Where Spain turns green, Celtic, and Atlantic — Galicia is a mist-shrouded land of ancient pilgrim paths, wild seafood-rich coasts, and the soaring spires of Santiago de Compostela, all waiting to be explored with a carbono neutral stay through IMPT.
Por Qué Alojarse en Galicia?
Galicia is Spain's wild northwest — a region that feels more like a Celtic cousin of coastal France or western Britain than the sun-baked stereotypes of Andalusia. Its 1,660 km of deeply indented Atlantic coastline creates the rías — flooded river valleys that form some of Europe's most productive marine ecosystems, yielding percebes (goose barnacles), oysters, mussels, and the legendary pulpo a feira. The landscape alternates between misty eucalyptus forests, granite-strewn mountains, and emerald pastures where the dairy cattle that produce Galicia's famous tetilla cheese graze.
The region's four provinces — A Coruña, Lugo, Ourense, and Pontevedra — each have distinct personalities. A Coruña province claims the dramatic Costa da Morte and the Tower of Hercules, the world's oldest functioning Roman lighthouse. Lugo province preserves its entire Roman wall — the only complete circuit in Europe — encircling a city where you can still walk the 2.2 km perimeter. Ourense bubbles with natural thermal springs. Pontevedra encompasses the magnificent Rías Baixas estuaries, Albariño wine country, and the ancient granite old town of Pontevedra city itself.
Then there is Santiago de Compostela, the gravitational centre of Galicia and the destination for over 400,000 annual pilgrims on the Camino de Santiago. The Praza do Obradoiro, with its monumental cathedral facade, is one of Europe's greatest squares. Galicia's cultural identity runs deep — Galego (Gallego) is spoken alongside Castilian, gaita bagpipes echo through village festivals, and ancient stone hórreos (granaries) dot the countryside like architectural fossils. By booking your Galician journey through IMPT, you remove one full tonne of CO₂ per booking — at the identical price you'd find on Booking.com — while earning 5% cashback in IMPT tokens.
Galicia at a Glance
Qué Hacer en Galicia
1. Santiago de Compostela Cathedral
The culmination of the Camino and one of Christendom's greatest pilgrimage sites. The Romanesque Portico da Gloria by Master Mateo is a masterpiece of 12th-century sculpture, and the massive botafumeiro incense burner swings dramatically during pilgrim masses. Climb the cathedral rooftops for panoramic views of the city's granite skyline.
2. Tower of Hercules, A Coruña
The world's oldest working Roman lighthouse, built in the late 1st century AD and still guiding ships into the Atlantic. Climb the 234 steps for views across the Ría da Coruña, then explore the sculpture park at its base featuring works by Manolo Paz and Francisco Leiro. A UNESCO World Heritage site since 2009.
3. Playa de las Catedrales (Beach of the Cathedrals)
On the Lugo coast near Ribadeo, this beach reveals soaring natural stone arches and caves at low tide — dramatic flying buttresses carved by millions of years of Atlantic erosion. Access is free but requires advance reservation during peak season (July–September and Easter). Visit at low tide to walk through the 'cathedral' arches.
4. Ribeira Sacra Wine Región
One of Spain's most spectacular wine landscapes — impossibly steep terraced vineyards plunging into the gorges of the Sil and Miño rivers. The red Mencía wines are the star, often compared to Burgundy. Take a catamaran trip through the Sil canyon past monasteries and abandoned vineyards, then taste at a family bodega.
5. Roman Walls of Lugo
The only Roman city walls in the world that survive completely intact — a 2.2 km circuit of 71 towers and 10 gates encircling Lugo's historic centre since the 3rd century AD. Walk the entire circuit on the elevated parapet, watching daily life in the old town below. A UNESCO World Heritage site.
6. Cíes Islands (Illas Cíes)
Often called 'Spain's Caribbean', these granite islands at the mouth of the Vigo estuary feature the stunning Rodas Beach — pure white sand and impossibly turquoise water. Part of the Atlantic Islands National Park, access is limited to 2,200 daily visitors (ferry from Vigo, Cangas, or Baiona). Camp overnight for an unforgettable stargazing experience.
