Hostels in Galicia

The highlight of Galicia is taking the Camino de Santiago. More than 250,000 people, compared to less than merely 700 only thirty years ago, finish the great pilgrimage trip to the end destination, the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela, in order to see the shrine of the apostle St. James the Great. It is the hallmark not only of the city, but also of Galicia. The Old Town in Santiago de Compostela, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is very well preserved. Moreover, the city has also vibrant nightlife, especially in the summer. There are lot of students and young people, so you can party until the early morning.

Other interesting cities to visit are La Coruña, Vigo, Pontevedra, and Lugo. Pontevedra is a must-visit town that fully captures the spirit of Galicia, with its pilgrimage sights and well-preserved architecture. La Coruña is a nice harbor city, where you can see the Compass rose, the Castro de Elviña, the San Anton Castle, and many others. Vigo has an interesting Old Town, and Lugo has very well-preserved Roman walls, many churches and cathedrals, and is also a pilgrimage center. Moreover, there are old ruins almost everywhere.

Luckily, beaches in Galicia are not full of tourists because the season is rather short. They are not worse than their southern counterparts by any means. Beaches in Galicia are well-preserved and tranquil, and you can enjoy amazing beaches, almost untoched by human hands. If you want to have a cheaper and more relaxed summer holiday, Galicia is a much wiser choice than Southern Spain.

There are more than enough hostels in Galicia, even in places where you would least expect them. The steady influx of tourists who take the Camino de Santiago has been extremely beneficial for the hostel business. There are hostels even in small places, and travelers have a wide choice of hostels in Santiago de Compostela and even in Lugo. You might have some difficulties to book a hostel in the high season unless you make your reservation in advance. Be aware that there are many fiestas in Galicia, and some of them last for several days. Needless to say, hostels at your destination are fully booked and significantly more expensive, and it is mandatory that you book your hostel in advance if you want to save money and enjoy a crazy fiesta at the same time.

Handwritten by local expert for Galicia hostels George Traveller