11/04/2019
We can claim without a shadow of a doubt that you will want to see more of Galicia. Galicia catches you. With your feet nailed in front of the Plaza del Obradoiro, gazing at the imposing façade of the cathedral and taking a deep breath of satisfaction after achieving your goal, you will feel the need to continue discovering our land that attracts from the first to the last visitor with its charms. The Camino de Santiago is a magnificent showcase of all the possibilities offered at a touristic level from this green and blue corner of northwest Spain, but knowing Galicia requires going beyond the bounds of the paths and roads that lead you to Compostela.
So once that your boots got dirty crossing woods, that you have felt the peace of the churches and monasteries, that you have made new friendships, explored paths between the nature and enjoyed the landscape, the bustle of the towns and the calm of the small villages, it is time to continue your walk through Galician land in a different way where you can smell the fierce ocean of our coasts, cross the door of emblazoned houses and discover the life of some of its illustrious inhabitants, understand millenary traditions that still remain vivid, strolling through natural parks, tasting wines and finding out new flavours, reliving stories of our history, reaching remote lighthouses and exploring the main cities of our region.
For all these reasons, at Galician Roots, we recommend you that once you complete your Camino (or even during its course) to extend your stay a few days more if possible and plan some trips around Galicia. It is true that you can always come back, however… why not take full advantage of your stay once you are here? As the Galician saying goes: “o pillado, pillado vai” (something similar to “que me quiten lo bailao” which means “They can’t take away that from me!”). So you know in addition to a change of clothes and sunscreen, you can also put a few trips in your backpack. Make sure to include travelling around Galician in your organisation of the Camino de Santiago! To ease your task let us make you some recommendations:
Guided visit to Fisterra
Fisterra, Finisterre or Finis Terrae; also known as the end of the world for Romans and the westernmost point of the European continent. We can frame this trip into the classic of Galician tourism, precisely for that reason, it is one of the essential visits. Actually Fisterra makes part of the Camino itself and in fact, at present day there are more and more pilgrims arriving at Santiago decide to continue their walk to this cape with impressive panoramic sights, shaped with cliffs hit by the rough waters of the Atlantic Ocean and from where you can admire astonishing sunsets.
Fisterra is the most representative icon of A Costa da Morte (the Coast of Death). Explanations about the name of this Atlantic area are not required, a scenario of many wrecks, that has a lot to offer within a short radius. In Muxía, a typical seafaring village, you will find the famous sanctuary of la Virgen de la Barca, a place surrounded with mystique and legends where the waves break only a few metres away from the baroque church built over a shrine from the 12th century. Spirituality and fierceness go hand in hand in this magical place.
Nor can you leave without visiting the place of Ézaro, where the intensity of its waters results in an impressive cascade in the final part of the river Xallas, the only one in Europe that flows into the sea. An authentic gem of nature. Not far from there, in Carnota, can be found one of the biggest raised granaries of the world (nothing less than 35 metres), declared as a National Monument for its architecture and exceptional nature.
Discover our guided trip to Fisterra here:
https://www.galicianroots.com/en/viaje/excursion-fisterra-y-muxia.htm
Guided visit to Ribeira Sacra
A Ribeira Sacra is one of the greatest treasures of Galicia and at the same time the cradle of a variety of native wines of excellent quality. This geographical area of the inland of Galicia is named after the number of monasteries that were built on the shores of river Sil during medieval period, a place that has been sculpting throughout the centuries a landscape of marvellous cliffs and valleys with hillsides full of vineyards producing the famous wines of the designation of origin Ribeira Sacra.
There are two options to admire the renowned Sil Canyon (Cañones del río Sil), both compatible: from the top visiting the various viewpoints located in the area or from the river itself, sailing in a catamaran and admiring one of the most characteristic stamps of the heroic viticulture of the region: large terraces with great slopes where the grape can only be harvested by hand and transported with donkeys or with human effort. Naturally, you cannot end this trip without visiting some of the wineries of the area.
Discover our guided trip to Ribeira Sacra here:
https://www.galicianroots.com/en/viaje/excursion-a-la-ribeira-sacra.htm
Guided visit to Rías Baixas
Another winemaking place par excellence is the Rías Baixas. Although the quality of its most popular wine, the albariño, is equivalent to the one of Ribeira Sacra, its orography and landscapes are completely different. The Rías Baixas live facing the sea thus it is also an ideal place to satisfy the stomach with one of the best Galician delicacies: seafood.
