Two-Week Road Trip Itinerary in Galicia
Are you planning a road trip through Galicia? This summer, we had the incredible opportunity to explore this stunning region for several weeks, and based on our experiences (and a few mistakes made along the way), we’re excited to share what we believe is the ideal itinerary for your journey.
Ready? Let’s dive in! And if you happen to have an extra week, stick around for a bonus suggestion at the end.
The route we propose closely resembles our adventure, featuring many of Galicia’s main attractions (though not all!). It's designed for a driving trip, so if you plan to use public transport, be prepared to do some extra planning to coordinate transfers and schedules.
We’ll guide you through the itinerary day by day, summarizing activities at each destination and providing links to accommodations so you can book in advance (a crucial step if you know your travel dates).
Days 1-3: Exploring Ourense and Ribeira Sacra
Ourense served as our gateway to Galicia. We arrived from Sanabria and made a stop at the charming village of Allariz for a few hours of exploration. The rest of the day was spent wandering through Ourense, where we stayed for the night.
On the second day, we woke up early and dedicated the entire day to the breathtaking Ribeira Sacra and the Sil Canyon. This region is undoubtedly one of Galicia’s prime attractions, with unique landscapes, awe-inspiring viewpoints, and historic monasteries that are fascinating to explore. That evening and the following night, we stayed in Ribadavia, one of the former capitals of the Kingdom of Galicia, which has remarkably preserved its charm. In our opinion, it’s one of the most beautiful towns in Galicia.
For the third day of this first leg, we took time to unwind at the Prexigueiro hot springs, located near Ribadavia, and treated ourselves to some of the best octopus in Galicia at the town of O Carballiño (try Pulpería Fuchela). In the afternoon, we explored the historic center of Ribadavia and discovered its rich Jewish heritage.
→ Accommodation in Ourense
→ Accommodation in Ribadavia
Days 4-6: Discovering Vigo and the Cíes Islands
Next, we headed towards the Atlantic. After a quick stop in the historic town of Tui, there’s no better way to greet the vast ocean than from the Castro de Santa Trega. Close by, you’ll find the Dos Muiños Do Folón E Do Picón trail, a circular hike of about 3 km around these ancient mills (we skipped it due to time constraints).
With the first glimpses of the coastline appearing, we continued past the Monastery of Santa María de Oya and arrived at the picturesque town of Baiona, where in 1493, Martín Alonso Pinzón brought the news of the discovery of America (check out what to do in this lovely town). We enjoyed a set menu lunch before heading to Vigo, where we made our base for the next three nights.
While Rober’s parents stayed in Vigo for the three nights, we spent the fifth night in paradise: the stunning Cíes Islands. On day six, we returned to the city and took a stroll around.
Days 7-10: Adventuring in Rías Baixas
From here on, we needed to gear up for what lay ahead: a journey through the breathtaking Rías Baixas! There are several ways to approach this part of the trip; we chose to base ourselves in an apartment near Playa de la Lanzada, one of the best beaches in Galicia, and from there, we took excursions each of the four days we stayed. Our itinerary was as follows:
- Day 7: Departing from Vigo towards Lanzada, with stops along the way at the best bench in the world in the Ría de Vigo, the Cabo Home viewpoint, Monte do Facho, Cruceiro do Hio, and Combarro, finishing with a sunset at Ermida da Lanzada.
- Day 8: Walking the wooden walkways of San Vicente do Grove, enjoying seafood feasts in O Grove, exploring Isla de la Toja, and relaxing at La Lanzada and nearby beaches (Praia de Foxos, Praia de Area Gorda).
- Day 9: Visiting Cambados and Isla de Arousa.
- Day 10: Departing from Lanzada towards Santiago de Compostela, with stops at Mirador da Rá, the medieval do Xuño bridge, and Castro de Baroña.
* We included Day 10 in this section, although we spent the night in Santiago de Compostela.
Days 10*, 11 and 12: Santiago and Costa da Morte
For Costa da Morte, we recommend taking your time, just as with Rías Baixas. It’s best to spend several days here rather than trying to see everything in one go. What did we do? We tried to fit it all into one!
So, for this part of the route, we’ve learned from our experience, and we recommend exploring the Costa da Morte in two segments starting from Santiago de Compostela. Naturally, you’ll also want to leave time to explore the Galician capital itself, particularly the afternoon of Day 10 upon arrival, as well as the following days (if time permits).
