The Beautiful Beaches of Pontevedra

Situated along the country’s Atlantic coast, Pontevedra—along with its neighboring provinces—boasts a staggering selection of beautiful beaches and coves. The distinctive coastal outline of this expansive province makes for a long list of unique and unspoilt beaches. In this list we look at the many beaches and coves that form part of the Pontevedra province, and see what they have to offer.

Praia de Peralto / Playa de Peralto and Praia Confín

A sheltered beach in the peninsular town of O Grove (Ogrobe), Praia de Peralto features a wide, white-sand shore that extends towards the O Grove Marina—the extended part being an artificial beach, Praia Confín. Praia de Peralto is ideal for those who want to soak up the sun and enjoy the fresh sea breeze, and maybe cruise on a sailboat later in the day. There is a spacious promenade on the beachfront, offering benches for visitors to relax while gazing at the ocean, and bright lamp posts for those who want to take a tranquil evening stroll.

Playa O Espiño and Playa Portiño

These two beaches situated next to each other are nestled between the Port of San Vicente do Mar and the Punta do Portiño headland. Large, smooth rocks and boulders clustered together are what separate the two beaches. While Playa O Espiño boasts of fine, white sand that stretches for a way into the water, Playa Portiño features a rockier shore and shorter shallow waters. Both beaches are popular in the area for being dog friendly beaches, as visitors can bring their canine companions to swim or play on the sand.

Other notable beaches:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kIkXkgLUDt8

Praia da Lanzada / Playa de la Lanzada

Spanning more than 2 kilometers in length, Praia da Lanzada is an extensive beach that the municipality of Sanxenxo shares with O Grove. It is popular for its wide and beautiful white-sand shore backed by rich vegetation, as well as its spacious waters and big waves perfect for surfing, water skiing and other water sports. Small dunes can be found all along the beach—adding to its picturesque setting. Along the shore are a few Chiringuitos or beach bars offering refreshments. Parking is abundant and accessible.

Praia de Area Gorda / Playa de Area Gorda

Surrounded by outcrops and large rock formations, this beach-cove situated near the popular Praia da Lanzada offers breathtaking views and a tranquil ambiance. Many people visit just to sit on one of the smooth, rocky ledges and take in the scenery and fresh air. The beach boasts of a Blue Flag, and there are some restaurants and cafés within the area where one can enjoy a snack.

Praia da Nosa Señora / Playa de Nosa Señora

Situated at the foot of the shrine of A Lanzada—near the historical landmark of Fonte Ermida da Lanzada—Praia da Nosa Señora is a small cove with an area of fine, white sand and boasting crystal clear waters. Groups of rocks and boulders surrounding the cove make it a sheltered place with a quiet environment.

Praia de Foxos / Playa de Foxos

Though relatively spacious, this beach exudes a quiet and peaceful atmosphere, emphasized only by the lack of establishments in the immediate area—save for a single Chiringuito set on the shores of the beach. Praia de Foxos is a crescent-shaped beach that features fine, golden sands and crystal clear waters. A dirt path behind the shore leads all the way to the ancient stone chapel of A Lanzada.

Praia de Magor / Playa de Magor

Near the large public park of Merendero in the municipality of Sanxenxo, Pontevedra, is Praia de Magor. Wide shores with white sand backed by thick greenery give the beach its natural splendor, while the spacious parking areas behind the beach make it an easily accessible and convenient attraction. The nearby Merendero Park doubles as a camping site where visitors can spread their tents just a few meters from the beach.

Praia Pragueira / Playa Pragueira

Well-known for its spectacular white sands, beautiful banks of rich vegetation, and benches positioned facing the sea, Praia Pragueira is an ideal beach for sunbathing, swimming and enjoying relaxing strolls along the shore. This Blue Flag beach is situated next to Praia de Magor, sharing its lush greenery and wide range of amenities including showers, restrooms and accessible ramps for people of limited mobility.

Playa de Bascuas

Situated in a sparsely populated area of Sanxenxo, Playa de Bascuas is surrounded by far-reaching green fields and forests, with plenty of rocky outcrops in its immediate vicinity. Due to its orientation and tranquil environment, the beach offers breathtaking views—especially during sunsets. There is plenty of free parking behind the beach, as well as a variety of bars and restaurants with plenty of outdoor seating.