Caressing the sea can be found Combarro, considered one of the nicest seafaring villages of Spain. Built over giant rocks and splashed by raised granaries, traditional stone houses and stone crosses, it offers a pleasant walk and a trip back in time through its alleys. The island of A Toxa is also worth a visit, a luxurious place famous in ancient times for the production of soaps and its thermal springs where can be visited a curious chapel fully covered by seashells on the outside.
For history and monument lovers, the city of Pontevedra is a mandatory stop. If you are thinking about doing guided visits through Galicia, this is a must do. It is a city thought for pedestrians and its old quarter is in perfect preservation conditions. In fact, it was recommended by the prestigious newspaper The Guardian.
Discover our guided trip to Rías Baixas here:
https://www.galicianroots.com/en/viaje/excursion-a-las-rias-baixas.htm
Guided visit to the Cíes Islands
This earthly paradise can be reached by boat. The journey takes 45 minutes and offers an unbeatable view over Vigo estuary, where are located the Cíes Islands, a unique set-up of wild nature included in the natural park of the Atlantic islands. It is an essential stop throughout your tour in Galicia and an ideal place for hiking that will allow you to observe a wide variety of seaweeds, crustaceans and fishes, and also to gaze at endemic birds such as yellow-legged gulls or European shags and visiting the fort of As Hortas, where are located the remains of a Bronze Age settlement.
One of the gems of the Cíes Islands is the beach of Rodas, listed as the best beach in the world in the year 2007. Its white and fine sand and crystal clear waters will enchant you!
Discover our guided trip to the Cíes Islands here:
https://www.galicianroots.com/en/viaje/excursion-a-las-islas-cies.htm
Guided visit to the beach Playa de las Catedrales
On the other side of Galicia, in the north marking the border with Asturias, is located the beach of As Catedrais or Playa de las Catedrales, which has become one of the most visited places by tourists arriving in our land in the recent years. The name of this sandy area defines perfectly its essence: the wind and water have shaped the rocks over time and have created amazing cliffs, caves and impressive geological formations. It is important to plan your visit to the beach of Catedrales since you can only do it if the tide is low.
Close to this place is situated the town of Ribadeo, that offers a nice walk through its historic centre, where can be seen its striking printed calico houses with colonial style built by returning emigrants and its more important building; the tower Torre de los Moreno, designed by a disciple of Gaudí, who followed faithfully, without a doubt, the modernist style of the Catalan artist.
If you have enough time you can lengthen your trip and discover the coastal towns the denominated “Mariña lucense” (coast of Lugo): Foz, Burela, Viveiro…. And most inland Mondoñedo, an enchanting little place which is an Episcopal see and boasts about having an interesting old city and a particular cathedral.
Discover our guided trip to the beach Playa de Catedrales here:
https://www.galicianroots.com/en/viaje/excursion-a-la-playa-de-las-catedrales.htm
Guided visit to Coruña
It is called the crystal city, due to its characteristic buildings facing the sea with its wide stained glass balconies designed to take advantage of the sunlight heat. This is one of the most representative images of A Coruña, a modern and Atlantic city on a peninsula, which has as an emblem a monument included in the World Heritage with unique traits: the tower of Hercules, a Roman lighthouse from the 1st century which is the oldest working lighthouse in the world which owes its name to the legend that says that Hercules himself arrived there with his boat and buried of giant Geryon after beating him in a battle.
Caressing the tower of Hercules you will find the seafront promenade of A Coruña, the longest of Europe with more than 13 kilometres. Sprinkling its route is located the Castle of San Antón, and just at the beginning, the urban beaches of Riazor and Orzán, the viewpoint of San Pedro and at the end, the Portiño, an ideal place to end the walk and the day enjoying a drink in front of the sea watching the sunset.
