So, on this occasion, we suggest you visit O Grove and offer you the keys so that you don’t miss any plans or interesting spots in this coastal town. This is everything you have to see and do in this Galician paradise.
Where is O Grove?
O Grove is a municipality in the Galician province of Pontevedralocated in the O Salnés regionIt has a population of about 10,000 inhabitants, and there you will find everything you need to enjoy the Galician culturethe leisure activities and all the services to enjoy your stay. In addition, its location is exceptional, since it extends across a peninsula that is connected to the neighboring municipality of Sanxenxo via a road parallel to A Lanzada beach.
To get to the O Grove Peninsula You can follow all the Coastal road from PontevedraIt is about 30 kilometres from the provincial capital, and you will need about 40 minutes by car to get there, although in high season such as Easter and summer you will have to be patient, as caravans of people can form going to the beaches. In that case, you also have the option of going by Salnés Highwaythrough the interior of the province, which will take you just half an hour.
A Lanzada
The A Lanzada beach It stretches between the tourist town of Sanxenxo and the town of O Grove, so it will be the first thing you see when you enter the latter. With its two and a half kilometres in length, it is a paradise for surfers, and a sandy beach that enchants all those who enjoy the wildest beaches. Walking along its wooden promenade at any time of the year is a pleasure.
The beach of A Lanzada, with its dune systemconstitutes a protected natural areaand is included in the Natura 2000 Network. In addition, in its surroundings you can stop to visit the Hermitage of Our Lady of A Lanzada and the archaeological site of A Lanzada.
Fishing port and fish market of O Grove
A must-see stop on your visit to the municipality is the Fishing port and fish market of O Groveas well as the Market Square. At the port you can board the boats offered by the different shipping companies and nautical companies in the area to enjoy guided tours of the estuary to visit the typical mussel rafts and taste this seafood accompanied by a Galician wine while you sail the waters.
Through the squares and streets of O Grove you can also explore the Route of the Sculptures. And in the town you will find more than 50 sculptural worksIf you don’t feel like walking, keep in mind that the ferry leaves from the port Turitren O Grovea tourist train, ideal if you are travelling with children, which offers a guided tour The tour lasts about 50 minutes and takes you to discover the town and Illa da Toxa. It operates all year round, with departures every hour, between 10:00 and 13:00 in the mornings, and between 16:00 and 20:00 in the afternoons.
Toxa Island
The Toxa Islandalso known as the La Toja Islandis a wonderful place that is connected by a bridge to the O Grove peninsula. Famous for its medicinal waters and its thermal mud, in the 19th century it passed into private hands and its owners oriented their activity to thermal tourismdespite the fact that prior to that date the residents used the land to collect firewood and graze their cattle.
He La Toja Spa It opened its doors in 1840, and its success was such that, over time, the hotel was built Grand Hotel A Toxa in 1907. Three years later, the bridge connecting the island to the O Grove peninsula was built. However, in addition to enjoying its select accommodations, you can visit this place and enjoy its leisure offer without having to stay in its hotels or spas.
On the island you will find a monument of interest: the hermitage of San Caralampioin honor of the Virgin of Carmen. It will catch your attention because it is completely covered with scallop shells, which is why it is also known as the Hermitage of the Shells. Also, the Illa da Toxa is home to the La Toja Golf Club with a 6.122 kilometer long, 9-hole course, a small shopping center, a swimming pool, a congress pavilion and a place that will surprise the little ones in the house: the Grobits Village.
Grobits Village
The Grobits Village o Grobit Village is inspired by the mythical village of Hobbitonwhere they live hobbitscreated by the imagination of JRR Tolkien, and appearing in books such as The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings. But in this case, the Grobits’ Village has been designed with a different function, since it is a children’s park. In it you will see the tiny half-buried houses, a magic well, swings and benches, among other wooden games aimed at the little ones. Admission is free and you can enter the park at any time. The surroundings are beautiful, since it is located in the middle of the Illa da Toxa Forest Park.
