Diving Into Galicia: Spain's Hidden Gem
12/05/2025 
Reading time: 5 min Diving into Galicia!
Galicia is Spain's green, Atlantic north-west — a region of misty rías, granite fishing villages, some of Europe's best seafood, and the pilgrim city of Santiago de Compostela. It looks and feels nothing like the sunburnt Mediterranean coast most people picture. If you want the Spain of pine-covered cliffs, cool summers and long lunches of octopus and white wine, this is where to go — and, increasingly, where to live.
- The one city to seeSantiago de CompostelaThe cathedral and the old town, a UNESCO site.
- The coastthe Rías BaixasSheltered inlets, beaches, seafood and Albariño wine.
- The beach to photographPraia das CatedraisRock arches at low tide; entry is timed in summer.
- Climategreen and mildCooler, wetter summers than the south.
- Eatpulpo á feira, empanadaOctopus, seafood, and crisp Albariño.
Santiago de Compostela
The regional capital is the end point of the Camino de Santiago, and the arrival of pilgrims into the vast Praza do Obradoiro in front of the cathedral is one of Spain's most atmospheric sights. The whole old town is a UNESCO World Heritage site: granite arcades, tucked-away squares, the covered Mercado de Abastos food market. Even if you're not walking the Camino, spend a night here — the city is at its best in the evening once the day-trippers leave.
The Rías Baixas coast
Galicia's coastline is cut by rías — deep, sheltered inlets that feel like fjords softened by farmland. The southern Rías Baixas around Pontevedra and Vigo are the most inviting: calm beaches, seafood straight off the boat, and the vineyards of the Albariño white wine that pairs with it. Offshore lie the Cíes Islands, a national park with a beach often ranked among the finest in the world; visits are capped and need a permit in summer.
Praia das Catedrais and the northern coast
On the north coast near Ribadeo, the Praia das Catedrais ("Beach of the Cathedrals") is famous for the tall rock arches and buttresses the tide has carved — walkable only at low water. In high season you need a free timed reservation to visit. The wider northern shore, toward the wild Costa da Morte, is rugged and dramatic: lighthouses, cliffs and few crowds.
Food and climate — what to expect
| What | The Galicia version |
|---|---|
| Weather | Mild and green year-round; wetter, cooler summers than the Mediterranean |
| Signature dish | Pulpo á feira — octopus with paprika and olive oil |
| Wine | Albariño (Rías Baixas), crisp and coastal |
| Also try | Empanada gallega, percebes (goose barnacles), tarta de Santiago |
The trade-off for the greenery is the rain — Galicia is one of the wettest parts of Spain, which is exactly why it stays so lush. Summers are pleasant rather than scorching, making it a comfortable base for anyone who finds the southern heat too much.
Thinking of living in the green north?
Galicia's mild climate, lower prices and slower pace make it a growing choice for relocation, away from the crowded costas. If you're weighing where in Spain to settle, see the best cities for comfortable living, and for the practical steps into residence read our complete residence-permit guide or talk it through with our relocation service.
Frequently asked questions
Official sources:
• Turismo de Galicia — Xunta de Galicia
• Turespaña — official tourism of Spain