Dónde Alojarse — Areas in Galicia
Hotels in Galicia
Parador de Santiago de Compostela (Hostal dos Reis Católicos)
A 15th-century pilgrim hospital fronting the Praza do Obradoiro — Spain's most historic hotel, with four cloisters, original Gothic portals, and the cathedral as your neighbour
NH Collection A Coruña Finisterre
The iconic five-star on A Coruña's Riazor beachfront — panoramic Atlantic views, rooftop terrace, full spa, and a strong sustainability programme
Parador de Baiona
A cliff-top fortress hotel inside the Monterreal Castle on the Rías Baixas coast — the spot where Columbus's Pinta first brought news of America to Europe in 1493
A Quinta da Auga — Santiago
An eco-minded spa hotel on the Sar River, five minutes from the old town — 5,000 m² of gardens, a natural-water pool, and a serious green-certified approach
Hotel Balneario de Lugo
Thermal hotel beside the Roman walls, built around natural mineral springs used since Roman times — indoor thermal pool and hydrotherapy circuit
Parador de Santo Estevo — Ribeira Sacra
A Benedictine monastery from the 6th century, reborn as a parador deep in the Ribeira Sacra canyons — three cloisters and Mencía wine tastings on site
Walking & Hiking in Galicia
Camino de Santiago — Sarria to Compostela (final 100 km)
The most famous pilgrimage walk in Europe and the minimum distance required to earn the Compostela certificate. The route rolls through eucalyptus groves, Romanesque churches, and granite villages, ending in the grandest square in Spain — the Praza do Obradoiro.
Ruta da Pedra e da Auga — Ribeira Sacra
One of Galicia's signature trails: a circular route through chestnut woods, abandoned hamlets, and the vertiginous terraced vineyards above the Sil canyon. The Balcóns de Madrid viewpoints offer the region's most photographed panoramas.
Paseo Marítimo & Monte de San Pedro — A Coruña
Europe's longest urban seafront promenade, 13 km of granite balustrades and glass windbreaks connecting the beaches of Orzán and Riazor to the Tower of Hercules. Climb to Monte de San Pedro for a 360° panorama over the ría and the Atlantic.
Nearby Regions
Cities in Galicia
Preguntas Frecuentes
How is Galicia different from the rest of Spain?
Galicia is radically different — it's green and rainy like the British Isles rather than dry and sun-baked like southern Spain. The region has a distinct Celtic heritage with its own language (Galego), gaita bagpipes, and ancient castro settlements. The cuisine revolves around seafood rather than cured meats, the landscape is granite and eucalyptus rather than olive groves, and the Atlantic shapes everything from the weather to the economy.
Do I need to walk the whole Camino de Santiago?
No — you can walk any section. To earn the Compostela certificate you need to walk the final 100 km (or cycle the final 200 km) and collect two stamps per day in your credencial. Many people walk segments over multiple years. The French Way from Sarria is the most popular starting point for the final 100 km. Others walk the shorter Camino Inglés from Ferrol (120 km).
Does it rain all the time in Galicia?
Galicia gets more rain than the Spanish average, especially October–April. But summer (June–September) brings plenty of sunny days with temperatures 20–27°C. The rain is what creates the green landscapes. Always pack a light waterproof layer, even in summer — Atlantic weather can change quickly. The rain also means Galicia has none of Spain's chronic water shortages.
What is Galicia's best seafood?
Percebes (goose barnacles) are the ultimate Galician delicacy — harvested at mortal risk from wave-battered rocks, they taste intensely of the Atlantic. Pulpo a feira (octopus boiled in copper pots, sliced on wooden plates with paprika and olive oil) is the iconic dish. Other must-tries: navajas (razor clams), zamburiñas (small scallops), centollo (spider crab), and vieiras (pilgrim scallops served in their shells). The seafood markets in O Grove and A Guarda are destinations in themselves.
How do I book hoteles ecológicos in Galicia?
Book through ecohotels-impt.com to access over 3,800 accommodations across Galicia and more than 8 million hotels globally. Every IMPT booking removes 1 tonne of CO₂, prices match Booking.com exactly, and you earn 5% cashback in IMPT tokens. New users receive €5 de crédito gratis. Filter by green certifications to find verified sustainable stays from Santiago to the Cíes Islands.