Rías Baixas

Long, wide beaches and relatively calm (if cold) waters have made the Rías Baixas (Castilian: Rías Bajas) Galicia's most popular holiday destination. The Rías de Muros y Noia, de Arousa, de Pontevedra and de Vigo – Galicia's four longest rías (coastal inlets) – boast way more towns, villages, hotels and restaurants than other stretches of the Galician coast, which obscures some of their natural beauty. Still, the mix of pretty villages, sandy beaches and good eating options, especially the wonderful seafood, keep most people happy. Throw in lovely old Pontevedra, the big-city feel of lively Vigo, the quaint albariño wine capital Cambados and trips to offshore islands including the magnificent Illas Cíes, and you have a tempting travel cocktail.

Explore Rías Baixas

0

Top attractions

These are our favorite local haunts, touristy spots, and hidden gems throughout Rías Baixas.

  • Area

    Cabo de Home

    From the hamlet of Donón, 4km west of Hío, the windswept, rocky cape Cabo de Home stretches 2.5km south. It's strung with walking trails and a few…

  • Archaeological Site

    Castro de Baroña

    Galicia's most spectacularly sited prehistoric settlement is poised majestically on a wind-blasted headland overlooking the Atlantic waves, 4km southwest…

  • Gardens

    Pazo de Rubianes

    This 18th-century country mansion, 13km northeast of Cambados, is surrounded by wonderful gardens containing 800 flower species, a large albariño vineyard…

  • Museum

    Edificio Sarmiento

    The Edificio Sarmiento, pride of the Museo de Pontevedra, occupies a renovated 18th-century college. Its absorbing collection ranges over Galician…

  • Castle

    Castelo de Soutomaior

    The Soutomaior castle-palace, amid enormous and beautiful gardens, is well worth a 21km drive northeast from Vigo. Displays inside the castle, which dates…

  • Winery

    Gil Armada

    The handsome 17th-century Pazo de Fefiñáns steals the show on visits to the small, family-run winery that's housed in it. The basic one-hour tour (€7)…

  • Beach

    Praia A Lanzada

    Dune-backed Praia A Lanzada sweeps a spectacular 2.3km along the isthmus leading to O Grove. It's Galicia's most splendid stretch of sand, and enticingly…

  • Beach

    Praia das Rodas

    This beautiful, 1km-long crescent of sand links the northern Illa de Monteagudo to the central Illa do Faro, with a lagoon behind it.

  • Museum

    Museo de Pontevedra

    Three of the six buildings of Pontevedra's eclectic museum are closed long-term for restoration, but the others are well worth your time. The Edificio…

  • Park

    Parque do Castro

    Directly south (uphill) from the old town, this verdant park is a magnificent place to be when the sun is dropping into the ocean behind the Illas Cíes…

  • Church

    Igrexa de Santa Mariña Dozo

    This ruined 15th-century church is now roofless but still has its four semicircular roof arches intact, and is surrounded by a well-kept cemetery with…

  • Church

    Igrexa de Santa María A Nova

    The 14th-century Igrexa de Santa María A Nova is a classic of Galician ‘maritime Gothic’ style. Surrounded by a pretty cemetery, it houses a collection of…

  • Winery

    Mar de Frades

    A young, innovative winery, with eye-catching deep-blue bottles, Mar de Frades offers one-hour tours of its vineyard and modern installations 9km east of…

  • Sculpture

    Cruceiro de Hío

    The famous Cruceiro de Hío (so famous it has its own car park) stands outside the Romanesque San Andrés de Hío church. Sculpted in the 1870s by Ignacio…

  • Winery

    Martín Códax

    Galicia’s best-known winery, a large, modern, cooperative operation 2.5km east of Cambados, offers tastings and a variety of tours. It's essential to call…

  • Beach

    Praia de Samil

    A long swath of sandy beaches stretches southwest of the city. Best is 1.2km-long Praia de Samil, beginning about 5km from the city centre. It's backed by…

  • Church

    Igrexa de Santiago

    Padrón is the last stop before Santiago de Compostela on the Camino Portugués pilgrim route, and pilgrims make a beeline for the Igrexa de Santiago, next…

  • Square

    Praza da Ferrería

    Praza da Ferrería has the best selection of cafes in town and is overlooked by the Igrexa de San Francisco, said to have been founded in the 13th century…

  • Island

    Illa de Sálvora

    This interesting small island, part of the Parque Nacional de las Islas Atlánticas de Galicia, has a mainly rocky coast, a lighthouse, an abandoned…

Top experiences

Whether it’s a guided tour of a historic landmark, private tasting of local delicacies, or an off-road adventure — explore the best experiences in Rías Baixas.

  • Activities