Top 5 Galicia Car Tours: Explore Scenic Routes & Hidden Gems

Thinking about hitting the road and soaking in all that Galicia has to show you? Very good thinking. This corner of Spain is really a treat, is that so? I am talking rolling green hills, views of the ocean that make your jaw drop, plus towns stuffed with history and yummy eats, too. Picking the right car route is quite important, so to make planning a bit simpler, here are some popular routes. They each show you what makes Galicia a bit special.

1. The Coastal Charm Tour: From Baiona to Muros

This route will let you sniff that salty air and take in sights that hug the shore. It starts in Baiona. Very historic spot that saw one of Columbus’ ships make land. It winds up in Muros. Pretty fishing town. You will go through some great little settlements. Expect great views of the Atlantic, small beaches, plus the kind of food that shows off seafood like nothing else can. So it’s almost one the best driving tours in Spain.

Baiona is where the Pinta landed back way back in 1493, news of America was told. The Monterreal Fortress looks neat and so does the old quarter which makes a good place to just wander about. Then go north. Get views as you head towards places such as A Guarda, known as its Celtic past and its spot overlooking the mouth of the Mino River that splits Spain and Portugal.

Continue this great coastal trip with stops to explore fishing ports. Try Oia that hangs tight to the cliffs. Do you feel adventurous? Do that hike up to the monastery which gives off expansive views. Take some turns further up toward Muros. What you see is what you get with a good port filled with boats plus some spots where eating some real tasty Galician food goes without question. Enjoy a tour here.

Don’t miss: Eating some shellfish in Cambados. Just one of the stops famous for its wine called Albariño.

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2. The Ribeira Sacra Wine Route: A Taste of Inland Galicia

Trade coastlines for vineyards plus spots hidden amongst the inner parts of Galicia, very green. This area, Ribeira Sacra, does look stunning because of the rivers Sil and Miño that carve up the terrain. Expect to find vineyards that hang from crazy steep slopes, old churches peeking out from the trees, plus wine cellars doing unique tastings.

Begin with Monforte de Lemos and explore a spot like the Pazo de San Vicente. Gives some insight as to how the nobles once lived here, and offers a look that sweeps the surrounding lands. Head along the twisting roads hugging River Sil. Places worth pulling the car over is that of Parada de Sil and viewpoints. Those will drop your jaw by offering panoramas that do a lot of good showing off how impressive this river canyon does look.

Keep yourself going towards several wineries, known as “adegas” here. That offer samplings such as the Mencia wine made round these parts. Too, it’s almost nice asking the locals of their story working vines hanging to the hills. Another place to scope at is the monasteries of Santo Estevo de Ribas de Sil. Transformed to look very snazzy. Giving context into monastic heritage. In the midst of touring Ribeira Sacra, soak up all there to witness. That, I’m telling you!

Don’t miss: The Balcones de Madrid viewpoint. So named, some say, for a look that brought to mind the capital city.

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3. The Santiago de Compostela and the Route of the Cathedrals

So here we link faith with some seriously impressive old construction by checking out Santiago. One spot that pulls tons of pilgrims. Adding to this tour, some equally head-turning cathedral stop-offs.

Start with what lures the masses, Catedral de Santiago de Compostela, very much. Supposedly the resting place of St. James. Make a stop here, too, it’s almost experiencing an iconic architectural jewel showing many design styles coming together across ages. To get deeper here? Look up what makes a Botafumeiro ceremony distinct, also the Pórtico de la Gloria is something.

Having drunk in Santiago, venture through a portion of those sacred ways and take yourself to cathedrals nearby that act as highlights within Galicia itself. Lugo contains an old Roman wall circling fully around, very famous to discover from when the Romans walked round here. A really interesting feature. Check Tui. The cathedral here projects images out resembling fortress designs. Get that border sense just from Portugal sitting a skip off too.

Don’t miss: A look through Santiago de Compostela by foot! Plenty cobbled streets await. Plus some hidden plaza treats and Galician eating options.

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4. A Coruña and the Northern Coast: Wild Beauty

Have this one go through the northerly strip of Galicia. Spot coastal vistas, strong feeling coastlines also. Main thing this bit brings together. Starts with the culture inside A Coruña going on toward some serene corners further off the well known maps that run right along there, basically.

You might hang back. Very well. You explore iconic sights. I mention just something akin to the Tower of Hercules. A lighthouse dating all the way back the days of the Roman Empire which just hovers to view out there, right near. Tour within the old areas. What I saw, streets were made with those enclosed viewing spots called “galerías”. These look a special note upon A Coruña. Now hop that route hugging right against the border looking east, very nice for seeing.

Small towns beckon visitors traveling along that fringe route such as that done within fishing hub Betanzos. Or Pontedeume sporting an archaic connecting bridge. Make sure one drives around. Gets perspective to high spots from coastal scenery. Try out Cabo Ortegal; a tip offering hard cliff aspects and vistas that are impressive on account, and all like.

Don’t miss: Eating up inside those old cafes within A Coruña; and just observe lifestyle slowly spin out nearby.

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5. The Ourense Thermal Route: Relax and Recharge

This route emphasizes leisure within hot springs speckled over places like Ourense so too it’s almost great should vacation involve you settling inside soothing thermal reservoirs found speckled across terrain down nearby those regions. Ourense is well known because many springs happen just at rivers. Great chance resting then too experience what hot liquid bubbles do at these places in the region as far such a thing runs, okay?

Start over at Ourense but inspect historical areas namely sights containing Ponte Romana ancient structure made since Roman days. As that’s observed travel slightly through varied sites nearby, being filled so far containing unique places filled due primarily being linked heavily within their reputed therapeutic attributes which so far these springs supply from ground itself all around such perimeter from those corners anyway; very possibly try.

Spot spots for instance Prexigueiro since full place having outside tubs mingling nature combined relaxation; that too has Bagnois offering no entry that stays nearby rivers allowing opportunity just absorbing warmth combined atmosphere, right from here as far these things give back at such moments there ever goes feeling better ever being elsewhere probably elsewhere perhaps something really similar elsewhere ever before.

Don’t miss: Try having authentic food right out spots found round Ourense by picking well liked choices like polbo á feira octopus prepared specific recipe right out parts round.

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Now, when one considers putting wheels onto what creates all that Galicia shows best, a scenic plan made well ensures witnessing memories forming, so it seems. If that means tracing coastal routes along borders out, otherwise seeing lands done near vineyards filled with so deep a wine legacy exists around such region.

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