Sanxenxo and places nearby

Sanxenxo is often called the Marbella of the north! It is certainly one of the best and most up market resorts in all of Galicia and is very lively in July and August when many people arrive especially from the rest of Spain to take their holidays. Like other sheltered resorts with commanding views looking across the RÃa de Pontevedra and toward the Illa de Ons it is has a micro-climate all of its own with warm, sheltered waters for bathing and an array of excellent beaches. Real estate values here are arguably some of the highest in world! With over 60 hotels in the Sanxenxo area it is a very lively and thriving resort in summer full of impressive restaurants, bars and nightclubs. Portonovo close to Sanxenxo which was originally a sailor's village is also worth a visit if only to sample some of the best shellfish in all of Galicia! One of the best beaches in the area is La Lanzada which is a swimmers and surfers paradise. Sanxenxo is also a very good base to explore the surrounding area including the RÃas de Arousa and Pontevedra. A number of places are worth visiting including O Grove, Cambados, Isla de Arousa, Villagarcia de Arousa and Pontevedra.

Playa de Silgar, Sanxenxo

by Pepe Martin @ flickr.com

O Grove is an old village and has one of the principal fishing ports in Europe for its abundance of shellfish. It's a warm, friendly resort ideal for families and its attractions include the Acquarium Galicia which is one of the best in Spain. A trip from the aquarium in a glass-bottomed boat towards the Isla de Ons is strongly recommended where the best pulpo (octopus) in Galicia can be savoured. Close to O Grove and across an old bridge is La Toja. This is a small island full of pine groves which is famous throughout the world for its thermal, underground springs rich in mineral salts as well as the soap made from the spa there. La Toja also has fine and luxurious hotels, a famous casino and an international standard 9 hole golf course.

Picture of cuttlefish in the Aquarium in O Grove	View of O Grove and bridge from La Toja island

by doug.deep @ flickr.com	by Habladorcito @ flickr.com

Cambados is renowned for its fantastic historic stone square centred on the Pazo de Fefinanes which includes a seventeenth-century church and wine bodega where there are some of the finest wines, fruit liquors and spirits in the whole of Galicia. Cambados is the place to visit to buy the world renowned AlbariÃ±o wine as well other notable local wines including Barrantes and virtually every building in the old town seems to sell wines! The Parador has an impressive collection of books perhaps as a small tribute to the English writer Graham Green who frequently stayed there as he used to spend most of his summer holidays travelling around Spain and in particular Galicia which he especially liked.

Typical Street Scene in Cambados

by anorthernman @ flickr.com

Pontevedra is remarkably located at the end of a long, narrow RÃa where the River Lerez starts to widen and enters the sea. Its setting can really be appreciated from the two bridges which cross the river. The old town comprises of an amazingly dense cluster and significant number of old, historic buildings and monuments of traditional Galician design and appearance with stone roads, beautiful colonnaded squares and granite crosses (cruces) to reflect its glorious, proud and rich history.

Pontevedra