calgary1989

We will be in Galicia for 7 nights and have reservations to stay at Moure near the Cathedral. We do not hike. Our European visits are centred primarily with the occasional sight seeing, walking, and of course eating.

our question is can we do day trips and return to Co postulate every night or do you suggest we break it up. If so, where would you suggest stay? From here, we re headed to Porto, Lisbon for a week, and then flying to Emilia Romagna.

Any and all suggestions will be appreciated.

Maribel

A few questions, and a few unknowns,

Since you're staying at Moure in Santiago, I assume you won't have a rental car, correct?

You can do day trips easily from Santiago by bus (A Coruña, for example), or you could break your 7 nights up with a stay after Santiago further south in Pontevedra, or Cambados (the capital of the Rías Baixas albariño wine country), or Tui at the border, but.... (and that's big "but") will you be relying on public transportation or will you rent a car to reach these other towns??? This detail is essential.

it really depends on what your interests are outside of Santiago de Compostela and what your travel budget is.

I assume you aren't planning to secure a rental car from Santiago for a drive to Porto, as it would incur a huge drop off fee, renting in Spain and dropping off in Portugal.

Are you looking for public transportation directly from Galicia to Porto for your week's stay in Porto? Are you considering taking the Tren Celta from Vigo (not my favorite Galician city) to Porto? Or would you prefer to take a bus directly from Santiago de Compostela either to the Porto Airport (quicker) or to Porto Campanhã rail station, perhaps closer to your Porto city lodging?
And look at the Alsa bus schedule from Santiago to Porto here.

I assume from your other thread, that you've now discounted Asturias since your plans have changed for this trip, as to your question: "Gijón or Oviedo"

Just some unknowns, once "known" it would help for this forum to help you more.

calgary1989

We booked a flight to Galicia,head to Porto and finish our trip in Bologna. Budget is always a concern but more importantly is getting value for our time and money. We are travelling Business class just to give colour to affordability.

Of the 3 destinations, we feel Galicia would be the least touristy and most authentic of all places we are visiting. Our interestin Galicia is to drive, walk, see, and do little bit of eating and drinking. We do not hike. One of our friends who has been there feels we can do all of the above and keep Santiago as our base. We thought5 nights there and then 2 nights in Pontevedra and catch the bus to Porto. Our friends feel that it’s a waste of time and effort to go to Pontevedra and spend the nights there since it’s not that far from Santiago and we don’t have to pack and unpack.

Maribel

Pontevedra is not necessarily highly "touristy" during the height of the pilgrim's season for the Camino de Santiago, certainly no more than Santiago itself.
I do love Pontevedra and have used it as a southern stop after Santiago and on the way to Porto, but it's certainly up to you.
We've stayed at the Parador there..

calgary1989

How would you spend 7 nights in Galicia for a first timer? Please include if this is an over night stay or not. Reading travel books or watching YouTube is making me more confused.

Maribel

7 nights in Galicia depends entirely on your interests.

Our personal interests would be coastal entirely if only for 7 nights. If only 7 nights, I would spend 3-4 nights in Santiago, the head south to Pontevedra or Cambados or Baiona (at the wonderful Parador) or Tui (ditto to its Parador) close to the border. It depends on your interests.

Givent the heavy pilgrimage presence in Santiago, I wouldn't spend the entire week there, personally.

calgary1989

Thank you Maribel.

ekscrunchy

Is this of any help to you?

We returned to USA last night after one week in Galicia--three destinations--and 9 days in Lanzarote:. We did not find Pontevedra touristy in the least. A lovely, lovely town with very few obvious tourists.

GALICIA..A WEEK IN MAY..three destinations

ekscrunchy

And here is a small report about the restaurants we tried in Galicia:



https://www.hungryonion.org/t/galici...-2024/38978/61

calgary1989

Yes.this is very helpful

calgary1989

To you and Maribel, thank you so much