Likewise in other cities, you must visit the old quarter, the old town of Coruña. In this case, in order to better understand what your eyes are going to see, we recommend you to book a guided visit. It may be really helpful to have further information about buildings such as the Palacio Cornide, the headquarters of the Real Academia Galega (Galician Royal Academy), the old family mansion of the writer Emilia Pardo Bazán, the garden of San Carlos, where is buried Sir John Moore, the square Plaza de Azcárraga with its centennial trees… And also, naturally, the square Plaza María Pita, which is the square of the council, dedicated to the heroine from Coruña who saved the city from an attack of the English navy led by the corsair Sir Francis Drake in 1589.
Many are the possibilities offered by this city. Maybe 1 day could not be enough to explore and enjoy it, so you will need to plan and prioritise so as to make the most of this trip. Nevertheless, is one thing is clear it is that you will be more than welcome in A Coruña. It is known as the city where nobody is treated as a stranger.
Discover our guided trip to Coruña here:
https://www.galicianroots.com/en/viaje/excursion-en-a-coruna.htm
Guided visit to Santiago de Compostela
Santiago couldn’t be left outside of this selection! It is the city that you have in mind during all the stages of your Camino and your destination point.; just for that it is worth knowing it better and enjoying it fully, starting by the cathedral itself: we recommend a guided visit, to see the “botafumeiro” working and climbing up to the roof, from where you will have incredible views.
Compostela, a city that is listed as a World Heritage Site, should not be a place of transit. You must not miss its monumental area, its parks and gardens (the Alameda, San Domingos de Bonaval), the market of Abastos, its museums, you need to immerse in its rich cultural activities and delight with the typical Galician cuisine, everything at easy reach with countless restaurants in Santiago de Compostela: pulpo “á feira”, empanada (typical Galician pie), mussels, common cockles, sardines and “xoubas” (small sardines), Padrón peppers, cheeses with designation of origin, “aguardiente” (typical liquor), coffee liquor, the “tarta de Santiago” (Santiago cake)… There is so much to see, to do and to taste in Santiago de Compostela!
Discover our guided trip to Santiago de Compostela here:
https://www.galicianroots.com/en/viaje/excursion-en-santiago-de-compostela.htm
Many are the propositions we have given to you, but we do not lie if we tell you that this is only a small sample of how much has to offer this Atlantic corner beyond the Camino de Santiago. If you wish to discover it booking a trip around Galicia is a great way.
Discover all our guided trips in Galicia here:
https://www.galicianroots.com/en/viajes/descubre-galicia/ciudades-de-galicia.htm
Our land will not disappoint you! Word of Galician Roots.
So once that your boots got dirty crossing woods, that you have felt the peace of the churches and monasteries, that you have made new friendships, explored paths between the nature and enjoyed the landscape, the bustle of the towns and the calm of the small villages, it is time to continue your walk through Galician land in a different way where you can smell the fierce ocean of our coasts, cross the door of emblazoned houses and discover the life of some of its illustrious inhabitants, understand millenary traditions that still remain vivid, strolling through natural parks, tasting wines and finding out new flavours, reliving stories of our history, reaching remote lighthouses and exploring the main cities of our region.
For all these reasons, at Galician Roots, we recommend you that once you complete your Camino (or even during its course) to extend your stay a few days more if possible and plan some trips around Galicia. It is true that you can always come back, however… why not take full advantage of your stay once you are here? As the Galician saying goes: “o pillado, pillado vai” (something similar to “que me quiten lo bailao” which means “They can’t take away that from me!”). So you know in addition to a change of clothes and sunscreen, you can also put a few trips in your backpack. Make sure to include travelling around Galician in your organisation of the Camino de Santiago! To ease your task let us make you some recommendations:
Guided visit to Fisterra
Fisterra, Finisterre or Finis Terrae; also known as the end of the world for Romans and the westernmost point of the European continent. We can frame this trip into the classic of Galician tourism, precisely for that reason, it is one of the essential visits. Actually Fisterra makes part of the Camino itself and in fact, at present day there are more and more pilgrims arriving at Santiago decide to continue their walk to this cape with impressive panoramic sights, shaped with cliffs hit by the rough waters of the Atlantic Ocean and from where you can admire astonishing sunsets.
