One of the first questions that arises when planning a trip is which are the must-see places, which will we decide to visit and which will we disregard.
Let's pretend that you only have one opportunity in your life to know this land. Let's pretend that you want to understand its essence and take away, in addition to the best memory of your trip, a general impression of what its people are like, how they live, and of its history.
With that in mind, we have created this list of the 10 must-see places, the musts, that if you haven’t visited….. it’s like you haven’t come. It wasn’t easy to choose, but this is our first list. There will be more:
Now yes, the 10 must-sees in Galicia
1- Santiago de Compostela. It is essential to know the goal of the Camino de Santiago. The history of the Camino, and that of thousands of pilgrims who arrived throughout the centuries to the city, shaped the history of Galicia, but also that of northern Spain and Europe. Its well-preserved old town is a World Heritage Site.
2- The Sil River Canyon. The deep wound that the river opened in the Galician mountains is part of the Ribeira Sacra. A unique space where ancient orders settled, leaving a landscape dotted with Romanesque monasteries.
The high walls of the canyon hide countless viewpoints, and the local way of life, tied to winemaking, is present at every turn. A must-see.
3- Cíes Islands or Ons Islands: both archipelagos are part of the only National Park in Galicia. They share diversity, flora, and fauna, but with some unique features.
The Cíes are the most famous thanks to the newspaper The Guardian, and Rodas Beach is truly spectacular. The island of Ons, however, is more genuine; part of the village is still inhabited, not to mention the beautiful naturist beach of Melide.
4- Santa Tegra Castro, or Santa Tecla.
Do you know what a castro is? It is said that in Galicia, at the top of every hill, there is one. This is also one of the largest and most excavated, although what you'll see is only a part of it. It is undoubtedly the best place to explain the chapter of castro culture in Galicia.
The space chosen by its ancient inhabitants continues to be strategic: the estuary of the Miño river on one side, and the Atlantic coast on the other. Pure history and landscape.
5- Costa da Morte and Vilán Lighthouse (villain). This irregular coast constitutes one of the most rugged landscapes in Galicia. Facing the untamed landscape of the Atlantic coast, you will understand in the Vilano Lighthouse museum the tragic past that explains the name of Costa da Morte (of death), and why this lighthouse bears that name, one of the most beautiful on the Galician coast.
6- Beach of the Cathedrals: the simplicity of the contrast between the colors of the sea, the sand, the sky, and the slate invites you to take hundreds of photographs. These 4 elements and the wind that shapes them will allow you to understand the geology and origin of the Atlantic Rasa and this beach. It's worth approaching both at low and high tide, in a landscape that changes completely every 6 hours.
7- The Baths of Ourense: gold and baths, two passions of the Romans. Here they set up their camp hundreds of years ago, and today the baths continue to provide their curative mineral waters. Ourense has much more, but the baths are a must-see. And moreover, free!
8- Tower of Hercules: the origin of the Tower is explained in the oldest legends. Through its knowledge and the history of its construction, you will learn about the Roman legacy in Galicia.
It is the oldest Roman lighthouse in the world still in operation and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Are you going to miss it?
9- Lugo Wall: the only complete Roman wall in the world. The feeling of walking it and stepping where the Romans would have walked is indescribable. Without a doubt, a lesson in history.
10- Os Ancares and O Courel: both areas are located in the mountainous region of Galicia. In Os Ancares, you'll find Piornedo, an ancient village with pre-Roman houses called Pallozas. In O Courel, you can visit the Devesa de Rogueira, the most magical forest in Galicia.
You can find more information to visit these places in Getaways, and you will find 4 routes through Galicia at this other link.