A Galicia Holiday

Galicia

Located in the northwest corner of the Iberian Peninsula close to the border between the north of Portugal and the Atlantic, Galicia is the greenest region of northern Spain, effervescent and characterized by agricultural activity carried out on small farms in the hinterland hilly area. The cultivation here, even today, is done with traditional tools and methods.

This beautiful land preserves the culture of the Celtic people who arrived here around 1000 BC. Their symbol, the bagpipes, is still played on local Galician holidays. They are very proud of their identity and the Spanish-speaking population also speaks Galician, a mixture of Spanish and Portuguese. Also used in writing, Galician is found everywhere from brochures and directions to the captions in the museum.

Galicia is a rather poor state. In the past, its population often suffered famine, pulling ahead with the few opportunities offered by the poor soil and fishing. Some soils, because of the steep shape of the hills, are still cultivated using only horses and oxen, giving the landscape an additional atmosphere of authenticity.

Poverty has led a number of Galician emigrations to Latin America where the word “Galleo” is almost synonymous with “Spanish”. Most of Galicia still retains its medieval atmosphere.

Since the middle ages, Santiago de Compostola, the capital of Galicia, became an important place of pilgrimage after the alleged discovery of the tomb of Saint James in the ninth century that drew the faithful from all over the world. Even today, the pilgrims come in large numbers along the old pilgrimage route that crosses northern Spain.

Besides Santiago de Compostola which is the main tourist destination, Galicia has many other must-see places such as Pontevedra, Ourense and Tui. The most beautiful place is Rias Baixas, where rocky headlands stretch into the sea at Cabo Fisterra, the westernmost point of Spain. On the coast there are also major ports such as Vigo Pontevedra.

Holiday destinations in Galicia

The main attractions for holidays in Galicia and Santiago de Compostela are located in the center of an area that allows you to also visit the ancient villages like Lugo, Betanzos, Mondoñedo and Pontevedra.

Along the blue sea and the green hills are seaside resorts such as the Rias Altas. In the Rias Baixas, the southern part of the west coast, are several beach resorts, great restaurants and a variety of recreations on the sea. For nature lovers on the other hand, there are many opportunities to spend a quiet holiday in the hinterland in an atmosphere reminiscent of an ancient world.