While the food is varied, seafood lovers will be especially happy, with shellfish available everywhere along with the famous Pulpo a la Gallega (traditional Galician octopus). And to drink, try one of the region’s wines, Ribeiro or Albariño, or a queimada, alcoholic spirits set on fire in a traditional earthenware bowl.
(all photos sourced from pixabay.com)