Galicia
Galicia, Spain's Atlantic northwest region, is where the Way of Saint James ends and fishing ports line the rías.
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Galicia is an autonomous community in Spain's northwest corner, on the Atlantic coast. It is known as the country of a thousand rivers. Its four provinces are A Coruña, Lugo, Ourense and Pontevedra, with Santiago de Compostela as the regional capital. The coast is shaped by rías, river valleys flooded by the sea, and fishing ports and beaches line them. Inland, low mountain ranges and gorges such as the Sil canyons break up the hilly land.
The Way of Saint James ends at Santiago Cathedral, which holds the relics of the saint, and Santiago de Compostela draws most of the region's visitors. Seafood is the other draw. Pulpo a la gallega, boiled octopus served with olive oil, sea salt and pimentón, is the signature dish. The climate is mild and rainy, and Santiago averages about 129 rainy days a year, so pack rain gear in any season. Late spring and summer bring the most reliable dry weather. Allow more time than a single city visit, since rural roads are narrow and slow.
Galicia in five
- Base in Santiago or the rías, not bothSantiago de Compostela suits cathedral and Camino days; Pontevedra or Vigo suit the Rías Baixas, wine and island ferries. Two bases beat crossing the region daily.Santiago de Compostela travel guide
- Use trains between cities and a car for the coastHigh-speed and regional trains link Madrid with Santiago, Ourense, Vigo and A Coruña. Villages and beaches outside the cities are best reached by rental car.A Coruña travel guide
- Pack rain gear in every monthAtlantic weather means showers can arrive even in July. Plan a museum, cafe or seafood lunch as a backup for each outdoor day.
- Walk the last 100 km for a Compostela certificateThe Pilgrim's Office asks for at least the last 100 km on foot or on horseback, or 200 km by bike, with stamps in your pilgrim credential. Sarria is the usual starting point.
- Flying in from outside Europe? Plan for EESIf you connect through Madrid or Barcelona, your Schengen entry check and EES registration happen there, so leave a long gap before the flight on to Santiago, Vigo or A Coruña.EES explained
Neighborhoods
Where to stay in Galicia, the full guide
Santiago de Compostela
- Price band: €€€
A Coruña
- Price band: €€
Pontevedra
- Price band: €€
Vigo
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Things to do in Galicia
See all attractions in Galicia
Need to know
- Airports
- Santiago (SCQ), A Coruña (LCG) and Vigo (VGO); Porto is a cross-border option
- Getting there
- Flights, high-speed train from Madrid, or road and rail from Portugal and Asturias
- Getting around
- Car for coast and villages; trains and buses link the main cities
- Best base
- Santiago for the Camino; Pontevedra or Vigo for the rías
- Time needed
- 5–7 days for Santiago, one ría and the northern coast
Weather by month
- Rainy days
- Best
- Good
- Mixed
- Poor
- JanuaryRain12 rainy daysHigh11°Low4°Wet, quietJanuaryRain
Poor
- High
- 11°
- Low
- 4°
- Precipitation
- 157 mm
- Rainy days
- 12
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Wet, quiet
- FebruaryPartly cloudy11 rainy daysHigh13°Low5°Wet, quietFebruaryPartly cloudy
Mixed
- High
- 13°
- Low
- 5°
- Precipitation
- 118 mm
- Rainy days
- 11
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Wet, quiet
- MarchRain13 rainy daysHigh15°Low6°Rain, few crowdsMarchRain
Mixed
- High
- 15°
- Low
- 6°
- Precipitation
- 131 mm
- Rainy days
- 13
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Rain, few crowds
- AprilRain13 rainy daysHigh18°Low8°Showers, greenAprilRain
Good
- High
- 18°
- Low
- 8°
- Precipitation
- 90 mm
- Rainy days
- 13
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Showers, green
- MayPartly cloudy11 rainy daysHigh22°Low11°Camino seasonMayPartly cloudy
Best
- High
- 22°
- Low
- 11°
- Precipitation
- 73 mm
- Rainy days
- 11
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Camino season
- JunePartly cloudy9 rainy daysHigh25°Low14°Long daysJunePartly cloudy
Best
- High
- 25°
- Low
- 14°
- Precipitation
- 63 mm
- Rainy days
- 9
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Long days
- JulyClear3 rainy daysHigh29°Low15°Peak, festivalsJulyClear
Best
- High
- 29°
- Low
- 15°
- Precipitation
- 14 mm
- Rainy days
- 3
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Peak, festivals
- AugustClear4 rainy daysHigh30°Low16°Peak, crowdedAugustClear
Best
- High
- 30°
- Low
- 16°
- Precipitation
- 16 mm
- Rainy days
- 4
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Peak, crowded
- SeptemberClear7 rainy daysHigh26°Low14°Camino, calmSeptemberClear
Best
- High
- 26°
- Low
- 14°
- Precipitation
- 60 mm
- Rainy days
- 7
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Camino, calm
- OctoberRain13 rainy daysHigh21°Low12°Autumn rainOctoberRain
Good
- High
- 21°
- Low
- 12°
- Precipitation
- 159 mm
- Rainy days
- 13
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Autumn rain
- NovemberRain14 rainy daysHigh14°Low7°WetNovemberRain
Poor
- High
- 14°
- Low
- 7°
- Precipitation
- 142 mm
- Rainy days
- 14
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Wet
- DecemberRain14 rainy daysHigh12°Low5°Wet, short daysDecemberRain
Poor
- High
- 12°
- Low
- 5°
- Precipitation
- 160 mm
- Rainy days
- 14
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Wet, short days
Average daily high and low in Santiago de Compostela, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.
