Day Trips & Excursions: Pontevedra

Nearby Destinations

Many captivating locations lie within easy reach of Pontevedra, making them perfect for a half-day or full-day excursion.

Consider booking your excursions through GetYourGuide's day trip section for convenient arrangements.

Accessible Locations

Combarro (~7 km northeast): Picturesque fishing village with unique hórreos and cruceiros.
Sanxenxo / Portonovo (~15-20 km west): Popular coastal resort towns with sandy beaches and a lively summer atmosphere.
Vigo (~30 km south): Galicia's largest city, port, famous "Oyster Street," and art museum (MARCO).
Santiago de Compostela (~60 km north): Galicia's capital, spiritual end point of Camino de Santiago.

Transportation & Planning

Select the best way to travel to your chosen destinations and structure your visit.

Transport Options

Public transport, taxis, and rental cars connect Pontevedra to its surroundings.

Means of Travel

Combarro, Sanxenxo, O Grove: Frequent local buses (Monbus, Alsa), taxis, or a rental car.
Vigo, Santiago de Compostela: Frequent and fast train connections (Renfe) and bus services.
A Illa de Arousa: Reachable by bus or car via a long bridge.

Travel Style

Independent exploration suits many destinations; organized tours cater to multi-stop visits.

Organized vs. Independent

Independent Travel: Straightforward for Vigo, Santiago, Combarro, Sanxenxo with good public transport.
Organized Tours: Consider for Rías Baixas wine region or coastal natural parks, for guided experiences.
Local tour companies present various options combining transport and expert guidance.

Suggested Itineraries

Visit Duration

Combarro: 2-3 hours for a half-day visit.
Sanxenxo/Portonovo: Half-day to a full-day, including beach time.
Vigo: A full day explores the city's main attractions.
Santiago de Compostela: A full day explores the Cathedral and historic center.

Further Excursions

O Grove/La Toja: A full day explores the peninsula and island.
A Illa de Arousa: A full day allows for beach time and exploring the natural park.
Islas Cíes: Requires a full day, with advance booking for ferry tickets and permits.
Tui: Half-day to full-day for the cathedral and medieval old town.

Multi-Day Extensions

Northern Portugal:Visit Braga and Guimarães.
Costa da Morte:Rugged coastline north of Santiago, explore by car (1-2 days).
Ribeira Sacra:Inland region with river canyons, vineyards, and monasteries (2-3 days).
Transportation to Portugal:Direct buses from Vigo/Santiago to Porto.

Other Spanish Cities:High-speed trains (Alvia) to Madrid. Flights available from Santiago/Vigo.
Coastal Galicia Loop:A Coruña to Santiago, Pontevedra, Vigo.
Galicia & Northern Portugal:Porto, Braga, Tui, Pontevedra, Santiago, A Coruña.
Logical Next Destinations:Lisbon, Madrid, Seville, Basque Country.

Plan Ahead

Access to Islas Cíes is restricted, especially in summer, requiring advance booking of ferry tickets and permits. This supports the preservation of the natural environment.

Natural & Cultural Excursions

Discover Galicia's natural beauty and rich historical heritage just outside Pontevedra.

Natural Parks

Explore Parque Natural de Cabo Udra with rugged cliffs and walking trails. Visit Parque Natural de Monte Aloia for panoramic views and archaeological remains.

Scenic Landscapes

The Rías Baixas coastline presents breathtaking scenery with estuaries, beaches, and vineyards. Drive along coastal roads to experience its beauty.

Beaches & Rural Areas

Discover lesser-known coves along the O Grove peninsula. Drive through the Rías Baixas wine region for traditional villages and pastoral landscapes.

Coastal and Island Gems

These locations blend natural splendor with unique cultural elements.

Specific Coastal Areas

O Grove & A Illa da Toxa (~35 km west): Peninsula famous for seafood and thermal spas.
A Illa de Arousa (~30 km north): Charming island with beaches and Parque Natural do Carreirón.
Islas Cíes: Pristine beaches and rich marine life within Atlantic Islands of Galicia National Park.

Cultural Heritage

Discover historical sites, traditional manor houses, and pilgrimage routes.

Historical & Traditional Sites

Tui (~50 km south): Historic border town with an impressive fortified cathedral.
Pazos de Galicia: Traditional Galician manor houses, many open to the public (e.g., Pazo de Oca, Pazo de Rubianes).
Pilgrimage Sites: Santiago de Compostela (Camino de Santiago) and Tui (Camino Portugués).

Seasonal Natural Phenomena

Islas Cíes:Known for pristine beaches (Rodas Beach) and rich marine life.

Access restrictions:Especially in summer, advance booking of ferry tickets and permits for Islas Cíes.

Rías Baixas coastline:Offers breathtaking scenery throughout the year.

Rural vineyards:Especially during harvest season (late summer/early autumn).

Coastal trails:Ideal for exploration during milder weather.

Wildlife spotting:Birdwatching opportunities in protected areas.

