10 ESSENTIALS OF GALICIA

GALICIA IS THE BEST OF THE SEA AND THE LAND

Galicia is a land that brings out the best of the sea and the land, with a spectacular coastline of endless beaches, spectacular cliffs and fishing villages, and a green interior with lush forests and towns in which legends still survive. Camino de Santiago ends here and gastronomy awakens the senses. Qué ver en Galicia

Discover the 10 essentials of Galicia!

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1. Santiago de Compostela

Santiago de Compostela is the finish line of the pilgrims who make the Camino de Santiago. Its old town, declared a World Heritage Site, is made to be lost by its streets and squares, where Romanesque, Gothic and Baroque buildings are interspersed. Its vibrant center is the Plaza del Obradoiro, which protagonist is the impressive cathedral. Visit also the Mercado de Abastos (cenral market), walk through the Parque de la Alameda and taste the genuine Galician gastronomy.

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2. NATIONAL PARK OF THE ATLANTIC ISLANDS OF GALICIA

In the mouths of the estuaries of Arousa, Pontevedra and Vigo, the main ones of the Rías Baixas, we find a series of archipelagos with impressive cliffs, dunes, bushes, beaches and marine bottoms of great biological. From north to south you can visit Cortegada, Sálvora, Ons and las Cíes, which are the best known islands, where the famous beach of Rhodes stands out. Take a boat trip and enjoy a few hours of this natural paradise.

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3. Camino de Santiago

The Camino de Santiago is the oldest pilgrimage route in Europe, as well as the busiest one, which has its finish line in Galicia capital, Santiago de Compostela. A good way to enjoy the landscapes, the localities, the people and the Galician gastronomy is to become a pilgrim for a few days and get going on the Camino de Santiago Portuguese of the Interior, the one on the Coast, Ría de Arousa, the Camino Primitivo or the English one.

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4. Rías Baixas

From Cape Finisterre to the Portuguese border, the Rias Bajas occupy the west coast of La Coruña and the entire coast of Pontevedra. A unique maritime-terrestrial tour, dotted with cliffs, lighthouses, beaches, islands and charming towns. Pontevedra, its capital, boasts an old town declared a historical-artistic site, but you should not miss places like Vigo, Combarro, Baiona, the dunes of Corrubedo, the fort of Santa Tecla or Cabo Home.

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5. Rías Altas

From Cape Finisterre to the border with Asturias, discover a coastal strip of impressive beauty, where the estuaries of A Coruña, Ferrol, Ortigueira and Ribadeo stand out. The Rías Altas also have dreamy beaches, such as the unique Playa de las Catedrales, cliffs like O Cabo do Mundo and other natural areas of great interest such as the Fragas do Eume Natural Park. Culture lovers will enjoy in A Coruña, Ferrol, Ribadeo, Narón and, especially, contemplating the Tower of Hercules, declared a World Heritage Site.

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6. Costa da Morte

From Punta Roncudo to Cape Finisterre, the wildest coastal region of Galicia is here, that is why it is called Costa da Morte (Death Coast). In this territory of legend, where many shipwrecks occurred, there are places of great beauty and interest, such as Langosteira beach, Penedos de Pasarela y Traba, Finisterre, Cabo Vilán, Muxía, Corme, San Xiao or Malpica.

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7. Los Ancares

On the border with Castile and León and Asturias, we find one of the most surprising places in Galicia, Los Ancares. These mountains, which cross the east of Lugo, are declared a Biosphere Reserve and are an ideal setting for lovers of hiking. Its forests and valleys are home to numerous paths that, sometimes, exceed 2,000 m. Enjoy the green Galicia, with streams, waterfalls, small villages, castros or castles.

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8. Ribeira Sacra

Marked by the rivers Miño and Sil, which form beautiful canyons in its path, Ribeira Sacra is a destination that combines nature, culture and wine tourism thanks to its lush forests, its Romanesque monasteries and the quality of its wines. In addition, he rivers Miño and Sil form beautiful canyons on its path. Among its villages, you can visit Quiroga, Castro Caldeas, Monforte de Lemos and Portomarín. Enjoy the views at the Cabezoás viewpoint, walk among vineyards and feel the spirituality in Santo Estevo de Ribas de Sil.

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9. Lugo

The city of Lugo is also worth a visit, with its Roman wall as the main highlight, the only one in the world that preserves its entire perimeter, declared a World Heritage Site. You have to climb the defense wall and walk the almost 2.3 km of a walk that will transport you to other eras. Other monuments of interest in the city are the Cathedral of Santa María, the church of San Pedro, the Roman baths, the neighborhood of O Carme and the town hall, with its facade of Galician baroque style

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10. Galician Gastronomy

The gastronomy of Galicia is one of the most praised of our country, for the variety and quality of its products, highlighting the seafood and fish. Taste its delicious empanada(typical pastry), lacón con grelos (shoulder of pork with parsnip tops), broth, octopus, king crab, sausages or cheese. Nothing better to drink than a Galician wine, whether Albariño, Ribeiro, Ribeira Sacra or Monterrei, and to finish, the most typical dessert, the iconic Santiago cake.

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Where to sleep

Rest in the fantastic offer of eleven hotels and apartments spread across Galicia that Rusticae has hand-picked for you. For all tastes: only adults, family-friendly, close to the beach, rural... Discover them!

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