Praia de Montalvo / Playa de Montalvo

Nearly a kilometer in length, Praia de Montalvo is a long, slightly-crescent-shaped beach offering plenty of space for beachgoers even during the peak of summer. The beach is located near a number of camping sites including Camping Boavista and Camping Suavila, as well as the scenic hiking area of Sendero Litora Montalvo-Major. Hotels, restaurants and bars can be found around the area, and the beach provides ample amenities such as showers, restrooms, lifeguard towers, and sunbeds for hire.

Playa de Paxariñas

Tucked between large, rocky cliffs, Playa de Paxariñas is a relatively hidden beach-cove with a sandy shore and placid waters. It offers a serene and cozy ambiance away from the crowds, but close enough to a number of hotels and restaurants around the area. The beach’s shallow waters and gentle waves make it ideal for children and the spacious shore provides a perfect setting for sunbathing or resting on the sand.

Praia de Canelas / Playa de Canelas

On the coast of Portonovo—a fishing village within the municipality of Sanxenxo—is a wide, picturesque beach well-known for its scenic views of the Portonovo Bay. Visitors often frequent Praia de Canelas for its clean surroundings, calm and crystal clear waters, and peaceful ambiance. It is also known to be an idyllic spot to enjoy gorgeous sunsets. There are restrooms and showers on the beach, and spacious parking nearby.

Praia de Caneliñas / Playa de Caneliñas

Praia de Caneliñas is a small beach-cove tucked away in a rocky alcove of Portonovo. The beach boasts of sparkling azure waters, gentle waves and white sands. Quiet even during the summer, the beach offers a serene ambiance perfect for quiet relaxation. The long-ranging shallow waters and calm waves also make the beach safe for little children.

Playa de Baltar

Also known as Portonovo Beach, Playa de Baltar is a long, crescent-shaped beach situated between the Portonovo Port and Parque do Vicaño. The shore is characterized by a large green area at the back, with plenty of local flora and vegetation. Sailboats and yachts can be seen bobbing across the spacious waters. Restrooms and showers are well-located on the shore, and there are a wide array of Chiringuitos and restaurants.

Praia de Silgar / Playa de Silgar

Set on the coast of Sanxenxo’s town centre, Praia de Silgar is a bustling urban beach spanning a generous 750 meters in length. It gets especially busy during the summer, when beachgoers visit for a swim in the cool, blue waters, or to relax on the fine, white sand. Sunbeds, beach umbrellas and hammocks are available for rent, and amenities such as restrooms and showers are widespread. Hotel and apartment buildings with restaurants on their ground levels line the back of the beach, offering plenty of places to have a meal or enjoy some refreshments.

Playa de Panadeira

Just a few hundred meters from Praia de Silgar is Playa de Panadeira, a small urban beach and a favorite among many locals and tourists. This is due to the crystal clear, shallow waters that are safe even for kids, and the beach’s cozy yet easily accessible location near many hotels and establishments. Right in front of the beach is Club Náutico de Sanxenxo, where beachgoers can simply climb a few steps from the shore to enjoy a drink accompanied by lovely sea views.

Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aQVhbWflY-4

Praia de Carabuxeira / Playa de Carabuxeira

Located in the village of A Carabuxeira, Pontevedra, Praida de Carabuxeira is a very small beach-cove, less than 100 meters in length. The waters are surrounded by rocky outcrops while around the shore’s immediate area are hotels and apartments, whose residents enjoy the beach’s exclusive and cozy feel.

Praia de Barreiros / Playa de Barreiros

Another one of A Carabuxeira’s hidden gems is Praia de Barreiros. Though small—with a length of only around 100 meters—the beach offers an ideal place to relax on the fine sand while enjoying the sunset. During high tide, the waves cover most of the shore. There is abundant vegetation behind the beach, and beyond that are the high walls of private residences.

Praia de Nanín / Playa de Nanín

The largest beach in A Carabuxeira (though still relatively small, at less than 500 meters in length), Praia de Nanín is a quiet beach with a semi-rocky shore. Large rocks and boulders separate the beach from the popular and busy Praia de Areas, located in the neighboring town of Areas. A large hotel, the Hotel Spa Nanín, is situated on the waterfront.

Praia de Areas / Playa de Areas

Running along the winding coastline of the town of Areas, Pontevedra, Praia de Areas is a wide and sandy urban beach. It is well-known for its fine, white sand and cold, blue waters perfect for a swim or a refreshing dip. A lot of establishments such as hotels and restaurants can be found nearby, and there are even Chiringuitos or beach bars right on the shore. There is also a surf school beside the beach, offering classes in various water sports, and beyond that is the parking area for beachgoers.

