Galicia
- j
- f
- m
- a
- m
- j
- j
- a
- s
- o
- n
- d
Positives
- 180º swell window
- Multiple swell/wind options
- Many empty beachbreaks
- Beautiful countryside
- Campervan friendly
Negatives
- Unstable climate
- Lack of sunshine
- No world-class breaks
- Cool water all-year-round
- Long drives and hard access
Galicia surf travel guide
Galicia’s landscape of steep forested hills hidden behind clouds of misty drizzle earned it the “end of the world” nickname from the Romans. Since then, the Celtic inhabitants or Gallegos, have been left alone in this un-Spanish corner of Iberia. Plunging valleys cut across the landscape, leading to large inlets and estuaries called “rias”. Similar to fjords, these flooded valleys deeply punctuate the coastline, and effectively filter the consistent North Atlantic swells. Galicia has mainland Europe’s largest swell window and the jagged coastline means somewhere will always be offshore.
Surf spots in Galicia
Research the 16 surf breaks in Galicia and discover what spots suit the current conditions.
Break lowdown
We’ve collated the wave data giving you a unique insight into the 16 breaks in Galicia.
When to go
Surf and weather statistics to help plan your surf trip to Galicia
- jan
- feb
- mar
- apr
- may
- jun
- jul
- aug
- sep
- oct
- nov
- dec
Library
Helpful surf travel videos and articles featuring Galicia.
Travel Information
General
- Current Time
- Tourists
- 82,773,000
- Population
- 46,754,778
- Tourist Info
- Tourist Info
Security
Health
Money
- Currency
- EUR
- Exchange rate
- $1 = 1 Euro EUR
Cost of living
Communication
- Dialing in
- +34
- Dialing out
- 00
- Emergencies
- 112
- Language
- Spanish (also called Castilian), Catalan, Galician and Basque.
Electricity
- Plug Type
- f
Visas
Spain is a Schengen state and citizens of most EU countries do not need a visa. Citizens of USA, Australia, Canada and New Zealand do not require visas for visits up to 90 days. All others including South Africans and those planning to stay more than three months, must obtain a visa from the Spanish consulate in their home country.
Accommodation
There are dozens of campsites operating in the summer (May-Oct), although in some of the remoter areas of Galicia, a camper van will prove useful. There are a few pensions in Valdoviño and Doniños but don’t expect a lot of choice (±$25/dble). Ferrol has some top end hotels costing around $140/dble. As with the rest of Spain, seafood is plentiful and reasonably priced.
Activities
The region of Galicia to the south of Coruña is extremely picturesque. Ferrol has lots of bars and clubs for a large student population. Undoubtedly though, the cultural highlight of a visit to Galicia is the famous pilgrimage town of Santiago de Compostela.
Hazards & hassles
The strong rips in the Rias, cold water and the unpredictable weather patterns are your main cause for concern. Most spots are fun beach breaks, which tend to get busy near the main towns. The atmosphere in the water is generally cool.
Handy Hints
There’s many traditional parties in the summer, the most popular one is held in Santiago de Compostela in late July. Even though the surf gets big, it’s not the sort of place you’ll need a gun. A campervan is the best way to see and surf Galicia with plenty of freecamps, especially out of season.
Due to global pandemic, Visas, Getting There, Getting Around or Accommodation information and pricing may have changed. Always check Government Travel Advice before travelling.