Must-See Destinations In Galicia Spain

Galicia in northwest Spain is a lush green, mountainous region that boasts stunning coasts, beautiful beaches, world heritage sites and a deep, unique history. Its tourist attractions are many in number and attract numerous visitors from all over the world. Here are our top five, important destinations for visitors to Galicia.

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Catedral Santiago de Compostela

World-renowned pilgrimage and World Heritage site, the cathedral of old town Santiago de Compostela is not only architecturally stunning but is steeped in history. A place to which thousands of Christians walk the ‘Camino de Santiago’, the city and its cathedral mark the historical struggle between Muslims and Spanish Christians in the 10th century – but it is also a symbol of the coming of Christianity in Galicia. With its Gothic appearance, high Roman colonnades in the nave and its sacred interior, the cathedral is both an important and intriguing place to visit in Galicia’s Santiago de Compostela.

Home to the Real Club Deportivo de La Coruña, the Galician and Spanish professional club, the Riazor stadium is the place to visit for avid followers of football or anyone that is interested in sports. Re-built in the 1940s, due to the fact that the club had grown too large for the previous stadium, the Estadio Riazor now seats 34,600 spectators. Having hosted major sporting events, including the 1982 World Cup final, the stadium is both structurally impressive and replete with history, making it a must-see for tourists in Galicia.

Catedral de Ourense

With its Gothic structure and rich history, the Catedral de Ourense is a must-see if you are traveling to Ourense, Galicia. An important monument and perhaps a throwback to the Catedral de Santiago de Compostela, in the light of the imitative Door of Paradise, this basilica has its own unique story. It was rebuilt in the 13th century, having been destroyed by medieval Muslim invaders of the province, and is highly revered throughout Galicia. Despite being tucked away, the cathedral is a destination that should not be missed out.

Torre de Hercules

Looking over the Atlantic Ocean, high atop a peninsula that juts out into the sea stands the Tower of Hercules. A beacon and landmark to A Coruña’s harbor, northwest Galicia, the lighthouse’s Roman history certifies it as a World Heritage site and a must-visit for tourists. The tower features a sculpture park in the form of enormous, chiseled rocks, which fascinatingly tracks the structural changes to the tower over time. From the tower’s stairs, some 102 meters above sea level, breathtaking views of the deep blue, powerful Atlantic waves can be seen. At night, the tower’s lights scan the ocean’s surface and shine out onto the sea.

Muralla Romana de Lugo

An instance of Galicia’s deep, Roman history, the Walls of Lugo are a significant World Heritage Site that simply must be visited. Constructed in the 3rd century and enclosing the town itself, the walls were built as a defence to the Roman city of Lucus. A fascinating architectural structure that spans two kilometres, this site is described by UNESCO World Heritage as ‘an outstanding example of the type of construction and architectural and archaeological group which illustrates various significant periods of human history’.

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.