GALICIA FAQ`S
The region of Galicia lies in the northwestern corner of Spain, above Portugal. It’s characterized by rugged coastlines, historic cities, and rolling green scenery.
How do I get into the Galicia Region of Spain?
By Plane: The fastest way to get to Galicia is by plane via one of its international airports: Lavacolla Airport in Santiago de Compostela, Alvedro Airport in A Coruna, and peinador Airport in Vigo from which you can easily reach any of the towns.
By Train: There are routes from Portugal and cities in Spain (including overnight sleeper cars to Madrid and Barcelona), with domestic routes in the process of being upgraded to high-speed tracks. Service from Vigo to Porto takes just over two hours, while the fastest train to Santiago to Madrid takes about 5½ hours. When high-speed trains are launched, there will be fast connections to and from Madrid and intermediate points. There is a narrow gauge link between Ferrol and Asturias, operated by FEVE.
By Ferry: The closest ferry connection from the UK is from Plymouth to Santander in Cantabria, by Brittany Ferries taking 22 hours twice a week. They also operate the route from Portsmouth to Bilbao further east.
By Car: There are plenty of motorways connecting Galicia with Spain and Portugal. The main entry routes are: The A-8 that connects the Autonomous Community with the cities and provincial capitals of the north of Spain. The A-6 and the A-52 join Galicia and Madrid. And the AP-9, which leads to most of the Galician coast, but also connects us with the neighboring Portugal.
Note: This information was accurate when it was published, but can change without notice. Please be sure to confirm all details before planning your trip.
Renting a car is always a good option when exploring Galicia. The countryside is very beautiful and scenic. There are major road arteries branching into the Galician interior. Roads are generally in good condition, though small mountain towns may have narrow, unmarked roads.
Northern Spain is not as developed as other parts of Spain, car rental companies are relatively few and far between. You can rent a car from any one of the three airports in the region (La Coruna, Vigo, Santiago de Compostela) or from any of the railway stations.
Public transport is also an option to get from city to city in Galicia. Since most Galicia cities are not very big, walking is a good way to get around within towns. Local bus services are an option (there is one in each city and town). Taxis are available from taxi stands and drivers are generally honest. Your hotel can also order a taxi for you.
RENFE runs trains in and out of Galicia's major cities and many smaller ones. The RENFE website provides all travel times, and tickets can be purchased online. There may not be many trains each day. For internal trips in Galicia, the A Coruña-Vigo line (north to south along the Atlantic coast) is the fastest and most efficient. The high-speed link (AVANT) connecting Ourense, Santiago and A Coruña has been partially completed. FEVE's narrow gauge line covers the north coast from Ferrol to the border with Asturias.
Getting Around - Galicia.
Galicia is said to be one of the "Seven Celtic nations", and many people identify more with the Celtic tradition than Spanish or Latino culture, most of the population do consider themselves part of Spain. Throughout history, Galicia has lagged behind economically in comparison to the rest of Spain. Its culture, likewise, is very different from mainstream Spanish culture. Music such as flamenco that is popular in the south is never found here; gaita (bagpipes) are a more common instrument. Clothing, too, does not come in the flamboyant colors of Castilian Spain.
Galicia is also renowned for its literature, which developed during the Middle Ages and was championed by King Alfonso X of Castile. However, the art was soon suppressed by an absolute monarchy whose primary concern was keeping and gaining land for the Spanish Empire.
In general, Galicians are friendly, especially outside the cities.
Galicia can get very hot (more than 90°F) June - September, although summer is the best time for swimming and water sports and for Celtic music festivals. Asturias, in the mountains, is cooler. Galicia can be rainy to the point of saturation - hence the nickname of the region, "Green Spain". We recommend avoiding this region in winter: the rain, wind, and freezing temperatures can make for an unpleasant expereince. Spring and fall are ideal, as the weather is reasonable, and crowds are few. At any time of year in Galicia, it is not unusual to experience all seasons in one day.
What is the language spoken in Galicia?
Galicians speak Spanish, but they have their own language too – Gallego (Galician) which is similar to Portuguese. You will see signs written in Gallego all over the region. There are relatively fewer English speaking visitors in comparison with other parts of Spain. English is not widely spoken here.
