Galicia Car Hire

Guide of Galicia

Geography

Galicia is located in western Spain. It is bordered by Portugal in the south, the Atlantic Ocean in the West and the Bay of Biscay in the north. To the east of the region is the Meseta, the central plateau of mainland Spain. The region is known as “Espana Verde” (Green Spain), thanks to the abundance of coniferous and deciduous forests. The interior of Galicia is mostly hilly, with low mountain ranges, gentle slopes and river valleys. Rias, firth-like estuaries drowned after the ice age, line the coast, along with capes and various archipelagos.

Climate in Galicia

The climate in Galicia is warm and temperate, though it is regarded as one of the colder regions in Spain. Summer is the hottest and driest time of year. July is the warmest month in Galicia, with average high temperatures of 23°C. January is the coldest month to visit Galicia, when temperatures average 7°C. Temperatures tend to cool down fairly quickly in early autumn and begin to heat up again in early spring.

Culture

Galicia has a distinctive and unique culture that sets it apart from the rest of Spain. Unlike the rest of the country, which is perceived as Latin, Galicia’s identity is based on Celtic traditions. So, instead of flamenco and sangria, you’ll find gaita (bagpipes) and cider.

Galicians take tremendous pride in their language – Galego – as well as their musical and literary heritage, which developed during the Middle Ages. The best way to experience Galicia’s rich cultural heritage is at a festival. The largest of these is the Festividade do Apostolo Santiago, celebrated on 25 July every year.

Things To Do in Galicia

Make a pilgrimage to Catedral Santiago de Compostela

This soaring cathedral is Galicia’s most iconic landmark. Built over several centuries, the World Heritage Site marks the end-point of the 500-mile Camino de Santiago. Thousands visit the site every year, but you don’t need to put in the mileage to enjoy the scenery. The magnificent complex encompasses a bell tower, 200 Romanesque sculptures by Maestro Mateo, and much more.

Soak in city life in A Coruna

A Coruna is one of the region’s larger cities. It’s an important cultural hub and busy commercial centre brimming with brilliant restaurants, nightlife and sights, like the Torre de Hercules and the Museo Nacional de Ciencia y Tecnologia. There are laid-back beaches and hilltop parks to explore too.

Explore the wind-lashed villages of Rias Altas

The Rias Altas (High Estuaries) are a series of dramatic coves, estuaries and islets backed by eucalyptus forests and wild hills. It’s the ideal spot for those looking to travel off the heavily beaten path.

Beach hop

Galicia has the longest coastline of any region in Spain. While the Costa del Sol might get all the headlines, Galicia has plenty to say for itself when it comes to spectacular beaches. A Catedrais is one of the country’s best-known beaches due to its spectacular rock formations that tower over the sand. At 7 km, Carnota is Galicia’s longest beach, while the Blue Flag Playa de Riazor is a hotspot for windsurfing and sailing.

Eating Out in Galicia

Along with the Basque Country and Andalusia, Galicia is one of the best gastronomic regions in Spain. The region’s food traditions are rooted in high-quality, fresh produce from sea, land and mountains. Locals are so proud of their culinary heritage that they celebrate it with more than 300 food festivals throughout the year.

Seafood is the cornerstone of Galician cuisine. Pulpo a Feira (grilled octopus sprinkled with paprika) is probably the region’s most famous dish and you’ll find this in restaurants and bars across the region. Agricultural products such as potatoes, maize and wheat are also staples in the Galician diet, along with beef, lamb and pork which come straight from Galicia’s green grasses. Look out for Empanada Gallega (Galician pie), Pimientos de Padron (Padron peppers) and Cocido Gallego (pork stew made with bacon, chorizo and local greens).

The region also has five winemaking areas. The wines here tend to be light and fragrant, more similar to the Portuguese Minho and Vinho Verde wines. If you’re looking to follow a few wine routes, Cambados place to base yourself.

Transport

Airport

There are three international airports in Galicia: Santiago de Compostela, Alvedro Airport in A Coruna and Peinador Airport in Vigo. Santiago de Compostela is the largest airport, though there are still regular services from most major European and Spanish cities to the other two airports too. If you are staying in the Rias Baixas, you could also consider flying to Porto in Portugal for a wider selection of flights.

Getting around Galicia

When it comes to public transport, rail is one of the fastest means of transport for moving around the region. Renfe operates an affordable and reliable network that connects Vigo with A Coruna and Santiago de Compostela with Ourense. However, if you’re looking to travel somewhere other than the main cities or along the north coast, bus is the best option. Bus services connect most municipalities in the region, though services have reduced significantly in the past few years.

For this reason, we recommend hiring a car. Road conditions are generally good and quiet when compared with other places in Europe. Driving will give you more flexibility and the opportunity to travel to some of the region’s underexplored spots too.