- Day 11: Exploring the area between Muros and Finisterre (Muros, Praia de Louro, Horreo de Carnota, Cascada de Ézaro, Playa de Langosteira, and Finisterre).
- Day 12: Traveling between Finisterre and Malpica (Lires, Praia de Nemiña, Muxía and the Santuario da Virxe da Barca, Praia de Lourido, Camariñas, Faro de Cabo Vilán, Laxe, and Playa de los Cristales, Dolmen de Dombate, Faro Roncudo, Malpica).
If you can extend your stay by another day, consider splitting the second day into two zones: from Finisterre to Muxía, and from Muxía to Malpica.
→ Accommodation in Santiago de Compostela
Days 13-14: The Stunning Rías Altas
Prepare yourself for a visual feast, as the Rías Altas are full of surprises. This area was one of our favorites, and it would be a shame not to include it in your Galician adventure.
On the morning of Day 13, we thoroughly explored the city of A Coruña, one of Galicia’s most pleasant cities. You can either eat there or head to Betanzos, known for its delicious potato omelets.
From here, we suggest two options for your afternoon, depending on your interests:
- Hiking in the Fragas do Eume Natural Park.
- Or spending the afternoon at one of the beautiful beaches near Cedeira (such as Playa de la Magdalena, Playa de Vilarrube, or Playa A Frouxeira).
Whichever you choose, make sure to stop by the quaint village of Redes and visit the Ermitas de Santa Comba and Virxe do Porto. We wrapped up the day in Cedeira, recharging for the next day, which promised more adventures.
The stretch of Rías Altas from Cedeira to Ortigueria is arguably the most spectacular scenic drive of the trip. Known as the Route of the Lookouts, our first stop was the San Andrés de Teixido Sanctuary, and from there, the road winds through the Vixía de Herbeira cliffs, the highest in continental Europe. We continued to the impressive Cabo Ortegal Lighthouse and made a final stop at the Mirador de Coitelo (home to one of the world’s most beautiful benches) before reaching Ribadeo or nearby (we found a cozy little house by the beach in Barreiros).
If you’re eager for more coastal exploration, a perfect stop before reaching your destination is the 3 km trail to Punta de Fuciño do Porco along scenic wooden walkways.
On the last day, as a grand finale to our two-week road trip through Galicia, we visited the Playa de las Catedrales (remember to request a permit online). This area is filled with spectacular yet lesser-known beaches, like Playa de Lóngara, Playa de Os Castros, and Playa de A Rapadoira, perfect for a few hours of relaxation.
If you’re heading towards Asturias from here, you can bid farewell to Galicia at the Illa Plancha Lighthouse in the Ría de Ribadeo, the natural border between these two communities.
→ Accommodation in Cedeira
→ Accommodation in Ribadeo – Playa de las Catedrales
Three-week route in Galicia
Do you have an extra week? That’s fantastic! Three weeks will always beat two 😉 But where to allocate those extra days? Here are our recommendations:
- Ribeira Sacra: Spend an extra day exploring the Miño Canyon to the north.
- Cíes Islands: Dedicate two days instead of one to fully enjoy them (we could have easily spent two weeks there!). And if you want to explore even more, why not add Isla de Ons to your itinerary?
- Rías Baixas: If you crave more beach time, consider adding a few days here just to relax on the stunning beaches of Isla de Arosa (stay at the campsite and rent a kayak for a perfect getaway), or enjoy Playa del Vilar at the impressive Dunas de Corrubedo, Playa de Menduiña, or Playa de Samil, close to Vigo. And let’s not forget to visit the city of Pontevedra, which also deserves a stop.
- Costa da Morte: Add an extra day to split this region into three parts and explore it more leisurely.
- Rías Altas: Make the most of your remaining days with these options:
- Spend a whole day in A Coruña instead of just a morning.
- Set aside a full day to discover the beautiful city of Lugo.
- Don’t miss out on Fragas do Eume Natural Park and the Cedeira beaches; do both!
- Allocate a day to enjoy the Ribadeo Coast beaches (there’s a lot more than just Playa de las Catedrales).
Map of the driving route through Galicia
Below is a map of the driving route through Galicia, detailing the itinerary, places to visit, and cities to stay in:
That wraps up our proposed two-week (or three-week) road trip through Galicia. We hope this day-by-day guide helps you plan your vacation splendidly!
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