Triana

Hi, we're planning a driving holiday to Galicia. As well as Santiago de Compostela, Ourense region and A Corunna, we'd like to spend some time pottering along some of the coastline. We're unlikely to have time on this trip to cover all the coast but which part would be best for our first visit- Rias Altas, Costa da Morte or Rias Baixas? Ideally, as well as beautiful scenery, we'd enjoy visiting coastal villages, churches, walking on beaches and some great fish restaurants. We're used to the lovely coast of Cadiz so would probably prefer the more rugged parts of Galicia as a contrast. Any suggestions?
Thanks!

cricketman

Hi Triana

We spent our honeymoon in Rias Baixas. Unfortunately it didnt stop raining so we had to leave after 3 days this was in early June

However, it was beautiful and the seafood was great. We went to SanXenxo, Grove and would have gone to las Islas Cies if the weather was better. We also went to Santiago de Compostela which you must do

The Rias Baixas arent that rugged if I remember from memory, this region is more about the great beaches, the seafood and the rias that lead up to the villages. I think the North Coast is more rugged, I havent been to the Galician North Coast but the Western part of the Asturian Coast is very rugged, I remember eating the most amazing almejas near the bridge that seperates Galicia and Asturias near the spectacular Playa de los Catedrales

Triana

Thanks, Cricketman. We are going prepared for a lot of rain...... I'm really looking forward to the seafood restaurants there - as well as the scenery which looks amazing from my books and YouTube. Santiago looks wonderful. Some friends of mine rave about Santiago, having ended up there after walking a couple of the pilgrim routes.

Casa Santo Estevo

I always suggest that you look at the like of Trip advisor for vacation advice usually you will find better coverage of responses.

The Costa Morte is the most rugged part of Galicia. The Rias Baixas is quite flat in comparison.
For me a lot of the coast is built up, hardly anywhere without houses even right in front of the beaches.
Weather is going to be variable, the size of Galicia is about the same as The Netherlands. So if you think one are is going to be poor move on. Last summer right though to now inland Galicia is suffering drought conditions. Reservoirs are low and we do need some rain.
The greatest concentration of 12th century churches outside of a city can be found in the region I live in

Some folks are just unlucky, last summer we had the driest summer for 50 years and now we are having the driest winter for 70 years. We desperately need water. However if the weather is bad you simply move on. Galicia is about the same as The Netherlands. So it will usually be variable from one area to another.
The North coast is usually the wettest, southern coast the warmest in the winter slight cooler than inland in the summer. The city of Ourense can be the hottest location in Spain. The mountains to the west are obviously the coldest with snow covering the peaks, but not this year.

The Costa Morte is the most rugged in Galicia. The southern coast (Rias Baixas) is the flattest and perhaps the most built up coastal area in Galicia. However here you will find the largest beeches and perhaps the best beach weather. The best beach in the world can be found on the Islas Cies. (according to a British newspaper).
The greatest concentration of 12th century churches in Europe (outside any city) is to be found in the area where I live.
The most isolated area can be found in As Ancares, a mountainous area to the west of Galicia.
A
There are only 5 locations which can be truly classified as cities.
Vigo the largest and the most industry of Galicia.
Santiago de Compostela which is the most famous and is the third most visited city in the Christen world.
A Coruña is perhaps the city with the second largest amount of tourist sights after the city of Santiago.
Ourense is a city as I said the warmest spot in Spain, and is normally the warmest in the whole of Galicia.
Lugo is perhaps the great secret city in Galicia. It is the only completely walled city in the whole of Europe which dates back to Roman times.
There are around only 2.5 million inhabitants in Galicia so even Vigo is not that large.
There are five wine areas in Galicia.
Two are gaining in reputation in the US but little known in the rest of Europe or even Spain.
If you drive north and come through Portugal do not forget about those dreaded SCUT toll roads!

The official tourist website for Galicia is Turgalica.
The site is huge maybe too big but you will find everything you need on site. download brochures on most subjects.