Galicians generally speak both castellano (Spanish) and gallego (Galician) which is similar to Portuguese. As there are relatively fewer English speaking visitors in comparison with other parts of Spain, English is not widely spoken here. We suggest you get a good English-Spanish guidebook or app and familiarize yourself with common phrases such as hello, goodbye, excuse me and numbers 1-10.
Galicia has a unique cuisine – here it’s not so much about paella and gazpacho, but more about boiled octopus, fresh seafood platters and hearty stews. The portion sizes in Galicia are also about twice the size of everywhere else in Spain, so you certainly won’t go hungry. You'll notice there is a large emphasis on seafood, particularly shellfish, crab and octopus. Seafood is very popular along the coast. Further inland you will find some excellent meat dishes. Here are some of the most typical dishes from Galicia that you should try:
Pulpo a la Gallega, also known as Pulpo a Feira, is Galician style octopus and is the most iconic dish in the entire region. This dish consists of a layer of thinly sliced potatoes, topped with boiled octopus and sprinkled with paprika. It is typically served on a thick wooden dish and eaten with cocktail sticks.
Caldo Gallego is a hearty Galician stew that contains various ingredients such as cabbage, potatoes, white beans, beef, sausage and chorizo. It’s perfect for those cold and wet Galician winters to keep you toasty and warm.
Empanadas Gallegas is a large pie filled with a variety of ingredients. The most typical is tuna, tomato and onion, although you can also get minced pork or vegetable varieties.
Pimientos de Padrón is usually ordered as a tapas plate, pimientos de padrón are small green peppers which are fried and sprinkled with sea salt. You’ll find them on almost every tapas menu across Spain, however they originate from the area of Padrón, found in Galicia, southwest of the city Santiago de Compostela. The residents of the area are so proud of these small vegetables that they hold a festival in their honor each August.
The location of the area, bordering the Atlantic Ocean, brings an excellent choice of seafood. If you want to taste some of the best in one dish, try the mariscada Gallega. A seafood platter, it’s typically crabs, oysters, mussels, razors, clams and goose barnacles, but could contain any fresh shellfish.
If you’re looking for a typical Galician meat dish, try the lacón con grelos, made from pork shoulder with turnip greens.
For dessert, try the Tarta de Santiago a yummy sponge cake made from ground almonds and topped with powdered sugar. It usually features the cross of Santiago on the top. The best can of course be found in the city of Santiago de Compostela.
The currency of Spain is the Euro. US dollars are not accepted. Please be sure to have the correct currency on hand or be prepared to exchange your dollars for euros upon arrival. Currency exchange desks can be found at the airports and train stations. For more detailed information, consult our guide to tipping in Spain by clicking here.
What do I need to know as a first time visitor to the Galicia region?
First-time visitors to Galicia should be aware of the cultural differences between Galicia and the rest of Spain. This autonomous region has a very Celtic - with a bit of Portuguese - influenced culture. It is not like the rest of Spain. For example, in place of flamenco dancers you will find bagpipe players.
As this region has historically been poorer than the rest of Spain. Tourism has not yet developed to the extent that it has in the rest of Spain. Therefore, tourist conveniences such as car rental agencies, small-town hotels or locals who speak English are likely to be harder to find. However, the locals are very friendly, and they are willing to help you overcome any language barriers you may have. It is advisable that you take a good Spanish phrase book. Although Galician, or galego, is still the preferred language, especially in rural areas, everyone can understand, if not speak, Spanish. A few words of Galician will however undoubtedly earn you brownie points with the locals.
Visitors should take the time to drive along the coastline, as there are some beautiful beaches and estuaries in Galicia. More inland, the characteristics are of ancient forests of native oaks and chestnuts and lush green meadows more often resemble Scotland, Wales or Ireland.
In general Galice Cities are not the main attraction, apart from Santiago de Compostela. Galice has wonderful small town and the landscape is very different from the rest of Spain.
In an emergency dial 112 is the general emergency services number or 114 for hearing assistance.