Villa Betanzos

Villa Betanzos enjoys a splendid rural location in, 15 minutes from the town of Betanzos and 30 minutes for the main city of A Coruña. From this wonderful location you will discover the magical scenery, sensational gourmet delights and superb wines of Galicia.

As much as you will go back in time at Villa Betanzos, you will certainly do this in the charming historic town of Betanzos. With the historical centre having a warren of little narrow roads filled with ancient buildings, churches, bars, restaurants and shops, it is a magical place for an evening wander. It is pretty hilly with classical architecture and lovely plazas, a real treasure trove of gems to discover. Some of the highlights are the churches dedicated to Santa Maria Azogue and to St Domingo. The 13^th century Iglesia de Santa Maria del Azogue enjoys a stunning Romanesque facade and archway over the entrance and beautiful wooden carvings thoughout the church. Parque el Pasatiempo is stunning with caverns, statues, tunnels, bridges and endless surprises around every corner.

Santiago de Compostela has its origin in the shrine of Saint James the Great, now the magnificent Cathedral de Compostela. Since the 9^th century, thousands of pilgrims have travelled the St James’ Way every year, reaching this majestic capital of Galicia and entering the iconic cathedral. Along with its pilgrimage history, it is a buzzy city with countless restaurants and bars where visitors can enjoy delicious seafood and local delicacies. It enjoys its UNESCO World Heritage centre along with contemporary art galleries and trendy bars. One of the most special places in the city is Plaza del Obradoiro, the site of the Cathedral, Raxoi Palace and the luxurious Hostal de los Reyes Catolicos, said to be the world’s oldest hotel. There is a ritual for visiting the Cathedral, you will admire the Portico de la Gloria, embrace the figure of St James on the main alter, go down to the crypt and up to the sensational rooftop to enjoy the views. A visit to the colourful Mercado de Abastos food market is fabulous, the second most visited place in the city. You can buy and taste seafood fresh from the Rias, delicious cheeses and Padron peppers and well as the famous tapas. In the heart of the old town you can also enjoy tapas, octopus a feira, scallops and Santiago cakes along with the delicious Albarino wines. In the university area you will find contemporary architecture including Cidade da Cultura by the New York architect Peter Eisenman and the Galacian Contemporary Art Centre.

You will discover an incredible range of beaches on the north coast of Galicia with the Cantabrian Sea and the west coast with the Atlantic Ocean. In total there is 1200km of undulating coastline, full of tiny bays and inlets so it is no surprise that the beaches are so spectacular. As Catedrais is one of the most famous beaches on the north coast, close to the border with Asturias. It is named Cathedral’s Beach due to its spectacular rock formations that look like stone cathedrals standing proud over the beautiful sand. Playa de Riazor is one of A Coruña’s main beaches. It hugs the city and is a pretty moon shape with fine white sand and an excellent range of watersports.

Read more about Galicia

About Galicia

Like many parts of Spain, Galicia has its very own identity that has remained intact through its regional dialect and distinguishing culture. Although Galicia is recognised for its holy traditions, we urge budding tourists to also consider its astonishing green countryside & rivers and its UNESCO World Heritage sites. Occasionally you may even hear the gentle tootling of bagpipes, known locally as the Galician Gaita, along this northern corner of the Iberian Peninsula.

You're likely to fly into Santiago de Compostela, which is the capital of Galicia and is probably best known for the Camino de Santiago pilgrimage and its route. Many of the travellers embark on this journey by foot and tend to be mesmerised by this fine city at the end of their trek. Casco Viejo, or the Old Town, is a good place to end or even start your holiday. This area of the city is blessed with markets, restaurants, bars and buildings from a bygone era. After exhausting yourself in the busyness of the city, take a day trip to Praia de Rodas, on the gorgeous Cíes Islands. These small islands, accessible by boat from Vigo, Baiona, or Cangas, have been noted as having some of the best beaches in the world. It has to be seen to be believed!

Galicia is divided into four key regions: A Coruña, Lugo, Ourense and our favourite – Pontevedra. A Galician proverb states that 'Pontevedra gives water to travellers'. We firmly believe this to be true, as this particular part of Galicia has everything a traveller could need for an unforgettable experience and it almost feels like this city is constantly giving back. Whilst you holiday in Pontevedra you will realise that days are structured around mealtime. And why wouldn't they be? With some of the best seafood you will experience in Spain and the noteworthy Albariño wine, you may notice your jeans feeling a little tighter toward the end of your holiday. You will be glad to know that your waistline need not be a cause for concern though! Pontevedra is blessed with some of the best hiking trails, medieval monasteries, estuaries, and valleys within Spain. Don't forget about the coastline either! Rarely you will you find so many empty beaches, so make the most of this privacy and just embrace the nature around you.

Galicia is still an unspoilt part of the world. It has everything a diverse group of friends & family need to have a glorious adventure.

Getting There

Galicia is served by either Santiago de Compostela Airport, A Coruña Airport, or Vigo Airport. Various train lines connect the main cities and towns of Galicia to other destinations in Northern and Central Spain. Hop on and enjoy the view from your comfy seat; there's even a Galician Tourist Train pass! This discounted rail pass gives you access to various rail routes created by the Galician Regional Government and based on key elements of the region. Follow the Lighthouse Route along the northern coastline and stop to admire the lighthouses and gorgeous sea views, or hop on and follow one of the Ribeira Sacra Wine Routes to visit the lovely towns and wineries where acclaimed Galician wines are made and enjoyed. Check out the government website to grab your pass and plan your trip!

From the UK:
Direct flights are available from London with easyJet, Ryanair, Vueling, and many others. Although, travellers should be aware that Vigo Airport only receives domestic flights, so a stopover is needed if you wish to travel to this airport. Chartered flights are also available from several other UK airports.