Galicia: Celtic Character

Galicia is a land of mysteries. A popular Galician saying “Las Meigas, haberlas haylas” (“witches, yes, they exist) is known throughout Spain. A traditional alcoholic drink called Queimada is prepared whilst a conxuro (an ancient spell) is read. The conxuro has Celtic roots and is meant to remove the bad spirits from the air, and from those who drink queimada. The people of Galicia are hospitable, with a sense of humor full of irony, and they are famous for answering questions.

One of the top tourist attractions of Galicia is its gastronomy. Galician gastronomy is rich and varied. The mountains and the inland areas are famous for their tasty and hearty dishes, while the sea brings the exquisite seafood and fish that populate its Rias and estuaries.

The Ultimate Itinerary to Enjoy Galicia

A great way to get to know Galicia is to start on its border with Portugal. The river Miño is a natural border that offers interesting places worth a stop like Tui, a mid-sized town with narrow streets inside an old, well-preserved wall. Stone houses, beautiful manors, and a fantastic cathedral built in Romanesque and Gothic styles.

The trip could continue along the coast, with stops at Santa Tecla, where an ancient Celtic village enjoys amazing views of the Atlantic ocean. The trip could continue visiting Bayona and its beautiful harbor, Vigo, a town full of character and where the excursions to the Natural paradise of Islas Cies depart from.

Rias Baixas is a land famous for its wines (produced with Alabariño grape), its seafood, fantastic beaches in the Presque-island of OGrove, and beautiful villages like Cambados.

Cambados can also make for a great day excursion from Santiago de Compostela, the Capital of Galicia and the most famous highlight of this region. Santiago is the end of the famous Camino de Santiago, a university city with a special vibe.

Looking to the North, we find Coruña, one of our favorite cities in Spain, and so often forgotten in any of Spain´s travel guides. North of Coruña, La playa de las Catedrales, the route of the lighthouses and the Spanish Finisterre, or end of the land.

If the seaside has been shaped by the erosion of winds and water, the inland in Galicia is full of small charming villages, forests, and mountains. Lugo, a Roman-walled city, is a top highlight and the best place to enjoy one of Galicia´s top specialties: pulpo a Feira (octopus)