"I was married by a judge. I should have asked for a jury."Groucho Marx
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Visiting any of Galicia's major cities can be both enjoyable and educational. This part of Spain has a wealth of historic buildings ranging from Celtic forts and roman ruins, to Gothic and neo-classical architectural masterpieces. Many of the latter are religious buildings although many grand civil structures, from town halls to mansions, can also be found. Museums are also plentiful and popular and most have a regional or provincial theme to their exhibits.
For a view of real Galicia, many would suggest a visit to one of the regions many coastal towns. Most of Galicia's towns are situated close to a bay or cove and were originally connected with fishing. The region has a long seafaring history and although other enterprises now prosper in Galicia, the fishing industry remains a large employer and economic contributor.
With a population of only three million inhabitants, Galicia has plenty of open space and a drive into the region's interior serves up some breath taking scenery. Forests, meadow land, rolling hills and mountains, all populated with small villages, are on the menu. Galician tourism is however very much there for you to discover and help, in the form of guides and books, is limited compared to many other places in Europe.
Part of Galicia's allure to the tourist is certainly the appeal of visiting somewhere slightly off the beaten track. It is certainly true to say that Santiago de Compostela now has a cosmopolitan tourist trade, but most of Galicia's other cities do not and an English voice is definitely still a rarity. Cities like Lugo, Pontevedra, Ourense and the massive A Coruna and Vigo, have little in the way of foreign tourism and although British and American visitor numbers are on the increase, they are still small. This should not detour the tourist though, all of these cities have great visitor appeal and their inhabitants are
generally friendly and helpful.
The time of year to visit Galicia is definitely something to consider. The region has an extended summer that results in mild temperatures starting in April and running through to October. The best weather is normally reserved for June, July and August, although in this part of Spain clear blue skies are never under warranty. Visiting in the winter months will require the addition of warm clothing, weather proof jackets and certainly an umbrella.
Galician tourism is not geared up for foreign speakers, so if you are English, American, German or French, you will have to pick up a few basic phrases, use plenty of courtesies and practice pointing and smiling a lot. As ever, if you want to buy something, get your money out, this normally helps make your request crystal clear.
Getting to Galicia has become cheaper and easier over the last couple of years with major carriers flying direct to Santiago's international airport. Prices have also come down, particularly for those departing from the UK. Flying from the USA is still comparatively costly, but as visitor numbers increase costs will inevitably come down to match them.
Car rental is pretty much essential for the Galician holiday maker. Galicia is a place to be explored and the best way to do this is independently with your own transport. If this is not an option, the other alternative is to book a tour. Coach tours are few and restrictive and are always limited to the major cities, or predefined routes. If you decide to opt for this type of holiday, make sure you know exactly what is on your schedule before hand and check to make sure you have adequate time at the main stop off points.
About the author:
Webmaster for galiciaguide.com and part time writer about Galicia and its tourist attractions.
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