Fisterra is the most representative icon of A Costa da Morte (the Coast of Death). Explanations about the name of this Atlantic area are not required, a scenario of many wrecks, that has a lot to offer within a short radius. In Muxía, a typical seafaring village, you will find the famous sanctuary of la Virgen de la Barca, a place surrounded with mystique and legends where the waves break only a few metres away from the baroque church built over a shrine from the 12th century. Spirituality and fierceness go hand in hand in this magical place.
Nor can you leave without visiting the place of Ézaro, where the intensity of its waters results in an impressive cascade in the final part of the river Xallas, the only one in Europe that flows into the sea. An authentic gem of nature. Not far from there, in Carnota, can be found one of the biggest raised granaries of the world (nothing less than 35 metres), declared as a National Monument for its architecture and exceptional nature.
Discover our guided trip to Fisterra here:
https://www.galicianroots.com/en/viaje/excursion-fisterra-y-muxia.htm
Guided visit to Ribeira Sacra
A Ribeira Sacra is one of the greatest treasures of Galicia and at the same time the cradle of a variety of native wines of excellent quality. This geographical area of the inland of Galicia is named after the number of monasteries that were built on the shores of river Sil during medieval period, a place that has been sculpting throughout the centuries a landscape of marvellous cliffs and valleys with hillsides full of vineyards producing the famous wines of the designation of origin Ribeira Sacra.
There are two options to admire the renowned Sil Canyon (Cañones del río Sil), both compatible: from the top visiting the various viewpoints located in the area or from the river itself, sailing in a catamaran and admiring one of the most characteristic stamps of the heroic viticulture of the region: large terraces with great slopes where the grape can only be harvested by hand and transported with donkeys or with human effort. Naturally, you cannot end this trip without visiting some of the wineries of the area.
Discover our guided trip to Ribeira Sacra here:
https://www.galicianroots.com/en/viaje/excursion-a-la-ribeira-sacra.htm
Guided visit to Rías Baixas
Another winemaking place par excellence is the Rías Baixas. Although the quality of its most popular wine, the albariño, is equivalent to the one of Ribeira Sacra, its orography and landscapes are completely different. The Rías Baixas live facing the sea thus it is also an ideal place to satisfy the stomach with one of the best Galician delicacies: seafood.
Caressing the sea can be found Combarro, considered one of the nicest seafaring villages of Spain. Built over giant rocks and splashed by raised granaries, traditional stone houses and stone crosses, it offers a pleasant walk and a trip back in time through its alleys. The island of A Toxa is also worth a visit, a luxurious place famous in ancient times for the production of soaps and its thermal springs where can be visited a curious chapel fully covered by seashells on the outside.
For history and monument lovers, the city of Pontevedra is a mandatory stop. If you are thinking about doing guided visits through Galicia, this is a must do. It is a city thought for pedestrians and its old quarter is in perfect preservation conditions. In fact, it was recommended by the prestigious newspaper The Guardian.
Discover our guided trip to Rías Baixas here:
https://www.galicianroots.com/en/viaje/excursion-a-las-rias-baixas.htm
Guided visit to the Cíes Islands
This earthly paradise can be reached by boat. The journey takes 45 minutes and offers an unbeatable view over Vigo estuary, where are located the Cíes Islands, a unique set-up of wild nature included in the natural park of the Atlantic islands. It is an essential stop throughout your tour in Galicia and an ideal place for hiking that will allow you to observe a wide variety of seaweeds, crustaceans and fishes, and also to gaze at endemic birds such as yellow-legged gulls or European shags and visiting the fort of As Hortas, where are located the remains of a Bronze Age settlement.
One of the gems of the Cíes Islands is the beach of Rodas, listed as the best beach in the world in the year 2007. Its white and fine sand and crystal clear waters will enchant you!
Discover our guided trip to the Cíes Islands here:
https://www.galicianroots.com/en/viaje/excursion-a-las-islas-cies.htm
Guided visit to the beach Playa de las Catedrales
On the other side of Galicia, in the north marking the border with Asturias, is located the beach of As Catedrais or Playa de las Catedrales, which has become one of the most visited places by tourists arriving in our land in the recent years. The name of this sandy area defines perfectly its essence: the wind and water have shaped the rocks over time and have created amazing cliffs, caves and impressive geological formations. It is important to plan your visit to the beach of Catedrales since you can only do it if the tide is low.
