Galicia is an autonomous community in northwest Spain, celebrated for its emerald-green landscapes, dramatic Atlantic coastline, world-famous pilgrimage route to Santiago de Compostela, outstanding seafood, and Albariño wines from the Rías Baixas.
Top attractions
The most popular and significant attractions in Galicia.
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1
Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela
This is the traditional endpoint of the Camino de Santiago, built over the site where the remains of the apostle James are said to rest. The structure blends a Romanesque core with Baroque additions, most famously the west facade overlooking Praza do Obradoiro. Inside, pilgrims queue to embrace the statue behind the high altar and descend to the crypt below it.
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2
Tower of Hercules
This Roman lighthouse on a headland outside A Coruña has been guiding ships into the harbor since the 2nd century, making it the oldest lighthouse still in operation. Its square, stepped exterior comes from an 18th-century restoration that wrapped the original Roman core, and the beacon is still active today. The site sits on a rocky promontory with the open Atlantic on three sides.
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3
Praia das Catedrais
This stretch of coastline near Ribadeo is defined by tall rock arches and formations carved by erosion, which only become fully walkable when the tide is out. At low tide, visitors can pass beneath the arches on the sand; at high tide, the beach largely disappears underwater. The name comes from the arches resembling the vaulted ceilings of a cathedral nave.
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4
Cíes Islands
This trio of islands off the coast of Vigo forms part of the Atlantic Islands of Galicia National Park and is reached only by ferry from the mainland. The islands are largely undeveloped, with a protected beach, Praia de Rodas, connecting two of the main islands via a sand spit. Access is capped by the park's daily permit system to limit visitor numbers.
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5
Ribeira Sacra
This is a river canyon region where the Sil and Miño rivers cut deep gorges through terraced hillsides, some of which are planted with vineyards on slopes too steep for machinery. Scattered along the canyon are medieval monasteries, including Santa Cristina de Ribas de Sil, built by communities drawn to the area's isolation. The name, meaning 'sacred riverbank,' reflects that religious history.
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6
Praza do Obradoiro
This is the square directly in front of Santiago Cathedral's main facade, and functionally the endpoint most pilgrims picture when they imagine finishing the Camino. It's framed by four major buildings from different eras: the cathedral itself, the Renaissance Hostal dos Reis Católicos (once a pilgrim hospital), the Baroque Pazo de Raxoi (the city hall), and the university's Colegio de San Xerome. Arriving pilgrims traditionally gather here after completing the route.
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7
Lugo Roman Walls
This is a complete circuit of Roman-era defensive walls encircling the old town of Lugo, unbroken for its full length of just over two kilometers. Built in the 3rd century to defend the Roman settlement of Lucus Augusti, the walls are unusual for having survived intact rather than as scattered fragments. A walkway along the top lets you circle the entire old town at wall height.
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8
Museo do Pobo Galego
This museum is dedicated to Galician traditional life and culture, covering fishing, agriculture, crafts, and folk customs across the region. It's housed in the former Convento de Santo Domingo de Bonaval, a Dominican convent whose Gothic-era architecture is itself part of what's on display. The collection includes tools, costumes, and reconstructed workshop settings tied to specific Galician trades.
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9
Castro de Santa Trega
This is a excavated Celtic hillfort (castro) on a hill above A Guarda, where the Miño river meets the Atlantic. The stone foundations of round huts, laid out in a dense cluster with narrow paths between them, show how a pre-Roman Galician community lived here before Roman contact. A small museum on site displays objects recovered from the digs and explains the castro culture that once covered this part of Galicia.
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10
Pazo de Oca
Pazo de Oca is a Galician manor estate built around formal gardens laid out with clipped boxwood, camellias, and a pair of long ornamental ponds. The gardens are best known for two stone-built boats set into one of the ponds, an eccentric touch typical of Galician pazo landscaping. The manor house itself is not generally open for interior visits; the estate is really a garden visit.
Attractions by category
Explore by your interests.
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Practical information
What you need to know before you go.
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- Most Galician museums close on Mondays, Tap water across Galicia is safe to drink, July 25 (Feast of St James) is Galicia's national holiday — many venues have reduced hours, Galician locals greet with two cheek kisses; Galego language is widely spoken alongside Spanish
Tips for visiting attractions
Make the most of your sightseeing time.
Visit popular attractions early in the morning or late in the afternoon to avoid crowds and harsh midday light.
Book tickets online in advance for major attractions to skip long queues and sometimes save money.
Many cities offer multi-attraction passes that include public transport. Calculate whether they save you money based on your itinerary.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a permit to visit Praia das Catedrais?
Yes, a free timed-entry permit is required June 15–September 15. Book at playadecatedrales.es. Outside these dates no permit is needed.
Is the Cíes Islands permit the same as the ferry ticket?
No. The national park permit (free, from parquesnaturales.xunta.gal) must be obtained separately. Then buy your ferry ticket at naveiramarons.com.