Atlantic Islands of Galicia National Park

Atlantic Islands of Galicia National Park (also know as Parque Nacional das Illas Atlánticas or Parque Nacional de las Islas Atlánticas) is a 84.8 km² national park located on the western coast of Galicia. This National Park is the only one in Galicia and the 10th most visited in Spain. Its important isn't only for the awesome landscapes but also for its flora and fauna diversity, with more than 200 different species of seaweed, seabirds and mollusca. Currently it isn't inhabited (but Ons island) but has some campsites to spend the night.

How do I arrive to Atlantic Islands of Galicia National Park?

 The only way to reach the National Park is by boat.

• Boat: there are 4-5 daily boats from Vigo, Baiona and Cangas to Cíes Islands (aprox. 1 hour). There are also ferries to Ons island from Sanxenxo, Portonovo, Pontevedra and Bueu (aprox. 45 minutes), daily during summer and just on weekends the rest of the year. It's very important booking on advance the ferry. Sálvora can be reached from Bueu and O Grove and Cortegada from Vilagarcía de Arousa

 Once in the park the one and only way of moving is walking (Cortegada Island can sometimes be accesible from Vilagarcía de Arousa during low tide).

History

The islands were already inhabited during Paleolithic and have also some castros, but the first mention to the islands is done by the Roman historian Pliny the Elder and Pliny the Younger. According to some Roman legends Julius Caesar sheltered here after a defeat in his fight against Lusitans. The islands were given by king Alfonso II to the Cathedral Chapter of Santiago in the year 899. During Middle Ages Cortegada island had a monastery (that was in use till the 19th century) and Sálvora was used as shelter by Muslim troops when they tried to attack mainland. Cíes islands were also settled as base for armies that attacked Vigo, like Francis Drake's one. Sálvora was the home of the first salting factory in Spain, O Almacen, Cortegada island was given to king Alfonso XIII for him to build his summer residence here, but he chose building Palacio de la Magdalena, in Santader. The National Park was established in 2002 and it the future some more islands may be added, like Tambo island or Sisargas islands.

 

What can I visit in Atlantic Islands of Galicia National Park?

These are many things to do in this National Park, explained now according to the island where they are:     

• Cíes Islands: archipielago compounded of the islands of Faro, Monteagudo and San Martiño (unacessible). The two first islands are connected by a sandsplit and currently is inhabited, although in summer thousands of people arrive here to enjoy its beauty, specially Rodas Beach (considered by some the best beach in the world). There are at least 4 routes within the island.
  • Mount Faro Trail (8.3 km): this path is the most popular among tourists. The routes zigzags till reaching Mount Faro (174 m), where having excellent views of the San Martiño island and the cliffs, and reaches Cíes Lighthouse.
  • Porta Lighthouse Trail (5.5 km): route that gets into the southern part of the island till arriving to the small Porta Lighthouse. It gets through the largest colony of yellow-legged gulls in the world, where there are more than 15,000 of these birds. It's also close to calm Viños Beach.
  • Alto do Príncipe Trail (3 km): trail that gets into the western part of the island, arriving to Alto do Príncipe Viewpoint, that has great views of the islands' cliffs.
  • Monteagudo Trail (5.6 km): route that goes to the north of the island through a beautiful eucalyptus forest till Monteagudo Lighthouse, going close to Figueiras Beach. Once arrived to the end of the route birdwatchers can enjoy many shags that are settled here.
• Ons Island: 5.6 km long island with a tiny village, beaches and cliffs, ruins and rich bird life. Currently it's inhabited by 70 people, most of them living in O Curro (Curro in Spanish). It's a bit less touristic than Cíes Islands but less attractive too. There are at least 4 routes within the island.
  
  • South Ons Trail (6.4 km): round path that gets into the southern part of the island, visiting some nice beaches such as Area dos Cans Beach and Canexol Beach. It reaches O Buraco do Inferno and Fedorentos Viewpoint, with astonishing views. It starts at O Curro where its old church, hórreos and school can be seen.
  • North Ons Trail (7.6 km): largest route in the island that reaches the north and west part of the island. One of its highlights is Punta Centulo Viewpoint, not only for its landscape but also shags colonies (the access to the this point is forbidden till the end of July because of that). It goes next to nudist Melide Beach.
  • Ons Lighthouse Trail (3.6 km): trail that explores the center of the island and gets to Ons Lighthouse (from 1926), one of the largest in Spain.
  • Ons Castle Ruins Trail (1.3 km): shortest trail in the island that gets to Ons Castle Ruins, remains from the Peninsular War. It has nice views too.
• Sálvora: this 2 km long island is the less known and visited in the National Park. It has two trails: a Sálvora Lighthouse Trail (1.2 km), a round trip that reaches Sálvora Lighthouse; and the Aldea Trail (1.3 km), a short hike to Sálvora (abandoned village that can just be visited in a guided tour). At wonderful Almacén Beach (beach that has the statue of a mermaid linked to a local legend) there's the Sálvora Drying and Salting Fish Factory, a pazo-like factory that made the island have 70 inhabitants on its better days. The island has cliffs on its coast and some other beautiful beaches like Dos Bois Beach.
• Cortegada: 3.2 km long island just 200 m far from the nearest part of land. It also has two trails, both of them round: a trail that allows to discover the island's forest, Cortegada Inner Trail (2.3 km) and one on its perimeter with views to ría de Arousa, Cortegada Perimeter Trail (3 km). This island has the largest laurel forest in Europe (the Laurel Forest of Cortegada), the abandoned village of Cortegada and Cortegada Shrine.

Rodas Beach at Cíes Islands

Ons Island

Where can I eat in Atlantic Islands of Galicia National Park?

This National Park doesn't have a large culinary offer; in fact it has few restaurants, just in Ons island and Cíes Islands. The best one placed in Cíes Islands is Serafín (Camino C5 Illas Cies 8) and the best one in Ons island is Casa Checho (O Curro 10).

Posted in: Europe,Galicia,Spain