Galicia is stunningly wild, different and inextricably connected to the sea. Located in the far northwest of Spain, the region is isolated from the rest of the country and due to its Celtic origin, sometimes feels more Scottish than Spanish — don’t be surprised at the sound of bagpipes here! Discover what makes Galicia such a fascinating destination on this itinerary for a coastal campervan road trip in Spain.
Why visit Galicia
If you love the big blue, thrive when you’re on the coast and enjoy being a little removed from it all, Galicia is the destination for you. The region’s coastline counts over 1,500 kilometres in length and winds its way around countless bays, coves and inlets. White sandy beaches face in every possible direction and are particularly loved among surfers and those looking to escape the crowds in the more ‘easy to reach’ coastal regions in Spain.
Galicia is home to lots of campsites with a relaxed vibe, but it’s also not impossible to find more wild overnight parking spots with the help of apps such as Park4Night or iOverlander. This makes the region a great destination for those travelling in a campervan looking for a more off-the-beaten-track experience in an otherwise popular campervanning country.
A typical day in Galicia is spent driving your campervan along windy roads through a fragrant landscape of eucalyptus forests and jaw-droppingly beautiful bays that appear as if they’ve come straight out of a tropical island holiday brochure. You’ll be strolling along empty beaches, indulging in the freshest of seafood, soaking up the most vibrant of sunsets and setting up camp right on the shoreline.
Where to go in Galicia
On this road trip itinerary, we’re taking you to our favourite spots on Galicia’s coastline, focussing on the best beaches, coastal towns and seafood restaurants. As you’ll likely be tackling this route in a motorhome or campervan, we’re excluding the region’s biggest cities such as A Coruña, Santiago de Compostela and Vigo. Although these interesting towns are well worth exploring, we’ve created this itinerary, especially for those looking to immerse themselves in Galicia’s magnificent seascapes and coastal culture. We've listed all our favourite spots on the coast, for you to explore at your own pace, we'd recommend taking at least ten days to two weeks to really get a feel for the place.
How to get to Galicia
If you’re driving over from the UK, the quickest option is to book a ferry from Plymouth or Portsmouth to either Bilbao or Santander on the north coast of Spain. These ferry journeys take a little longer and are more expensive than the crossings from England to France, but keep in mind you’ll be saving a lot of money on petrol and tolls by cutting out the drive through France. Once you get to Spain, simply drive west along the beautiful coastal A8 motorway until you make it to Galicia. Alternatively, you can hop on a direct flight from London to Santiago de Compostela and simply hire a campervan in Galicia.
Best places to visit in Northwest Galicia (3-5 days)
Your first stop on this Galicia road trip itinerary is a unique spot that goes by the name of Playa de las Catedrales. Make sure to visit at a mid or low tide and you’ll quickly understand where this stunning beach gets its name. The erosive power of the sea has carved the cliffs into beautifully arched rock formations, and a stroll over the white sand will feel like walking through nature’s cathedral.
Continue in a western direction along mountainous roads, until you make it to the humble town of Cedeira. This quirky seaside town might not seem like much at first, but it’s worth a stop as it’s home to some great Galician tabernas. These are cosy taverns with a rustic feel where locals and travellers alike gather to enjoy food and drink. Tabernas will have a typical Galician menu and serve food in the form of tapas, pintxos or montaditos. Don’t be surprised if you get a free bite when you order a beer in this region, it’s a delightful part of the culture here.
The best tabernas in Cedeira are O Amanexo Gastrobar, Restaurante Taberna do Peixe and Taberna Do Jojo. If you’re looking for a nice pub to simply hang out, visit Gran Cafe Bar Pinzón.
You’ll quickly notice that Cedeira lies on the shore of one giant bay with countless beaches tucked away in different corners. The most beautiful and secluded are Cala Sonreiras, a tiny ‘secret’ cove on the headland north of Cedeira and Praia de Vilarrube, a bigger beach slightly south of the town which forms a natural border between the sea and an inland lagoon. Although a tad fresh, the water here is so blue and clear you won’t believe it’s the Atlantic and not the Caribbean you’re swimming in. We recommend visiting Praia de Villarube at high tide especially to admire this slice of Eden in its full glory. And if it’s open, do not skip lunch or dinner at Bar Explanada Vilarrube for delicious octopus, scallops and all other deliciousness fresh from the sea.
Other stunning beaches in the area are Praia Baleo and Praia de Pantín, which are very popular among surfers due to the swell they pick up from the Atlantic. Another spot that’s often missed is Praia do Campelo. It’s a little hidden behind a residential area, but the particularly scenic beach with a backdrop of lush green cliffs and a waterfall is worth the little detour.