Nature Exploration

Galicia’s rugged coastline and lush interior present stunning natural environments.
Explore parks and nature reserves for dramatic Atlantic views and walking trails.
Discover hidden coves and experience the beauty of the Rías Baixas coastline.
Inland mountain ranges provide challenging hikes.
Rural areas offer traditional Galician villages and pastoral landscapes.

Sustainable Tourism & Impact

Travel responsibly and positively contribute to Pontevedra's environment and community.

Environmental Care

Protected areas conserve biodiversity. Mindful waste and water practices contribute positively.

Sustainable Practices

Protected Areas: Atlantic Islands of Galicia National Park, Cabo Udra.
Recycling: Use colored bins (yellow for plastics, blue for paper, green for glass, grey for general).
Water Conservation: Be mindful of water usage in accommodations.

Ethical Choices

Offset travel emissions and choose accommodations aligning with environmental values.

Conscious Travel

Carbon Offset: Consider offsetting flight emissions through reputable programs like Terrapass.
Eco-friendly Accommodation: Seek certifications or visible sustainable practices, for example via Ecobnb.
Ethical Tour Operators: Choose operators prioritizing responsible tourism, like G Adventures.

Cultural Sensitivity

Respect local heritage, traditions, and privacy. Your interaction with the culture enhances your journey.

Guidelines for Respectful Travel

Cultural Preservation: Do not touch or climb on ancient structures.
Respectful Interaction: Learn basic phrases, be polite, and understand local customs.
Photography Ethics: Ask permission before photographing individuals.

Economic Contributions

Support local businesses and communities through your choices.

Community Support

Supporting Local Businesses: Dine at family-run restaurants, shop at Mercado de Abastos.
Fair Trade: Purchase handicrafts directly from local artisans.
Avoiding Harmful Practices: Avoid activities that exploit people or animals.

Sustainable Shopping

Choose products that minimize environmental impact and support ethical production.

Sustainable Gear

Find outdoor clothing and equipment from Patagonia, known for its environmental commitment.

Reusable Products

Discover eco-friendly alternatives for daily items at Package Free Shop.

Conservation Shopping

Support rainforest conservation and shop for goods at The Rainforest Site (GreaterGood).

Support Local Communities

If you choose to give, research reputable local charities rather than giving money directly to beggars. This helps your contribution reach those in need through organized channels.

Practical Information

Essential practical details for a smooth and pleasant stay in Pontevedra.

Communication

SIM & eSIM

Purchase local SIM cards from Movistar, Orange, Vodafone. Consider a global eSIM from Airalo or portable Wi-Fi from Solis Wi-Fi.

Internet Access

Wi-Fi is available in hotels, cafes, restaurants, and many public spaces. Look for "WiFi_Gratis" or inquire about passwords.

Language Aids

Spanish and Galician are official languages. English is understood in tourist areas. Use Rosetta Stone for language learning or Google Translate app for quick translations.

Important Phrases

Hello: Hola (Spanish) / Ola (Galician) - (OH-lah)
Goodbye: Adiós (Spanish/Galician) - (ah-dee-OS)
Please: Por favor (Spanish/Galician) - (por fah-VOR)
Thank you: Gracias (Spanish) / Grazas (Galician) - (GRAH-see-as / GRAH-thas)
Excuse me / Sorry: Perdón (Spanish/Galician) - (per-DON)
Yes / No: Sí / No (Spanish) / Si / Non (Galician) - (SEE / NO / SEER / NON)

Essential Questions

Do you speak English?: ¿Habla inglés? (Spanish) / Fala inglés? (Galician) - (AH-blah een-GLES?)
I don't understand: No entiendo (Spanish) / Non entendo (Galician) - (no en-TYEN-do)
How much?: ¿Cuánto cuesta? (Spanish) / Canto custa? (Galician) - (KWAN-toh KWES-tah?)
The bill, please: La cuenta, por favor (Spanish) / A conta, por favor (Galician) - (la KWEHN-tah, por fah-VOR)
Where is the toilet?: ¿Dónde está el baño? (Spanish) / Onde está o baño? (Galician)
Help!: ¡Ayuda! (Spanish) / Axuda! (Galician)

Business Hours & Schedules

Shops & Restaurants

Shops: 10 AM-2 PM, 4:30/5 PM-8:30/9 PM (Mon-Sat). Larger stores may operate continuously. Restaurants: Lunch 1:30 PM-4 PM, Dinner 8:30 PM-11 PM (or later). Tapas bars open continuously or with short breaks.

Museums & Banks

Museums: Typically 10 AM-2 PM, 4 PM-8 PM, closed Mondays. Supermarkets: 9 AM-9 PM. Banks: 8:30 AM-2:30 PM (Mon-Fri). ATMs are widely available 24/7.

Holidays & Seasonal Adjustments

Services may be reduced or businesses closed on national, regional (Galicia), and local (Pontevedra) public holidays. Some smaller businesses may close for holidays in August. Coastal businesses are more seasonal, with reduced hours or closures in winter.

Holiday Awareness

Public holidays (National, Galician, Local) might lead to reduced services or closures. Plan accordingly for attractions and shops.

Day Trips & Excursions