Salgadeiras Museum of Moreiras
In front of the Meloxo marinaand about four kilometers from the town of O Grove, is the old salting factory Moreiras’ salgadeiras. This was converted into an interesting museum: the Ethnographic Museum of Fishing and Salting Salgadeiras de Moreiraswhose exhibitions are distributed between an outdoor area and an indoor area.
In its open-air space you will discover how the process of salting fish between the 18th and 19th centuries, and in its interior area you can visit the permanent exhibition on the seafaring story of the municipality and fishing arts. Take advantage of the opportunity to visit the Moreiras lighthouse and then head to the O Grove Aquarium.
O Grove Aquarium
If you are traveling with your family, the O Grove Aquarium It is a must-see. With almost thirty tanks and a thousand specimens of 100 different species, you can learn about the different marine ecosystems of the Galician estuariesThe aquarium is full of conger eels, octopuses, moray eels and sharks, among many others.
It is also open all year round. It is open from 1 September to 15 October from 11:00 to 20:00, and during Easter, July and August from 10:30 to 20:30. The rest of the year it is open from Monday to Friday from 10:00 to 18:00, and on Saturdays and Sundays from 10:30 to 18:30. Children under four years old enter for free.
The Quinteiro of Temperán
The Quinteiro of Temperán it’s a Center for the interpretation of agricultural culturelocated in a traditional Galician house from the 18th century. Here you will enjoy another ethnographic museum which will allow you to discover the rural culture of Galicia.
O Quinteiro de Temperán is located a couple of kilometers from the town of San Vicente do Mar. This entire area is one of the most touristic on the O Grove peninsula, and there you will find great options for camping and glampingSome of these are open all year round and others until mid- or late October. Keep in mind that the entire coast of the O Grove peninsula is surrounded by beaches, and they are easily reached on foot from hotels, campsites and tourist apartments.
Saint Vincent of the Sea
He Marina of Pedras Negrasin Saint Vincent of the Seais located between the estuaries of Pontevedra and Arousa. For this reason, it is also ideal for sailing to the Atlantic Islands National Parkespecially to the islands of Sálvora and Vionta, and the Ons archipelago. But if you fancy a different boat trip, keep in mind that the boat that makes the trip leaves from the port Traslatio Routefollowing the route taken by the remains of the apostle Santiago through the Arousa estuary to reach Santiago de Compostela.
Also, one of the most beautiful trails in O Grove begins at the port: the Pedras Negras walkwaysThis wooden walkway, which runs parallel to the sea, between rocks, coves and cliffs, offers a walk of a couple of kilometres between the Marina of Pedras Negras and the Zona de Con Negro. It is ideal for walking at any time of the year, as long as the weather is good.
Umia-O Grove Intertidal Complex
Nature and bird lovers have a true paradise on this peninsula, with hiking trailsspectacular viewpoints and numerous stalls birdwatchingThis is because the protected natural area of the Umia-O Grove Intertidal Complex. In its spectacular wetland and in the Bodeira coastal lagoon It is possible to see thousands of aquatic birds that spend the winter there.
Among the trails you can follow are the following: O Vao Routein the cove of the same name, and the Adro Vello Routewhich will allow you to visit the archaeological site homonym. And don’t forget to visit the Route of the Lizards and climb up to the viewpoint of Mount Siradella, the highest point on the O Grove peninsula, from which you can enjoy impressive views.
Seafood Festival
If there is a really special occasion for Visit O Grovein addition to the warmest months in which to enjoy its paradisiacal beaches, is the month of October. And it is during these dates that the popular Seafood Festivala festival in which the seafood of the Rias Baixas are the protagonists.
It is organized in the O Corgo Square in the town of O Grove, and is listed as Festival of National Tourist Interest. During the days that the festivities last, it is possible to taste barnacles, clams a la marinera, oysters, mussels, razor clams, cockles, lobsters, empanadas of all kinds and, of course, pulpo á feira, among other delicacies, affordable prices. In addition, the program of activities does not lack the traditional musicthe concerts, the competitions sports and plans for the little ones. The 2024 edition will take place from October 3rd to 13thAre you coming to O Grove?
