Beaches

Galicia is renowned for its great golden sandy beaches which are often virtually empty even in the height of summer! In fact with 1300 kilometres of coastline and over 700 beaches its not hard to see why! Some of the best bathing waters are in the more sheltered stretches of coastline in the Rias Bajas (Baixas) at places such as Sanxenxo, Isla La Toja, Isla de Arousa, O Grove and Baiona.

 
My Guide Galicia recommend the following beaches which arguably rank as some of the best in the world:
 
Playa de As Rodas,Cies Islands
 

In fact this beach was ranked in 2007 by the Guardian Newspaper as THE best beach in the World! It's in the National Park of the Atlantic Islands. It's about 1300 metres in length and is only accessible by boat. The Red Cross are present as well as beach patrols and there is a campsite within 500 metres of it.
 
 
 
Playa de A Lanzada, O Grove
 
This beach is about 2300 metrres in length! It's highly accessible by walking,car and there is a bus stop within 500 metres of it. In addition to the Red Cross and beach patrols, there are shower facilities,deckchairs and umbrellas for hire.
 
 
 
Playa de Cabio, A Pobra do Caraminal
 
This beach is about 600 metres long with easy access by foot and car.  There is a public car park,camping within 500 metres, the Red Cross,and a beach patrol.
 
 
 
Playa de As Catedrais, Ribadeo
 

Arguably the most photographed beach in Galicia it extends for  about 1500 metres.  Its easily accessible by foot as well  as by car.  There is car parking,a beach patrol and like all good beaches it is regularily cleaned.
 
 
 
Playa de San Francisco de Louro, Muros
 
This beach extend for about 800 metres and again has a full range of facilities.
 
 
 
There are an amazing 128 beaches and 17 marinas (145 in total) in Galicia awarded Blue Flag Status (the spanish region with the highest number) for excellence in environmental education,water quality, environmental management and safety and services and a full list of these can be found by consulting the Blue Flag website.

 

BLUE FLAG BEACHES IN GALICIA  
     
PROVINCE OF PONTEVEDRA  
     
167. A Guarda 168. Baiona 169. Nigrán
O Muíño Os Frades Praia América
Area Grande Santa Marta Patos
  A Barbeira Area Fofa
     
170. Vigo 171. Moaña 172. Cangas de Morrazo
O Vao Praia do Con Areabrava
Argazada A Xunqueira Nerga
Rodas (Islas Cíes) A Borna Menduiña
Figueiras (Islas Cíes) O Porto Melide
A Punta   Areamilla
Tombo do Gato   Liméns
Os Muiños de Fortiñón   Rodeira
Canido    
Fontaiña    
     
173. Bueu 174. Marín 175. Poio
Area de Bon Aguete Xiorto
Portomaior Mogor Cabeceira
Lagos Portocelo  
     
176. Sanxenxo 177. O Grove 178. Vilagarcía de Arousa
Areas A Lanzada Campanario
O Espiñeiro-A Lanzada Rareiros (Paxareiro)  
Caneliñas Area da Cruz 179. Illa de Arousa
Canelas Area Grande Area do Secada
Paxariñas Area das Pipas Camaxe
Montalvo Area de Reboredo  
Silgar    
Bascuas    
Major    
Foxos    
Areas Gordas    
A Lapa    
Pragueira    
Baltar    
     
     
PROVINCE OF LA CORUÑA  
     
180. Boiro 181. Pobra do Caramiñal 182. Riveira
Barraña Lombiña-Cabío Coroso
Carragueiros A Illa da Laxe O Vilar
Mañóns    
A Retorta    
Saltiño-Barraña    
A Ladeira do Chazo    
     
183. Porto do Son 184. Fisterra 185. Laxe
Aguieira Ribeira Praia de Laxe
Caveiro Langosteira  
A Ornada    
     
186. Laracha 187. Arteixo 188. A Coruña
Playa Caión O Reiro Riazor
  Barrañan Orzán-Matadero
  Combouzas San Amaro
  Valcovo As Lapas
  A Hucha Oza- Lazareto
  A Salsa  
     
189. Oleiros 190. Miño 191. Ferrol
Bastiagueiro Grande Doniños
Mera Perbes- Andahio San Xurxo
Espiñeiro Praia da Ribeira  
Santa Cristina    
     
192. Valdoviño 193. Dumbria 194. Ortigueira
Meirás (Do Rio) Ézaro Morouzos
A Frouxeira   A Concha
Pantín ( O Rodó)    
Baleo    
Villarrube    
     
195. Carballo 196. Muros  
Saíñas San Francisco  
Razo    
Pedra do Sal    
     
     
LUGO    
     
97. Burela 198. O Vicedo 199. Xove
O Portelo Abrela Esteiro
A Marosa    
     
200. Foz 201. Barreiros 202. Ribadeo
Areoura Arealonga Os Castros-Illas
Peizás A Pasada As Catedrais
Arealonga Lóngara Esteiro
Llas Acantilado- Remior  
A Rapadoira Altar  
As Polas San Bartolo  
  Fontela-Valea  


GALICIAN PORTS/MARINAS WITH BLUE FLAG STATUS

 

PROVINCE OF PONTEVEDRA LA CORUÑA LUGO
79. Monte Real Club de Yates de Baiona 87. C. N. Boiro - Marina Cabo de la Cruz 95. C. N. Ribadeo
80. P. D. de Baiona 88. C.N Portosin – Porto do Son  
81. Marina Dávila - Vigo 89. P. D de Camariñas  
82. P. D de Combarro – Poio 90. R. C. N. A Coruña - Marina Real  
83. P. D. Juan Carlos I – Sanxenxo 91. Marina Coruña  
84. C. N Portonovo 92. C. N de Sada  
85. C. N. San Vicente do Mar 93. C. N. Ría de Ares  
86. P. D. Vilanova de Arousa 94. C. N. Santa Marta de Ortigueira