14 ISLANDS TO VISIT IN GALICIA
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WONDERFUL ISLANDS TO VISIT IN GALICIA
Galicia, the land of sailors and fishermen, carved into the rocks by the strong, severe winds and the immense and incessant waves of the Atlantic and the Cantabrian Sea. It is a wild and rugged area that impresses with the green and unspoiled landscapes of its forests, and with the beautiful beaches that join rough sea with the hostile shore.
The image excites and gives chills, right? We have attracted your attention, but now you will ask: what is there to see in Galicia? The first answers from Google would be Costa da Morte, Rías Baixas, Santiago de Compostela and Fisterra, for being the most famous destinations for holidays in Galicia.
But we want to propose something different today. A tour of the Galician islets. We will also step on the tourist areas but in a different way. We will rediscover the Rías Baixas and the Costa da Morte visiting the small and large islands located there. Are you surprised by the idea? It is normal, since there is not much talk about the islands that need to be seen in Galicia. But we have to change it! Galicia has more than 300 archipelagos and islets, we can not let them go unnoticed.
Therefore, we present the list of 14 islands to visit in Galicia. We hope you like them as much as we like them!
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Rias Baixas Excursion
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Porto
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French Way
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Finisterre, Muxía, Costa da Morte
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ISLAS CÍES
It’s an archipelago composed of three islands: O Faro, Monte Agudo and San Martiño. It’s known for its stunning nature and wonderful beaches. It has a limited capacity, so you must book before the visit due to the large volume of tourists. There is a possibility of staying there on a campsite. The Cíes Islands are also part of the Parque Nacional de las Illas Atlánticas.
ISLA DE ONS
It has beautiful trails that will take you through the wild landscape of the Ons Islands, among the cliffs, viewpoints and beaches with crystal clear water. Its most popular and precious beach is the Playa de Melide. It also has a limited capacity, so you must book your trip before the visit, with the possibility to stay overnight. They are part of the Parque Nacional de las Illas Atlánticas.
Read also: THE FRENCH WAY OF SAINT JAMES
SÁLVORA
A not well-known islet with overwhelming nature and spectacular landscapes, a lighthouse, sculpture of the mermaid, place of the tragic shipwreck of the ship Santa Isabel in 1921. It is also part of the Parque Nacional de las Illas Atlánticas.
ISLA DE CORTEGADA
A small and not well-known island in the estuary of Arousa. It stands out for the impressive laurel forest that covers all its territory.
SAN SIMÓN
An island with a turbulent history: according to legend there remains the treasure of the Navy sunk. It was the refuge for Benedictines and Templars during the Middle Age, suffered an attack by the corsair Francis Drake, witnessed the battle of Rande in 1702. In the 19th century, it served as a leper shop. And in the 20th century, Franco turned it into a concentration camp… Many tragic stories had taken place there. The island of San Simon is located in the Ria de Vigo. It is connected to San Antón Island by a stone bridge, which creates a picturesque and very photogenic image.
TAMBO
Another island with a tumultuous history. Pirate Francis Drake also attacked therr. During the Franco dictatorship, it housed military installations. Even today, there are restrictions on visiting it. It is located in the estuary of Pontevedra. The island stands out for having a large eucalyptus forest. In addition, we can see there a beautiful lighthouse, an old monastery and beautiful beaches with turquoise waters.
ISLA DE A RÚA
Located in the Arousa Estuary, in the Rías Baixas, it is a beauty of nature full of rocks. The twin lighthouse of Ons Lighthouse is located there.
ISLOTE AREOSO
This small islet, with white sand and crystal clear waters, deserves to be mentioned among the islands to visit in Galicia. It is known as the Galician Caribbean.
ISLA DE LA TOJA
It is located in the Arousa Estuary and is very easy to access, as it is connected to the peninsula through a bridge of 400 meters in length. The island of Toxa is very famous due to the soaps produced there, its spas with medicinal waters, chapel of San Caralampio covered with shells and a charming playground in the form of a hamlet of the hobbits.
ILLA DE AROUSA
You can find beaches with turquoise waters, a lighthouse and a natural park there. It is an inhabited island of 7 km2.
Read also: 6 COASTS AND BEACHES OF GALICIA
ISLAS LOBEIRAS
Located near the Cape Finisterre, these islands offer wonderful views of the lighthouse of Fisterra. In addition, it is a perfect place to dive in crystal clear waters (but cool!). It is located in the estuary of Corcubión.
LAS SISARGAS
Las Sisargas is an archipelago formed by three independent islands: La Grande, La Chica and La Malante which is declared a Special Protection Area for Birds (ZEPA). The islands are located north of the Costa da Morte. It is an interesting place to visit because it has examples of endemic flora such as several types of Armeria maritima.
In addition, walking through the islands, we can observe several species of seabirds such as the seagull or the common plough that find refuge in Las Sisargas. The landscape of the Sisargas is wonderful, rocky and rugged cliffs, surrounded by turbulent waters of the Atlantic.
ILLA PANCHA
A small island, linked to the peninsula by a bridge. In Pancha Island, there are two lighthouses, the oldest of which has been converted into a hotel. You cannot access the island without booking for the accommodation. However, even from the outside, the rocky island with a white and blue lighthouse is beautiful and pleases the eyes of every visitor.
SANTA CRUZ
A small islet in Oleiros, A Coruña. It is connected to the beach of Santa Cruz with a wooden bridge (on low tide days you can reach the island simply by walking on the sand). It is a beautiful place, with gardens and forests and, above all, a charming castle from the 16th century.