Triana

Hi Casa Santo Estevo, Thanks for all your advice. I'm off to look at the turgalicia site now (have been looking at Trip). I would love to visit Lugo but that may have to wait until our next visit (when we plan to spend longer and also visit Asturias). Thanks again.

bigglesworth

Triana

Great pick for a holiday. Casa San Estevo really do know their stuff here, so do listen to any comment they make
I will add my two penn'orth, knowing I am digging my own grave.
Chuck the guidebooks away. Galicia is simply beautiful.
Lugo is actually one of our favourite cities in the world. Beautiful but a manageable size. Mendez Nunez was a decent hotel, but there is also a super aparthotel in the city. In the very middle.
Most of the coastline is simply breathtaking. I think Ortigueira is one of the nicest coastal towns there is (but we lived there). If you swim, there are innumerable wonderful beaches. The swimming pool in Ortigueira is superb- especially if there is fog over the bay. (BUT CHECK OUT THE GAELIC FESTIVAL. - It gets VERY busy)
Ferrol is much maligned - the city centre is lovely. A Coruna is busy, interesting and evocative (as is Vigo).
Eat Fish. And Shellfish. You will never find better anywhere. Drink Albarino. (Take a few bottles home). Make Galician friends. Not just because the Gallegos are really good people, but because then you get to eat proper Gallegan food. . It may sound strange, but Galicia tomatoes, potatoes are so good they change a meal.
Above all, enjoy it. Galicia is a verys special part of the world.

Casa Santo Estevo

Bigglesworth, nice to hear form you.
I am not going to say too much about Lugo as it one on our favourite cities too. But we do know visitors who have hated it. And found nothing of interest.
If Triana comes to Galicia during July they may like to visit the Celtic music festival in Ortigueira too. http://www.festivaldeortigueira.com/
The line up has not been confirmed for this year just yet.

bob_bob

If you left your honeymoon because of rain you were doing something fundamentally wrong, we never left our room for a week

cricketman

We'd already been living together for 6 years by this point. 3 days was plenty!

bob_bob

Only six years together and only three days? After six years you should have been highly attuned to the situation. You need to get some spice on the go lad, get some glide in your stride, a bit of zip in your hip chap After thirty years we're still at it like bunny rabbits thankfully, what nicer way is there to pass a couple of hours for free

battlezone123

As we call it - "the great unwashed".

Triana

Bigglesworth, thanks for all the great advice. Ortigueira looks lovely. Think we will have to extend our trip..... We've only booked accommodation in Santiago so elsewhere we can just go where we feel like and we won't be tied to having to be in a certain place at a certain time. Thanks again.

siesta

First of all, I'm quite glad to read that someone is interested in visiting Galicia, as opposed to the most popular "south". Casa Santo Estevo has written an amazing summary of tourism here, so I don't have a lot to say...only about the rain. I think it rains less and less, it's been very dry and it's always a bit annoying to hear that it always rains here, when that's not true, especially for us who live in the "hottest" place. I also think Lugo (capital) is the least interesting place in Galicia. By far. And I think I'm not the only one.
Anyway, wherever you go, have a good time!

Triana

Hi Siesta, thanks for your thoughts and good wishes. I'm sure we'll have a great time whatever we do. Sorry if I irritated you over the rain - I get annoyed sometimes when people make sweeping gereralizations about where I live, so I should have known better! I wasn't intending to be critical, just trying to say that whatever the weather was like, we'd be prepared, wouldn't moan and would enjoy ourselves but I can see how it came across. One quick question, should I try to learn a few phrases in Gallego before I go? Thanks, Triana

Rosemary

I understand completely what you are saying about the fact that some people tend to highlight the rain that Galicia has. There is of course a trade off, if there is rain the countryside is lusher and greener, less rain means that the ground looks parched and brown.

One of the things that I wanted when we were moving over was greenery and I found this by moving near to Valencia. I also knew that I would not be able to cope in the far south due to the high summer temperatures and although it does get hot where I am it is not so intense as some other places so this is better for me.

Each and every one of us have likes and dislikes so coming to Spain is a good plan due to its diversity there is somewhere to suit all tastes.

Rosemary