Galicia feels more Celtic than Mediterranean: granite villages, misty hills, bagpipes and a long, ragged coastline of rías (sea inlets). Santiago de Compostela, where the Camino ends, is one of Spain’s great small cities.
It is also one of the cheapest regions to live in, with excellent food and a slower pace. The price is rain.
Climate
Atlantic and wet, especially in winter. Summers are mild and pleasant (low to mid-20s °C) and the sea is cold. The south around Vigo is drier and warmer.
Best time: June to September. Spring and autumn are lovely between showers.
Food and drink
Pulpo á feira (octopus), percebes (goose barnacles), Padrón peppers, empanada, tetilla cheese and Albariño white wine from the Rías Baixas.
What it’s like
Four provinces: A Coruña and Lugo in the north, Pontevedra and Ourense in the south. The Costa da Morte and Rías Altas are wild and empty; the Rías Baixas around Vigo and Pontevedra have calmer water, islands like the Cíes and the best summer weather.
Living here
Housing is cheap by Spanish standards, especially in smaller towns and inland. A Coruña and Vigo are the two big cities with the most jobs; Santiago is a university and administrative city. Galicia’s population is ageing, and many villages are emptying, so rural houses can be very cheap but need work.
Getting around
High-speed trains now link Galicia with Madrid in about 3 to 3.5 hours from Santiago or A Coruña. The Atlantic Axis line connects the coastal cities.
Towns and cities in Galicia
Galicia
Santiago de Compostela
Where the Camino ends: a granite old town, a vast cathedral, a big university, great food markets and Galicia’s green countryside.
€€€€ 2 days
Galicia
A Coruña
A seafront city with glassed balconies, a Roman lighthouse still in use, city beaches and some of the best seafood in Spain.
€€€€ 2 days
Fiestas in Galicia
Frequently asked questions
How rainy is Galicia?
Santiago de Compostela is one of the wettest cities in Spain, with rain spread across much of autumn, winter and spring. Summers are usually dry and mild.
What is the best time to visit Galicia?
June to September. Spring and autumn are lovely between showers.
What is the weather like in Galicia?
Atlantic and wet, especially in winter. Summers are mild and pleasant (low to mid-20s °C) and the sea is cold. The south around Vigo is drier and warmer.
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