The ‘Caribbean of Spain’ has one of the world’s best beaches — and flights for £18

You’ve partied in Ibiza, eaten tapas in Marbella, and soaked up the rays in the Canaries.

These destinations are popular for a reason, but they’re also feeling the weight of overtourism.

In Palma, guided walking tours have been limited to 20 people. Gran Canaria has introduced a list of banned beach items along with a £2,500 fine. And in Malaga, short-term rentals have been restricted in 43 districts.

So if you’re after somewhere new to visit, there’s a corner in the northwest of Spain to explore: Galicia.

Over Easter, just 18% of those who visited the area were international tourists, primarily from Portugal, Germany and France.

Brits are slowly waking up to this ‘unique region’ too, with The Times highlighting it as a ‘brilliant’ holiday destination, and recent tourism figures revealing that there was a 44% increase in UK travellers to the area in the first half of 2025.

While Santiago de Compestela is hugely popular with Christians as the final point on the Camino de Santiago pilgrimage, there is more to the Galicia than its capital.

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Feeling inspired? Here are the highlights you won’t want to miss.

Cíes Islands

Nestled off Galicia’s meandering Rías Baixas coast, the ‘truly magical’ trio of Cíes Islands are compared to the Caribbean for their deep-blue seas and beachy beauty.

Part of the UNESCO-recognised Atlantic Islands of Galicia National Park, they were famously revered by the Romans as the ‘islands of the Gods’.

Before the regional government implemented a strict cap on daily visitor numbers in 2017, thousands of people would pitch up here every day in the summer.

Today, only 1,800 can visit per day from 15 May to 15 September, after which the cap falls to 450 a day.

Camping is only possible from Semana Santa (that’s Holy Easter week in Catholic Spain) through the end of September, at the official campsite.

A major draw to the islands is Rodas Beach, named one of the best 50 beaches in the world.

According to the judges, Rodas is ‘a Caribbean-like paradise hidden in Europe’, with white sands and crystal-clear, calm waters. Bathed by the cool waters of the Atlantic, the beach is surrounded by an ‘impressive’ environment and ‘lush pine forests and sand dunes’. 

More secluded options include Praia das Figueiras, and, further up the coast, Praia das Margaritas, which is surrounded by trees.

As well as beach hopping, diving and canoeing are popular activities. There’s also the popular viewpoint, Faro de Cíes lighthouse, which offers spectacular vistas of the coast.

Pontevedra

With it’s Renaissance and Baroque architecture, visitors say exploring the narrow streets of Pontevedra feels like ‘stepping back in time.’

This is in part, due to the fact that car access is seriously restricted here, a decision made way back in 1999, when all 300,000 sqm of the medieval centre became pedestrianised.

With no car horns honking, visitors are free to potter around, giving the town a laid-back fee.

Travel expert, Rachel White, from Vintage Travel, has spent many summers in Galicia, and tells Metro that in particular, the Pontevedra’s Old Town is a must-visit.

‘The old quarter is one of the most beautiful and best preserved in Galicia, crammed with heritage buildings,’ explains Rachel.

This includes the Convent of San Domingos, the Basilica of Santa María la Mayor, and the Convent of San Francisco.

But Rachel’s favourite thing to do in the Old Town? Stopping for some lunch-time tapas in the Plaza de la Leña, a square filled with both causal and fine-dining restaurants.

‘If you’re a fan of seafood, Trasmallo Restaurante should be at the top of the list,’ she says.

One you’ve had your fill, Rachel suggests a 20-minute drive along the coast to Combarro, a pretty fishing village on the Ria de Pontevedra.

‘The waterfront is lined with fishermen’s cottages with colourful flowerboxes.

‘The nearby beaches are well worth exploring too, with sandy stretches that wouldn’t look out of place in the Caribbean, looking out over calm, sheltered waters,’ says Rachel.

A Coruña

The coastal city of A Coruña gets rave reviews from travellers, who describe it as as ‘mellow’ and one of the ‘coolest places in Spain during the summer.’

Home to the world’s oldest functioning Roman lighthouse, known as the Tower of Hercules, which dates back to 1AD, it’s so impressive, it was recognised on the UNESCO World Heritage List in June 2009.

Visitors can climb the tower’s 234 steps for panoramic views of the Atlantic Ocean. General admission costs €3 (£2.61).

For those who enjoy a pint, it would be rude not to sample the city’s local beer, Estrella Galicia. The Estrella Galicia Museum is housed within the working brewery, and for £29 you can enjoy a two-hour guided tour and try the products.

And as a coastal city, beach lovers are spoilt for choice, with six urban beaches and several coves. The most popular is Praia de Riazor, which has and a lively promenade with beach bars and tapas restaurants.

Artabria, a restaurant located a few minutes from the promenade, has even been featured in the Michelin Guide. It serves traditional dishes such as rice with red shrimp, and homemade seafood croquettes.

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