Praia de Agra / Playa de Agra

Praia de Agra is a small, secluded beach with smooth, white sand and calm, peaceful waters. Lush greenery surrounds the shore, adding to the beach’s tranquil and exclusive ambiance. Its picturesque surroundings and crystal clear waters are only made better with the single beach bar situated behind the shore, where visitors can sip on a beer or juice while enjoying the scenic views.

Praia de Xiorto

Beside Praia de Raxó, separated only by the Raxó Pier, is the large and popular Blue Flag beach, Praia de Xiorto. Situated near many hotels and restaurants, it has become a favorite among locals and tourists alike. Amenities at the beach include showers, access ramps for people of limited mobility, and lifeguard posts with active lifeguards during the summer months. As it is situated in the south, it is sheltered from the strong winds, therefore boasting safe and calm waters.

Praia de Raxó / Playa de Raxó

Located at the southern end of the town with the same name, Praia de Raxó is an urban beach spanning about 200 meters in length, and with a wide shore especially during low tide. Though relatively well known in the area, it is not a particularly busy urban beach—even during the peak of summer—as many locals and tourists would prefer to visit the nearby Praia de Xiorto. Raxó Beach boasts of fine, white sand, calm waters, and a variety of beach bars and restaurants on the waterfront.

Praia de Siñas / Playa de Siñas

A small beach in the town of Raxó, Pontevedra, Praia de Siñas is known for its soft, white-sand shore, calm waters, and peaceful atmosphere. The beach is characterized as a hidden gem, with a shore length of less than a hundred meters and groups of big, smooth rocks on either side of the sand. Praia de Siñas is especially safe for children due to the calm, shallow waters, and beachgoers can also bring their pets.

Praia do Laño / Playa de Laño

Also known as Praia Samieira, this beach is located in the town of Samieira, Pontevedra. Praia do Laño features a winding shore with an area covered in stones and large rocks. While there are some areas of the water with a rocky bed, most of the beach offers fine-sand sea floors that are safe and comfortable to swim or wade in. One distinct feature of Praia do Laño is the long footpath that runs most of the beach’s length, and is covered by the shade of tall trees. This path is perfect for a scenic stroll by the beach.

Praia do Covelo / Playa de Covelo

Situated in a coastal alcove near the Port of Covelo, Praia do Covelo is a small beach with a golden-sand shore separated from the street by a slight elevation with a row of metal fencing. It may be small—at less than a hundred meters in length—but it offers complete amenities including restrooms, showers, and an access ramp for people of limited mobility. There is ample street parking and bars can be found nearby.

Area de Barca

Area de Barca is a crescent-shaped beach-cove with a shore surrounded by tall trees and walls of a nearby estate, giving it an exclusive and peaceful atmosphere. Because of its orientation, the beach is sheltered from the winds, making the waters calm and conducive for swimming. The shore is made up of a mix of fine and coarse golden sand, and there is a shower on the beach.

Praia Ouriceira / Playa Ouriceira

A small and intimate beach in the quaint fishing village of Combarro, Praia Ouriceira is an ideal place for those who want to escape from the hustle and bustle of the larger urban beaches. It boasts of fine, white sand and clear blue waters that are warmer than the usual beaches in Galicia. Thick areas of trees flank both sides of the shore, while behind the beach are large and luxurious villas and residences.

Praia de Chancelas / Playa de Chancelas

Separated from Praia Ouriceira by a dense forest, Praia de Chancelas is a semi-urban beach on the front of a row of large private residences. The shore is made up of fine, white sand with some scattered vegetation. A wooden boardwalk behind the shore runs the beach’s entire length—ideal for a relaxing stroll or a morning jog.

Praia da Canteira / Playa de Canteira

Praia da Canteira is a very small urban beach situated at the corner of Avenida Chancelas and the Combarro Port. Because of its location, the beach features a triangular-shaped shore. A small area of dense overgrowth separates the shore from the road. Restaurante la Nueva Parada is a restaurant located at the side of the shore—offering a place where beachgoers can stop by for a meal or drink.

Praia da Pinela / Playa de Pinela

A long beach with dark, coarse sand and deep waters, Praia da Pinela is more suited for morning jogs, relaxing strolls and sea gazing than swimming. The surrounding greenery and blue waters make it a scenic place to view the sunset, while the long stone path behind the shore is perfect for cyclists and joggers.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KvBrrRFSddw