Santiago de Compostela is a city that offers plenty to visit, but if you have more time, you might feel like taking excursions from the Jacobean city: besides this, you can discover the magic of the Costa da Morte, with its legends and wild coastline, or the calm of the Rías Baixas, with its estuaries and coastlines rich in seafood and wine.
After completing the Camino de Santiago, you arrive in Santiago de Compostela, visit the tomb of the Apostle at the Cathedral, pick up your credential, have a glass of wine, and celebrate. Maybe you’ll return home the next day, or perhaps you’ll extend your stay in Santiago de Compostela to do so. In addition to exploring the secrets of Santiago de Compostela, visiting other nearby areas of Galicia could be the perfect complement to your pilgrimage.
After arriving in Santiago de Compostela, be sure to explore Galicia
Costa da Morte and the south of the A Coruña province
This region of Galicia, the most western, will surprise you with its idyllic settings and, at the same time, wild coasts.
Pontemaceira
One of the most beautiful villages in Spain, just twenty minutes from Santiago de Compostela. A mandatory stop on the Camino de Santiago to Finisterre and Muxía, with its impressive bridge over the Tambre River and the Jacobean legend associated with it, you can enjoy its beautiful landscape, perhaps a nice swim, and a refreshing snack.
Bridge over the Tambre River, in Pontemaceira
Muxía
Bathed by the Atlantic Ocean, this beautiful fishing village in the heart of the Costa da Morte will tell you about Marian legends and the Apostle, as well as stories of tragic shipwrecks. At Punta de la Barca, you can visit the marian sanctuary of the Virgin of the Barca and its Sacred Stones, the Muxía lighthouse, the Monument to the Wound (commemorating the Prestige oil tanker disaster), and the kilometer 0 of the Camino de Muxía. If the day is a bit windy, you can see how the sea crashes against the rocks, and we challenge you to find the tadpoles that live there. In its harbor, you can enjoy Galician cuisine, as well as take a dip in its fresh and clean waters, even if just your feet.
Sanctuary of the Virgin of the Barca
Fisterra
A classic destination in Galicia, among the five most visited in the Autonomous Community. A fishing village and a mythical cape, where the Romans, and previously the indigenous inhabitants, placed the End of the Earth: hence its name, Finis Terrae. Across the Costa da Morte, you can enjoy a beautiful sunset, but here, where it ends, it’s more magical. With a refreshing drink, find a good spot among the rocks, get comfortable, and enjoy the landscape, the sunset, and the sound of the sea. Then you can head down to the village and enjoy its seafaring atmosphere.
With a bit of luck, this reward awaits you on the Camino to Finisterre and Muxía
Fervenza de Ézaro
In this small village of the Muros and Noia estuary, you can visit the fervenza (waterfall) of Ézaro, where the Xallas River flows into the sea with its spectacular drop, being the only case in Europe. With a fall of up to 40 meters, this waterfall is illuminated on summer nights, and there you can enjoy its amazing waters falling next to the slopes of Mount Pindo, the Olympus of the Celtic gods. It has a beach bar and souvenir shops.
The Ézaro Waterfall
Hórreos of Lira and Carnota
In the neighboring towns of Lira and Carnota, you can find two of the longest hórreos in Galicia. With thirty-six meters in length for the first and thirty-five for the second, they can give you an idea of the wealth of the house to which they belonged: the hórreo is, in Galicia, a traditional granary generally built in granite and, depending on its size and craftsmanship, represents the status of the family owner. Moreover, they are part of traditional architecture, as both are accompanied by a manor house and pigeon loft.
The Hórreo of Carnota
Viewpoints of Paxareiras
Many viewpoints, with different views, can be found in Galicia. One of them is the Mirador de Paxareiras, which with its more than 450 meters in height offers stunning views of the Muros and Noia estuary, as well as the magnificent Carnota beach. It is usually a bit windy, like many viewpoints, but once you have enjoyed it, you can head down to the villages of Muros or Noia for a snack and walk their seafront promenades.
Mirador de Paraxeiras
Salnés area and the north of the Pontevedra province
This area, in the Rías Baixas, is a zone with great tourist appeal in summer due to its good weather.
Fervenza A Barosa
In this case, another fervenza or waterfall, one of many in Galicia. As an alternative detour on the Portuguese Way, it is worth visiting. Fresh mountain waters fall surrounded by ancient mills, many of which have been restored and turned into hospitality businesses. A peaceful place for you, your friends, and/or your family, where you can enjoy a great day and refreshing baths. Very close to Caldas de Reis, in the Pontevedra province, you can see geese in the wild (don’t get too close, they have a bit of a bad temper!).
Pilgrims at the Barosa waterfall
Pontevedra
The capital of the province of the same name, through which the Portuguese Way passes, is an example of urban conservation and adaptation, something you will notice if you stroll through its beautiful historic center. The church of Peregrina, as well as other monuments, will surprise you, and then you must not miss taking something at the Plaza de la Leña or the Plaza de la Verdura.
Pilgrims in Pontevedra
Combarro
Very close to Pontevedra is this beautiful fishing village, called by some the Galician Venice. Hórreos facing the sea and an urban labyrinth of granite will offer you a delightful walk with a sea aroma. Numerous restaurants and souvenir shops will help you never forget this beautiful place.
Port of Combarro
O Grove
In O Grove, there’s much to do, and not just drink Albariño and eat mussels (though that too!). From the harbor, they offer boat trips through the Arousa estuary, where, in addition to food, they’ll offer explanations on the cultivation of mussels, scallops, and oysters in the fabulous estuary rafts. Very close by, you have the Playa de la Lanzada, a beautiful sandy beach facing the Atlantic Ocean and numerous legends, as well as the Illa da Toxa, a beautiful neighboring island where, in addition to multimillionaire houses, you’ll find an amazing church covered in scallop shells, the Ermita de San Caralampio and San Sebastián; besides the spa, don’t forget to visit the shops selling the famous soaps named after the island.
Playa de la Lanzada
Cambados
Capital of the O Salnés comarca, in the Fefiñáns square don’t miss admiring its fabulous architecture. Where Albariño wine is king, you can visit a museum dedicated to it. Moreover, next to that museum, you can visit the ruins of the ancient Church of Santa Mariña, where, among others, a son of the writer Ramón del Valle Inclán is buried.
A good Albariño and tapas will be your companions during your visit to Cambados
Padrón
Some are spicy, others are not, such are the famous Padrón or Herbón peppers. A picturesque town at the mouth of the Arousa estuary, with a great Jacobean tradition (a stop on the Portuguese Way) and famous for the octopus served at its fair. Birthplace of great writers like Camilo José Cela (specifically, the neighboring Iria Flavia) and Rosalía de Castro. Also, its Botanical Garden is worth a long stroll.
Padrón Bridge
You can find all these places in Galicia, and even while doing a Jacobean route. There are many excursions in Galicia from Santiago de Compostela, with trips that easily allow you to visit everything in one or two days, depending on your interests. We want you to fully experience all the magic of Galicia, and we make it very easy for you. Contact us and we’ll provide you with information with no obligation.
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