If you’re a surfer or aspiring to be one, continue your journey to the piece of coast west of A Coruña. Both Praia de San Xurxo and Praia de Doniños, separated by a bit of headland, make for great surfing beaches. And if the waves aren’t to your liking at the one, simply make the short five-minute drive to the other. If you come out of the water starving or in desperate need of a frosty beverage; the little beach shack on Praia de Doniños has everything you need.
Best places to visit in west Galicia (2-3 days)
Circle back around A Coruña, or make a little pit stop in the town’s buzzing Ciudad Viejo for some tapas and Albariño wine before you start making your way to mainland Spain’s most westerly point. If you’re not yet humbled by the sheer size of the country at this point, take a moment to process that the city of Barcelona is a mammoth twelve-hour drive in the other direction, and you haven’t even made it all the way west yet.
Your first stop on this next stretch of the Galician coastline is the sleepy fishing village of Laxe and its namesake crescent-shaped beach, Playa de Laxe. The 1,2-kilometre stretch of powderlike white sand does catch some swell in winter but is mostly protected from the roaring Atlantic, making it a lovely and safe swimming beach for families. It’s set against a backdrop of cliffs, dunes and the whitewashed houses of the village’s promenade, which comes alive in the evenings when locals feast on oysters, scallops, clams, cockles and all other staples from the sea.
While you’re in Laxe, make the short stroll to the other side of the headland, where a literal treasure cove awaits. Why this little beach Praia dos Cristais is covered from top to bottom in colourful sea glass (glass shards that have been polished by the sea) the Galicians aren’t exactly sure. It has something to do with the bay being an old dumping ground for glass bottles and a particular current in the water, but one thing is certain: this beach is a manifestation of nature’s most baffling mannerisms. We can only say you’ll have to go see it to believe it.
Yet another quaint fisherman’s village, but one of equal allure, is Muxía. The town lies on the wild Costa da Morte, and is perched on a scenic shaped peninsula. Pilgrims have been drawn to the healing powers of Muxia’s sacred stones for centuries, and it’s still a beloved stop among walkers of the famous Camino de Santiago. It’s a nice little spot to enjoy some lively taberna dinners, while the fishermen around tend to their nets as octopus dry in the sun.
On the topic of the Camino; one spot you’re going to want to visit on this Galicia road trip itinerary is one of Earth’s most famous lighthouses, the Faro de Fisterra. Although one might expect that the end station of Northern Spain’s infamous pilgrimage would in fact be, Santiago (or Santiago de Compostela), many pilgrims actually decide to push on ‘just a little further’ to Cabo de Fisterra. Or, in plain English, ‘Cape of the end of the earth’. You’ll find many smelly and exhausted pilgrims ritually burning their walking boots and sticks, symbolising rebirth after their journey, but the beautiful cape is also just a lovely spot to soak up the Atlantic’s most stunning of sunsets.
Best places to visit in southwest Galicia (5-7 days)
We’re moving south of our coastal campervan road trip, further towards the Portuguese border. We truly hope you’re not seasick yet because some of Galicia’s most beautiful oceanic spots await.
First up, Combarro, where all essential elements of Galician architecture come together in one village: sea houses, crosses and hórreos. If you haven’t seen any of the latter two yet on your Galicia road trip, you haven’t been paying attention. Hórreos, raised stone structures with a tomblike feel to them, are symbolic of the region’s agricultural heritage. They were used to keep the grain away from the rodents and you’ll find ample of them on the cobblestoned streets of waterfront Combarro, a quaint first little stop in the Rias Baixas area.
Another highlight of Rias Baixas is Moaña. Just like Disney’s voyaging princess, the habitants of this town are of the seafaring kind, and travellers come from afar to swim, sunbathe and practice watersports in the crystal clear waters of Moana Bay. Just like any other Galician fisherman’s village, one can get their heart’s desire of fresh seafood here, but Moaña is particularly known for its delicious mussels, which grow on farms scattered through the bay.
Last but far, far least on our favourite campervan route on the Spanish coast, are the Islands of Ciés. This idyllic cluster of isles faintly resembles the Isles of Scilly off the western coast of Cornwall but with a Spanish twist. The isles are vehicle-free, only accessible by boat and visitors are limited, but if you’re one of the lucky ones to get on you won't mind leaving your trusted campervan on the mainland for a little while. Think of the Cíes islands as the heaven that awaits you after living a bountiful life on mainland Galicia. A peaceful paradise with lush vegetation and turquoise waters, where marine, wild and birdlife thrive undisturbed. We couldn’t think of a better place to relax and reflect on your journey through this magnificent coastal corner of Spain.
Looking to hire a campervan for your Galicia road trip? Check out our fleet in Spain and get on the road with the click of a mouse.