Close to this place is situated the town of Ribadeo, that offers a nice walk through its historic centre, where can be seen its striking printed calico houses with colonial style built by returning emigrants and its more important building; the tower Torre de los Moreno, designed by a disciple of Gaudí, who followed faithfully, without a doubt, the modernist style of the Catalan artist.
If you have enough time you can lengthen your trip and discover the coastal towns the denominated “Mariña lucense” (coast of Lugo): Foz, Burela, Viveiro…. And most inland Mondoñedo, an enchanting little place which is an Episcopal see and boasts about having an interesting old city and a particular cathedral.
Discover our guided trip to the beach Playa de Catedrales here:
https://www.galicianroots.com/en/viaje/excursion-a-la-playa-de-las-catedrales.htm
Guided visit to Coruña
It is called the crystal city, due to its characteristic buildings facing the sea with its wide stained glass balconies designed to take advantage of the sunlight heat. This is one of the most representative images of A Coruña, a modern and Atlantic city on a peninsula, which has as an emblem a monument included in the World Heritage with unique traits: the tower of Hercules, a Roman lighthouse from the 1st century which is the oldest working lighthouse in the world which owes its name to the legend that says that Hercules himself arrived there with his boat and buried of giant Geryon after beating him in a battle.
Caressing the tower of Hercules you will find the seafront promenade of A Coruña, the longest of Europe with more than 13 kilometres. Sprinkling its route is located the Castle of San Antón, and just at the beginning, the urban beaches of Riazor and Orzán, the viewpoint of San Pedro and at the end, the Portiño, an ideal place to end the walk and the day enjoying a drink in front of the sea watching the sunset.
Likewise in other cities, you must visit the old quarter, the old town of Coruña. In this case, in order to better understand what your eyes are going to see, we recommend you to book a guided visit. It may be really helpful to have further information about buildings such as the Palacio Cornide, the headquarters of the Real Academia Galega (Galician Royal Academy), the old family mansion of the writer Emilia Pardo Bazán, the garden of San Carlos, where is buried Sir John Moore, the square Plaza de Azcárraga with its centennial trees… And also, naturally, the square Plaza María Pita, which is the square of the council, dedicated to the heroine from Coruña who saved the city from an attack of the English navy led by the corsair Sir Francis Drake in 1589.
Many are the possibilities offered by this city. Maybe 1 day could not be enough to explore and enjoy it, so you will need to plan and prioritise so as to make the most of this trip. Nevertheless, is one thing is clear it is that you will be more than welcome in A Coruña. It is known as the city where nobody is treated as a stranger.
Discover our guided trip to Coruña here:
https://www.galicianroots.com/en/viaje/excursion-en-a-coruna.htm
Guided visit to Santiago de Compostela
Santiago couldn’t be left outside of this selection! It is the city that you have in mind during all the stages of your Camino and your destination point.; just for that it is worth knowing it better and enjoying it fully, starting by the cathedral itself: we recommend a guided visit, to see the “botafumeiro” working and climbing up to the roof, from where you will have incredible views.
Compostela, a city that is listed as a World Heritage Site, should not be a place of transit. You must not miss its monumental area, its parks and gardens (the Alameda, San Domingos de Bonaval), the market of Abastos, its museums, you need to immerse in its rich cultural activities and delight with the typical Galician cuisine, everything at easy reach with countless restaurants in Santiago de Compostela: pulpo “á feira”, empanada (typical Galician pie), mussels, common cockles, sardines and “xoubas” (small sardines), Padrón peppers, cheeses with designation of origin, “aguardiente” (typical liquor), coffee liquor, the “tarta de Santiago” (Santiago cake)… There is so much to see, to do and to taste in Santiago de Compostela!
Discover our guided trip to Santiago de Compostela here:
https://www.galicianroots.com/en/viaje/excursion-en-santiago-de-compostela.htm
Many are the propositions we have given to you, but we do not lie if we tell you that this is only a small sample of how much has to offer this Atlantic corner beyond the Camino de Santiago. If you wish to discover it booking a trip around Galicia is a great way.
Discover all our guided trips in Galicia here:
https://www.galicianroots.com/en/viajes/descubre-galicia/ciudades-de-galicia.htm
Our land will not disappoint you! Word of Galician Roots.
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