Right now in Galicia
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
12
- Feels like
- 10°
- Humidity
- 53%
- Wind
- 8 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 0%
Galicia
09:47 PM
Monday, November 2
- Today19°8°0%Monday: Cloudy. High 19°, Low 8°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Tue14°4°0%Tuesday: Clear. High 14°, Low 4°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Wed12°3°0%Wednesday: Clear. High 12°, Low 3°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Thu13°3°2%Thursday: Clear. High 13°, Low 3°. Chance of rain 2%.
- Fri11°3°41%Friday: Rain. High 11°, Low 3°. Chance of rain 41%.
- Sat14°6°66%Saturday: Rain. High 14°, Low 6°. Chance of rain 66%.
- Sun14°10°90%Sunday: Rain. High 14°, Low 10°. Chance of rain 90%.
Updated 06:06 PM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
Every year
- AugViking Festival of CatoiraPontevedra, a day trip
- SepPontevedra Feira FrancaPontevedra, a day trip
Day trips by train
- Santiago de Compostelathe region's hub; about 30–45 minutes by train from A CoruñaCathedral, pilgrim arrivals and old-town food.Read the guide
- A Coruñaabout 30–45 minutes by train from SantiagoRoman lighthouse, glass-fronted houses and a long seafront.Read the guide
- Vigoabout 1–1.5 hours by train from SantiagoBig ría city and boats to the Cíes Islands.Read the guide
Before you go to Galicia
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Rules for Galicia, checked
- Spain is in the Schengen Area. Check passport validity and the current entry system on the EU travel information site before you fly.Source
- Forest and heath fires are a real risk in summer. Avoid open flames near woodland, and check local fire warnings before you hike.
- Galicia has its own civil law, so land and inheritance rules can differ from the rest of Spain. Ask a notary before buying property.
- Villages and hamlets are spread out on narrow rural roads in the interior. Keep fuel in the tank and a charged phone when you drive there.
Plan around Galicia
Cities, islands and trains beyond the northwest
Read the guideSantiago de CompostelaCathedral square, pilgrim finish and old-town lanes
Read the guideA CoruñaRoman lighthouse, seafront and glazed balconies
Read the guideVigoThe big ría port and the ferry to the Cíes Islands
Read the guideRibadeoLugo's coast, home of the Praia das Catedrais
Read the guideGetting around SpainTrains, buses and rental cars between regions
Read the guideGalicia FAQ
How many days do you need in Galicia?
Five to seven days covers Santiago, one ría and a bit of coast with a car. Three days works for Santiago and A Coruña by train. Walking the last 100 km of the Camino adds about five or six walking days.
What is the weather like in Galicia, and when should you go?
Mild and often wet. June to September is the driest and warmest, and May and September suit the Camino. Expect rain in any month and bring a waterproof jacket, even in summer.
Do you need a car in Galicia?
Not for Santiago, A Coruña or Vigo, which have train links. You do need a car for most coastline, small villages and viewpoints. Rent for part of the trip rather than the whole of it.
Can you walk the Camino de Santiago in a week?
Yes, the last 100 km from Sarria usually takes five or six days of walking. Book rooms early in May to September, carry a credential for stamps and check the Pilgrim's Office rules for the certificate.
What food is Galicia known for?
Octopus cooked Galician style, empanadas, Padrón peppers, shellfish and albariño white wine. The Tarta de Santiago, an almond cake, is the usual dessert in Santiago.